I also wanted to mention this crochet hook roll-up tutorial I made/wrote for Craft Stylish. It’s quite crafty and quite stylish, if I do say so myself. And it’s very easy to make, because I started off with a placemat. I’ve been using it for the last few weeks and I love that it fits ALL of my hooks (due to the length of the placemat). This would be a great gift for the crocheter in your life, and if I had more time (and more crocheting friends) I would probably whip some more of these things up.

And in blatant self promotional news, I have a project in the now available Vogue Knitting On the Go!: Grannies. Yep, that’s my project on the cover. I had a lot of fun playing with the colors and placement of the hexagons, and yet remember being quite harried to finish the whole thing before Thanksgiving (when a friend came to visit). This was one of the first/only projects I can remember where Paul asked if I got them back afterwards. Awww. But sadly no. The book is full of cute interpretations of the granny, so check it out at your local craft or yarn shop.

And a nagging voice tells me that I forgot to mention that I had projects in this edition (Volume 10) of Sew Simple- but I think it’s still on newsstands if you want to grab a copy. I have some pretty patchwork placemats and patchwork oven mitts inside. Some of my favorite projects from the issue are the zippered tote (shown on the cover), a floral applique tee and a crewel lantern.

That’s all for this post. Tomorrow we’re being adults and going to get our Montana state driver’s licenses. Very exciting. And then perhaps I will have time to post about my new denim skirt. My back to school wardrobe is complete!

Both of the projects can be found in Sew Simple magazine. If you haven’t checked this mag out, I recommend it–their first issue (which my mom gave me) had a really great story on sewing from patterns, and finally I understood. As the name implies, the projects are simple– but you can always add more to them if you want something more involved.

Here’s a cute Smock top for summer. You don’t even need to know how to sew a buttonhole to finish this (I went with a trusty loop instead). It’d be cute layered, and of course you can lengthen and shorten it, or add embellishments.

And here’s a really easy big summer bag. I love that big floral fabric– I picked it out from ReproDepot (who graciously donated the supplies for these projects).  This one is quick and simple to make– the pattern is on their site but you’ll have to buy the mag if you want instructions. 

If you end up making either of these, I’d love to see the finished project! E-mail or comment and let me know.

And for extra cute, these are the photos of the baby bison I was telling you about. This one is my favorite.

Here’s Paul on the trail. Of course I picked the super easy one since I have basically been hibernating all winter, and I was panting nonetheless. It’s the elevation….yes…. I’m still adjusting after nine months, that’s it.  Everything is still all dead around here, but in a few weeks hopefully it will turn spring-like. Of course, they are predicting snow later this week, but I’ll take my 68 degree days when they come.

I wore one of the shirts I made a few months ago that I’ve yet to show off, another Built By Wendy 3964 (first version, which I loooove and wear all of the time, is here). See how I am standing outside in this picture? Very exciting. Anyway, I think i could make a hundred of these shirts and still want to make more. I wear them over long sleeves or under a sweater in the winter, and they are nice and breezy for summer without leaving my arms feeling totally bare (plus they don’t creep up like t-shirts, thank goodness). The pattern is kind of difficult but it gets easier every time, and if you do simple things like leave off the bias-cut ties (and put a seam at the neckline with a button/loop closure instead) you can save yourself some yardage. It’s also a great use for the fabrics that I only have a yard of (just about all of them), when I can find two that go together. These two are from Reprodepot– Alexander Henry’s Chickadee and Moda dots.

I also had a  baking urge this morning– I’ll share the results later this week. Hope it’s lovely where you are.

I have had the sewing urge for a while now, and I wanted to make something before I dive into a big non-sewing project. I found this fabric in my stash (which I significantly reduced this weekend!) and made up a shirt with Built By Wendy 3835. Things I did differently were: made the sleeves longer with no elastic, lengthened the hem by about 4 inches with a slight flare and added the darts from the dress version of the pattern. The darts make it a tiny bit tricky to get on, but they’re worth adding because otherwise the shirt can be kind of shapeless (as I learned with the first one).  This pattern really is SO simple and quick.  I cut the pattern during the Spurs-Suns playoff game yesterday (did anyone see it? It was intense!) and sewed it up in two half-hour ish sessions last night and this morning. I would definitely make this version again… I’m getting to the point where I have enough sewn tops in my wardrobe that I could wear them all week if I wanted to. Which I do. Yay.

For more Built By Wendy inspiration, check out the flickr pool.

I’m happy with my fabric choice but wish I had used interfacing, and that I’d spent the extra buck on a zipper that matched my bias tape. But, I did succeed using stash-only supplies. Both of the fabrics are from Reprodepot- the inside (Heather Ross) I found at Renegade last summer, and the outside is left over from a project that you’ll see in a magazine in the hopefully not too distant future.

Check out the left corner, where I inserted some little plastic rings that are actually for crocheting in place of d-rings. I like how they turned out. I’m happy to have this in time for my NYC adventures. Can you guess how excited I am to get going? Here’s a hint (taken this morning):

Yeah.

I have been getting a lot of mail lately, but was especially excited to receive my contributor copies of Bead Simple yesterday. Susan has been working on this book for quite a while, and it came out so great! What I love about it is that each design is shown in 3 different renditions– each with different beads and findings, which can help you visualize a project that’s just your style. It also makes it easy to think about YOUR supplies and not necessarily having to buy the exact items used in the projects, which makes it a winner in my book! Plus it is lots of fun to see what all of the guest designers made. There’s also an extensive techniques section with illustrations and clearly written instructions, so even if you’re a beginner, you can follow along.

Here’s my filigree necklace on page 97. I wanted to do something totally different but still use the same basic technique (tiers, in this case).  At the time I didn’t think this was a necklace that I would personally wear (too fancy), but now that I have it back it’s actually quite nice with a slightly-dressy top. I could use a little more glamour in my life. I’ve been bored in general with my jewelry lately, so hopefully this book will isnpire me to craft some new pieces. The book will officially be released on March 25th, but you can pre-order on Amazon if you like.

I also got a copy of this new book from Chronicle: The Pillow Book by Shannon Okey. It’s a lovely book chock full of your pillow basics, but then there are also some really fun and useful projects like pet beds, ottomans, and seat covers, too. It’s definitely a good choice if you’re trying to do some redecorating or re-energize your couch. And the best part, which seems to be included with all of the new Chronicle books, is that the patterns are all included at full size in a separate envelope on the front of the book.

Paul and his friends have a running joke that the difference between the apartments of men and women is the amount of pillows on their couches. I hate to admit it, but it’s true! Of course, my couch is currently covered in projects. Some day, pillow book. Some day!

It has a pocket for scissors, a pen, and whatever else. I took it to Bernina Club last week, where I made this heart potholder.

It was a good first time use of my walking foot (love!!) and a bias-tape refresher. I was by far the youngest person there, but I love being in a room full of people who love to sew.  Plus, I always pick up new tricks at classes. I just love how much time I have to actually take classes here. Plus, I get to take these classes for free for a year as it was included in the cost of the machine. Yay.

I actually have even more free time as of last week since my temporary job has ended. I have other projects to focus on, so it’s probably a good thing, but I do feel sad not having a reason to leave the house every morning. 

It is finally warming up around here (35! Break out the t-shirts!) and I can’t wait to get out and do some more walking. All told, his winter has been so, so, so much less hard than I thought it would be. It is lovely to be here with Paul, and the snow is completely beautiful, the sun shines, and it’s dry. I’m telling you, that makes a huge difference in actual cold-feel and the numbers on the thermometer don’t always tell the full story. Don’t get me wrong, it’s cold! But overall it doesn’t feel as brutal as a New York winter. There are other things I miss, but not the depressing bleak dark-at-4:30 days.

Looks impressive and finished from the outside, but I know that it doesn’t have a lining yet.  I made it from some $3 sale fabric at Joann and some gorgeous Kaffe Fasset striped fabric I got at ReproDepot last year. (Rest assured I’m blogging there because I was already ordering all of the fabric anyway!)

I lined it with a layer of quilt batting + a layer of Peltex. Add that to the surgical tubing leftovers I used from this project and the pocket layer, and you’ve got a lot of layers to sew through. I think I need to reinforce the bottom yet again, it was so tough to actually sew it on, through all the layers, while encasing the tubing ends and going for a straight line. I made the straps(fabric covered twill) so they could go over my shoulder, which was wishful thinking on my part.  Can you tell I have a touch of ”But I made it myself so I don’t know if it’s sturdy” paranoia? It comes from the love and protective instinct towards my new machine.

All in all, it has been a crazy challenge…and might just end up as luggage. But I am pleased that I attempted it, because I always learn something with every project. I have some big work things coming up, so I’m not sure when I’ll get to the lining… although it’d be nice to finish it for my sewing class next week so I could take it on a test drive.

***By the way, today is the last day to enter my 100th post giveaway. Don’t be shy- anyone can win. And thanks for all of the great comments so far, you all are really too sweet!

It makes it slightly easier to actually contain all of the cuttings and scraplets that are too small to save. Trust me, they are still all over the floor. But there are LESS of them on the floor! It’s also super convenient for threads I cut while I’m sewing, which tend to stick all over me and trail pathways all over the house. Sometimes I feel like a cat lady, only my cat is made of fabric refuse.

Basically I just made a lined bag with a foldover casing and two tabs with velcro sewn on. I used some super cute fabric from ReproDepot (I got it last year, so it’s probably gone) and 1/4 inch surgical piping to keep the bag nice and open. After our trip to Home Depot, it occurred to me that they probably sell something similar  and non-surgical at the fabric store- but this worked, and the worker was psyched to help us repurpose something. I’ve already used it on another project, and now that I know how, will probably use it again for things that need lots of structure.

It is cold, cold, COLD outside today. A winter storm is blowing in and there is so much snow that you can hardly see. Again I say, “So this is what they were talking about.” At least I’ll have plenty of chances to wear my new snowboots . I love the plaid—I can let it show if I wear it with skirts, or be totally incognito with pants. Yay. I hardly every put my shopping purchases up here, but … heck, I just thought they were so cute!

Here’s the result. I really like it, but the bib collar is *big*. If I were smart, or patient, I would have made a muslin. That’s just not my way.  I don’t mind the largeness too much, though–especially for summer.  (It was -7 yesterday. I like to think about summer!) I looove supersoft flowy shirts to layer.

Things I altered in my version:
-Left out the sleeve elastic because I don’t like my arms to feel cramped (& I was out of the correct size).
- Changed the bib to a contrasting fabric.
-Made my own bias tape for the back collar instead of using packaged tape.
-Took in the sides at a slight curve (I guess you could call it a dart) to make it a bit less boxy muu-muu.

Things I’d do differently if making this shirt again:
-Take in the bib collar (I’ve already marked the pattern for next time) + possibly chop off a bit of the top of the collar too. Patterns are always too big in the shoulders for me.
-Make it at least a size smaller.
-Try a sleeveless version, because this looked pretty cute w/o sleeves, too. And since this one had generously sized puffy sleeves, I could stand to put some elastic in them next time. I generally cut sleeves a size larger from whatever size I’m making, but I really didn’t need to for this pattern.

As far as patterns go, I’d give this one a B. I’m not sure who exactly that wide bib would flatter, and I had a few WTF moments when consulting the pattern. There were little things left out that a beginner might not know (like how to gather the fabric, or what understitching is) . But overall, I’d probably use it again. I should probably actually do that one day– make something twice– to see how different the results would be.

And there you have it, the last garment constructed on my old machine.

By the way, my friend Nikki, who co-wrote the fabulous book Fashion DIY, took the other half of the grey fabric at the swap. I can’t wait to see what she makes with it.