Para a feira

Algumas capas e sleeves que irão estar disponíveis na feira de Artesanato Urbano do Parque da Cidade, no Porto, já neste sábado dia 17 de Maio (não vou estar lá, mas procurem na banca da minha amiga Winkiemoon)

Mais informações sobre a feira aqui

summer sewing - part II - batik dress

The first of many dresses to come, I think. I've been saving this batik fabric ever since Amy sent it to me a couple of years ago. I keep doing this, saving pieces of fabric I don't have the courage to use, until the right idea or pattern comes along.



In this case, the fabric and the pattern I've had for a while, but it didn't occur to me to join them together until recently.

This strap dress is an H&M pattern from an old summer edition of Patrones (from two or three years ago, maybe ?) which has a nice selection of dresses, all of which I've been meaning to make one time or another.



Because it's a batik fabric, the print is not equal, which worked great in this dress. I chose a darker piece for the front and a brighter one for the back. The only change I made was in the straps, which I crossed at the back so they wouldn't slip so easily. A perfect dress for summer, I think :) Now, if only the weather would cooperate a little bit ...

summer sewing part I - the japanese tunic

So officially I started my summer sewing a couple of weeks ago. And about time too, just look at the pile of fabrics I've set apart for clothes sewing this season.



Scary, right ? But some of these I've had for the longest time, and either didn't have the courage to cut them up or simply didn't know what to do with them.

Anyway, I started with two simple pieces that I've been wanting to make since last year. The first one is pattern #3 from this book (one of my all time favorite ones, I think there's not a single pattern there that I don't like). It's a simple long sleeved tunic, which works well with the light and thin fabric.



The only change I made was to shorten the body and sleeve length a little bit, but only because I didn't have enough fabric. And if I ever do this again I'd probably add some darts, especially in the back, to give it a more fitted shaping. Otherwise, it's just perfect. Next up, a couple of dresses ...

gilet col tailleur

I was going to post about some summer sewing I've been doing lately, but with the weather acting up so strange lately I decided to show you the finished Gilet instead. Who knows, I might actually be able to wear it before next winter if the weather goes on like this ....

Anyway, first I have to say that I love the finished result. It turned out exactly how I expected, which doesn't happen that often. Because of all the ribbing the pattern is very forgiving and no shaping is necessary, so the knitting is pretty straightforward. The seaming, however, is another issue. I had a very hard time trying to figure out how to attach the front ribbing and collar. With a little online help I managed it on my third try or so, and I have to admit that the result is very pleasing. Seaming ribbed sleeves is a nightmare though, and I had to reinforce it with some sewing thread in the end.



The yarn is wonderful to work with, and I think it will hold up well. I machine washed it, blocked it lightly, and it didn't stretch much, maybe just half an inch or so (in length).




Pattern: Gilet #480-T7-268, from Phildar nº 480 Tendances Winter 07/08
Yarn: Schachenmayr Nomotta Extra Merino Big (12 skeins)
Size: S
Needles: 5.5 mm


Changes: none in the knitting. The pattern calls for a snap to be attached to close the front, and the big button is for decorative purposes only, but I tried it and didn't like the result (the front kept opening up). So I attached two smaller buttons instead, and because the yarn is quite flexible I'm able to push them through the ribbing.



Since this was the last project I had on my winter list, I can now finally start the spring/summer projects I've been dying to make. I cast on for the Phildar Leafy Pullover and the Frock Camisole already, but didn't progress much so far. And does anyone have any good suggestions for what to make with two skeins of Kid Silk Haze ? I couldn't resist buying them on my last visit to Spa Tricot but I've never done lace and shawls are not exactly my thing, so any recommendations are appreciated.

wip / inspiration

... a new japanese sewing pattern book, full of gorgeous dress patterns. Very vintage inspired, which I love.

Retrospective is stylish
(sorry, can't seem to find the ISBN right now)




... also, my knitting booklets by Norah Gaughan have arrived. I've been meaning to make Anais since last year, and seeing Mari's gorgeous version makes me want to start one right now.





... and to prove I haven't forgotten about the next shop update, here's the current status of my studio desk. The sewing has been slow but bookcovers will be coming soon.



... and knitwise this has been keeping me busy lately, but I'm almost done with it. To turn this



into this was a real challenge, to say the least.



And one more item to add to my spring/summer knit list: the gorgeous Aprés Surf Hoodie that just came out in the latest IK. Didn't I say I had a thing for hoods ?