So where is my jacket?

Well, I have been playing chofer for my son who was part of the stage crew for his high school spring theater production, in between I got sick (24 hr stomach bug), I worked, tried to keep up with laundry, made family meals...you get the picture...no jacket.

I did manage to finish knitting the Swing Cardigan that I was knitting. It came as a kit and I ran out of yarn to finish the collar. I was able to find another skein and now is awaiting sewing up the side seams/sleeves and other finishing.















I also added a border to the Happiness blanket, and now all that remains is to weave in a couple of ends.






I love it!

Mrs Obama wears a crochet dress

Picture from http://michelleostyle.blogspot.com/

and how pretty and chic does she look? Just another reminder that crochet is not just about Granny Squares (which I love for home decor!)

Ready to be cut

is Burda 10/2008 # 116A. The fabric is a ponti di Roma knit which is the recommended fabric. This pattern has been reviewed favorably and I think it will make a great transtion jacket.

I love this issue of Burda I made a knit top years ago from it and now I have around 10 designs on my list to make.












Besides the flowers popping out in my yard, another sign of spring,
Clio patrolling her yard. While she loves her yard year round, as soon as it gets warmer she spends most of her days out rediscovering all the wonderful smells and sights.

My Image magazine Winter Tunic 1010

I loved many of the designs of this magazine's first issue and after making this dress, I'm glad I went ahead and bought the spring issue.



I lengthened the pattern so that I could wear it as a dress, and as always used multiple sizes (38-42) to get the right fit. I also lengthened the bodice after measuring the pattern. The instructions,I read to look at order of construction but this was an easy dress to put together, all the pieces fitted well together. There are many seams (princess on the back, and the skirt has 6 panels) so lots of opportunity for nice fitting.



Because the fabric I used, cotton knit from Michael's fabrics, is very drapey my collar wont stand up to fill in the length of the tabs. I cut them to fit over the folded collar. As you can see in the above picture the shoulder seam is falling off my shoulder a bit; I don't know if this is due to the weight of the fabric pulling or if the 38 in these patterns has a wider shoulder than Burda. It doesn't bother me enough to pull out stitches and re-sew though =0

I'm very happy with the dress, I'm glad I got to wear it before the temperatures go up.

Hot Patterns Wrapture Jacket

If you like this out-of-print pattern, Hot Patterns has a couple for sale at their etsy shop.

Simplicity visits Kashi

I was looking at the interview of the Simplicity Project Runway Contest winner, and there was Kashi of Metro Textiles. It really made me want to head over there, his place is like a treasure hunt, you always find more than what you were looking for, and because I rarely visit I allow myself quite a bit.

Not to be mean, but don't you think the designer's pink dress neckline is poorly constructed and fitted?. I'm all for being creative, but I think to design one must have construction skills perfected.

Pictures soon of My Image dress!

Manequim Magazine - A review

My first impression was that it was a "Lucky type" magazine with patterns thrown in. There was no page which included all line drawings like the other pattern magazines.


Click on pictures to see it better!

In the picture above you can see how they replicate an outfit from what I believe is some celebrity and they include a garment from one of their patterns in the look.



Like Lucky magazine does they have a fashion spread for different occasions, work, weekend. In the pages above they summarized all the pieces they used and identified the patterns included in the magazine. They also tell you what body type works better for each emsemble.



There was an interview, the lady in the picture who is a broadcaster, and she modeled several patterns, including the cover. I found it refreshing that she looks a normal size and that they didn't find it necessary to photoshop her birthmark/mole out. I really like the top pattern here.

There is a lot of beauty advice and even a recipe section. They also had a pattern for a crochet dress and some crochet accessories.

The pattern sheet is no worse than the new Burda sheets but patterns come in only one size. I took a quick look at the measurements and they seem comparable to Patrones. This issue has summer designs and there are quite a few that I liked. The grey dress (mod 109) with the zipper over the shoulder reminded me of McCalls 6243 but in a wowen.

I do not know Portuguese but there are a lot of words that are very similar or the same as Spanish (pear - Spanish pera - Portuguese pera) so I can get the main idea.

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I'm hoping to finish my My image dress this weekend!

I was weak

I went to Joann's yesterday to buy thread and buttons for the My Image dress I'm ready to sew. I was happy that I found buttons I liked and then I decided to check on the patterns and saw that the Simplicity patterns were on sale. I bought a couple of the Lisette patterns and then saw what I think are perfect coordinating fabrics to use with Simplicity 2211, I want to make the longer skirt and short sleeve blouse. I really loved the color of the teal twill and finally settled on the irregular polka dot lightweight cotton for the top.


A while ago I asked my best friend from college, who is Brazilian and living in NYC, if she had heard of the pattern magazine Manequim. She told me she remembered her mother using it and would see if she saw it in the city. Two days ago the magazine came in the mail. I haven't looked through it yet, I've been trying to find some quiet time with no luck the past few days, but I can't wait!


More soon!

Made by me, on my birthday

Made by me: Kwik Sew 2759 tank top, Interweave Knits crochet skirt


Today I start a new decade. I'm sorry but I have no words of wisdom. I am grateful for my life and my family. I am also thrilled that I still feel, except for a few aches and pains, very much like I did two decades ago, and there's something to be said for that!

I'm off to enjoy my day (no work today yay!). Next time I'll have something new to show.