vintage pattern: simplicity 7522

Work has been stressing me out to no end, so I HAD to make something today to take my mind off of the fact that a new work week was beginning tomorrow (*groan*). So, I dug into my fabric stash and found the same printed jersey knit that I used for my bubble top. Then, I picked a pattern from my (mostly untouched) vintage collection and got to work. The resulting dress took about 4 hours total to make, and I’m very pleased with it! It marks the third project I’ve made using my serger — but the first one which I will actually wear!  So, even though I can’t escape the office tomorrow, at least I’ll be facing the chaos in some new threads.

iPad purse & fringy triangle scarf

I was one of the many who couldn’t resist getting a 1st-gen iPad (even though I said I’d wait for the 2nd gen, as all new gadgets are not without their kinks) but impatience got the best of me. I’ve a notion, though, that one of the main reasons I wanted one was so that I could craft accessories for it. :-p

So, I made this little purse using some unused wooden handles that have been languishing in my closet for who knows how long, and some leftover Amy Butler fabric from my stash.

I also finished this fringed triangle scarf (or mini-shawl) that I made using Moda Dea Tweedle Dee yarn in Surf & Turf. Big needles + chunky yarn = super-quick projects. And we all love those!

my first baby…cardigan

Nope, I’m not expecting, but my sis is about to bear her first wee one, and so I thought I’d try to knit my very first article of baby clothing.

I found this cute pattern and got to work. I still haven’t gotten the hang of matching up the length of my vertical rows with my horizontal rows when picking up stitches, so my button bands/plackets are considerably shorter than they should be. Drat. Anyway, the little one should forgive me, this being my first attempt.

Lastly, my sis told me she was having a girl, and when the cardi was 90% finished, I came to discover that it was more of a hunch than a fact. Aye carumba! I told her that her baby was going to wear this pink ‘n’ purple number regardless!

tunic ‘n’ cowl

A new house, job, car…and a crazy 1 hour and 20 minute commute to and from work! Hectic indeed. Still, I haven’t lost my will to create–and where there’s a will, there’s a way. A couple weekends ago, I was able to make this jersey knit tunic in about an hour, primarily because I didn’t finish the edges. No matter. I’m all for that carefree, unfinished look.

And just this afternoon, I knit up this easy cowl in about a couple of hours with some yarn my sister gifted me from her stash. Believe it or not, Los Angeles is in the middle of a cold/rainy spell — the type of deliciously chilly weather which makes west-coast knitters like me very giddy. Used circular needles and alternated between a few stockinette rows and a few p2 k2 ribbed rows, decreasing circumference toward the center. Didn’t bother counting rows — I just eyeballed it as I went along. Coming soon: a striped baby cardigan — my first attempt at baby wear.

retro-glam kimono robe with obi belt

Finding myself with a few precious hours of free time, I got to work on a project that’s been brewing in my noggin for quite a while. My wardrobe is seriously lacking in the loungewear department, and I’ve always wanted something that I could throw on in the evenings and on lazy weekend mornings to make me look and feel instantly chic. Well, that’s the hope anyway! I’ve always loved the look of woven cotton yukata kimonos, so I thought that I’d do something similar with some stretchy knit fabric. I have a ton of the stuff because of an online sale a while back with prices too irresistible to pass up. I chose this orange-creme-brown print because of its ’60s feel — as I, like so many others right now, am obsessed with the Mad Men aesthetic.

I adapted this vintage caftan pattern (Butterick See & Sew line: 5836) and let the collars flop over to give my kimono a bit of a “westernized” look.

I couldn’t resist making an obi belt to complete the look.  Instant glam for the indoors!

new dress + craft sabbath

I certainly do live up to my blog title. And being such a homebody, I don’t often get the chance to socialize. Which is why I decided to host something which I’ve dubbed Craft Sabbath — a time for folks to get together to get their craft on. I originally intended for it to be a bi-weekly, every-other-Sunday affair — but this proves difficult as I’m attempting to balance full time employment, grad school, a band, and a host of hobbies. So it looks like Craft Sabbath will turn out to be a once-a-month thing. Still, a group of people showed up for the very first Craft Sabbath on the 4th to knit or to learn how to knit, eat snacks, sip beverages and to chat. (Thanks for the terrific photos, Damien!)

Also, I made a new dress from the same pattern I used for my orange/white striped minidress a little while back. It’s a Built By Wendy (Simplicity 3835) raglan sleeve number that was meant for a woven fabric, but I decided to use a stretch knit so that I didn’t have to put a zipper in the back because I’m lazy that way. I got the fabric on sale and I don’t know what it’s comprised of exactly. Rayon maybe? It’s very smooth and stretchy and reminds me a bit of bathing suit fabric. Anyway, now that I know that this pattern can be used with jersey knits with great success, I’ll have to make a couple more in order to put a dent in the large stash of printed jersey knits that’s piled up in my closet.

to obi or not to obi

I apologize for the crummy blog title, but it’s past midnight and when it comes to wordsmithing, I’m definitely a morning person. So, I think it’s fair to assume that I will NEVER tire of the Burdastyle Anda dress + obi belt combo. First off, this dress is so easy to make, it’s almost laughable — and when paired with an obi belt (doesn’t have to be an obi, really, any type of waist cincher will do) it’s also incredibly chic and figure flattering. Also, simple dresses like this are perfect for showing off a bold print. That said, I’m totally unapologetic for the amount of Anda dresses I’ve made — and for the number I shall make in the future!

thrifty throw pillows

I love, love, LOVE a couch full of cushions, but I’m always put off by the cost — especially when I know that I can easily make them myself. I mean, I adore this gorgeous “Mantadia” pillow from Anthropologie…

…but no way no HOW am I going to pay $128 for it!

So, for a fraction of the cost, I made these two using some divine Amy Butler fabric and, for the backs (I didn’t make them two-sided in order to save moolah) used an old linen curtain panel from IKEA. I do love how they brighten up the livingroom!

Home Stretch = Home Run

I’ve made two more creations using Wendy Mullins’ Home Stretch. The first (the basic dress pattern in the book) is a secretary-style rayon knit dress with an outrageously busy print (my favorite kind). I’m so happy with the style, fit and feel of this dress, I’m tempted to lounge about in it all day long, even on lazy weekends when I’m at home with nowhere to go.

The second is a 100% cotton jersey knit skirt with a jaunty pair of suspenders (“Sweet Suspender” in the book). I’ve been wanting to make this one since I bought the book a few months back and I’m glad I did! It was incredibly quick and easy — save for the multiple suspender length adjustments I had to make, but that’s just due to my own laziness for not trying it on enough times during the process. Pics were taken when they were still a bit too long which accounts for the slight sagginess where they cross in the back. It’s an easy fix, though. Overall I’m very happy with it!

patterned knits galore!

I’ve been so busy making a ton of these zippered purses (below) for a friend (who’s planning to use them as goody bags for a party she’s throwing) that I haven’t been able to touch the piles of fabric that have been lately trickling in via the post — the result of an online fabric shopping spree of mine last payday. 

But check out the yards and yards of gorgeous printed knits that I’ve got waiting for me! Don’t know about y’all, but nothing uplifts my spirit as much as beholding a colorful, busy (almost to the point of dizzying) patterned fabric. So once I finish up being a one-woman zipper purse factory, I’m grabbing my copy of Wendy Mullins’ Home Stretch and am going to town…