Hat and Mittens for Baby

We had a cold spell in February and I realized that Baby didn't have a hat or mittens because I sent them with Cameron. Oops! I needed a quick knit so I looked through the free patterns on Ravelry and dove into my stash.

Link for hat.

Link for mittens.

I decided it would be easier to not deal with thumbs for such a small boy and would keep his hands warmer. It is nice to throw them on and not worry about which hand and getting them on straight. Both the mittens and the hat are bigger than I expected but that could just be because Baby is on the very low end of the percentages for his age. 

I ran out of the green yarn when I was almost finished with the second mitten. I'm not good yet at estimating how far yarn will go, I suppose that comes with practice. This is not my best work, but it is fine for what we needed. Baby keeps them on most of the time and that is the most important thing.

Valentine Wreath

My first finished project of 2014!

I started it January 1 and finished it the next day. Ravelry project page is here. I used Lion Brand red wool and then cut the hearts freehand from felt. I used stick-on velcro to attach them but I probably should have used hot glue. Crocheting around a styrofoam form is a bit tricky but once you get the hang of it it goes quickly.

This is more "crafty" than my projects usually are since I felt the need for something mindless on New Year's Day. Also, my lack of a Valentine Wreath has bothered me for years. I know, I'm weird... So, here it is and it makes me happy when I come home.

I have many ideas for more of these, probably more than I can hang on my door. So watch out! You might get one for Christmas!

Feeling Springy

First of all, I apologize for the cheesy bathroom self-shots! This was a last minute idea and then I couldn't remember if I'd ever blogged this top, so I figured I had better take some photos.

So, this is Butterick B5562, a nicely fitting knit top, unfortunately out of print. I'm not usually a fan of the Big 4 pattern companies, but I think that has been my own fault. As I learn more about fit and my own figure, my angst is declining. Many people seem to be afraid of sewing with knits. I really don't understand this as I find knits to be very forgiving and hide a lot of mistakes that woven fabrics do not. Plus, you don't need to do anything to the seams, allowing for lazy sewing... if you're into that.

This top is fun for a few reasons. This fabric is another I inherited from my Mother's stash. (Double stash busting! Yay!) She had to have bought this for me anyway since it is exactly the kind of print I always reach for. If you are ever in need of a gift for me, fabric with roses is always appreciated! 

I didn't make any adjustments to the pattern because I wanted to see how the fit is. The cut is nice for me and I love the sleeves. I'm starting to get a little self-conscious of my arms, like I'm turning into my grandmother, and these cute sleeves hide them well. I had never made gathers with elastic before, it isn't as scary as it seems.

I was feeling tired of the grey weather today, so I decided to wear this even though it's way too early to wear springy things. Oh well, one of the benefits of staying at home with a baby boy - he could care less what I wear!

A Good Excuse to Make a Dress

Our friends, Jessica and Johnny, were married May 11. I met both of them through church choir but was friends with Jessica first. When they finally started dating we had them over for dinner and games and got to know Johnny better. We are so happy for them, they are a great couple. The wedding was full of love and excitement, everyone was glad to see them married. There were a few very touching moments: when the parents of the couple came forward at the beginning of the ceremony to pray over them and the best man's speech just blew me away. They have wonderful friends and family who will support them in their marriage, it is so wonderful to see that. It seems much rarer these days.

For such a special wedding, I had to make a new dress. I made one in plenty of time and actually had it completely done a few weeks early, but it was too small. I wasn't sure if it would fit, but I went by the measurements on the pattern (ignoring the size number) with my fingers crossed. I can't even zip the thing up. I'm really not surprised and I wouldn't be so disappointed if I hadn't cared so much about the fabric. I bought it in Hawai'i when I was there the last time with my grandparents.

So, I threw in the towel on the Big 4 pattern companies and went back to my tried and true Colette. I had purchased their sewing book in the fall but not got around to making any of the patterns. Babies getting in the way of sewing seems to be quite common, I hear. Anyway, I decided on the Licorice dress pattern and found the fabric at Fabric.com.

 

This is a satin/rayon blend lined with a light polyester. It's hard to see the pink roses in this light over the cream background.

I ordered the fabric in plenty of time but it didn't arrive until Wednesday afternoon. The wedding was on Saturday...

I was miffed about having to hurry through the process. This dress is lined for Heaven's sake! I prepped the pattern pieces ahead of time since I had been tracking the package and knew that the timing was going to be close. I made a size 10 on the top and a 12 on the bottom. I've started tracing my patterns to preserve them better. This also allows me to lose (or gain) weight and still be able to make the pattern without having to buy it all over again. This is fine for the Big 4 companies whose patterns go on sale for 99 cents, but I'm not OK with it when I've spent $16 or, as in this case, it comes in a book.

So, yeah, I went to bed at 1:45 am on Friday night/Saturday morning. I kept telling myself it wasn't my fault, I didn't procrastinate after all. I forced myself to go slowly on this dress because I didn't have time to mess up. The fabric was very difficult to cut out as it is very slippery. I'm amazed the pieces came together so well considering how wonky they were. I think I'll try the tissue paper thing next time I decide to use a slippery fabric. Anyway, I felt like my mother on Easter morning. We had to be at the church at noon because I sang with the choir. It was a great thing that J&J wanted us to sing. They met in choir and wanted to include us all in the ceremony. The groom's mother is the choir director and managed to not cry until the last verse of the song. Most of us started tearing up then and barely made it to the end.

I should have had John take pictures before the wedding and the wrinkles set in. I realized as I was getting dressed that these colors are exactly my Grandmother Eunice's colors and I can imagine her wearing a dress like this in her younger days. I must be getting older because that doesn't bother me as much as it used to. It feels more like a tribute.

We took the photos at Green Lake while waiting for the reception to start. John made me take off the sunglasses, he said they ruin the look.

Cecelia's Dress

Our good friends Travis & Anna had a little girl, Cecelia, a few months ago. Since Anna is an avid quilter, I thought I would make something different for the baby. About the time I was thinking about what to do, Made By Rae announced a free version of her Geranium Dress. Yay! Problem solved. 

I raided my stash and had just enough of this lovely green eyelet to make the dress. Little clothes use a surprisingly small amount of fabric.

front

back

 This fabric is so fun. I think I bought it to make a top quite a few years ago and as I recall it was an utter failure. That was before I knew anything at all about sizing. I think it probably went in the trash in a fit of frustration. I liked the fabric so much that I kept the scraps, hoping to use them for something later.

The pattern calls for snaps, but I used hooks and eyes instead. I sometimes find that snaps don't hold up well with something that is worn a lot.

Here is the lovely model, Miss Cece! Isn't she cute?!?! 

She is over four months now, I hope it still fits. 

I wonder if I have enough for a matching bonnet? I think she needs one.

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Geometric Laurel

A bit of Audrey Hepburn channeling going on here...

My latest finished project is the new Laurel pattern from Colette. (I seem to be on a Colette kick lately.) A classic shift dress that promises to be repeatedly made in various versions and fabrics. This has to be the fastest and easiest dress I've ever made and was a much needed mind-break from a quite challenging skirt I'm working on right now. Also, a good jumping back in project since I've been mostly sitting on the couch staring at the TV and indulging my chocolate chip cookie obsession for the last month since the baby left us. My primary motivation was Colette's contest that coincides with the release of this pattern. 

I used just the two pieces for front and back and decided to leave off the sleeves since I wanted this to be a spring/summer dress. The fabric is a polyester I found at Pacific Fabrics and I used bias tape for the neck and sleeve edging. I had decided to not buy any more fabric for a while and try to use up my stash, but when I woke up the next two mornings thinking about this fabric I gave in and bought it. It is really not like anything I would normally choose but I do love it. Weird. I bought 3 yards so I'm sure it will make another appearance here sometime or other.

I made my normal size 12 for this brand, but I think it is too big, especially across the shoulders. For the next version I will go down at least one size and try to fit it (gasp!) a bit better. It's such a pain to do fitting but totally worth it for the finished product. I try to tell myself that, anyway, but usually am too impatient to bother.

Off to enter the contest and win lots of cash and prizes!