Meet the Trample Herd!

Finally some cute knit stuffies for me!

Introducing Daffy and Mingo

Back when I commented that I wanted to knit myself a herd of elephants to trample my enemies you probably thought I was kidding.

trample trample trample

I wasn't. And now I've knit the first two of them into being.

I knit these elephants from the "page 18 elefante" pattern that is free on Susan B Anderson's blog. She really has cornered the market on adorable knit stuffies. These cuties were knit up in the leftover yarn from my giraffe. They're small, and perfect for using up remnants.

When they're not trampling, they're snuggling...

The only tricky part for me was the ears, which are crocheted. I don't crochet. So, my little herd had to wait - earless - for a month while I struggled with a crochet hook. I'm pretty sure I was not destined to be a great crocheter, but I learned just enough so that they could have ears. I would not show them off to a crocheter since I had to fudge them a bit and each one came out a little... um... unique.

...or hanging out with me...

I haven't really built up a yarn stash, since I'm not very good at seeing a yarn and knowing what I'd want to do with it and how much to buy. I've been buying as I go. But there is almost always a half a ball of yarn left at the end of a project.

...or playing in the Craft Lounge.

Two is company, but not much of a herd. So, I expect that the number of trample elephants will grow over time as I use up the leftover bits. But in the interim, Daffy and Mingo will be guarding my Craft Lounge.

Enemies beware...

Monday Morning Mini Project Reveal

It was a very exciting weekend in the Craft Lounge.  Did you hear me?  I said "in the Craft Lounge."

My sewing space is finally mine again after a two month extended family visit (renovations to their home - long story). Anyway, I am so very happy to be back in a dedicated sewing space. Don't get me wrong, it was nice to have a busy house, complete with another girl (my sis in law) for fashion opinions and a 3 year old assistant baker. But sewing at the dining room table and having to pack/unpack everything each session is a PITA!

Once things were mostly back in order in the Craft Lounge, I immediately needed a project. So, I made the easiest infinity scarf ever from a purple and green wool remnant that I bought at Mood LA last winter.

Today's outfit: I love green and purple together.

It was immensely cathartic. Sigh. I had to wear it today.

There are still a few random tools and notions that have gone missing during the Craft Lounge relocation, like a measuring tape that I was using just the other day. But on the upside, somehow 2 yards of hair canvas that went missing two years ago - at another time when family visitors were inhabiting the Craft Lounge - magically reappeared. I know it's the same hair canvas because the dated receipt was still in the bag.

Found hair canvas and muslin

Don't mistake me; I did not find the hair canvas as I tidied and organized. When I went into the Craft Lounge, there it was sitting out in the open on a shelf where it had not been before. The only explanation is magic. How bonkers is that?

Anyway, I also finished my DK ridonku-dress, which I plan to wear on a date with Phin this week. Post to follow. 

So, my question of the day for you is: when you finish sewing (or knitting) something do you wear it right away? Or do you wait until the right moment or occasion? I'm usually so giddy that I can't think of wearing anything else until it's been worn. So, I'll create an occasion if none exists or I'll just wear it for no occasion whatsoever. What about you?

When Bad Things Happen to Good Patterns...

Last weekend, as I labored over the Donna Karan dress that I blogged about yesterday, I decided to take a break to work on a quick and easy leggings project.

It was a disaster.

This easy legging project should have worked because:

• This pattern (M 6173) has been a success for many other sewists.
• I wear leggings all the time; the style seems to work on me.
• My marble knit fabric is fun and suits this project. 
• I've been having success with knits lately (here and here). 

So why are these leggings such a flop that my photographer refused to take photos "to protect the innocent"?

Well, let's just say some lessons need repeating before they are truly learnt. Shiny and clingy on my lower half is a no-go. And, somehow, the marble print not only emphasized every lump and bump but seemed to magically create the optical illusion of lumps and bumps were there were none.

On top of it, the pattern truly does run large. The fit got all wonky because of how much I tried to take these leggings in. Honestly, I need to go down 2 sizes, which means a different pattern envelope.

All's not lost on these. I'm still planning on giving them a go in my non-shiny faux leather once I grade down or suck it up and buy the smaller pattern envelope. And this fabric will be recut and used as a muslin.So, hopefully I will eek a win out of this experiment.

What else is there to say but you live, you learn? I hope you all have a great weekend! 

V1342: This Pattern is Bananas

This Donna Karan dress pattern (V1342) is ridonkulous.

Vogue 1342 - Donna Karan Collection

I mean that in a good way. Really! Let me explain.

 "Very close-fitting, lined dress has front, back and shoulder straps cut-in-one, no side seam, bias, gathered upper left front, pleated and gathered back, and stitched hem." - from Vogue website/envelope back

What you see of this dress consists of just 2 pattern pieces. There's one piece for the "gathered upper left front" and then one piece for the whole rest of the dress, which did not fit on a dining room table that comfortably seats eight (see below).

 
The pattern has 6 pleats, 5 gathered areas (some of which you have to break the basting and gather in two sections), 2 or 3 fold lines, several notches, at least 20 dots of all different sizes that need to be matched up and one square (I forget what the square denotes). And there is only one vertical(ish) seam that runs down the back. Oh, right, and the additional 2 lining pieces have 2 bust darts and two fish eye darts.

Wow, that really didn't sound like "but in a good way", did it?  Somehow I'm finding myself really really into this patten. When I figured how this bizarre amoeboid pattern piece would morph into a dress, it was one of those "eureka!" sewing moments. This is actually why I love Donna Karan patterns.

One thing I don't love, is the lack of alteration lines. I had to take a guess at how (and where) to add room thru the hips. I did a slash and spread on the right side of the main pattern piece (above) in order to preserve the pleat markings, and I simply graded out on the left. I altered the lining pieces the same amount and the fit was spot on. So, fingers crossed that my wildcat alterations will work. (Um, if you have a better idea, feel free to volunteer it for posterity. It's too late for me since the fabric is cut.)

Now, why on earth I thought I would be able to finish this dress in a weekend - even a three day one - is beyond me. I guess with just two main pieces it seemed, um, easy. LOL There is a reason this pattern is rated Advanced.

So, my question for you is: Do you like complicated sewing? By "complicated" I don't mean tailoring or labor intensive hand sewing. What I mean is complicated construction - the kind of sewing where you go into the project not really knowing how the pieces are all going to fit together in the end. I kind of love it. Or do you prefer straightforward patterns with simple lines where you create the drama by adding your own touches to it? Like mixing it up with cool fabric or trim?

In one of those bizarre twists of sewing fate, the rated Easy pattern that I was also working on as a break from the brain work of this dress was a total fail. Go figure. But more on that tomorrow... 

The Solution to the Giraffe Problem is a Bunny!

On Friday morning, our new niece arrived in the world, and everyone is doing great.

I've resigned myself to the truth that my the cute knit giraffe will be a "big sister gift"  for our three year old niece. So, my solution to this giraffe dilemma is a bunny!

Giraffe and Bunny

I know. You're thinking that solving the problem of having to give away one cute stuffie to the not-intended recipient by knitting another cute stuffie that will be just as hard to give away is madness. You would be correct. But I can't help it; nieces and nephews seem to have an occult power over me. It seemed like a good solution as I cast on. Oh, and I also knit a baby blanket.

Anyway, this is the floppy bunny from Itty-Bitty Toys by Susan B Anderson. After the giraffe, the bunny was quick and easy to knit up.

Here he/she is on the matching baby blanket that I knit during Sandy.  I love the too big feet, paws and ears. I think they give the bunny a baby-like look. I made a few style changes like making the ears perky instead of floppy and placing the arms and legs a little differently than the pattern. I think this gives the bunny a sillier look that I like.

Isn't he/she sweet?

Now that I've learned to knit pompoms, I'm putting them on everything.

I love the pompom tail

A few notes on the blanket.  It's a free Bernat pattern called the Wave Stitch Blanket. I knit it up in Cascade 128 Superwash Chunky yarn. It is super soft, machine washable and the pattern knit up quickly and easily. Overall, this was the perfect bang for the buck project for a gift.

And, giving credit where credit is due, Phin gave me the best Christmas gift for blocking knit projects.

Play room/nursery school floor mats

They link together in all different configurations, are waterproof and I can pin to them. They are also easy to stow away when not in use. Oh, and they were MUCH cheaper and larger than blocking mats. This blanket is 37" x 45".

Baby blanket being blocked.

Anyway, my three knit gifts have been wrapped so that I can't see them or have second thoughts about giving them away.  Phin is (reluctantly) dropping them at their new home today. I've promised to knit him a hippo or cow as compensation, although I have a feeling it may end up being both in the end.

SO hard to give these cuties away!

It seems like there is a mini baby boom happening among my friends and family. So, there are sure to be more baby items to follow. 

I hope you all had a crafty weekend, too! 

Layer Cake Winner and Final Grateful Thoughts

 

Before we get to the winner, I wanted to take a moment to say how touched I am by the many thoughtful comments on my Sew Grateful post. Thank you, odd ducks of the sewing blogosphere! It's nice to be flapping in V formation with you!

An unexpected side effect of that post, is this revelation: Sewists really like their sweets! I mean really, really! And not just chocolate and vanilla! Lemon, orange, poppy, caramel, red velvet, carrot, spice, zucchini, ice cream and cheesecakes that are drizzled, sprinkled, whip creamed, bedecked in buttercream and slathered in ganache were all mentioned. Plus, some of you went off the reservation to say you like fruit pies, mud pies, tarts, brownies, tiramisu and even a few un-frosted cakes. Variety is the spice of life! I myself am a brownie fiend.

Anyway, the winner of the giveaway...

We do things analog here, folks!

...who likes the seasonally appropriate red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting best...

... is Emma Morton!  Look for my email, Emma, and let me know where to send your slice of layer cake! 

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Frosting Ingredients (aka Wholy Hot Sauce Fabric Binging, Batman!)

First, there are still a few hours to enter the Layer Cake Giveaway! 

As I understand it, when you start a diet, it's helpful to fill your pantry and fridge with the ingredients that will help you stick to the plan. This sounds like good sense to me. So, for my frosting diet, I decided to make some fabric stash "enhancements" (ie: go on a fabric binge). 

Best. Diet. Ever.

It started like this: I had a $100 groupon to Paron Fabrics that was going to expire last week. Since I had no specific fabric needs, I walked on in and said to one of the helpful employees, "I'm here to buy fabulous fabrics."

This is the aftermath...

Silk Brocade

This silk brocade is just 30" but is absolutely gorgeous! It will be a pencil skirt. Maybe a high-waisted pencil skirt. I've never been a big fan of black and pink, but this changed my mind. I had to have it.

Since I've got couture sewing on my mind these days, this silk leopard print organza seemed like just the ticket. Won't it be the most fun underlining ever?

Tie died silk habutai also found it's way into my hands.

But the piece de resistance from my Paron haul: white Magaschoni silk jacquard.
 

 
Why, yes! The jacquard IS the Tabasco hot sauce label. This will line a jacket. An utterly fabulous and stupendous jacket. Sigh. I love fabric!

2014: Year of the "hot sauce" diet??? Tempting.

Once I got going, I did spend more than the Groupon amount. But I recommend that you try this "show me something fabulous" strategy at least once. With no agenda, I ended up with four to-die-for fabrics that I will be thrilled to sew up.

Then a few days later I decided I needed some knits for an upcoming project or two. 

L to R: from Spandex World and Spandex House

On the right is a knit that looks like gray marble. Sewing knits is not-the-norm for me, but I've been having fun with them lately. And the left is... is... well... there is just no easy way to say this. Less than a year after basically swearing off - and swearing at - faux leather, I've proven myself to be a hypocrite. It's black faux leather backed in spandex from Spandex World. It's really quite good looking - their picture is better than mine. In my defense, I've been wearing leggings a lot this winter. Plain, boring leggings. And, I've secretly desired leather pants for as long as I can remember.  So... yeah.

At the moment, I literally have four sewing projects going on plus two more that I'm working on in my brain, if you know what I mean. So, it feels like I've been sewing a lot, but have nothing to show for it. I also have 4 knitting projects on the needles. (Distracted much?) 

Not that long ago, I was an avowed one-project-at-a-time sewist. I'm not sure what happened. What about you, are you a one-at-a-time sewist or do you multitask?