The last project of the year, Simplicity 2734

I made these two sets for my nephew and the little rascal outgrew one of them already! I'm glad I made the one with the animal print bigger and he was wearing it today.



These are basic pjs, I liked that the sizing started at 1/2 year which is what I used for the set that fits(I had shortened the blue set). The pattern asks for knits for the top but I used flannel for both pieces, the neck opening is wide enough that the stretch is not needed. I used packaged bias binding for the neckline.

I should have made the 40

Burda Style August knit pants



I always make a 40 in Burda magazine pants, always; it fits perfectly on the hips and I have to play a bit with the waist measurement. However for this pattern since it was for a knit pant and I wanted to avoid the sausage look at all costs, I made the 42. It is too big, so I have to fix it because I LOVE this pants! And the Sophia knit from Fabric. com is fabulous! I wore this pants all day today and no bagging at the knees! The only bagging is due to the fact that the pants are big on me, but I can fix that and I will. I plan to buy more of this knit in a tan/khaki color or brown and make myself another pair.

Above and below you can see the detail of the zipper on the legs.



Here, while you can see that they are loose on me, I was hoping you could see that they have a nice shape and a very flattering flat finish over the belly.

Did I also tell you that they are extremely comfortable? I also like how the seam below the knees looks (of course it is impossible to see it in my pictures)



After I take them in I will post more pictures without the boots for a better look.

What Santa brought

Now to learn how to use it!

Trees of Christmas' Past

Among the many things we received from family and friends when we first came to the US was this silver tree with blue ornaments. In there you can also see some paper ornaments my brother and I made. While we didn't think it was the greatest tree in the world, it was the tree we had. Of course these days these trees are all the rage, and this particular tree has been gone a long time (the date is 1977).



I couldn't resist also sharing this picture of my mom and I strolling down the street where we used to live looking very 70s

Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate and a wonderful holiday season for everyone.

Feliz Navidad para todos!

Reindeer in Sheep's Clothing

I got a call a couple of days ago from my brother, my nephew needs a lamb outfit for the Christmas pageant, so I innocently asked, when do you need this? of course, the answer is Christmas eve. So I promised a hood and he said they could manage the rest. Okay then...I thought the biggest challenge would be finding the fabric and oh yes, I knew I had a Winnie the Pooh pattern I could modify but where was it? After all my kids are now 12 and 16, it has been a while since I used it.

My neighbor, who sews, calls me to chat while I'm searching my boxes looking for the pattern (it was not with the other patterns). She says she thinks she has a pattern that I can use and she starts looking while we talk. She finds it first so we agree I will pick it up on my way to work so that later on that day I can go looking for fabric. I used the pattern for the mouse hood and changed the shape of the ears to better look like a lamb.

I walked into Joann's and walked straight to the furry stuff and what do you know but there was the perfect fabric!

So that is my story and I'm satisfied I fulfilled my aunt/godmother duties pretty well. Of course my children think their cousin's dignity is in peril =)


image from Amazon.com

The title of this post was inspired by one of mine, and my kids, favorite books ever,Sheep in Wolves' Clothing.

Knitted gifts

I finished these two hats and delivered them today. The blue is made from a pattern used when I took a class at the Cloverhill Yarn Shop to learn about cables and Fair Isle knitting. I have used it many times since it keeps you entertained with different techniques and makes a pretty cute hat for a baby/toddler. The red and white is The Acorn Hat. I would love to make it with acorn colors but I made it for a girl and I thought it would look better in bright colors. The hats were made with left over worsted and DK weight yarn.



Here is me ready to go out and face below freezing temperatures yesterday. The hat was a gift from my husband a few years ago; it was tricky keeping it on, the wind was wicked strong!

What I wore and I have some re-sewing to do

Burda 11-2009 120 (skirt), vest also made by me

Sometimes you need to wear a garment before you can see its faults. The skirt looked pretty good in the hanger but I discovered some surprises after wearing it today.

First what I did right. The double pleat hangs beautifully, I followed Sandra Betzina's advise and I stitched the edges of the pleat on the inside.


If you click on the picture you will see the edgestitching.



I finished the hem with rayon seam binding and I made "the thingy" (don't you love my technical language?) or pseudo crochet cord to keep the lining from rising.



What I did wrong. I'm not sure, this is what I think. The pockets would have benefitted from interfacing which was not recommended, but my wool was very drapey and I should have done it; I believe that is why the pockets are sagging. I will unstitch them and attach then while the skirt is hanging for a better placement. I think I did not transition from waist to hip smoothly on the side I'm showing on the picture so this adds to the wonkiness. I will go back and smooth it out.





I really like this design so I will try to fix it, wish me luck! =)

It's back!

Earlier this week I got to pick up my machine, of course life has interfered and it is still encased and untested.



Since I was in A Fabric Place's vicinity, Margarita, my GPS directed me there. Well I left with the two knits you see, aren't they gorgeous? I could have walked out of there with so much more! Since I have been there, the ownership/management passed directly to Michael and his wife and I could see that they have increased their inventory. I was really looking for some faux fur to make a vest, but the one I like was too white, and while I don't shy from bright prints, white fur was just a bit much for me.

I also found a pattern at Joann's to make pjs for my nephew, there are not many out there for toddlers. I might look through my Burda's also but I believe most of Burda's are for older children (he is 1 1/2 years old and petite). The flannel I found is adorable, but I can't show it to you because my SIL reads my blog!

Here he is, celebrating his 1 1/2



Next post will have a sewing update for sure!

Knitting gifts

while I wait for the sewing machine. Separation anxiety has reached maximum level =(