SEWmuchKNITting

2019 will go down as the year I fell in love with knitting sweaters, and the Love Note sweater by the design team at Tin Can Knits is my new favorite. Aptly named, wouldn't you say? The yarn was purchased in September this year at the Mid Mitten Fiber Frolic here in Michigan, from Deirdre of Fangirl Yarn : Superwash Sock & Silk Mohair held double. The pretty-in-pink yarn was exactly what I had been hoping to find, and Deirdre was a delight to meet. What a fun and quick project! I cast on pretty quickly, with the idea that I  might finish my sweater in time to wear to the Fall Fiber Expo to be held in October. I knew Fangirl Yarn would be vending at the Expo, and I  wanted to show Deirdre my sweater. I didn't meet that goal,   as I had other gift projects that had to be completed first.  My second goal, then, was to finish by the Christmas holidays, and I'm happy  to say that I met my goal! Sigh.... ...

I Just look at those girls! Little sweethearts, for sure (I should know, I'm their Grandma!). My daughter Kristen has always loved dressing up for Halloween, and now she has a blast dressing  her 2 daughters ages 3 and 8 months for the holiday. At the beginning of Sept she sent me a text with a photo of some Madeline  costumes she had  seen on Etsy, with the comment: "Are you thinking what I'm thinking...?" YES! I jumped right on board and offered to sew the costumes for my granddaughters, as I knew I would have as much fun sewing them as they would have wearing them. I knew I had Simplicity 4243 in my pattern stash.  I had made it before and so I  knew it would fit baby Estie: Lucky for me, I have a sewing buddy who loves vintage patterns and often gifts me with  them when she finds them when scouring estate sales.  This one is a Vintage Simplicity 5948 from 1965: which was a perfect fit for Jolene, age...

I am still sewing down my stash (with a new purchase here and there, of course!), and I found this VERY open  weave tweed-like fabric in my fabric cupboard.  I do know that this has been  in my fabric stash for many years:  I can't remember where I bought it. It may have been off the red tag clearance tables at Joann's, but that purchase was made a l.o.n.g. time ago. Is it home dec fabric? Not sure, the weave is so open. But the fabric is drapey, and my sewing buddy Karen suggested that I use it in a  waterfall-type jacket.  Butterick 6244 is a Lisette pattern from a while back, but it is still available on  the Butterick website .     What a cute, fun and easy pattern to make! It would be so lovely in a drapey wool or fleece, or a substantial knit. Not so sure that the open weave tweed I chose was the right fabric, but I just love those fall colors!! I used my serger to overlock all the pieces after cutting...

Take a look at this little bit of lovely! Rooting around in my knitting closet for some stash yarn, I found this unfinished  knit blanket. For several years I knit with a fun group of ladies at a local yarn shop  called Sweet Pea's (now closed), and each year we would do a block-of-the-month knitted blanket. This log cabin from 2013(!) is more like a strip-of-the-month, but you get the idea. Two color ways were offered, if I remember correctly, pastel colors as  well as the more autumnal jewel tones pictured above.  Kits were made up using  Berroco Vintage worsted yarn, and each week we would  be given the yarn and the next set of instructions. As you can see, each strip has a different stitch pattern.  It was a fun way to try new textures, which I loved. Knit on larger needles (10 1/2?), it is very drapey and cozy. And washable, which is key for a blanket, in my opinion. You might be wondering why this project s...

I have a finished project, and it's for me! The   Nightshift Shawl by Andrea Mowr y was a fun, quick knit.  I purchased a kit from Diane, who owns  Dye Lots Studios on Etsy, and her hand dyed worsted was a dream to knit with.  After washing with SOAK and  blocking out this shawl is so soft! It is more blanket-like than scarf-like, but one I  will wear a lot with our cold Michigan winters.

New Look 6378 : what's not to love?! I have had this pattern for a while now, and had this lovely poly fabric from Fabric Mart Fabrics in my stash. Lucky me, I had enough to make the long duster version......and I LOVE it! And it fits the criteria for the #joyvivtopper  challenge on Instagram, which was my motivation. This pattern allows for a quick and easy project, and I sewed it right out of the envelope without any alterations to fit. None are needed, due to the boxy style. I have made a couple of other kimono-style toppers in the past, and I feel like I am always pulling at the neckline to keep them on my neck and shoulders. This topper has a better fit across the neck and shoulders, and stays put! I did make only one change, and that was to narrow hem all edges, rather than used the miles of purchased bias tape that was called for in the pattern (?!).   I'd recommend that you consider this pattern for a quick boost to your wardrobe.....grab some fun...

If you have been following my blog for awhile, you'll know that sewing dresses is one of my favorite things! I've had  Simplicity 8640  on my radar for some time, and when pulling fabric to "sew down some stash", I found this striped linen blend. I do  not have any notes on when or where I purchased it, so it has to be a l.o.n.g. time ago! Simplicity's description for this pattern is as follows: Float in comfort with this Misses'/Women's loose fitting dress or tunic by designer Elaine Heigl. Features handkerchief design with length variations. Also: "not suitable for stripes"    I beg to disagree! I like Views A and C, and chose View A's longer length. LOVE that handkerchief hem! POCKETS! I admit to not following the pattern for pocket placement, as I had read other reviews stating that the  pattern placement was low. I just tried it on, and sewed the pockets on last, trying my best to  somewhat m...

I remember having a sweater that knit up the back when my kiddos were young, and that is what I wanted to make for the silent auction at the F.A.S.T . Gala in December, 2018 to benefit Angelman Syndrome research. I picked up the Valley Yarns bulky from Webs, who was vending in Aug 2018 at Stitches Midwest. The lime green and the gray are both so gender neutral in this day and age of   "pink for girls, blue for boys" (that makes me a little crazy!).                                                       (My haul from Stitches Midwest 218) These sweaters did turn out very cute, but the pattern.....agh!!  Minimal directions, and confusing charting took some of the fun out of  this project. And then I found one of the balls of grey yarn was missing and so I ordered more yarn. Of course, a couple of months later...

Aren't summer weddings in Michigan just beautiful?  This one took place at the Mansion at Pine Knob , a beautiful venue. I wore McCall's 5512 in a floral brocade from Fabric Mart, which I ordered back in  Feb and is no longer available. I did make some adjustments to the bodice, adding an inch at the side front and back to allow for more fabric for a modified FBA. This dress is fully lined and so comfortable to wear. I also like the 60's vibe  :-) This is an easy make, and a cute style, but no longer available on the McCall's website, tho there are some patterns to be found on Etsy.

A current trend for women is the full split skirt, cropped between ankle and knee. Gee....I remember these from the 80's, we called them 'gauchos' back then! LOL  I used a linen I purchased from FabricMart   (still available!)....stripes!  I am seeing striped linen everywhere in retail and online this summer. I liked the style lines of   McCall's 7131   View C, especially the flat front with elasticized back, and the pockets! After wearing these a couple of times now, I think a more drapey fabric would work better as there is a LOT of fabric! Also, this is a very generously drafted pattern, and I could easily go down a size. I ended up taking in the side seams about an inch. All that being said, I would like to make up this pattern again, and would recommend it. Here I am wearing it with one of my hand knit tops: Rusted Root knit in 2011 Pattern: Rusted Root by Zephyr Style Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton ...