Thursday, August 30, 2012

Summer Shorts - Butterick 8170

At the Wicker Park fest a few weekends ago, I noticed a lot of girls had high waisted shorts. That inspired me to use this Butterick pattern 8170 and left over fabric from my red office dress.




When I initially put these shorts together they were a little larger than I wanted.  I figured they were made of cotton and I could throw then in the dryer a littler longer and might shrink a little. They shrank almost too much.  Of course I washed the fabric before I started sewing but this makes me want to wash cotton fabric twice before I sew with it.  Does this happen with anyone else?


Monday, August 27, 2012

The Circle Skirt

This is my new favorite skirt!  Got the instructions from Sew What! Skirts.  Its a little shorter than I wanted but works great with a t-shirt. I already bought more fabric to make another.  It was so easy I finished it up after work on evening.



Saturday, August 25, 2012

New Floral Dress - Simplicity 4298

Finished my new floral dress!  Same pattern as the little roses dress, Simplicity 4298 version #5.  I think this fabric worked great for this dress.




While I am happy with the finished project I was intimidated with the belt instructions.  Both dresses I've made look much better with a belt but I just made do with one I already had. After playing around online I found someone else who had the same problem with this pattern.  I found her blog post through Vintage Pattern Wiki.  She illustrated how she created the perfect matching belt for her dresses (both of which are so cute!).  Thank you for posting Aimee.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Stitches 2012

It went so fast! Probably because I could only look at all the pretty yarn and couldn't buy much.  Here are a few pictures.


A sample pattern from the next Knitters Magazine.



so much pretty yarn


Yarnbomb!

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Counting Down to Stitches 2012

Its almost time again! A knitter's dream of yarn and patterns and knitting accessories all under one roof.  This year I have been trying to budget so I've thought about what my spending limit should be this year (its hard not to blow your budget on fancy yarn!)  I went through my baskets of yarn however and found the following projects I've bought in the past years at stitches.


 
Whats the phrase? My eyes are bigger than my stomach? I think that fits here. This is just what I've bought at Stitches, not including other knitting projects and sewing prjects (and the cross stitch supplies I bought earlier this week). And I wonder where all my money went to put myself on a budget in the first place?

Maybe I can allow myself a small budget if I find something I have to have. I am thinking "A Stitch in Time" by Jane Waller and Susan Crawford which I have not been able to find here in the US without spending a fortune on shipping.  I will still be going and taking lots of pictures of things I want to buy.  See you all there!

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Halloween Cross Stitch

Its never too early to start thinking about Halloween.  I will admit I've started thinking about my costume and yesterday I picked up Just Cross Stitch Halloween Special Issue 2012.  There are a few cute designs I plan on making as birthday presents or Christmas presents.  Yes, I give Halloween themed presents at Christmas.  Its usually between myself, my mom and my aunt; they inspired my love of the holiday. I am planning on making the design called Wings and Things for myself.

I found this magazine at Barnes and Noble and I probably will take a look for a Christmas one too. They have little pillows and ornaments that would make quick but cute gifts.  I'll keep you posted once I make one.