Currently I'm working on the FrouFrou sweater from The Happy Hooker. I think I've started it 8 times now, but this last start looks to be the one that will actually get finished. It turns out that I don't need to just be worried about having the right size hook--I've also got to have the right brand of hook. My Hero K and Boye K are so not the same size it turns out, and the one I like better doesn't work at all for this project. This is the first time I've had that happen, usually any kook works so long as it's the right size.
I'm also determined to make a skirt and a petticoat this week. Or weekend rather. I won't be able to get ribbon for the petticoat until Thursday, and I'm resisting cutting out the skirt for some reason. Eh, I'll force myself to get on it in the next day or so, and once it's cut out it should be easy to finish.
I think my plan for Halloween this year is to find/make a vintage outfit, and wander around in a full petticoat and everything, pretending it's a totally different year.
9.23.2008
8.31.2008
tie one one: gingham
I finally got around to making an apron for tie one on! The latest challenge was to make an gingham apron, which was perfect since some of my cousins passed on their fabric stashes to me last year, and there were several large pieces of gingham. I ended up using two different ginghams--different sized checks of a pale minty green. One is 1/16, the other 1/4.
I used the Twirl, Girl! pattern from A is for Apron, and it worked out even better than I thought it would. I love the way this turned out, I might have to make it again in different colors, or alter it into a bib-style apron for my mother to use.
So far the only problem with it has been that it doesn't really like being photographed, especially while being worn. It's pale enough that the light keeps washing it out, so I finally just gave up and laid it out on a bed.
By the way, A is for Apron really is a great apron book--I've made three different aprons from it so far, and will be making more, different aprons whenever I get around to getting more of the patterns enlarged.
I used the Twirl, Girl! pattern from A is for Apron, and it worked out even better than I thought it would. I love the way this turned out, I might have to make it again in different colors, or alter it into a bib-style apron for my mother to use.
So far the only problem with it has been that it doesn't really like being photographed, especially while being worn. It's pale enough that the light keeps washing it out, so I finally just gave up and laid it out on a bed.
By the way, A is for Apron really is a great apron book--I've made three different aprons from it so far, and will be making more, different aprons whenever I get around to getting more of the patterns enlarged.
8.29.2008
Finished Project: Simplicity 5036
I managed to update my website, but forgot to do the same here!
On a bit of a whim, I decided I needed a sailor jacket inspired swimsuit cover-up. But then I realized if I made the whole thing in blue it would look like an old fashioned bathing suit costume, so I pretty much had to go that route.
Long story short, I love how this turned out, even if I skipped the step that made installing a zipper possible. (Next time I know to actually do what the instructions say instead of laughing and thinking there's a mistake.) I'm even thinking about making a version in greens or browns or something to use as a light fall jacket.
The hooks and eyes work in this version since I still consider it a swimsuit cover-up, but a zipper would be much more useful. I'm also thinking about just having one line of ribbon on the collar next time, mainly because I fail horribly at keeping things like that lined up easy.
Really, this is one of my favorite things out of all the random stuff I've sewn over the years.
On a bit of a whim, I decided I needed a sailor jacket inspired swimsuit cover-up. But then I realized if I made the whole thing in blue it would look like an old fashioned bathing suit costume, so I pretty much had to go that route.
Long story short, I love how this turned out, even if I skipped the step that made installing a zipper possible. (Next time I know to actually do what the instructions say instead of laughing and thinking there's a mistake.) I'm even thinking about making a version in greens or browns or something to use as a light fall jacket.
The hooks and eyes work in this version since I still consider it a swimsuit cover-up, but a zipper would be much more useful. I'm also thinking about just having one line of ribbon on the collar next time, mainly because I fail horribly at keeping things like that lined up easy.
Really, this is one of my favorite things out of all the random stuff I've sewn over the years.
8.27.2008
Happiness!
I decided to buy a Japanese sewing book on ebay recently, and it's turning out to have been a great decision, mainly because the patterns actually seem to fit with few alterations. Yay!
I am far from busty, so American patterns and I don't always get along. There's a reason I mainly make skirts and pajama pants. Anything fitted on top ends up needing so many alterations that it just ends up a headache. (There's a New Look pattern I've been fighting with for about 2 months now. I finally got the bust to fit only to have everything above that go all wrong.)
Anyways, I traced one of the bodices out of the book, and the muslin fit almost perfectly, so amazing. I'll have to trim a bit off of the center seam, but that's so easy compared to a SBA.
Anyways, if things go well I'll be making a dress from the book this week. I just have to decide between the '70s dress and one of the full-skirted dresses.
(Now I want to buy so many more books. I know what's going on my Christmas wishlist!)
I am far from busty, so American patterns and I don't always get along. There's a reason I mainly make skirts and pajama pants. Anything fitted on top ends up needing so many alterations that it just ends up a headache. (There's a New Look pattern I've been fighting with for about 2 months now. I finally got the bust to fit only to have everything above that go all wrong.)
Anyways, I traced one of the bodices out of the book, and the muslin fit almost perfectly, so amazing. I'll have to trim a bit off of the center seam, but that's so easy compared to a SBA.
Anyways, if things go well I'll be making a dress from the book this week. I just have to decide between the '70s dress and one of the full-skirted dresses.
(Now I want to buy so many more books. I know what's going on my Christmas wishlist!)
7.27.2008
To Do, This Week
I have several things I plan to sew this week, and a good number have to be finished. Others are just for fun.
This one is mainly for fun, but since I'm finally going swimming this week, I'm pretending that it'll be necessary to have a cover-up from a vintage pattern.
I'll be making this all in blue, with white ribbon detailing. That way it'll look like a sailor jacket and a vintage bathing costume.
I cut the material out a few hours ago, now I just have to sew it. (And find the ribbon.)
This one is mainly for fun, but since I'm finally going swimming this week, I'm pretending that it'll be necessary to have a cover-up from a vintage pattern.
I'll be making this all in blue, with white ribbon detailing. That way it'll look like a sailor jacket and a vintage bathing costume.I cut the material out a few hours ago, now I just have to sew it. (And find the ribbon.)
Vintage Pattern: Simplicity 2195
I meant to add this here a few weeks ago, but obviously, I'm just now getting around to it.
Recently, when organizing the vintage patterns I plan to sell, I came across one that I just couldn't resist sewing first.
My mother had recently bought me some pink gingham at a yard sale, and since there's a gingham version of the top on the envelope, this was just meant to be made.
This is a fun, simple pattern. The most difficult part was the dart tucks, but only because I kept treating them like regular darts at first. I really liked the collar on this pattern.
I'll be making this again, in a bit stronger of fabric. I might turn the gingham version into a light house jacket--the sleeves are long enough when unfolded.
There's a more detailed review of this pattern over at my website: Simplicity 2195.
Recently, when organizing the vintage patterns I plan to sell, I came across one that I just couldn't resist sewing first.
My mother had recently bought me some pink gingham at a yard sale, and since there's a gingham version of the top on the envelope, this was just meant to be made.
This is a fun, simple pattern. The most difficult part was the dart tucks, but only because I kept treating them like regular darts at first. I really liked the collar on this pattern.
I'll be making this again, in a bit stronger of fabric. I might turn the gingham version into a light house jacket--the sleeves are long enough when unfolded.
There's a more detailed review of this pattern over at my website: Simplicity 2195.
6.20.2008
hidden treasure
I finally went through a stack of patterns I had bought off of ebay ages ago, making sure all of the cut pattern pieces and instructions were still there. I was delighted to find that some of the patterns had been uncut, but the most surprising thing turned out to be a small bundle of old newspaper.I unfolded it and found a shirt pattern that had been traced onto pages of ads and comics from a newspaper from 1960. It's a complete pattern--front (with dart), back, and front and back neck facings. No seam allowance notes though, but I have an idea about how to figure that part out.
It's a simple pattern--a basic kimono sleeved top, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to end up trying to make it. Since it doesn't match the envelope I found it in, I'm guessing once upon a time the lady I bought the patterns from decided to match it to the 50's sporty shorts that were in the envelope.
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