Seeing Stripes

I finally got around to taking this picture of me actually wearing the shorts. The quality isn't so great because it's a mirror shot. The weather is much too cold to be wearing these around twon now, so I'll stick them in the closet until spring. Around these parts, that isn't until late April or May!

Good Mail Day

I came home to find my new issue of Rebecca waiting for me, as well as a large package at the door. Pictured above, on the right, is the next project I will probably start once the Alexi cardigan is finished. I love the stitch used in this sweater, as well as the three-quarter length sleeves, and the wide waistband ribbing. It was made with a new GGH yarn called Tara, which is a cashmere-like cotton variation of their Bel Air yarn, which I used for the lattice work sweater.

The package contained the Sew EZ Board that I ordered a couple of weeks back. I've been wanting one of these boards for a while to block all my knits on. I got the larger board, 33" x 51", and I can't wait to use it! It's very durable and sturdy. I got the board online at Joann's while it was on sale for $69.99 and then used a free shipping coupon.

Knitty Gritty Knits West Coast Tour

You can see Vickie Howell on local morning show AM Northwest (channel 2) when she visits on Friday, Feb. 2. There will also be a Knitty Gritty Knits book signing at the Yarn Garden later that evening at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy some champagne and chocolates too! The Yarn Garden is at 1413 SE Hawthorne.

Zipped Up

Last night in apparel construction class, I sewed in my side seam zippers on the Built by Wendy city shorts. I like how the red of the zippers complement the striped fabric. Our next class project is to create a shrt sample. Everyone will be using the same pattern, so it won't be something I can wear. But it will be a good lesson in construction!

Knitting Productivity

Unfortunately, another storm that was supposed to hit last night didn't happen, so I'm back at work today. I finished the fronts of the Alexi cardigan last night. I worked on them a lot during the weekend and the last couple of snow days. I like that I didn't have to bind off for armholes and only for the neckline. I shall cast on for the sleeves later this afternoon.

Snow Days = Lots of Crafting

We had another snow day today! There is still lots of snow on the ground, but the main streets seem to be pretty clear. There is another chance of snow tonight, as well as everything refreezing. Who knows what tomorrow will be like? All I can say is that it sure is nice to hang around home and work on projects!

The first project I finished yesterday was the Brooklyn Cap from the Summer 2006 Interweave Knits. I crocheted a chain around the brim for some extra detail. Obviously, it still needs to be felted, but that may be a while since my washing machine is currently out of order due to the renovations in the basement. I also worked on the fronts of the Alexi cardigan and am just a few inches shy of finishing both of those.

My apparel construction 2 and textiles classes were both canceled this week, so I started working on my pants project yesterday and was able to finish up today except for the zippers on the side seams. As I mentioned before, I didn't need to make any alterations when I did the tissue fitting. However, when I sewed the fronts and backs together and was able to try on the shorts, they were huge. So, I ended up taking in the side seams, as well as the rear rise. They fit surprisingly well now, especially with the stretch denim. I really like the pattern and several of the details, like the side zippers, the back fake pocket flaps, and the yoke fronts that are supposed to look like pockets. This is another Built by Wendy pattern, so there is lots of topstitching. I'll post photos when they are completely finished.

Snow Day!

The district made the call late, but school is closed for the day. That means a day of knitting and sewing and movies!

Slow Going

Knitting has been very slow on the Alexi fronts with all the sewing I've been focusing on lately. But I was able to knit a little at lunchtime today. I hope to make more progress during the holiday weekend too.

In Apparel Construction class, I learned how to do a tissue fitting for the commercial pants pattern I bought. Basically, you pin the inseam together and then put the pattern on and have a partner help you pin the rest together so that it fits your body. You make new markings and then cut out the pattern accordingly. Most of the patterns were too big, which goes to show how wacky commercial pattern sizing is. My pattern just about fit me perfectly, so I didn't have to make any alterations, which was a bummer because I wanted the experience of having to alter something. But, I can always do another tissue fitting later. I'm also taking a Textiles class and I think that will be really fun. For homework this week, we get to do fabric burn tests to look at characteristics of different fabrics.

Apples of My Eye

I finished my jacket this morning. I wanted to wear it about town, but it was pouring rain and I didn't want to have to wear another coat on top of it, so it stayed in the closet. This was my first Built by Wendy pattern and it was pretty easy to follow. I only made one alteration and it was to keep the sleeves a little bit longer. They are almost the same length as the body of the jacket and I think it looks more like a cape. One warning: there is a lot of topstitching with this project, so buy an extra spool of thread. I ended up having to use another spool that I had left over from a previous project. The color was just a little bit darker, but you can't really tell. I used my new Janome machine, which was fabulous. I had to get used to a few little quirks, but overall, I'm glad I made the purchase. My favorite features are the needle threader and the automatic buttonhole maker.

Built By Melissa

My Apparel Construction 2 class starts next week and our first project is to make a pair of pants from a commercial pattern that is altered for each individual. I didn't see a great pants pattern, but I liked these city shorts from this Built by Wendy 4110 pattern. I chose this great striped stretch denim for the shorts. You can't tell from the picture, but there are zippers on the side slits. That's a nice detail. I don't often make pants for myself because of past fit problems, so I'm excited to pick up any tips I can. I also had this Built by Wendy 4109 jacket pattern and decided to buy fabric to make the shorter cape. Originally, I wanted this mondo fabric for the cape, but as I browsed the aisles at Fabric Depot, I found this cute apple corduroy from Robert Kaufman. Finally, a couple of sewing projects that will allow me to use my new machines!

Back is Finished

I finished the back over the weekend and have started the two fronts. I was itching for a good sewing project, but I couldn't find a good project amidst all of my patterns and books. Apparel Construction 2 class starts next week, so I'll have some sewing projects to work on then!