WIPS to the MAXXX

I like starting projects. Finishing them is fine and all, but nothing beats the rush of beginning something new.

I'm mostly kidding, but I do get distracted very easily.

Beatnik is blocked with sewn shoulder seams and I'm currently picking up stitches for the collar. This is the worst part. While Beatnik was blocking I thought it would be safe to just swatch for Kaide. Well, the swatch didn't take long, so shouldn't I just cast on? No, no I probably shouldn't have. The pattern seemed to have errors, not a soul on Ravelry has started this sweater and my gauge was way off. I messaged the designer, then decided to go for it.

I think she's going to turn out fine.

Even though I'm using Berocco Vintage Chunky and size 10 needles (smaller than called for), the back will block to about 20 inches so I'll still have a sweater coat.

A while ago I saw this necklace from TopShop:

It was listed for $85. I thought that was absurd. Fast forward many months, some tears, probably $30 and I'm only halfway there.

cobalt!

I have a little helper.

So one side is done. That's it. I thought it would be so cute with a white v-neck and my yellow shorts.

Lastly, a really simple chain and seed bead necklace. I see similar stuff to this on Etsy all of the time. When I get sick of knitting hopefully I'll be able to make a few more pieces. I bought the chain and findings at Joann's. It lays down nicely when I wear it. Action photos to come!

Fall!

It's here! Our A/C is no longer running all day and I wake up with freezing extremities. This is good news. Of course I have HUGE fall sewing and knitting plans that I definitely won't be able to keep up with. The front of Beatnik is almost done, so hopefully I can block it today and sew it up this weekend. As soon as it's finished I'm going to get started on Kaide. It's almost over the top, but I really love the design and hope the dark gray yarn I'm using tones it down a bit.

Also, I ordered the Clover pants pattern from Sunni at A Fashionable Stitch so I can participate in the upcoming sewalong. Sarai has already made several suuuper cute pairs. There are a few bottomweights in my stash that would be appropriate for Clover, so hopefully I resist the temptation to buy something else. I have a cheap, herringbone, dark grey suiting that might be kind of cute.

No, my shorts are not done. But I almost have a sweater AND I've been making jewelry (i.e stringing seed beads). I'll post that later. With pictures.

Beatnik Progress

My shorts are soooo close to being finished. I just need to insert the invisible zipper and decide on the hem length. Instead of quickly finishing them up, I've been really distracted by fall knitting.

I started Beatnik a month ago, set it aside after screwing up and have since picked it back up. As of this morning I have the back and one sleeve finished. I'm really excited about this sweater and hope it turns out nicely.

Here are some other sweaters that are in my queue:

 

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I may seriously regret making polyester shorts.

But I'm doing it anyway! The pattern is Burda 6/2011 #111. A year ago I made jeans in a sewing class with less than stellar results (the sewing part was fine, the fit was awful), but other than those I've never made bottoms besides skirts. I made a muslin and it seemed to fit fine. Even the pocket placement was good!

The fabric is super stretchy poly/cotton/lycra from Fabric Mart.

After these shorts are completed I have one more Tiny Pocket Tank to finish up then I'm done with summer sewing. I figured these shorts will be cute with a sweater and the tank will be great for layering, so they're transitional pieces.

Kwik Sew 3703 - The Maxi Dress

Earlier this summer I bought a jersey racerback maxi dress from Urban Outfitters and proceeded to wear it everyday. It drives me crazy when I buy things that are over-priced and easy to make! I don't know why I do it. Anyway, I wear it a lot, but needed to break-up my all-grey uniform. I remembered Amber from Confessions of the Pink Obsessed making some really cute knit dresses with Kwik Sew patterns, so I decided that's a good place to start.

For all three of these I used Kwik Sew 3703. I cut a size extra small, but added to the armholes and shoulder strap (picture below). They all have raw hems. I love this pattern. It fits beautifully and is extremely comfortable. You may think three is enough, but I'll definitely be making more. In fact, I was thinking of making one in white and then dyeing it with an ombre effect. Wouldn't that be pretty?

I added to the armholes and made the straps thicker.

Fabric: A cotton knit from Yellow Bird Fabrics that feels like medium weight t-shirt material.

Mods: I only had two yards, so I took out a lot of width from the skirt bottom. As you can see, there's still plenty of room. I also narrowed the neck and armhole bands to about 3/8".

Total Cost: I don't remember how much  I paid for the fabric and can't find a receipt. $20 maybe?

Fabric: A poly/lycra blend from Gorgeous Fabrics. (It's still there!)
 
Mods: Just the aforementioned pattern changes. I had a few yards of this, so I was able to keep the skirt width. I even did the neck and armhole bands correctly!

Total Cost: about $30

Eeeh. I probably should've tried to match the back seam.

Fabric: A rayon/ycra blend from Emma One Sock. (It's still there!) This is my most favorite fabric ever. I was sick about potentially ruining it, but I think it turned out really nice!

Mods: I only had two yards, so I narrowed the bands and skirt width, but was able to lengthen it quite a bit. I've been wearing it blousoned over a belt, but should probably take off some of that length. I'm tall, wearing 3"+ heels and it's still floor length.

Total Cost: around $35

The innards! Sometimes I sew, sometimes I serge.

It's taken me a long time to wear the things I sew in public, but all of these dresses have made it out of my house. Hooray!

Sorry about the blurry/grainy photos. Should I go outside next time? Find a neutral wall? 

Dyeing Fabric!

I've been cleaning out my closet and realized that there are several items that I never wear because of the color (or lack thereof). I didn't take a before picture, but I had a pair of tencel high-waisted shorts from H&M that were a nude-ish color. I bought them in Chicago two years ago and the tags were still on! Yeesh. 

I also threw in two yards of voile that I bought from Gorgeous Fabrics a while ago. It was safety cone orange. Not good. I'll talk about my plans for that later.

The Set-Up: I really should've laid down plastic. Oops.

I used Dharma Fiber Reactive Procion Dyes from Dharma Trading Company.  I didn't measure exactly, but I used all 2 oz. of jungle red, about 1 and a 1/2 tbsp of lemon yellow and 1/2 tbsp of fuchsia red.

Fin! They are actually kind of dark honeysuckle. More pink than orange.

I wanted them to be slightly more orange, but I'm still thrilled with the results. The big snafu was that the shorts were sewn with polyester thread (which doesn't take this particular dye), so I'm left with white topstitching.

The verdict? Dyeing is fun. So fun that I've pre-washed several more items including my recently finished Green Tea Raglan. I used the green yarn that is pictured, but have plans to dye it cobalt or navy.

Next up: A Sorbetto muslin and way too many Kwik Sew 3703 maxi dresses!

Sewing For Summer

I've decided that I can't buy anything new this summer. If I want a tank, I have to make it. Same goes for maxi dresses and t-shirts. It's been slow-going, but I have a few cute things to post soon.

I've used the Grainline Tiny Pocket Tank pattern twice now. It's the cutest.

I'm also making a few high-waisted, full skirts. I think they are a great alternative to my usual summer uniform - quick-wicking action shorts: