Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Honey Cowl and Plantain Tee

Frank took these pictures of me about two and a half weeks ago when there was snow on the ground. Yesterday it was 85 degrees. I think we skipped from Winter to Summer here. Where are my 60 degree perfect Spring days?!

 Plantain tee and honey cowl

I started this Honey Cowl in a fit of motivation last November. My longest time friend Gretchen's birthday is 6 days after mine and I thought, "I will knit her something for her birthday, and I will start it about a week before her birthday". Being the slooooowest knitter ever I finished this a few weeks ago and finally got it in the mail last week. Luckily she lives in Maryland and it is still cold enough for her to get some wear out of it up there.

Isn't the yarn gorgeous?! It is Madeline Tosh Vintage and I am lucky enough to live in the city that Madeline Tosh is created in and they have a craft store down the street from me! Their colors are so lush and lovely, and this pattern really highlights the subtle changes in the dye.  I am totally wanting to make myself one of these now.  I better get started now for next winter. Seriously, I just finished a scarf that I started knitting over two years ago for myself. Granted, I only worked on it in spurts and it was much larger than this one.

Plantain tee and honey cowl

This tee is made with the Deer and Doe Plantain pattern. It is a free pattern and I love it. I have made two other variations on it and altered this one slightly as well. I have yet to make it up straight from the pattern as drafted, actually. For this version I was inspired by Mad Mims' Flyaway Tee. Instead of adding a gathered section in the back I slashed and spread the bottom section at the back, though I love this shirt my alteration didn't add quite the amount of drama and volume that I was hoping for. Good thing this is an easy pattern to throw together and a perfect basic wardrobe staple. I will definitely make many more versions of this top!

Plantain tee and honey cowl

I am almost finished with a slightly more complex project, the Mona Jacket from Schnittchen. I can't remember how I found her patterns but I really love them and they are quite affordable. I am trying to balance my sewing with an easy and quick project and a more complex one after, or at the same time. I am having fun with sewing again and am super motivated lately.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Sewing for the cutest little toot I know

Oh my, I have a serious back log of unblogged projects. My poor neglected blog had comments awaiting moderation and I just never get good pictures of my work. I have been sewing and knitting and plan to start sharing my work again. Here I am just now sharing the two gifts that I sewed for Karlie for Christmas.

As you can see these pictures aren't great and they are from Instagram, but I just can't help sharing the cuteness.  Every time I make something for my niece Karlie I think it is the cutest thing I have ever made and this apron is no exception.  The pattern is Simplicity 1536, an It's So Easy pattern, and it really was super easy.  Despite all the binding with bias tape it really came together quickly.  There is a matching pattern for mom, which I should make for my Sister in law as well.  If you need to sew an apron I think this pattern is great!  I also found small utensils and a little colander to go with her gift. Isn't she the cutest?!

The apron I made Karlie was a hit! #besttiaever

Karlie asked me for an Elsa costume for Christmas but I didn't feel like I had time to get it done. Instead I made her a Frozen inspired outfit that she could wear to school.  I had a lot of fun with this one and I think it is a perfect blend of casual and dressy.  This one is Simplicity 1332 and it was super simple as well.  I changed the construction of the cardigan a bit by adding a band of knit to finish off the front and bias tape around the bottom of the sequin ruffle.  As you can see Karlie was happy to model for me!

Little toot modeling the outfit I made her for Christmas. #sewing #besttiaever

I think those were the only handmade gifts I made for Christmas last year. Every year I swear that I will start earlier the next, but it never happens. One of my girlfriends turned 40 this week and I started her handmade gift on Saturday and finished on Monday, the day of the party. I don't think inspiration really strikes until the deadline is looming for me. Sewing for myself is a different story and I always have multiple projects in the works. Too bad I'm so terrible at documenting them.