Waterlily Bag is Finished

Bag Front
Here is the finished bag. I may do a little more with it, but I think it's about finished. I was able to get a little more of the original fabric, so didn't have to piece the handles or zipper casing with another fabric, which was nice. I'm already thinking of another one with a similar front, but with abstract koi fish on the back. I'm not sure what I'd use for them, but I think I'd like the look if I can get it the way I want it.


Bag Back

I've also been doing a lot of knitting lately. I'm close to finished with the first section of the Lily Euroflax shell, and I've begun on the Gedifra pullover. What a weird pattern that is! It's one of those where you have more stitches on the right side rows than the wrong side rows, by close to 20%! I had to make a couple trial and gauge swatches, as I believe there are serious mistakes in the pattern, and I corrected them so it works now anyway. I think they mixed up the explanations for 2 unique symbols. One has you work 3 stitches together, and the other 5. So, it makes a bit of a difference if you are doing the wrong one. You would soon run out of stitches altogether!

I ordered fabric from eQuilter and Wazoodle on Tuesday. 5 camp shirt cottons from eQuilter, and several knits from the Wazoodle yard sale. I am hoping something will appear tomorrow perhaps. Here are the cottons. I think they will make fun summer shirts.

Marble Botanical

Yoga Cats

shoes

Signac Sailboats

Needles & Threads

Embellishing a New Bag

Side 1

Side 2

These are the 2 sides of the bag I'm embellishing. The design makes me think of waterlilies. I took the photos after I'd embellished them, but before any construction. Tonight I got the inside and outside pockets done, and faced and turned the pieces. I need to figure out what to do with the handles, as I don't have enough of the felted wool left to do them. I am thinking of piecing them, with the bag fabric at the ends of the handles, and a plain green wool in the center. I will use the plain wool for the zipper casing also I believe. The lining for this bag is purple.

Knitted Picot Hem

This is the hem edge of the Lily shell. On the right needle is the finished hem edge. On the left needle is the unfolded hem, with waste yarn at the bottom. This waste yarn will be removed as the stitches are picked up on another needle, then folded and one stitch off each needle knitted together, making the hem edge. The shell continues from there as a single layer. Since I finished the hem, I have done a little over one pattern repeat for the body of the shell.

Camp Shirt Prototype

This is the "muslin" of the camp shirt pattern I altered. It turned out pretty well except I will cut the neck larger next time. I should have realized that I liked that the way it was, and changed it back to the original length after I altered the rest of the pattern, but I didn't. I will next time. This is some very thin Madras plaid, so will be very nice for summer.

The pants are my third pair of drawstring pants. They're a thin microfiber fabric, and really nice and cool to wear.

I received my Gedifra yarn from Elann today. How fast is that? I only ordered on Sunday. I also got the 00 circular needle, so began the Euroflax shell pattern this evening. It's knit circularly, 288 stitches in the round, so I cast on and got 2 rounds done in waste yarn, and am ready to begin with the real yarn tomorrow, for the picot hem treatment. It should be fun.

Koala Shell

This shell was knitted in Austermann's Koala yarn, and an Austermann pattern, both from Elann. It's a rayon/microfiber/tactel yarn that's kind of furry, and incredibly soft. I could hardly keep the cats off of it long enough to sew up the seams. Apparently it's perfect for kneading, and it's just about exactly their color, so of course it must be for them! They think. This was really fast, as it's a large gauge: 5spi and 3rpi. It's definitely going to be for fall/winter (notice the patent leather shoes with suede bows.) I made one design change in the pattern. I changed from Stockinette to Reverse Stockinette just below the armholes. This was actually the result of a mistake. I realized after I'd finished the back, that I'd done this. I really didn't want to rip it all out, and I decided it was a little more interesting this way anyway. That's my story anyway!

After I finished this last night, I did a gauge swatch with the Euroflax, and it's going to be fine, on the size needles they call for, which is unusual for me. I usually knit much more loosely than normal, apparently. This yarn reminds me a lot of the silk yarn I used for this shell I made for my sister several years ago. It had no give whatsoever either. Anyway, this is knitted on size 0 and 1 needles, so will be a nice, long project. I have to get a 0 circular needle before I can begin. I only have double points that size, and with 200+ stitches in the round, I want a circular. I will go back to my camp shirt while I wait for the needle.

I ordered some more yarn from Elann this afternoon. It's for this pullover
(shown below) from Gedifra. I'm going to do it in the Cherokee Brick color.

Gedifra Mauritius Pullover Pattern

General Update

I've been doing several quickie projects since I finished the Katia shell.

I made another pair of drawstring pants, this time in a thin microfiber/lycra fabric in a khaki color. I really like how these turned out, and I think I'll be wearing them a lot this summer.

I also started another very quick knitting project, this one is another shell, but in Austermann's Koala yarn, which is very furry, and I'm using a size 11 needle. There are only 43 stitches across the front, so that gives you an idea of the gauge. It's terribly soft; almost weightless. I doubt I'll wear it until fall, as it looks pretty wintry. The color is Burnished Apricot, and you can see the finished back in the photo below, under the Euroflax Barcelona yarn that came today. This evening I wound 3 of the 4 skeins into balls, and found out that Mr. Peep likes to play with yarn! The Catso has always been uninterested, so this is a change. I'll have to be sure to keep things out of his way.


Euroflax Barcelona on Austermann Koala

Yesterday I altered a camp shirt pattern that I'd taken off a favorite RTW shirt years ago. It's too big now, and also more oversized in its style than what's current, so I put on one of the old ones that I'd made, and pinned it to the look I want and made a pattern. I started sewing up a test model today. There are a few bugs in it, but it's generally wearable, and so far, so good. I haven't sewn the side seams yet, so the real moment of truth is yet to come.

Serpentina Shell is Finished

Katia Shell

This is the finished Katia Shell in green/gold Serpentina yarn. I think it turned out quite well, and it's very comfy. The yarn is a mostly cotton tape, and is almost dry feeling. The close-up below shows the ladder stripe which is made by unravelling the center knit stitch after you get to the shoulder bind-off row. I like the look of the increases and decreases alongside it. Here's a link to more shell photos.


Ladder Stripe Close Up

Shell Knitting

I finished the knitting on the Katia shell this afternoon and started the finishing. It's going quickly too, and I imagine I will be done tomorrow. The stripe turned out really cute. It's kind of fun to do, as before you bind off for the shoulders, you drop the center stitch in it, and that creates the cute ladder effect. The color seems to be very nice too. The yarn gives a nice mottled effect.

Buttons & Beads

Beaded Feather Appliqué

This beaded appliqué is from Earth Beads Gallery, and is fairly large; a little over 6” long. I plan to use it on a summer top or jacket, but I have no concrete plans yet. It’s really not my usual kind of thing, but I loved the colors and it’s just kind of neat. Here's a close up of the little tuft at the bottom of the feather.

Beaded Feather Close-Up


Very Large Buttons
These very large ceramic buttons were also an Earth Bead Gallery find. They're 2" square, and a little heavy, but they will be used for something.

Cardigan Photos

Mauve Cardigan

This is the cardigan I finished Friday night. I think it turned out rather well, especially considering how long it's been since I actually knitted the pieces. I wasn't even sure what size it was going to turn out to be, but I think the fit is pretty good. You can see more photos of it here, including a close up of the buttons.

The scarf is made from 2 skeins of Paton's Boa. The colors are great together, but I think it will be a while before I wear either of them. It was over 90° here today!


Scarf with Cardigan

More Knitting

I finished the mauve raglan cardigan last night, and am rather pleased with it. I will post photos soon.

This afternoon I finished a "fur" scarf that was just an "idle hands" project. It's cute though, dark blues and purples. It will be nice for next fall.

I also ordered some Euroflax Barcelona in Gypsy Bronze, thanks to May! I wasn't even aware that they had beautiful colors like these. This is really my kind of thing, much more than the usually variegated yarns that seem to always end up as horizontal stripes. I like the tweedy, heathery colors much better, and this looks perfect. It's supposed to be 4 colors twisted together, so I hope I like it as much in person as on the monitor.Here's a link to the colors available. It's about halfway down the page, and the Gypsy Bronze is on the upper right.

Raglan Cardigan

Raglan Seamline

I think the way the full-fashioning comes together on the raglan seamlines of this sweater is so pretty. This is another sweater I knitted a couple years ago and never finished. I guess I assumed I'd be in the mood sometime, but I didn't know it would take quite this long! The yarn is Neveda by Schjeepes. It's a chunky worsted. The pattern photo is below, and is the one shown on the model.

Berroco Cardigan Pattern

I also worked out the changes on a knitted shell pattern from Louet, called Lily. Here's a photo of the pattern.

Here's a link to more information about it. It's about half-way down the page. The pattern is written for Euroflax Sportweight yarn, but I may do it in something else. I want a pink coral that's not just a flat color. Jamieson has some lovely Shetland wools that would be gorgeous, but I don't think I want wool.

Knitted Shell

Schjeepes Vrillée Shell

This is knitted from Berroco booklet #189. I used Vrillée Fine yarn from Schjeepes in Lemon. I actually finished knitting the pieces of this in the summer of 2003, but just put them together and picked up the stitches for the neckline finish today. It's a pattern I've done several times, and I think it's a nice one. I changed the lower edge from a rolled edge to 6 rows of seed stitch, which I think is much prettier, and much more wearable.

For some reason, I'm suddenly in the mood to knit again, and I'm finding projects in various stages that I could pick up and finish. Quite a few of them are too big now, and I don't know what to do about them. Should I just rip them all out and start over, or finish the knitting, and cut and sew to the right size? I need to read through some of the patterns I was using, and the notes I made to see if I can even figure out what I was doing. There's one very complicated Anny Blatt cardigan with 2 yarns alternating in a tweed-type pattern (if I even remember that right) that I have a whole page of very tiny notes and specific calculations that look quite important, but I don't know if they make sense anymore. It seems to be all done except part of one front and the sleeves. The yarns are gorgeous and the colors are wonderful. I hate to rip it all out, but it ought to be finished. Oh well, I'll see if this mood lasts anyway.

Second Pair of Drawstring Pants

This is the second pair of drawstring pants I've made. The third are halfway cut out, and will be done soon I hope. These are a very thin rayon, and will be really nice for hot weather. They're almost like wearing pajamas they're so comfortable. I narrowed both the casing and drawstring, and added the difference to the top of the pants themselves. I like the effect much better, and they're more comfortable to wear. I may put in pockets next time, as I suddenly remembered a great inseam pocket from a Great Copy pants pattern that I think will work very well.

Even Furrier Flip Flops

Emily's Flip Flops.
These are the flip flops I made for the daughter of a friend. I think they're just darling, and much, much furrier. Just right for a young girl.

I used Bernat's Disco, a very long eyelash yarn with a little glitter, and Red Heart's Foxy, a variegated, shorter eyelash yarn.

Drawstring Pants

Drawstring Pants
I began and finished a pair of summer drawstring pants today, using my favorite Double Burda pattern. I tried a piece of stretch poly/cotton that I've had for a while, and cut the pants as usual, didn't sew the darts, and added a sewn on casing with a self-drawstring. The whole thing only took me about 3 to 3½ hours, and they turned out beautifully. I did a triple topstitch hem, and I’m already planning several more pairs in some very light-weight fabrics. You can see a side view here.

I took my fabric card file with me today when I knew I’d have some down-time, and it was great fun to put together combinations of fabric, and think about what patterns would go well with what fabrics. I need to add a list of my favorite patterns and their yardage requirements, as well as a few generalizations.

Fun Fur Flip Flops!

Fun Fur Flip Flops!

These are just silly, but kind of fun. The pattern is available online from Lion Brand Yarns. I actually made mine with Red Heart's "Foxy" as it was the right color for the flip flops I had. I haven't really crocheted in a long time, but I made them last night in about an hour, so a nice quickie project, and what a great gift they would be.

Twist Top

Twist Top with Drawstring Pants.
I finally succumbed to the call of the Twist Top. Not the infamous Burda World-of-Fashion version, but my own version, made from the Jalie 2005. I started with the V-neck pattern, and changed the front to a cowl neck. I constructed it as usual, then put it on and began arranging the twist at the neck. I ended up with a version that I like pretty well. It also has a twist at the hem. The hardest part was stitching the twist invisibly. Much easier to hold it than to pin it, and to pin it than to sew it. It's the first thing I've done since doing a major overhaul of my sewing area. It was looking so pristine that I felt I needed to do something quick to get back with the program.

I am not so sure I'm crazy about this, and as my sister says, "Why do you want a Twist Top anyhow?" She may be right, but it was kind of fun, and certainly wearable, if not my favorite top. I wonder if it might not be better on me in a woven. Maybe I should just quit while I'm ahead though. Not everything is going to look great on everyone, and now and then, I apparently like to prove it!

Organizing!

I remember reading somewhere that the truly disorganized just adore office supply stores, paper, notebooks, etc., so I had fun this week as I purchased 4"x6" cards and a cardfile for them. Yes, I am finally making a file of all my fabric. I was pretty sure that I had more fabric than I thought I really did, and it's actually a little scary just how much I do have. I'll see later if I'm brave enough to add up all the yardage and see what the awful truth is. It's going pretty well though, and it's nice to get things into sort of a good storage distribution too. Things had gotten a little jumbled, and hard to find.

In the cardfile I'm sorting by Knit or Woven, and then by color. I have fabric in very large drawers, and in some large, clear plastic tubs. They're semi-separated by color family and/or fiber. Not as well as they could be, and one big problem is where to put pretty good-sized remnants. I've about decided to devote one drawer to that. I'm sure this system will be evolving for some time, as I see how it works, and of course think of new and better ways to use it. I'm already thinking that it might be nice to separate the actual fabrics into seasonal choices. I do tend to have less spring/summer fabric, so maybe it won't be a problem. It's kind of fun to get to play with all my fabric though.

A Room With A View

I simply couldn't resist one more gorgeous wisteria photo. It's just never been this good before, and maybe it won't be again. Who knows? We are enjoying it.

The view out the bedroom window.

Marfy Jacket is Done!

Marfy 9419.

I finished my Marfy jacket Tuesday night, except for adding a couple pairs of hooks and eyes above the zipper, which I did this morning. It's fine without the hooks, with a blouse; but to wear it alone, it needs the hooks. I like this jacket very much, and plan to make it again in a thinner fabric, which is what is recommended, and make the skirt also. I originally bought this fabric planning to make a quick little jacket that I could wear casually, and I also thought it would be cute to wear to horse shows. It's not quite so casual as it could be, but I think it's fine for anything. You can see more photos of it, including the silk chiffon lining, and the jacket worn open by clicking here.

Spring Garden

These two photos will give you an idea of why I'm not getting quite as much sewing done lately as I did this winter. Really, with all the perennials I've put in over the years, it's very much a trouble free garden, at least as much as you can have, and still have flowers for 3 seasons. Please click on the photos to see them in a size which does them justice. The wisteria especially is the best it's ever been.

Looking toward the lower yard.

Hanging gardens

More Marfy

No actual sewing today, but I've been flying along with the Marfy jacket, and it is darling! The pattern is wonderful, so beautifully drafted, and with such subtle shaping. I did do the lapels in black, and the sleeve hem binding is going to be black too. One sleeve binding is done, and the other is about half-way there. I will do the lining next, but I haven't decided what to use for it. I'm thinking of a plain color lining, since there's a pattern in the wool, and I think a color would be nice, but nothing too outré. The way the collar lays is so perfect, and the darts within the lapel area give it such a wonderful shaping. Everything about this jacket has turned out exactly as shown in the drawing. In my experience, this is amazing. Apparently with Marfy patterns, it is the norm. I may have to change my allegiance, not that I really had any. I wonder how this jacket would change if made up in a thinner fabric, which is what is recommended. Guess I'll have to find out. Especially since I want to make the skirt too.

Marfy Beginnings

Yesterday I marked and cut out my first Marfy jacket pattern. It's the zip front one shown at the top of this post from February. I'm using a Pendleton wool which is reversible, black and taupe, with brand symbols.

I will use the taupe for the body and the black for the lapels. This is a little heavier than the recommended fabric, but I think it might work. It will be a good trial anyway. I'm just going down to start basting it together, and see where I'm at.

Pattern Play Class Tee Adaptation

These photos are of a jacket made from the Jalie Tee pattern using an adaptation of a Max Mara sweater provided in the Pattern Play class I'm taking as part of my prizes from the Build Your Own Collection contest I won last year on Sewzine. It's an interesting piece, but I'm not sure it's really "me." I used a mystery Slinky knit, which I like, but I'm not sure how much I'd actually wear this.


Pattern Play trial.

Side view

2005 SWAP - Stages I & II

This photo show the 16 pieces which comprise Stages I (shown alone below) and II (5 pieces to the left and below the original pieces. From the left, the new garments are:

Basketweave Cardigan (FSG 1960) Brown band matches Stage I brown doubleknit skirt
Olive Knit 3/4-sleeve Tee (Jalie 2005)
Brown Wool/Rayon Jacket (Self-Drafted Pattern)
Tan Wool Pants (Double Burda)
Taupe Dot Skirt (FFF) matches taupe dot tee from Stage I

I am enjoying these pieces a lot, and have fabric and plans to extend it, with a brown doubleknit cardigan, Clay Knit Tee and Cardigan, Tweed Jacket, etc. I'm sure many of these pieces will be in my wardrobe for years to come, as they're colors I love, and classic styles. This is a wonderful base to build from. It's much easier to extend it, as one can make things that only match some of the previous pieces, not all of them, and of course many of these pieces will go with things that weren't specifically thought of to match them.

2005 SWAP Stage I - 11 Pieces

2005 SWAP I
These are all 11 pieces of my 2005 SWAP, Stage I. From Left to Right, top to bottom, they are:

Brown Rayon/Wool Bias Top (Vogue 2683)
Clay Tee (Jalie 2005)
Plaid Shell (McCalls 2818) embellished with Ultrasuede strip and bow.
Olive Rayon Knit Tee (Jalie 2005)
Olive Rayon Knit Cardigan (FSG 1960)
Taupe Dotted Tee (Jalie 2005)
Cream Textured Tee (Jalie 2005)
Olive Rayon Skirt (FFF)
Brown Doubleknit Skirt (FFF)
Brown Linen/Polyester Pants (Double Burda)
Green Wool Pants (Double Burda)

Last SWAP I piece

This is the brown doubleknit skirt, the last piece in Stage I of my SWAP. I think it looks pretty cute with the plaid top, and it's very nice with the olive cardigan also, or the brown pants, etc. It really does coordinate with any of the pieces, just as it's supposed to.

SWAP is Done!!

I finished the last piece of my Official Stage One SWAP this morning. It's a brown doubleknit FFF skirt. I had to do several tiny alterations to my usual methods, so as usual, nothing is easy. It's the shorter length, which I like, although I decided it should be just a little shorter, so turned up the waistband again and stitched. This took away my usual flat rear alteration, so I had to redo that. No big deal, but not as smooth as I could have wished. This fabric was from Trim Fabric and when I got it I was a little disappointed with it, as I thought the color wasn't so great, but it's been growing on me, and I think the skirt turned out great. I have enough to do a cardigan with this, and it will be very versatile, and will certainly go with the SWAP. I will post a photo soon.

Mrs Stylebook Skirt is a Success!

Mrs Stylebook skirt

Here is a photo of style#36 from the latest Mrs Stylebook magazine made up in a lovely bright pink sueded silk duppioni. The fabric was a gift. Thanks, Pam! It has enough body that it makes the hemline stand out slightly, and I think it turned out pretty cute. I used my regular narrow waistband method instead of their recommended band with elastic in the back. I didn't have to lengthen it at all, and it really went together quickly, not really taking much fabric either. I hope to make another out of a green poppy print charmeuse. It won't have the body of the duppioni, but since it's polyester, it may do all right.

Mrs Stylebook

I just got my copy of Mrs Stylebook today! It was sent to me from California, but came very quickly. There's a thread on Sewing World called Mrs Stylebook Draft Along, and we're all going to draft a skirt pattern from the magazine, which is entirely in Japanese! There is at least one Japanese speaker in the group, and another person who has experience drafting from this magazine. I think it's going to be a lot of fun, and very interesting. It is awfully strange to feel illiterate though.

I still haven't started on my brown knit skirt, but after wearing the olive knit skirt and jacket today, I believe I'll do the brown skirt the same length, which is about 8" shorter than my usual FFF skirts, which are almost ankle length. It just feels right.

Plaid McCalls top with Ultrasuede detailing. Linen/Poly Burda pants.

SWAP Finished?

I think I've finished my SWAP collection tonight. I completed the brown linen/poly pants Monday, and then began on a McCalls 2818 princess seamed shell. I decided to try it out of the very thin plaid polyester before trying it with the lovely batik cotton from Timmel's. I'm really glad I did, as I knew I needed to move the bust point up from last time I made it. I did move it, but not far enough I guess, because when I tried it on, I needed to take a tuck right across the high bust area of an inch! So, I did, tapering to the armscyes. I stitched it down by hand, then added a strip of Ultrasuede binding with a flat bow in the center to cover the stitching and tuck. It really turned out very cute, better than without it, and the fit is great. I tried to take photos tonight, but the flash was doing very weird things to the color, so I'll try again tomorrow in actual light.

The reason I'm not sure I'm finished is that I'm thinking of doing another FFF skirt in the brown doubleknit I used for the band on the basketweave jacket. I planned to make one out of that anyway, and if I make it part of the Official SWAP instead of the dotted skirt, then all the tops will go with all the skirts, as they're supposed to. Otherwise, this plaid top really doesn't go with that dotted skirt. Oh well, it's probably the fastest skirt pattern in the west, so no problem, and it will be a nice little project for this weekend.

Antique Lace

Antique Knitted Silk Lace

This lace is knitted with terribly fine thread. I have 8 yards of it, and it's seamed into a circle. My Mother gave it to me, but I don't really know where she got it. I'm not sure what I'll do with it, but it is quite beautiful. Be sure and click on the photo to see a much more detailed picture.

Olive Tee & Green Pants

Green Double Burda Pants & Olive Jalie Tee for the 2005 SWAP Collection. You can link here to a series of waistband method close ups.

Inside Out

I began on the linen/poly pants this evening, and quickly realized that I had attached the underlining to the right side of one back piece, so ended up starting off with ripping all that out and doing it the right way. Sigh. Oh well, I got them done to the point of the waistband and hem. They go so well, and so quickly, I don't know why I don't make more. Just hate to make pants I guess. I'd like to try some with a drawstring waist for summer. I think they might be kind of nice, and they would definitely be a very thin fabric, and unlined.

Lenten Rose

Lenten Rose (Helleborus Orientalis) blooming right on time, as usual.

Fabrics Etc. from Pendleton

Pendleton Trip

Well, what fun! Yesterday I went to the Pendleton Outlet with Jane, and we did very well indeed! They are unfortunately closing this spring, probably in mid-April, so this may have been my last trip there. I tried to stock up on all the great basics they have, plus fabric of course. I got about 30 yards of various wools, including some of the finest, almost sheer wool I've ever felt; a very soft plaid of butterscotch and cream for a man's shirt. I got 3-5 yards of several plain, light weight, hard finish wools in taupe, dark brown and cream, a navy/natural sharkskin, and several others, including some bright coral tricot, which I've never seen them have before.

Notions included linings, fusible interfacing in black, white and magenta, buttons, shoulder pads, sleeve heads, elastic, Ultrasuede bindings, and zippers. The photo includes some fabric on the right, which I bought there last time.

Last night I cut out the brown linen/poly pants, and the beige cotton underlining I'm using with them, and attached them while staystitching the seams on each piece. I also sewed the darts, so it's on to the zipper today.

I also got brave finally, and soaked one piece of the Resort Tweed in Eucalan, then let it dry flat overnight. This morning I steamed and pressed it, and you can't tell it from the pieces which have not been treated. I'm so pleased! I will do the other two now. I also pressed the Timmel Batik this morning, as I prewashed it last night also. The end of the SWAP is in sight, and none too soon, but I will finish in good time.

Organza Waistband on Green Wool Pants

This afternoon I finished the green wool pants I made for the SWAP collection, and immediately wore them to dinner tonight. They're the same pattern as my tan wool pants, and also a Pendleton wool, but a little more brushed finish than the tan. They turned out beautifully though. I like to use a 1/4" waistband, which I usually make out of a different fabric than the pants, unless they're a really thin fabric. Ribbon works well, but I didn't have anything that went with this, so I stopped at Hancock Fabrics last night, and bought several choices, including a bias binding that was a green mottled-effect print. It really looked great, but I decided it would be just a little too wild for what is a very classic pair of pants. I decided to go with a 1-1/2" dark green nylon organza ribbon.

I stitched the ribbon to the right side of the waistline, then turned it, folding the pant seam allowance down in the process, and pinned, letting the ribbon edge go over the seam on the wrong side and hang down. I hand-stitched it in the ditch, and finished the back end flush, and the front end with an underlap. I used a snap at the edge of the back, and a handworked eye on the end of the front underlap with a hook on the inside band. This is the best combination of fasteners I've found yet for these pants. Very secure, yet easy to open and close, and completely invisible from the right side. I was a little worried that it would be scratchy to wear, but it is not at all. Very comfortable.

I also used the ribbon as a "hem tape," stitching it to the hem edge of the pants, and hemming from it to the underlining. There was no reason to do this really, I just thought it would look cute, and I had plenty of ribbon left. The ribbon has quite a bit of body to it, and actually is a nice hem reinforcement. You can see photos of the waistband at the end of my Pants Gallery.

Bracelet Making

Diamond/Sapphire bracelet I saw that inspired me to look for a suitable buckle to make one in this style.

Inspiration bracelet from Ross-Simon.

This is the buckle set I found at a horse show yesterday that I plan to use to make a bracelet in the style of the diamond/sapphire one above.

Silver Buckle Set

It will obviously be much more casual, but certainly more wearable in my life! I haven't decided what color or type of beads I will use yet.

Wool & Linen Pants

I did most of the construction last night on the green Pendleton tropical-weight wool pants for my SWAP. They are underlined with a matching Pendleton lining, and are my TNT (Tried and True) pants pattern I call the Double Burda, as it was created by morphing 2 Burda pants patterns together. Today I will apply my 1/4" waistband and hem them.

I also prewashed the dark brown linen/poly blend fabric from Timmel Fabrics who are sponsoring the SWAP contest, and it came out beautifully. Very nice and drapey. I plan to use the same pattern for it, although I am toying slightly with the idea of tie-front pants a la Nancy Erickson, but I'm not sure the flat front wouldn't be easier to wear with the other components of the SWAP. I do want to make some of the tie-front pants for high summer though.

Photos of the Olive Knit SWAP Coordinates

I took photos this morning, and some turned out. I didn't know whether I'd like all 3 matching pieces worn together, but it's not too bad.



This picture's kind of fuzzy, but it shows the style well.

SWAPping Along

I started and finished the 2 Jalie Tees from the olive rayon knit tonight. I did the hems with a 3-step zigzag which worked very well, and doesn't show at all due to the texture of the knit, and the very good thread match. So good it's practically impossible to rip out, of course. I now only have 3 pieces left to do in the Stage I SWAP, which is for the competition. Here's a link to my SWAP Coordinates List

If I'd start sewing earlier in the day, who knows how much I could accomplish? I seem to be on a very weird schedule lately, and here I am still up at 1:30, so no hurry, is there?

Olive Skirt

Well, I decided that the olive knit skirt is just fine, and in fact wore it to sing at Musical Art Club on Monday, with the cardigan and a crocheted shell. It's shorter than my other FFF skirts, but still almost mid-calf length, and is actually a more practical length I think.

I'm hoping to get back into SWAP sewing with a will Friday, as my luncheon was today and so I can concentrate on other things now. I'm going to do the 2 olive tops, and then move on to a blouse and the 2 pair of pants.

SWAP Jacket done.

Knit Cardigan Unbuttoned
I finished this cardigan this afternoon, after buying buttons for it yesterday. This is the Jacket for my SWAP, and I'm pretty pleased with it, and I think it hangs well, although it appears to be extremely vulnerable to snagging. I finished the skirt also, but may redo the hem, as it wants to have quite a flare to it, which is certainly in fashion, but I'm not sure it looks too great on me. I may have to look at it for a while before I decide. I also have 2 Jalie Tees cut out from this fabric. They'll go quickly.

Knit Cardigan Buttoned

Perennial Buttons

Buttons from Perennial Buttons, for Olive Rayon Cardigan. I believe these may be bone, but they're definitely a natural material, with brass pieces inset. They're not terribly heavy, which is good, as the fabric is lightweight.

More SWAP

I finished the Olive Rayon Cardigan and Skirt tonight except for the buttons and buttonholes on the cardigan, and the hem on the skirt. I need to go look at buttons, as I don't have any I like. Hard to believe, as I have tons of buttons. Actually, I have 2 that are great, but I need 4. I think I may be able to get more of these, so I will have to look, otherwise it's off to Earth Bead Gallery to look at their button area. I think I will do a twin needle hem on the skirt. It could use the weight. It's actually a very nice, drapey knit, but it's a little clingy, as it's quite thin. It also seems a little fragile, and perhaps prone to snagging. I hope that does not prove to be the case.

Next I will work on the 2 Jalie Tees I was able to get out of the 5 yards with the cardigan and skirt. One has 3/4 sleeves and the other is short-sleeved.

Anthropologie Scores!

Finally, something I actually would wear from Anthropologie, seemingly everyone's favorite wearable style site. They have lots of cute things, but very few that actually seem wearable by me.
Crinkled silk strips, but not the carwash effect, and the hem is raw, as is the top, probably with petersham ribbon inside. I really like the stitching around the hip area. It reminds me of a similar stitched hip area on a silk pleated skirt in Vogue Knitting last year. This would be quick and easy, and very cute for spring.

SWAP Olive Rayon Knit Pieces

I'm finally back to some "official" pieces of my SWAP collection. I've cut out the NE Cardigan, FFF Skirt, and 2 Jalie Tees from the olive rayon knit. It almost takes longer to do the pockets on the cardigan than the whole rest of it. Anyway, I'm up to putting the front band on. It's nice to be getting somewhere on this collection again.

I went to Sewing Guild tonight, and in fact led the meeting (such as it was) in the absence of the president. The program was given by a member who's a certifies Palmer/Pletsch fitting instructor, and was very good. Everyone agreed she'd have to do another one soon, as she didn't get through all that we wanted to hear.

Gardening has been interfering with sewing for the last few days, but it's quite cold and very windy again, so that may stop for a while.