The Problem with Cutting Out

I have this box.  It is a rather unassuming box, filled with projects I've cut out in the past.  You see, I have this...thing.  I LOVE cutting out.  The anticipation, the possibilities and the dreams are still fresh at this point.  Before any issues with fitting or sewing.  But then life and reality get in the way of my sewing time, or I run out of steam, and the box remains full of unassembled pieces.  This isn't anything new for me (if you've seen my last post on the 9 year coat, you'll know what I'm talking about!)

Anyways, I have made a point of trying to work my way through the box this fall.  You've already seen a few of those garments, but on the weekend, after my pattern drafting and sewing homework, I pulled out this beauty, Vogue 8593.  I had cut it out in a medium weight ponte de roma fabric in a rusty or burnt orange collar (one of my favourites colours, I will have to admit!)

I have no idea when I cut this dress out, but it can't be more than 2 or 3 years ago.  I cut the size 12, but sewed it with smaller seam allowances to hopefully make up for the fact that I'm a tad bigger now than I was when I originally cut it out.  This is a definite downside to the mass-cutting sessions I usually like to binge on, especially when I don't sew them right away!!

The dress has pleats at the front neckline with a facing, back darts from the upper back area at the shoulder, as well as the shoulder blade area straight down to the hemline.  There is a zipper at the back.  At first I thought I wouldn't include the zipper because it is a knit dress but then I decided to include it, given the small size of the neck.  

In my recent sewing courses, I have learned to interface the wrong side of the seam allowances at the zipper, and it really makes a big difference with how the zipper is inserted.  It makes it much easier to insert, and it gives a much more of a professional finish to the garment, particularly in a knit.  Sometimes in a knit the zipper causes the seam to go a bit wavy.  The interfacing provides some stabilization in the area, and the results look as smooth as any other seam.

The pattern includes three options for sleeveless, 3/4 length sleeves and full sleeves.  I chose to make the full sleeve length.  The full length sleeves have darts at the elbow.  Since learning how to draft these in my pattern drafting class a few weeks ago, I've stumbled across three patterns I had previously cut out that ALL have darts in the sleeves!  I love this style for the shaping it provides at the elbow.

I struggled a bit with the pleats at the neckline but that was most likely because I was a little tired and trying to watch a movie at the time.  Multi-tasking isn't all its made out to be!  Once I slowed down, carefully marked them on the fabric, and reviewed what I was actually supposed to be doing, they worked out fine.  The only problem I am experiencing is that the facing seems to pop out just a bit at the centre front, despite edge stitching the facing.  It is also a touch snug for me, but that is completely my fault with trying to sew it in a smaller size than I actually measure.  :)  Good incentive to avoid the holiday treats.  I will more than likely make this dress again. This time in my size.  

Some Assembly Required

I've had this coat for a long time.  Only, if you really want to belabor the point, it's been in pieces for a long time, not assembled.  I made a version of this coat years ago for my youngest daughter, who was Cruella DeVil for Halloween, out of a faux fur in a dalamation print. (sorry, no photos of that one - I looked, but it was awesome!!  You'll just have to take my word for it!)

I loved this style of coat, and sewing it up was relatively easy.  The reason why it sat in various stages of completion for so long (ahem, I betcha I've had it cut out for at least 9 years) is a bit of a winding story that involves a significant lack of sewing mojo, picking up the pieces, sorting it all out again, noticing that pattern pieces were missing, packing the whole thing up to move to another house, another period of a complete lack of sewing mojo, picking up the pieces again, noticing that pattern pieces were missing, then having the whole mess being completely separated from the envelope, etc., etc., etc...

Anyways, fast forward to two weeks ago.  I needed winter coats.  I found the pieces again as I was looking for something else (yes, organizing L'Atelier is certainly on my list of things to do, but the impending Polar Vortex put making coats up higher on the list!).  Amazingly, I was STILL missing the same pattern pieces as I had been years ago.  I had a light-bulb moment of searching on the internet for the pattern number, and realized that I not only had one copy of this pattern, but two! (FACE-PALM).  And in my recent pattern clean-out, I knew EXACTLY where they were in my newly much smaller but still huge pattern stash.

So, long story short, the stars aligned correctly in my universe, and I found the pattern pieces for the lining and FINALLY cut out the lining.  I found the directions, figured out where I was in the whole process and stitched together the rest of the coat (in very short order, I might add!!).  And I love the results.

Without further ado, I give you my version of Butterick 4619, which I think is now OOP.  Both of the patterns I have are in sizes 8-14, but I think it also came in 16-22. I found a few copies on Etsy and Ebay when I was searching for the pattern images.  I used a large black and white herringbone in a heavy wool coating fabric.  As you can imagine, I have absolutely no idea where I purchased the fabric from.

The coat is has a yoke design that incorporates the front shoulder and the upper back area, which I really like.  It has a centre back seam and vertical darts in the back, as well as vertical darts in the upper front area just below the yoke seam, and vertical darts in the front at the waist area.  The design offers lots of places for easy fitting adjustments. The facings are in one piece with the centre front  pieces so it cuts down on what would have been a bulky seam in this coat, which works really well with the heavy fabric.

There are side seam pockets included in the original pattern, however, I lost the pieces that I had cut out a while back, so I continued on without them.  The coat features a one piece sleeve, but features a dart at the elbow for shaping.  This works very well with the heavy coating fabric I used.

Once I had the directions and figured out where I was in the whole process, the coat was very easy to sew together. I am most certainly making this coat again.  The fit is very flattering despite it being a bulky fabric.

I think I am ready to survive for winter weather with one long and one short coat.  I have plans for a few more because who wants to wear the same thing every day, but for the time being I think I can safely say, "Bring it, Polar Vortex!"

Winter is Coming...

I woke up on November 1 with about 2" of snow on my car.  I have an old down filled jacket/winter coat that a friend told me at the end of last winter makes me look like I'm pregnant.  I've worn this coat for years, thanks!  Anyway, the snow snapped me back to reality and I got to work.

I searched through my stash (which I must say is high disorganized and basically jammed into unmarked boxes in my crawlspace storage area so searching is not a fun experience most of the time.  I really must take some time to reorganize!!)  Anyway...I searched through my stash and the first piece of coating fabric I came across was an olive green wool melton.  I  love this colour.

I decided on Vogue 8933.  I chose this pattern because of the fantastic collar.  When I laid out the pattern pieces I only had enough yardage for view A (but all in the same fabric, not with contrasting sleeves as the pattern suggests).

The pattern is available in sizes 8-16 and 16-24.  I cut a size 14, which is my standard Big 4 size.  I did a 6 cm swayback adjustment in the centre back seam and added 4 cm to the sleeve length for my longer arms.  I love the final look.

 I found the sleeves to be a bit narrow, so next time I make this pattern (and I will certainly be making it again, maybe in the long length) I will adjust the pattern to make them a bit wider.  The only tricky part about the construction was inserting the collar into the back neckline. It's not difficult per se, but rather a bit piddly to get the rounded part sewn to the squared area where the back shoulder meets the neckline.  But because this was wool, giving it a shot of steam with the iron really helped ease that area.

This jacket is also lined.  I chose to line it with an olive green Bemberg because that is what I had on hand.  I'm really trying hard to only sew out of the stash!  For coats, I normally would use a Kasha lining, which is heavier and has a napped side that feels similar to a lightweight flannelette.  The other thing I normally do for a coat or outerwear jacket is to add a layer of flannelette in between the outer fabric and the lining.  I usually cut out the front, back and sleeves, but because the sleeves on this version turned out a bit narrow, I didn't want to add anymore layers.

There are pockets in the side seams - I think pockets in a coat are essential.  I added fusible interfacing to the side seams where the pockets are for a bit of extra support.  I also added fusible interfacing to the sleeve cap area and the upper back instead of a back stay.  I added a sleeve head, which in this case was a piece of flannelette about 3 cm wide cut on the bias and used that to ease the sleeve cap.  It makes the sleeve easier to insert into the body, but it also adds shaping and support to the sleeve cap when the jacket is being worn.

I used four very large antiqued bronze snaps as the closures.  I love the collar of this jacket, you can style it in a few different ways, but my favourite part is that I can wrap it right up and around your neck to beat the polar vortex we all know is coming!!

Get your Motor Running!

You may have noticed that there has been a distinct lack of sewing content on the blog recently.  Erm...for the last 3 months??   I've been in a funk.  Life has thrown me some curveballs that I am struggling to deal with, mostly financially, but also on an emotional level, topped with a few sewing project wadders that just made sewing seem like not so much fun anymore.

I also came to the realization earlier this week that part of the missing sewing mojo issue was due to the completely sad state of affairs in my Atelier.  It was a disgusting pig-sty of a mess, and completely not conducive to the way I like to work (clutter stresses my poor brain out).  I took matters into my own hands one evening earlier this week and ripped through my pattern stash, and donated two large garbage bags and two boxes full of patterns I will never, ever use.  I was in the "right" kind of mood, and didn't second guess or think too long about any particular pattern.   I'm in the part-time pattern drafting courses right now, and a lot of the patterns were variations on the basics that I can create on my own, and will fit me better right off the bat.

I also tidied, vacuumed and dusted, and even finally worked up the emotional chutzpah to donate my old wedding dress that was also hanging out in its cleaners box in my sewing room (!??) for the past ahem 6 years.  I still have a long way to go, with a focus hopefully this weekend on getting rid of sewing projects I will never complete, but my mojo, ladies and gentlemen, seems to have returned!!

I  went home at lunch today and worked on this beauty from Vogue 2989.  It was one of the projects I stumbled across earlier this week when I was cleaning up L'Atelier, already cut and ready to sew.  I just checked the Vogue website and think it might be OOP.  If you can get your hands on it, the pattern makes fantastic travel coordinates, since they're all for knit fabrics, but still business-y (is that even a word??) enough for the office.

Vogue 2989 Envelope

Jacket, View A

Work progress at lunch, Vogue 2989 Jacket View A
Chocolate Brown Ponte

Progress at lunch, Vogue 2989 View A Back
Chocolate Brown Ponte

 I really like how the shoulder seams are shaped (you can see the detail really well on the photograph of the back).  They aren't straight raglan sleeves, but more of a saddle type shoulder combined with a raglan sleeve.  I also like that the peplum isn't too much peplum, and the jacket is fitted without being snug.  I'm excited to finish it, hopefully this weekend!  I'm thinking it will be a cozy sweater-jacket that will also be formal enough for the office.

I'm also really excited to have finally gotten a tripod.  My dad had two, and lovingly gifted one to me.  I'm hoping to play around with it this weekend, and you may finally be introduced to me, face-to-face!  Or is it face-to-computer screen?

WIP-tember 2014 Progress

I cannot believe it is almost the end of September.  Three months till Christmas today!!  The kid in me still gets excited about that!  The crafting adult realizes that it is a deadline that is fast approaching!

This also means that WIP-tember 2014 is fast coming to a close.  I won't have as much dedicated knitting time in the next few days as I am leaving on a business trip to New Orleans tomorrow, so I figured I'd recount what I've done this month.  

Knitting

1.  Finish Welting Fantastic Socks - I worked a couple of rows, but really didn't spend much time on them.  Considering all the travelling/socializing I've done this month, I'm really not surprised.  I will finish these, but they're on the back burner for now.

2.  Finish Sorbet Socks - I finished these!

3.  Finish Where's the Opaque Sweater  - I finished these!

4.  Finish Effortless Cardigan - I finished this long languishing project, and I love it.  I've already worn it a number of times.  It's so cozy on a cool fall day.

5.Whip off the second Emerald Raspberry mitten - I finished these in two evenings.  I CANNOT believe I took so long to pick them up again!!  They're cute and I think the gift recipient will love them.  If not, I'll take them back for myself ;)

6.  Finish Brickless - Done!  Finished in time for the Yarniacs KAL and the Yarns at Yinhoo
Asymmetrical KAL.  I love the finished scarf/shawl.

7.  Steek (EEK!!) Francis Revisited sweater to make it into an, ahem, larger size as a cardigan  - This is considered done, despite the fact I actually Threw. It. Out.  (gasp).  At least it's no longer in my WIP pile.

8. Finish the Not Manos Jacket.  Did not finish.  Probably won't finish until November.  It is a warm woolly sweater that will serve me well through the winter months, but I need to focus on a few other projects for the time being.  I have tried it on and figured out where I was in the pattern, so I'm ready to go when I have the time to focus on it.

9.  Work on February Fitted Pullover at Lace Knitting Nights.   Can you believe I didn't make it to lace knitting night once in September?!  Not frogging this one yet though, I'd love to have the finished object, but again, will focus on other things for the time being. 

10.  Work on Cabled Yoke Sweater - Didn't even look at this.  I will pull it out in October.  I don't think it will take a whole lot of time to finish and I need it for Christmas!

11.  Make decisions about frogging the remaining Hibernating Projects, or whether I will buckle down and continue to get them done. I frogged at least one project, the Summertime Amiga.  It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be and was actually quite liberating.  And now I have yarn for another project.  Because I need more yarn.  HA.

12.  Plan my Reward Cast On Sweater to start when I've finished all these projects!!  So...I didn't wait until I had finished ALL the projects I mentioned above, but I certainly cast on and knit 11-1/2" of stockinette stitch in the round.  This project is perfect for movie nights, campfire knitting, Knit Night and other social events.  Since I had a lot of them this month, I am progressing nicely.  Besides, I need to finish this by November 1 for the Joji Fall KAL.

I also cast on another pair of toe-up after-thought heel socks for a Christmas gift (Lucky 13 2014).  I have completed the "body" of the first sock, and am a good portion through the foot on the second.

There you have it.  I consider that to be a lot of progress.  

So, without further ado, here are my goals for October:

Knitting

1.  Finish Boxy sweater by October 31.  Need to finish for the KAL!

2.  Finish Lucky 13 Christmas socks.

3, Start and complete a pair of Halloween socks for myself.

4.  Work on Cabled Yoke Sweater.

Sewing  

Because I haven't done hardly ANY in September.  And I NEED some new fall work clothes, if not casual clothes!  If I don't set the goals, I will be too lax...so here we go!

1.  Sew homework for Sleeveless Tops and Dresses sewing class (I missed two weeks because of travel).  So, I'll have to finish two tops or dresses, one is a tank with facings at the armholes and neckline, the other is a knit tee type top.

2.  Sew two pairs of work pants.  These are already cut out.

3.  Sew a winter coat.  I need one before the weather gets too cold!!

4.  Edited to add:  I cannot believe I forgot this one.  Sew a pair of leather leggings.  I have stretch pleather (which sounds awful but is amazing from King Textiles in Toronto), and I have perfected my legging pattern, so technically it should take no time at all to get these done!

BTW - I've been browsing blogs online recently, which was something I have not done for a while.  I think it depressed me a bit that I couldn't take the time to sew, but I'm starting to get some mojo back (just in time for me to NOT be able to sew for about a week!).  Anyways...one of the blogs I'm loving right now is www.beautejadore.com.  Nikki has an awesome sense of style, and I love that she uses the same patterns over and over again, but modifies them for completely different looks.  And, the photography is amazing.  She inspires me.  I highly suggest checking her site out.

Well...I'm off to go pack for my upcoming trip.  Hopefully I'll get at least a bit of plane knitting done (hello Halloween socks!), and when I get back, hopefully I'll get some sewing done as well.

Progress on WIP-tember

I cannot believe that it is already the middle of September. I have no idea where the time is going.  In any event, I've been trying to get a bit of crafting/knitting/spinning/sewing in every day despite being on an insane travel schedule this month.  I am currently out on training this week (which was excellent, I have to say), but brought knitting and my relatively-new-to-me Joy spinning wheel with me while I'm travelling.

I have made much progress on my WIP-tember goals, so I think it's time for a recap.

Knitting

1.  Finish Welting Fantastic Socks - one sock is finished without the heel, and I've started the second sock. Haven't touched this one yet, but it is on my list to work on after the Sorbet Socks are done. Started working on these!

2.  Finish Sorbet Socks 

3.  Finish Where's the Opaque Sweater

4.  Finish Effortless Cardigan 

5.Whip off the second Emerald Raspberry mitten

6.  Finish Brickless

7.  Steek (EEK!!) Francis Revisited sweater to make it into an, ahem, larger size as a cardigan (Note for Future:  Swatching for gauge is good.  Lesson learned.  Moving on.), add buttonbands and finish neck.  I've pulled this sweater out too, and will work on it again.  I'm debating blocking it before steeking, just to make sure the yarn doesn't stretch as much as I was previously told it would before cutting into my knitting! So...I steeked this last night.  Not sure how great of a job I did at it, and I have some darning to do, but the point would be here that I picked up a languishing object, and tried something new.  This is still a WIP, but it's now an active one.  UPDATE:  I have TOSSED this sweater.  Yup, you read that right, chucked it, binned it, threw it out.  Because the steek was an after thought, there were no "edge" stitches to anchor it and it actually unravelled sideways into the main body of the sweater (despite all the reading I did that said it wouldn't!!).  As a result, I ended up with a huge hole in the front of the sweater that would never be repaired without being noticed, and I figured there was already more than enough bad mojo in this thing, so into the bin it went.  I feel bad about it because I LOVE this yarn, but I couldn't even frog it after cutting the front - I'd end up with a million pieces of yarn in short lengths.  Consider this one DONE.

8. Finish the Not Manos Jacket.  This will be perfect for fall.  And I thought in 2011 (!!!) that I would have it done for the new year.  HA.  Really need to get this long time hibernating project off the needles.  I've pulled this one out of the storage area.  I'm debating not doing the sleeves, and leaving this as a vest.  It seems as though it would be a pretty heavy sweater otherwise.  Will have to revisit once I've finished the Emerald Raspberries and the Francis Revisited. As I am still working on the Francis Revisited, I haven't knit on this project yet.  I have pulled it out and tried it on to see where I am though...UPDATE:  I have put this into the rotation of knitting to be worked on next.

9.  Work on February Fitted Pullover at Lace Knitting Nights.   I didn't go to lace knit night last week, but will go tonight and bring this along. I STILL haven't made it to Lace Knitting Night yet, but I think this project will get picked up in the near future, even if I don't actually make it to Lace Knitting Night.

10.  Work on Cabled Yoke Sweater - another Christmas gift, and I'm at the stockinette stitch portion, so it should be relatively straight forward!  Haven't made it to this one yet. STILL haven't made it this far yet...

11.  Make decisions about frogging the remaining Hibernating Projects, or whether I will buckle down and continue to get them done. I haven't made it to this one yet either.  Figured I'd reassess after seeing how much progress I could make on the others.  UPDATE:  I frogged my Summertime Amiga.  There was no way to finish it with just the one skein of yarn, and the second skein I purchased in the same colourway was completely unmatched because they're hand painted at different times.  The yarn is awesome and I'll just use it for a different project.  I haven't yet gotten around to frogging anything else yet, but I think the next one on the frogging list will be the Summer of Trinity Shawlette 2 because I'm not sure I made any notes on where I was in the pattern...

12.  Plan my Reward Cast On Sweater to start when I've finished all these projects!!  I'm thinking this one will probably take the most time out of the entire list!!  Always thinking about this one.  So.  Many.  Sweaters!!! UPDATE:  I did in fact cast on a sweater.  It's the Boxy by Joji Locatelli.  I want to finish this for the Fall KAL that Joji is hosting, which is over November 1.  That doesn't leave much time to finish the miles and miles of fingering weight stockinette in the round needed for this sweater.  With all the travelling I'm doing this month, this is the perfect knitting! After a false start where I twisted the 390 stitches when joining them in the round, I am already 4" down, with 16" to go (I'm lengthening it a bit, but still...)

Finished Objects!!! WIP-tember 2014 Update

Well, another week has gone by.  Though it isn't officially fall for another few weeks,  it is starting to feel like it.  School started last week (though I'm not really involved with much around that anymore).  We're still getting hot temperatures during the day, but it certainly feels like it with the cooler temperatures at night.  Things at work have geared back up after a slower summer season.  All of this makes me feel like fall is coming, and of course, with that comes sweaters!!  Big, bulky, tweedy, knitted sweaters.  And that is my incentive to keep me going on the WIPs and get the big reward of being able to cast on a sweater.

Here's the update:

Knitting

1.  Finish Welting Fantastic Socks - one sock is finished without the heel, and I've started the second sock. Haven't touched this one yet, but it is on my list to work on after the Sorbet Socks are done. Started working on these!

2.  Finish Sorbet Socks - these are actually going to be a Christmas gift so that's two incentives to get them done!)  I've actively been knitting on these every morning before my brain has woken up ;)  I'm almost done the leg of the first toe-up afterthought heel sock. I've finished the first sock, and started working on the after-thought heel of the second sock. These are DONE, DONE, DONE!!!  I even have photos up on Rav!!

Sorbet Socks 

3.  Finish Where's the Opaque Sweater - this should be fairly easy to do since I'm actively trying to get this done to wear before the cooler daytime weather arrives.  The front and back are already finished, and I'm now working on the two sleeves. The knitting on this is finished and it has been blocked.  All I have to do now is sew it together and weave in the ends. This is DONE as well!!!  I love how this turned out.  Also have photos up on Rav.

Where's the Opaque Sweater (great late night selfie)

 
4.  Finish Effortless Cardigan - again only have the two sleeves to finish, along with the front and neck bands.  This is blocking as I type (I think it should be dry today, unless the humidity is unbearable, which it is forecast to be!).  The knitting is completely finished, all I have to do is weave in the ends. I already love this sweater and cannot wait until it gets cooler so I can wear it!   Another project DONE!!!  I really love this one, and can certainly see wrapping myself into it in the cold winter months!

Effortless Cardigan (another late night selfie)

5.Whip off the second Emerald Raspberry mitten - another Christmas gift with additional incentive, and they're tiny in comparison to the sweaters!  I've pulled these, and downloaded the pattern to my phone.  This will be one of the next projects.  I'm thinking it should be really quick to finish these off! WOW!  I appear to be on a roll!! These are also done.  Funny how long these hibernated when I finished them off in about two evenings! Need pics of these yet.

6.  Finish Brickless, which is part of the Yarns at Yin Hoo Asymmetrical KAL - deadline is the end of September.  This is an active project that I've been knitting on every day at lunch.  I'm really enjoying this knit!  I'm already about half way finished. Ongoing - working my way through the cake of yarn.  I think I may have enough yarn for one more complete repeat of the lace, garter and ribbing left.  Maybe.  There may be a game of yarn chicken in my future.  If I really need to, I can break into a second skein of the same yarn, but I'd really rather not if I can at all avoid it. Done!!!  Hooray!  This turned out great, and I really did enjoy knitting this.

Brickless Shawl (more selfies...sensing a trend here)

7.  Steek (EEK!!) Francis Revisited sweater to make it into an, ahem, larger size as a cardigan (Note for Future:  Swatching for gauge is good.  Lesson learned.  Moving on.), add buttonbands and finish neck.  I've pulled this sweater out too, and will work on it again.  I'm debating blocking it before steeking, just to make sure the yarn doesn't stretch as much as I was previously told it would before cutting into my knitting! So...I steeked this last night.  Not sure how great of a job I did at it, and I have some darning to do, but the point would be here that I picked up a languishing object, and tried something new.  This is still a WIP, but it's now an active one.

Francis Revisited

EEEKKK!!!

8. Finish the Not Manos Jacket.  This will be perfect for fall.  And I thought in 2011 (!!!) that I would have it done for the new year.  HA.  Really need to get this long time hibernating project off the needles.  I've pulled this one out of the storage area.  I'm debating not doing the sleeves, and leaving this as a vest.  It seems as though it would be a pretty heavy sweater otherwise.  Will have to revisit once I've finished the Emerald Raspberries and the Francis Revisited. As I am still working on the Francis Revisited, I haven't knit on this project yet.  I have pulled it out and tried it on to see where I am though...

9.  Work on February Fitted Pullover at Lace Knitting Nights.   I didn't go to lace knit night last week, but will go tonight and bring this along. I haven't made it to Lace Knitting Night yet, but I think this project will get picked up in the near future.

10.  Work on Cabled Yoke Sweater - another Christmas gift, and I'm at the stockinette stitch portion, so it should be relatively straight forward!  Haven't made it to this one yet. Haven't made it this far yet...

11.  Make decisions about frogging the remaining Hibernating Projects, or whether I will buckle down and continue to get them done. I haven't made it to this one yet either.  Figured I'd reassess after seeing how much progress I could make on the others.  Holding off on this till all the above-noted projects are done.

12.  Plan my Reward Cast On Sweater to start when I've finished all these projects!!  I'm thinking this one will probably take the most time out of the entire list!!  Always thinking about this one.  So.  Many.  Sweaters!!! I've been browsing my Rav queue and favourites when I cannot knit...

Stack of finished knits from this weekend!!!

I'm really happy with the progress that I'm making.  I've accomplished much in only two weeks.  I passed my re-certification exam that is coming up this past weekend (PHEW!!!), which should open up a few more hours of "free time" in my week.  My work schedule is a bit busy (understatement made dripping with sarcasm) over the next few weeks, but I will certainly rely on knitting as a stress-reliever!

WIP-tempber!!!

In my last post, I talked about the overwhelming amount of works in progress (WIPs) I had on the needles.  I have dedicated myself to trying to get as many as possible OFF the needles by the end of September.

So far, since starting on this journey a little over a week ago, I've made really good progress!

Let's review my goals:

Knitting

1.  Finish Welting Fantastic Socks - one sock is finished without the heel, and I've started the second sock. Haven't touched this one yet, but it is on my list to work on after the Sorbet Socks are done.

2.  Finish Sorbet Socks - these are actually going to be a Christmas gift so that's two incentives to get them done!)  I've actively been knitting on these every morning before my brain has woken up ;)  I'm almost done the leg of the first toe-up afterthought heel sock. I've finished the first sock, and started working on the after-thought heel of the second sock.

3.  Finish Where's the Opaque Sweater - this should be fairly easy to do since I'm actively trying to get this done to wear before the cooler daytime weather arrives.  The front and back are already finished, and I'm now working on the two sleeves. The knitting on this is finished and it has been blocked.  All I have to do now is sew it together and weave in the ends.

4.  Finish Effortless Cardigan - again only have the two sleeves to finish, along with the front and neck bands.  This is blocking as I type (I think it should be dry today, unless the humidity is unbearable, which it is forecast to be!).  The knitting is completely finished, all I have to do is weave in the ends. I already love this sweater and cannot wait until it gets cooler so I can wear it!

5.Whip off the second Emerald Raspberry mitten - another Christmas gift with additional incentive, and they're tiny in comparison to the sweaters!  I've pulled these, and downloaded the pattern to my phone.  This will be one of the next projects.  I'm thinking it should be really quick to finish these off!

6.  Finish Brickless, which is part of the Yarns at Yin Hoo Asymmetrical KAL - deadline is the end of September.  This is an active project that I've been knitting on every day at lunch.  I'm really enjoying this knit!  I'm already about half way finished. Ongoing - working my way through the cake of yarn.  I think I may have enough yarn for one more complete repeat of the lace, garter and ribbing left.  Maybe.  There may be a game of yarn chicken in my future.  If I really need to, I can break into a second skein of the same yarn, but I'd really rather not if I can at all avoid it.

7.  Steek (EEK!!) Francis Revisited sweater to make it into an, ahem, larger size as a cardigan (Note for Future:  Swatching for gauge is good.  Lesson learned.  Moving on.), add buttonbands and finish neck.  I've pulled this sweater out too, and will work on it again.  I'm debating blocking it before steeking, just to make sure the yarn doesn't stretch as much as I was previously told it would before cutting into my knitting!

8. Finish the Not Manos Jacket.  This will be perfect for fall.  And I thought in 2011 (!!!) that I would have it done for the new year.  HA.  Really need to get this long time hibernating project off the needles.  I've pulled this one out of the storage area.  I'm debating not doing the sleeves, and leaving this as a vest.  It seems as though it would be a pretty heavy sweater otherwise.  Will have to revisit once I've finished the Emerald Raspberries and the Francis Revisited.

9.  Work on February Fitted Pullover at Lace Knitting Nights.   I didn't go to lace knit night last week, but will go tonight and bring this along.

10.  Work on Cabled Yoke Sweater - another Christmas gift, and I'm at the stockinette stitch portion, so it should be relatively straight forward!  Haven't made it to this one yet.

11.  Make decisions about frogging the remaining Hibernating Projects, or whether I will buckle down and continue to get them done. I haven't made it to this one yet either.  Figured I'd reassess after seeing how much progress I could make on the others.

12.  Plan my Reward Cast On Sweater to start when I've finished all these projects!!  I'm thinking this one will probably take the most time out of the entire list!!  Always thinking about this one.  So.  Many.  Sweaters!!!

I'm really happy with the progress that I'm making.  I'm also studying for a re-certification exam that is coming up this weekend, my pattern drafting and sewing courses start up again in the next few weeks, and I have a few things I'd like to do for Christmas gifts, so I'm anticipating my progress may slow a little, but regardless, I'm finishing things off which is my goal!

I'd love to hear from you - How many WIPs do you have on the needles?  How many is the tipping point before you feel overwhelmed?  What's the oldest WIP you have?  Any one want to join me in a journey to get a few off the needles before the end of September?

Where Did Summer Go??

I'm not certain how it's happened, but the feeling of fall is definitely in the air. The nights for the past month or so have certainly felt like fall, with temperatures down to almost the single digits.  I've noticed a few leaves changing colour already, and if you look at the calendar, school starts in a week and a half.  Yes, definitely fall.

Which leads me to thinking thoughts of tweed, corduroy and woolens.  I'm dreaming of knitting sweaters.  Full on worsted or bulky weight sweaters.  I want to cast them all on. I'm restraining myself though.  When I last looked at my Projects Page on Ravelry, I found have 9 projects that I'm actively working on.  Yikes.  9!!  And when I did a bit more research, I realized I have 17 projects that are hibernating.  Ahem.  REALLY???  17!!!  Wow.

And the funny thing is, once I realized I had 26 projects (!!!!) currently on the needles, it has now become my mission to finish some of those off.  ASAP.  Stat.

So...I certainly must get some goals underway.  Enough of the summertime relaxation thinking.  Time to buckle down and get to work.  I want to clear some of them off before I start Christmas knitting.

My goals for the remainder of August and September are:

Knitting

1.  Finish Welting Fantastic Socks - one sock is finished without the heel, and I've started the second sock.

Welting Fantastic Sock

2.  Finish Sorbet Socks - these are actually going to be a Christmas gift so that's two incentives to get them done!)  I've actively been knitting on these every morning before my brain has woken up ;)  I'm almost done the leg of the first toe-up afterthought heel sock.

3.  Finish Where's the Opaque Sweater - this should be fairly easy to do since I'm actively trying to get this done to wear before the cooler daytime weather arrives.  The front and back are already finished, and I'm now working on the two sleeves.

Where's the Opaque Sweater

4.  Finish Effortless Cardigan - again only have the two sleeves to finish, along with the front and neck bands

Effortless Cardigan

5.Whip off the second Emerald Raspberry mitten - another Christmas gift with additional incentive, and they're tiny in comparison to the sweaters!

6.  Finish Brickless which is part of the Yarns at Yin Hoo Asymmetrical KAL - deadline is the end of September.  This is an active project that I've been knitting on every day at lunch.  I'm really enjoying this knit!  I'm already about half way finished.

Brickless Shawl

7.  Steek (EEK!!) Francis Revisited sweater to make it into an, ahem, larger size as a cardigan (Note for Future:  Swatching for gauge is good.  Lesson learned.  Moving on.), add buttonbands and finish neck.

8. Finish the Not Manos Jacket.  This will be perfect for fall.  And I thought in 2011 (!!!) that I would have it done for the new year.  HA.  Really need to get this long time hibernating project off the needles.

9.  Work on February Fitted Pullover at Lace Knitting Nights.

10.  Work on Cabled Yoke Sweater - another Christmas gift, and I'm at the stockinette stitch portion, so it should be relatively straight forward!

Cabled Yoke Sweater

10.  Make decisions about frogging the remaining Hibernating Projects, or whether I will buckle down and continue to get them done.

11.  Plan my Reward Cast On Sweater to start when I've finished all these projects!!  I'm thinking this one will probably take the most time out of the entire list!!

Well...I don't think that will leave much time for other fibrely pursuits, such as sewing or spinning.  I am trying to keep in mind that most of these projects are already well on their way to completion, or active knits, so this should be a relatively realistic list.  I am also going to print this off and hang it in about a million places around the house to remind me of what I think I can accomplish in the next five weeks.  I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!!

Tour de Fleece 2014

So, there hasn't been any sewing for a bit, but with good reason.  The Tour de France is on right now, which means that the Tour de Fleece is on as well.  All my spare time lately has found me in front of my wheel.  I haven't officially joined this year.  I joined last year on a few teams, but found that trying to post pictures of my progress every day on all the teams' threads at Ravelry was a bit too much for me, especially with all the travelling I do during the summer months.  So, instead this year I decided to just keep it chillaxed.  No official teams, just spinning every day that I can and posting my progress to Instagram (my latest time suck, other than spinning!!) when I can.

So...here's my daily progress so far:

Stage 1 - 4 oz. Dragonfly Fibers SW Merino Silk in the Zombie Apocalypse colourway
Second bobbin for a 2 ply, attempting to spin as finely as possible 

Stage 2 - Waterloo Wools BFL in Waterlilies colourway
Attempting to spin thicker for a worsted weight

Stage 3 - More Waterloo Wools Waterlilies.  Finished second bobbin of singles

Stage 4 - Plied Dragonfly Fibers Zombie Apocalypse 

Stage 5 - Plied Waterloo Wools Waterlilies  

Stage 5 - Started another 4 oz braid of Waterloo Wools BFL
Turkish Delight colourway, spun 3 oz of singles

I started off the morning by winding off the plied yarn to the niddy noddy which winds it into skeins so I could soak and thwack it (so much Fun!!).  The yarn is now drying and looks better than I could have hoped.  Finished photos to follow.

I'm out for a bit tonight with friends, but I'm hoping I'll have time to ply the Turkish Delight when I get home.  I also have to choose the next braid/bump/cloud/batt to spin!!  That's often tougher for me than the actual spinning part!

Gratuitous shot of my spinning helper

Continuing the Summer Collection

Or...Black is the New Black.

Yesterday was a holiday here in Canada, and I was lucky enough to celebrate Canada Day at home.  I had been trying to get to L'Atelier the entire weekend, and had limited success until yesterday.  With black thread on my serger, I decided to continue on with the grouping of clothes in black.  I am now focusing on the "bottoms" portion to give me a few more options.  I was relatively successful in creating a few basics yesterday.  When I looked at the pictures again, they all looked like a variation on the theme.  But go with what works!!

I jumped on the bandwagon for this pattern, and have to admit that now that I've tried it, I wish I tried it earlier!!  It's the Loes Hinse Cap Sleeve Dress pattern.  The pattern offers a number of variations.

Line Drawing from Loes Hinse Cap Sleeve Dress pattern

I made view A, without the dart, in a black rayon crepe that is light to medium weight and very drapey. I really like it.  So much so, I want to immediately cut it out in at least five other fabrics. The little bits you see sticking out on the dress form are the gussets required for versions made with woven fabric to add a bit of width to the bust/underarm area.  They are not visible when you are wearing the dress.

LH Cap Sleeve Dress

I made View C as well, but neglected to take a photograph of it.  It is a touch small through the hip area, so next time I will have to add a bit through the side seams.

Line Drawing from Loes Hinse Tank Dress Pattern

I made a cami as Loes and Sharon call, them from a very luscious jersey.  It's view E from the Tank Dress pattern. It's shown below with a skirt from the same fabric.  This skirt is view C from the Boot Skirt pattern.

LH Cami view E from the Tank Dress pattern,
Skirt is view C from the Boot Skirt pattern

Line Drawing from Loes Hinse Boot Skirt Pattern 

 From the same fabric, I made a modified longer version of the skirt View A.  I cut the front on the fold, and left slits to just above my knee on both side seams.  I added about 5 inches in length to make it a maxi maxi (I have a 34" inseam).

Top is Tank Dress Pattern, view E
Skirt is LH Boot Skirt, view A, modified

 And lastly, but still somewhat the same, is View C from the Tank Dress pattern in the same luscious jersey, and the Sarong Skirt pattern in the rayon crepe.  I've lightened the photographs a bit so you can see the details. I shortened the skirt by 2-1/2 inches to make it hit at the sweet spot, just above where the knee curves into the calf (the narrowest part by the knee, at least for me).

Line Drawing from Loes Hinse Sarong Skirt

LH Tank Dress View C
LH Sarong Skirt, view A

For the top, I did my usual sway back adjustment of a little over 2-1/2 inches in total, and sewed with a centre back seam instead of cutting it on the fold.

I am wearing the maxi skirt today with the tank (View C), with a slightly oversized chambray shirt.  I feel elegant, cool and sophisticated. The jersey wears like a dream!

I have one more garment in the luscious jersey - a pair of Oxfords, ready to be sewn.  I only need about an hour to whip them together!  I'm still at a loss as how to take photographs of the pants I make, and still don't have a tripod.  I was very pleased with the result of the pants I made yesterday (black Oxfords in the same rayon crepe fabric), but can't show them to you in a fashion that would be flattering, so I won't - you'll just have to take my word for it that they're great!!

I stopped in at Fabricland today to pick up more black thread, and black serger thread (I am running low of both!!!) as well as more elastic.  What did I find?  More of the luscious jersey - they had a plethora of other colours that were on sale before their inventory. I found it really hard to restrain myself at only $7/m, but I behaved.  I chose 6 meters of a deep stone colour and 4 meters of a light cream colour.  I am convinced this stuff is the perfect travel fabric!  I also found a lovely red with black and cream floral print ITY jersey knit for another Perfect Tee and a short knit skirt (Boot Skirt view C) to coordinate with the .  More sewing to come!

And Still More!

Not a brilliant title for this post, but you definitely know what's coming when you read it...

I finished a few more tops.  You *may* note that my productivity seems to be slowing down a bit, mostly because the darned work thing is getting in the way, but I also had to work on some homework for my Sleeveless Tops and Dresses pattern drafting course.  And of course, it's the evening and I've already put in a full day with work and the other usual life stuff, so my brain is on autopilot while I'm doing this.

Here's a few more Loes Hinse patterns sewn up:

LH Garbo Jacket, cardiganized and lengthened
neckline as per Possibilities - I Can't Wear Black online seminar
Fabric from Fabricland  in Burlington, medium weight sweater knit

LH Perfect Tee, as per pattern
Fabric is the same as above cardigan

LH Perfect Tee, as per pattern
Fabric - lightweight burnout jersey knit (sooo soft!!), also from
the Burlington Fabricland

LH Perfect Tee, with scoop neck and long sleeves
Fabric is the same as above short sleeve tee
This will be a perfect layering piece for slightly cooler weather

LH Perfect Tee with elbow length sleeves
Fabric is really unusual - ruched or textured and embroidered jersey
with an attached stabilizer fabric
Also from the Burlington Fabricland

Close up of ruched, textured and embroidered fabric 

Last night, I traced off my pattern for class - a vest, and cut it out of the lining fabric that is going to take place of our mock-up.  I basted it all together as well.  I also cut out a pair of cropped Oxford pants out of a tan striped fabric, that I have modified or "tweaked" to include a front fly zipper and a waistband.  I also cut a coordinating Bolero Multiples jacket out - the body is in a cream crepe and the centre fronts out of the same striped tan fabric as the cropped pants.

Tonight I'm out shopping with my daughter, looking for particular shoes and belts to coordinate with this wardrobe (black espadrilles, silver/gold metallic flats, a wide black belt to be worn on my waist and some chunky longer length necklaces).  If I am up to it when I get back, then I will be setting up the machine for buttons so I can complete all of the cardigans!