Handy

Now that I have free time again, I've been doing some improvements around the house. For example, last week I hung curtains in the front room and fixed the couch covers. The curtains are a nice addition, but it's the couch covers that I'm particularly proud of. This is because they previously looked like this or worse on a regular basis:

And now they look like this on a regular basis:

The difference is yard-long stripes of elastic that run behind the cushions, anchoring the cover in place. I sewed the elastic at the top of the cover, in the middle, and again at the bottom so it keeps a good hold on each cushion. So now when I get on and off the couch, the cover stays in place.

Using my crafting skills to fix a failing in a commercial object always makes me feel like a crafting genius. Add this to the fact that the couch covers might now actually protect our sofas from puppy abuse, means that I'm feeling pretty brilliant right now. Sewing skills for the win!

Hello!

It's been quiet on this blog for the last couple months as I've been working to finish up a giant project: a book! It has absolutely nothing to do with knitting, sewing, or crafting except that it has taken up a lot of crafting time in the last 18 months. Hopefully now that the proofs are in, I'll have a bit more time for fun.

That's not to say I haven't been crafting recently (more that I've been too busy to write about it). In the past few months, I've finished a few awesome projects. At the top of the awesome list is my Emily Capelet made from MadTosh.

Continuing in the theme of Ysolda patterns, I finished a Wee Envelope in Briar Rose yarn.

And then there was the adorable Poklon, who would be more adorable if I hadn't run out of yarn right at the end.

So this is a quick check-in to say that I'm here, I've been doing some knitting, and I'm looking forward to being back here more now that my giant book project is done!

Coco

I'm just going to put this right out here: I'm getting pretty good at sewing with knit fabrics. Actually, the sewing part of this particular project, the Coco pattern from Tilly and the Buttons, was perfectly fine. It was the non-sewing part that ended up getting me in trouble.

The problem was that I'm between two sizes for the pattern. I therefore made my normal assumption to make the larger size, forgetting that there are different rules for knits and wovens (you can round down for knits as they stretch). Needless to say, the top came out a bit on the large side.

The good news is that I learned how to take in seams (sides and shoulders, plus the bottom hem) as well as to round a size down for patterns using knits. So while this top isn't exactly perfect in its final fit, it fits well enough for the top's awesome style to be the most notable thing. And in the end, that's what really matters.

Lakeside Pajamas

It's always interesting to sew clothing for someone else. Doubly so when that someone lives halfway around the world, has no chance to try the clothes on mid-making, and you're only partially sure of what dress size she is to begin with. Therefore, I was terribly relieved when my sister told me her birthday present actually fit!

The present in question is a set of Lakeside Pajamas made from a Grainline Studios pattern. This pattern is pretty adorable and I can't decide what I like more: the back of the top or the gym-short look of the shorts. Either way, comfortable and adorable is a winning combination.

I actually made these out of an old sheet and thought the floral would be perfect for my sister who lives in Hawaii. The next time I make this pattern (and I definitely will because I want a set), I'd be okay with using sheets again but I'll likely go for something less flowery. Flowery prints don't quite work the same when you live in Wisconsin.

Moneta

I want to introduce you to my new favorite sewing pattern ever: Colette Moneta. I'm a big fan of Colette Patterns (having already sewn two Peonies, a Sorbetto, a Sencha, and a Laurel) and am excited that her foray into patterns using knits roughly coincides with my own skill building in this area.

I love Moneta for several reasons. First, it was so easy and quick to sew; with the exception of hemming (more on that in a bit), I put the whole dress together in the course of an afternoon. The second reason I love this pattern is that the final dress is incredibly flattering and comfortable. I knew that this dress is going to get a lot of wear from the first moment I tried it on.

Lest you think I'm perfect at sewing knits, I will admit that hemming with a twin needle did give me some problems. I'm not sure if it was how light this fabric is but my tension was off and my hems pucker a bit. Hopefully, this type of hemming will get easier with practice.

And this is the point where I confess to already having fabric for two more Monetas. While this Moneta is made from a plum-colored modal fabric, my next will be a blue cotton polka dot and then a blue bamboo knit with white stripes (both fabrics shown in this post). I am definitely hooked on sewing with knits!

Swimsuit

Is it weird to sew your own swimsuit? Part of me thinks it’s awesome but another part of me wonders if it’s up there with spinning your dog’s hair into yarn – the kind of thing that other crafters are okay with but nets you weird looks from the muggles. Either way, I am now the proud owner of a really rockin’ swimsuit.

This is the Bombshell swimsuit from Closet Case patterns, view A. The goal of sewing this was to get more comfortable with sewing stretchy/knit fabrics and I think I’m off to a good start. The sewing itself went very well except for the fact that I had to rip out the elastic at the neckline about 5 times (grumble, grumble).

Now that I’ve got a sense of what it’s like to sew with knits, expect to see more of them on my blog as I work to improve my skill. Next up, I think, will be Colette Moneta.

Looking Ahead to 2015

Since I did a redux of 2014, I think it's only fitting to tell you about some of the plans I have for 2015! I have a ton of projects lined up and can't wait to start them. Hopefully, there will be lots of knitting and sewing this year.

On the knitting front, expect a relapse of Ysolda Fever. I already have Emily, Wee Envelope, and Poklon on deck and I wouldn't be surprised if a few other Ysolda projects make their way onto my needles. I'm particularly excited to make the Emily capelet; I've been saving 2 skeins of MadTosh Merino Light in Tart for a special project and what could be better than a pattern I've been ogling for years?

The other goal for 2015 it to do more sewing, especially with knit fabric. I'm getting comfortable with wovens so it's time to branch out. Fabric has already been purchased for three different patterns (a dress, a top, and a swimsuit). I'll keep you posted on how things are progressing once I start sewing!

Even writing this out makes me want to make All The Things. I hope 2015 will be a great one!