Sew Much More

I went to the fabric store Friday night and got materials for these two patterns: some lightweight red stretch denim for the view C dress and some kiwi green linen blend for the miniskirt. I have pinned and cut out all pattern pieces for both, but I'll start with the mini first since that shouldn't take too long to complete.

Seeing Spots

Here's the finished dress. I love how it turned out. It's a very simple and easy pattern that could probably be finished in a couple if it was all that you were working on. I sewed in the zipper last night. I was going to use an invisible zipper, but it looked too complicated and I had never put one in before. The bodice is a little loose, but I think it's fine. I like the cap sleeves too.

Photo Album

I must admit that I was a little worried as to how this sweater was turning out while it was blocking. Last night while it was still damp, I tried it on and it was way too big even though I made the smallest size. Granted, it was still damp, but not so damp that it was going to dry and shrink up any smaller. So I decided to throw it in the dryer. When I pulled it out, it was considerably smaller and when I tried it on this time, it fit perfectly! Yay! I added the crocheted flower after Mariko suggested it to me earlier. I also lengthened the sleeves by about an inch and modified the neck trim. In the directions, it states to purl one round, then knit one round. However, if you are using a contrasting color, you should start out with a knit round and then a purl round, otherwise the color change shows on the purl stitches. I also added another knit round and purl round to widen the trim.

While Gigi was in the dryer, I managed to do a bit of sewing too. Here are the cap sleeves. Once the binding is sewn on, you trim the edge and then fold it over and hand sew it in place so that it neatly hides the unfinished edge. I really like how the binding makes the sleeves look so polished.

Here is the bodice with the sleeves sewn in place. All that is left is the skirt and the zipper. The pattern originally called for little bows on the sleeves made from some cord covered with the dress fabric. I didn't like that detail at first, but now I'm thinking I may just sew on some pre-made bows. PS I need a dress form!

Top Half

Here's the bodice of the dress. I was able to sew the lining to it this morning and iron it before heading to work. I may have already mentioned that I have used the pattern previously for the sleeveless version of the dress. The details I particularly like are the short split in the middle of the neckline in front and the gathers that will be at the bottom of the bodice where it connects to the skirt.

Gigi update: Should be dry by tomorrow and ready for pictures!

Blocking

I finished Gigi Saturday evening and she is now blocking. I tried the sweater on prior to the blocking and the neckline was rather wide, but I'm hoping that the ribbon tie helps keep it secure instead of slipping off my shoulders. I also marked all of my pattern pieces for the dress, so I should be ready to start sewing tonight. Photos shall be coming soon.

Two One Sleeves Down and One to Go...

I know it doesn't look like it, but the sleeves really are the same length. I think I just took the pictures from different distances. On to connecting all the pieces!

Dress Pattern

It's view c.

Weekend Update

I finished the body of Gigi on Saturday night, and started one sleeve last night during some TV watching. I also managed to decide on a pattern for the pastel Softspot fabric and cut that out as well. It's a McCall's pattern (I forgot the number) for a sweet dress with cap sleeves and some rickrack edging.

Gigi Clarified

I wrote to Bonne Marie and she kindly helped me with the directions. You do five decrease rows and then five increase rows. It's the Knit Even Until Piece Measures... part that is off. She said to just do seven more rows after the last increase and I'd be at the proper length (this is for the smallest size). Unfortunately, I ripped all those rows out before emailing Bonne Marie and worked several inches and now I have to rip again. Ack.

Another !@#$%&* Mistake

Okay, so at lunchtime today, I was happily knitting away on Gigi, and I counted my stitches to make sure I was on track with the directions. Well, I noticed that something was wrong because it says after I finish with all my increases to keep knitting until work measures 11.25 inches. I think I've still got another eight rows to go plus two sets of increases and I'm already at 10.5 inches. But then after counting my stitches, I'm only one set of increases away from where I should be. Ack! For the decreases and increases, the directions give you the decrease/increase round specifications and then say to knit that round every _ rows four more times. What I originally did was knit that first decrease round and then knit it again an additional four times for a total of five decrease rounds. So now, I've finished four increase rounds and I'm practically at that 11.25 inches. I have made this same mistake before in other patterns. It looks like I'll spend the night frogging some 40-50 odd rows!

Next Please

As I continue to work my way through Gigi, I am already thinking of my next project. In addition to trying to start Grace (in cotton), I need to start on some sewing projects. If I have enough time this weekend, I'm going to try to cut out some pattern pieces for a sundress and a shirt.

Comments

Work on Gigi is still progressing nicely. I'm starting in on the increases now. Since I don't have much news to post, I'll respond to some comments. Ying mentioned that I could have used the two circular needles method for the sleeves of Gigi since I didn't have the proper sized DPs. Unfortunately, I was out of town when I started this sweater, so I only had one pair of circulars with me that were the right size. Darn! That would have been fun to try that method. Ivete also asked about the Rebecca mini skirt and its general wear and if it has stretched out in the butt. I can proudly say that it is wearing great! It hasn't really stretched out at all and I think that is due to the elasticity in the yarn. It's holding its shape very nicely!

A Good Start

Here's what I managed to start on GIgi while I was at my workshop. The directions say to start the sleeves first, but I didn't have any of the proper sized DPs, so I just started in on the body instead. While traveling back home yesterday, I noticed that I had done one of the first decreases incorrectly, so the next day, I ripped out 15 or so rows and started again. I was able to get back to where I left off last night.

Blogless

I'll be out of town the rest of the week for a workshop and probably won't do any blogging. I am waiting patiently for my Cotton Fleece so I can swatch for Gigi. Maybe it will come today.