Monday, March 26, 2012

Me Made Wardrobe I: What I Have


I plan on participating in Zoe's Me Made May 2012 over on So Zoe.  With that in mind and spring in full swing here in the city I went through my closet and pulled all of my warm weather clothes out of storage.  I got rid of a ton of things and I realized I have a pretty good start on the hand made wardrobe thing.  Here's how my collection of clothes breaks down.  Keep in mind I'm still weeding somethings out.

Sweaters: 11 for spring/summer, 9 of which are hand knit
Pants: 7 Pairs (most of which are jeans), 1 of pair of hand made pants for the spring/summer
Leggings/Tights: 6 pairs, 1 pair of hand made leggings
Shorts: 3 pairs, 1 pair that were refashioned (I had more in storage, but had to get rid of 3 pairs that were too big.)
Dresses: 14 dresses for spring/summer all ranging from dressy to casual, 7 which I made
Jackets/coats: 4 spring jackets, none of which are hand made
Button up Shirts: 5, 1 refashioned linen top
Skirts: 5 all of which are hand made (It would of been 6 but I had to get rid of my lavender cotton Jersey Pencil skit, sad face)
Tank Tops: 20, 7 are hand made or refashioned
Tee Shirts: 20, 1 hand made, 2 refashioned

I have a t-shirt addiction
So here is the break down of my hand made wardrobe
Sweaters: 6

This is my only long sleeved spring/summer item
Pants: 1 (green cotton silk wide leg drawstring)
Shorts: 1
Dresses: 4 casual, 3 dressy

Dressy dress in yellow seersucker
Jackets/coats: 0
Button ups: 1
Skirts: 3 (I know I said 5, but two of them are not really my style so they may need a new home)
Tanks: 7
Tees: 1 (really the other two I counted above were all just chopped up to have shorter sleeves or more of a scoop neck, so I don't feel right counting them.)

This does not take in to consideration any of my hand bags or accessories all though all of my hats and most of my scarfs are hand made.

I am thinking about how I want to go about participating in Me Made May.  I really would like to only where hand made items, with the exception of undies, bras, socks, shoes, and hand bags.  The only thing I keep asking my self is, is that possible with what I have?  What would I have to make in April to be prepared for May?

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Stitch Guide: Mrs. Hunter's Stitch


This is a fun stitch that can add a lot of interest to a field of knits.  It is said that this is a stitch that, that's right, Mrs. Hunter created.  Well whoever created this stitch it is one of my favorites.  This stitch isn't very elastic, and has a right and a wrong side, but it is good in items you don't need or want too much give.

Mrs. Hunter's Stitch (Knit Flat)
Multiple of 4 plus 2
R1: K all sts
R2: P all sts
R3: K1 *YO, Sl sts, K3, passo all 3 K sts* K1
R4: P all sts

Mrs. Hunter's Stitch (In the Round)
Multiple of 4
R1: K all sts
R2: K all sts
R3: *YO,  Sl sts, K3, passo all 3 K sts*
R4: K all sts

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Bustier III: Cups and Casings


My hook and eye tape finally arrived in the mail the other day.  I have enough for about three bustier tops, but I'll sock away the extra for a rainy day.

Things are going slow on the bustier front.  We've been busy and the weather has been so nice that Simon and I have spent a lot of time outside.  I have been making progress and here is what's been accomplished this week.


The seam allowances are too small to use as a casing for the boning I bought so I had to whip up some casing to sew into the bustier.  I made them about 1/2" wide, my boning is 1/4" and after I sew them in I'll lose a couple of 8ths of an inch.


All Pinned and ready for the machine.


Here's the right side of the bustier before I ironed it.  You can barely see the top stitching.


Here's the wrong side.  For having to improvise this part of the pattern I am really pleased with how it came out.


I was going to but in the bra cups next, but realized that the back band and the top half of the cups lined up after I had pinned one in.  I back peddled, pulled out a million pins and started over on the back band.


Now the bra cups were a pain in my side.  I've sewn curved seams before (the Steffi Jacket) but this was a whole new bag of suck.  The center seam on the bottom of the cup has to line up with the seam on the bodice part.  Then the seam that runs across the middle of the cup has to line up with the seam were the bodice and the back band are sewn together.  Oh, and don't forget that the center of the bodice meets yp with the top inside edge of the cup.


However after all of that I am quite pleased with how it all came out.  The best part is that all of my bits fit where the should.  


Next on the list of to dos:
-Straps
-inserting the boning
-attaching the lining
-attaching the hook and eye tape
-hemming or finishing the bottom, i'm thinking Bias tape, but we'll see.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Guest Blogger: Zach from Thoughts of a Nobody

Zach is an aspiring writer living in Upstate New York and going to college.  He sporadically blogs over at his little piece of the internet, Thoughts of a Nobody.  I love his insight and humor and think he's got some talent, but I'm a bit biased being his sister and all.  I've been bugging him to blog for me since he participated in my 12 Days Before Chirstmas, and he finally gave in and wrote a very sweet short story for my blog today.  

Simply a Smile

Blake sat up in bed. Awoken by the early morning sounds outside the window. The wind blowing lightly through the trees' strong limbs, leaves rustling across the ground, and birds singing their sweet summer songs. He took a deep breath filling his lungs with the fresh air flowing in from the window. A quaint smirk forming on his face as the sun beamed and danced across the bedroom floor, occasionally flashing a rainbow across the sheets. The day seeming to begin as perfect as the night before ended. Blake looked to his right to see what he cherished most in this world. His wife.


Lila, lay next to him. She was beautiful, strong, independent, and intimidatingly intelligent. All the things Blake envied. Her wavy brown hair was soft and seemed to gleam in the morning light. Her hazel eyes were filled with care and compassion while her smile was simply flawless. She looked as mind numbingly beautiful as the day he met her those short years ago. 


He sat in bed, still with that smirk on his face, watching her sleep peacefully. He watched as the the covers rose and fell with her even breathing. He wondered how he was so lucky to have her, or if she was just foolish enough to fall for him. Blake didn't care. The only thing he cared about was making her happier day in and day out. That's what he felt his purpose was, to be there for her, always. 


She rolled over suddenly with her eyes still closed and said, “You know, it's cute how you watch me sleep but eventually it just makes you seem very creepy.” As the last words flowed out of her mouth she opened her eyes and gave Blake what he loved to see. A smile.


Blake couldn't help but smile back and say, “You've always spoke the truth.” as he leaned in close and gave her soft lips a gentle kiss. They paused and stared at each other, waiting for one to break eye contact. Neither one of them did. They laughed and embraced. They laid in bed clutching each other as if it were their last breath, their last moment on earth. Nothing seemed more important than the soft breath on his neck and the satin skin wrapped in his arms. Everything was perfect in that moment.


Lila looked up at Blake and a shadow fell across her face. Blake noticed the slight change and distress that now enveloped her. She said, “Do you truly love me?”


Blake was shaken by the words. The only response he could mutter was, “What does love mean too you?” As the words fell out of Blake's mouth, he quickly wished he never uttered such a question. He was sure that the argument that followed would be a heated one, and could only end with him in complete regret.


Her smile was still hanging ever so delicately on her face and she said, “I believe that love is compatibility between two people. Someone that you can be content with telling everything, even the things that you are ashamed of. Knowing that that person wont judge you for stupid questions, dumb actions, and so many silly things we do in our lives. That's what I think love is.” 


There was a long silence between Blake and Lila. The tension was thick within the room, and Blake knew she was waiting for a simple answer back. Yet, he didn't have one. He took a deep breath and said, “I know you want me to agree with you, and have a simple answer but I don't. How about, instead, I just tell you about the minute I knew I loved you?”


The question seemed to hang in the air. Lila looked at Blake with curiosity and then smiled. She nodded her head slightly as if too give him  permission.

Blake paused for a minute and then said, “Well, in all honesty the first time I met you I was intimidated. You seemed to fit in so well, and I was envious of that. I remember the first few times we talked. All I could utter was Hey with a goofy smile, and I would never have anything else to say either. I was dumbfounded by how naturally beautiful you were. I always tried to be the cool, suave man I thought you wanted, which always ended with me looking like a jackass. I tried on numerous occasions too ask you out. I remember walking up too you one time, palms sweating, my mouth dry, and my legs shaking so bad I could barely stand. I had no confidence around you. I lost who I was and I honestly feared what your response would be. No, I didn't want too hear it. I never took a chance because I clung so tightly to “what if she said yes”.  I would always tell myself I would rather be an enemy because at least then I could say I took a chance. I just wanted you too see me for who I was, not the sloppy, immature little kid that you were friends with.”


Blake realized he was drifting off and rambling. He had no idea if anything he was saying made sense, and he didn't care. Everything just felt right as he said it. He looked at Lila for some sort of conformation. She stared blankly at him, gave a quick chuckle and said, “So when did you realize it was love?”

Blake couldn't help but laugh a little. He continued, “Let me just say that whenever I got to see you for even just a nanosecond, I felt like it was the greatest day of my life. I was just happy to be in the same room as you, and every terrible, forsaken feeling that I had would melt away. Even if I was petrified, I never realized it till later. Your smile and laugh were, and still are my favorite trait about you. That's when I knew I loved you. I knew it the minute I wanted to wake up next to you and make you laugh. It meant every day I got to see you smile.”

Blake finished on that note as he was staring off into space. He shook his head and the room around him seemed to drop back into place. Lila looked up at him and didn't say a word. He could see the compassion in her eyes, and how beautiful that smile was. A simple smile. 

Monday, March 19, 2012

Pattern Release: Elodea


Here it is! My newest design Elodea.  I had so much fun designing and knitting this top.  I had made one a few years ago and took notes and came across them recently and decided to knit another and release the pattern.  Elodea features my favorite lace stitch, fish tail lace, and it had a unique neckline that is knit from side to side. The scoop neckline and a key hole show off the collarbone making this top very feminine while the A-line silhouette is flattering on many different body types.

 This pattern is perfect for an intermediate knitter looking for a quick knit and a great wardrobe piece.  Knit it in a cotton blend for the spring and another in a wool and silk blend for the winter.  If you would like more information about this pattern check out Elodea in my Etsy Shop.


Friday, March 16, 2012

Link Love

It's time for March's link love!  Here are some things I've found around the internet this month.


1.  Make some yummy homemade mixed berry granola with Meredith's recipe over on One Sheepish Girl 


2.  I keep seeing tons of posts on washi tape.  The tutorial on Good Knits shows you how to make a washi tape covered container.  


3.  How yummy does this look?  Learn how to bake this scrumptious looking chocolate cake with raspberry buttercream frosting over on 30 Pounds of Apples.  Yum!


4. Leggings are staples in my wardrobe.  You can learn how to draft and sew your own legging pattern on the Etsy Blog.