What I learned from Gertie

I have and just finished reading Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing.  I bought her book after becoming a fan of her blog. While I have completed a couple dresses I am definitally a novice and I would like to share a few things I learned from reading her book.  This is the second sewing book I've read.  The first was Sew What! Skirts.  Making these skirts was a good way to start sewing.  I just wish I had read Gertie's book before I had moved onto sewing dresses. Here is why. 

1. I know how to size my patterns.  Like I said, I had never read any other sewing book before so I was creating my dresses exactly the size the pattern was written for.  No wonder some of my patterns are large on me.  I have since taken apart one of my dresses and made alterations.

2. Use tracing paper or other to create a copy of the originial.  Yes, I commited a horrible mistake, I pinned some of my orginial vintage patterns. They are still in tack but to help preserve my patterns I will be using tracing paper going forward.  It also makes it easier to create size adjustments right on the paper before even cutting my fabric.

3. Interfacing. I hadn't used it before and maybe was just intimidated.  I now have some ready to go with my fabric before I sew my first Gertie pattern.

4. Another thing I learned from both Gertie and Lauren of Wearing History.  Although I had seen it mentioned several times before I will finally head the advice of creating a muslin. This is one of Lauren's entrys, Tips to a Successful Finished Sewn Garnment. Gertie mentions in her book that if the bottom of the dress is full there is no need to create an entire muslin, just the bodice portion.

I realize these are some basic things many who have sewn before know.  If however you are like me and want to start sewing, I recomment picking up her book to understand what patterns don't tell you.

Starting and Stopping Part...er Problem 2

I started this top years ago and now have run out of yarn!!

The pattern is Cupcake from Stitch N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker. I know I started this in 2007 because I brought it on the plane to Japan with me.  Its a little tight; I must have grown wider since then. :p  I also know I made it a little shorter on accident. Otherwise this will a great summer top if I can find the yarn.  Its purple Lion Brand cotton.  I've been to a few Joanns where I initally bought the yarn.  I've found other brands with purple but they're not the exact purple.  I'm going to keep searching and try even looking online on ebay and such.  Do you know anyone who has purple Lion Brand cotton yarn?  Help a knitter out!

Tim's Sweater

Started this for Tim's Christmas present years ago.  He graduated from Law school this year so I can give it to him as a graduation present.  After all, lawyers dress up and wear sweater vests, right? Well at least my brother does.  While I had fun wearing what I wanted in college, my brother always liked to dress nice and presentable.  He wore button down shirts to class to his undergrad classes. Most kids I went to school with wore pajamas!  For now I just have a picture of the sweater laid out below.  I'll see if he sends me a picture of him in it to share (you know how brothers are!).

For any of you wanting to make one for your own brother here is the pattern below.  It includes mens and boys sizes!

Stopping and Starting

This is a reason why I should not start projects...wait a year...then pick them back up.

I obviously used a different size needle or I knit much looser than I used to.  I also thought if I made any changes to the pattern, I wouldn't remember what I did differently now.  I hope the sweaters I plan to finish don't suffer the same fate.  I frogged the smaller wristlet and knit a second wristlet of a much closer size.  These will come in very handy at work in the winter when I am cold but need to use my fingers to type!

Pattern is Fetching from Knitty.com.

Another Finished Project!

Another finished project! Why did it take me so long to go through and finish these? Its a great feeling flying through these projects I've had sitting around forever!

First up is the free pattern from Woolly Wormhead - Meret.  Found this on Ravelry and its the second hat I've knit from this pattern.  Quick and easy but cute and very warm and practical in the winter!

Yellow Vintage Sweater

The buttons are all sewn on!  Find the pattern for this sweater below.  I made a few changes by omitting the stitch pattern and collar. 

Hope you enjoy this pattern!

Halloween Cross Stitch Pillow

Its been a long time since Christmas but I said I would post an update the Halloween Cross Stitch Pillow. The first picture is of my Aunt and I after she opened her present on Christmas. 

I finshed a second one recently as a present for my mom.  Its fun to make presents for gifts, but its hard to stay focused on such a long detailed project when you make two!