Project! Hawaiian Madhu Top from Seamwork (and matching skirt)

Pattern: The Madhu Top from Seamwork. I finished this one almost immediately after the pattern was released in 2021, but just getting to pictures now!

 

Materials: Ok, this is when retro-blogging gets me in trouble. I thiiiiink I purchased this fabric from fabric.com and that's... all I remember about it. I was shopping for fabric to make a simple dirndl skirt with an elastic waist - which was a project my friend, Amanda, requested we work through together. I bought enough fabric for a super gathered, fluffy skirt and matching top. (You can see the skirt in action here and here.) I never posted about the skirt in detail - it's a self-drafted pattern based on all the dirndl skirts I sewed as a Costume Design major in college. The back of the waistband is elastic (Amanda gets all credit for THAT amazing design idea) and a pocket, so I will love it forever.

That was the end of 2020, and I finally made a matching top when the Madhu pattern was released!

Sizing, mods, changes and notes on fitting: I thiiiiiink I made a size medium without any mods. This pattern is simple, comes together easily, and is STUNNING. I knew it would be blouse-y enough to get away without making any bust adjustments, and the elastic hides all sins. It's super comfortable, light, looks kinda dressy? And a *hint* of sexy? It's the perfect top and I can't believe I haven't made another one yet. I just bought fabric for a second one, and I have another fabric in my stash that might be a third!

Although not every Seamwork pattern is a home run for me, this one is like my own personal ideal t-shirt. After my success with their Benning Dress pattern last year (here's my floral Benning and my pumpkin spice plaid Benning), I am still firmly a Seamwork devotee. 

Feelings about this project: Do I have to say I love it again?? I love it, wear it all the time, dress it up and down and occasionally even wear it with the matching skirt!

Ps. If you're wondering what a dirndl skirt is - just imagine a giant rectangle of fabric, gathered into a waistband. 

Project! The Maiden Blouse Test Sew by Stitch Witch Patterns

Pattern: The Maiden Blouse by Stitch Witch Patterns. This is part of The Maiden Set, which also includes a skirt, but I didn't test the skirt due to lack of time and fabric. The blouse pattern is VERSATILE - two necklines, a sleeveless option, and two different back hem options. 

Materials: This fabric is a midcentury curtain I thrifted about 20 years ago. I think it kiiiinda looks like Michael Banks' coat in Mary Poppins. Or a stick of that Fruit Stripe Gum, the one with the zebra on it. (You can still buy that gum! I had to google it.) I had two of these curtains to start and made a dress and a skirt sometime in the early/mid 2000's, which I no longer have. I'm pretty sad I parted with them at some point, but what are you gonna do? 

Cost: I received this pattern for free in exchange for testing, and this fabric, my muslin fabric (which I will finish soon) and all notions were from my stash, including the boning. So $0, other than the cost of lugging around a stash of fabric and notions for over 15 years.

Timeline: I was on a deadline, so this only took me a few days, like February 5th-8th, or so. 

Sizing, mods, changes and notes on fitting: Since I was testing this pattern for fit and feedback, some of the changes I made may have been reflected in the final pattern. I will say - there are two cup size ranges for this pattern (awesome!) and I attempted to use the C-D cup, even though I am a DD cup... I should have just done an FBA. I tried to grade between sizes for the bust to get an extra inch, instead of doing a proper FBA and because of that, the fit is a little off in the bust and the whole bodice could use more length. Live and learn. 

Feelings about this project: I LOVE the delightful circus look of the finished product! I have no clue where I will wear this, but I'm excited for the looks I will get on that day! I used a gingham apron to make the muslin and I will cut a new front bodice and finish that as a sleeveless version (or maybe add little floaty sleeves?) because I love the shape of this top, overall. The sleeves are epic, but they use a lottttt of fabric, so the sleeveless version is great for adding just a *touch* of Ren Faire to your wardrobe with a small amount of fabric.

Feelings about myself: Pretty good! I think I look great in structured tops like this, so I'm very happy with it. I would also love one in linen for a softer version, like a few of the other testers made. 

Feelings about the world: Wow, there's a lot going on, right? I write this blog post right after news of Russia invading Ukraine and it's all I can think about. I'm sending love to all my Ukrainian and Russian friends. 

Extra Pickle Portrait for love. 

Project! Poisonettes Top by Poison Grrls

Pattern: Poisonettes Top by Poison Grrls - this was a test knit in the summer of 2021.

Materials: Paragon Sport from Knit Picks in Black and Turmeric. This yarn is lovely, but unfortunately it's no longer available in most colors. 

  

Sizing, mods, changes and notes on fitting: So, I'll be honest: it's been so long since I knit this that I've forgotten a lot about it, but I still wanted to share some photos for posterity! I tested this pattern and I LOVED the design at first sight. It's super cute and wearable, and the stitch pattern is fun to knit, but it took me a few tries to get it to fit comfortably. I definitely remember adding rows before and after the sleeve join, to get more length, but I don't remember my other mods. I love that the top band has elastic in it, so it does sit very well on my shoulders. Overall, it's a very cute, unique design!

Project! Twin Set: Fujiyama Mama by Poison Grrls Knits and My Little Secret Crop by Jessie Mae

Pattern: The bolero is the Fuijiyama Mama Bolero from Poison Grrls and the tank is My Little Secret Crop by Jessie Mae. 

Materials: One of my favorite cotton/acrylic blend yarns: Cotton Fair from Michael's! I am so obsessed with this yarn, it wears like a sweatshirt, it's super affordable and comes in nice, bright colors. 

Cost: I bought 4 skeins of this yarn for about $20, and I also paid for the bolero pattern. I got the tank pattern as a freebie when Jessie offered it up in March of 2020 for some distraction knitting. So for both garments, about $30. 

Timeline: This is what happens when I belatedly blog... it's all a little murky... I finished the bolero in April of 2021 and I believe I finished the tank in July. 

Feelings and notes about this project: Although I love the finished product, knitting this bolero was a bitch on my hands - the daisy stitch is GORGEOUS and I love the texture, but ouch. After I finished knitting it, I had almost two full skeins of red yarn left from the original four, so I decided to knit a tank to wear with it (or on its own). I was tempted to write a pattern in the same daisy stitch to perfectly match, but my hands couldn't take it, so I went with this TNT pattern. Easy, portable, wearable, A HIT. 

And yes, my THIRD ripple tank. Aren't they pretty in primary? It's also fun to see the difference between the red tank in a cotton blend yarn and the blue one, knit in wool. 

As much as I love this twin set, I have rarely worn it. Summer 2022, I'll bring it back! 

Project! Puff Coasters from TL Yarn Crafts

Pattern: Hexi Puff Coasters from TL Yarn Crafts. What a dream of a palate cleansing project! 

Materials: Impeccable yarn from Michael's - a fantastic, bargain acrylic that's great for crochet projects. A lot of body but still nicely soft. I used Forest, Taupe and Smoke - leftovers from another crochet project. 

Cost: Since I bought this yarn for another project and the pattern was free - we'll say free!

Timeline: This project was a fantastic, refreshing start to 2022 - I crochet all three of these in the second weekend of January while locking down due to a sliiiight Covid scare. (We're fine, everyone is fine, I now have three coasters.)

Sizing, mods, changes and notes on fitting: The pattern is written for DK yarn but this is a worsted yarn, so I used a size J hook and added an extra round before the edge round. 

Feelings about myself: This month I am focusing on spiffing up my decor, and this little project is a great start. Currently, it's under an orchid in my bedroom and it looks cozy. Like a tiny plant blanket.

Feelings about the world: Although I know a lot of people are ready to throw 2022 into the garbage already, I am feeling strangely optimistic! Maybe it's because I've been refreshing my space and that's giving me a good energy? I dunno, but I'm continuing to ride the wave for as long as possible. 

What I’ve been listening to or watching: We've been rewatching Star Wars from beginning to top, in order, including the live action shows (sorry, cartoons). I have seen most of the movies about a million times, but it's fun to see it all in context. It's a good hibernation project. A very JANUARY project.

Project! Hamburger Socks - Rye Light in Felici Yarn

Pattern: Rye Light from Tin Can Knits. I've knit this pattern a few times in the baby size, but this is the first time I've knit it for myself! Or any other adult, for that matter! I love the style of this pattern and it's part of a collection of free, simple patterns that are awesome. I've also knit Rye in worsted weight and the Barley hat in both weights. All are very cute and well written, great for beginners. 

Materials: Felici Sock Yarn in a magical HAMBURGER colorway! I was on a serious yarn diet at the beginning of 2019, but when I saw this yarn, I knew I needed it. 

Cost: Felici runs about $7 a skein and I got two, so we'll say $18 with shipping. 

Timeline: Although I bought this yarn in 2019, I hemmed and hawed about what sock pattern to use. Geeze, let this be the year I get over that "special stash" anxiety!! I cast on in August and started knitting a size medium. I got through the heel and they were just waaayy too big. I finally bit the bullet and ripped out the whole project and started again, finishing around November 17th. Sometimes you just gotta let a project chill if you're not feeling it, and with this project, it helped to put it down for a bit. 

Sizing, mods, changes and notes on fitting: I went down a size from what I initially though I wanted. In retrospect, I would modify the heel to use my favorite slip stitch heel, not the one as written. I usually prefer to knit socks toe-up, and while it was nice to try a new pattern... I would still rather have a different heel and toe-up. 

I also like to knit socks using two-at-a-time magic loop. Because the second sock syndrome is real over here, and once my second sock came out a full size different than the first one.

Feelings about this project: I still love this yarn! I want everything in this yarn! It's perfect! I should maaaybe do a capsule wardrobe that is entirely in these hamburger colors?!

Project! Stockings for Me & Chase in Knit Picks Brava Bulky

Pattern: Ok, I started this project by asking Chase what kind of Christmas stocking he wanted. And he said "I want a Ninja Turtle saying 'Cowabunga Man, Merry Christmas!'..... yeah, right. Then he moved on to a more simple idea of a chunky cabled stocking, and we looked through patterns to find.... this. Wow, what a misleading photo! I started knitting it (Chase requested stripes, so already one modification) and it turned out TINY. I get that this (free, why am I complaining?) pattern was probably written to sell a skein of yarn, but woof. Who wants a tiny stocking?! So I added width, more cables, length and some knit rows to make it all lay flat. 

Materials: Knit Picks Brava Bulky - Red and Dublin for Chase, and Fairy Tale and Hunter for me. 

Cost: The yarn was on sale, so about $12 for four skeins and shipping. 

Timeline: I started knitting these WAY too late (third week of December) and finished Chase's on Christmas Eve, just in enough time to leave him some gifts for Christmas morning. I finished mine on New Years Eve. 

Feelings about this project: I thought I had made a big mistake before I got the sizing right. The red and green one looked like FREDDY KRUEGER'S CHRISTMAS STOCKING. Buuuuut after everything, they turned out very cute! The yarn is fantastic and I would definitely use it again. 

Feelings about the world: Merry Christmas! Ok, yes, I know it's halfway through January, but better late than never. 

Project! A B6453 in Holiday Plaid

Pattern: Gertie for Butterick - B6453. I LOVE this dress and after originally making it in 2019, I always intended to make a few versions. It's a TNT pattern, is so flattering and easy to wear. Somehow, I never got around to another, until NOW.

Materials: 5 yards of vintage lightweight shirting from Remainders Craft Thrift Store, my dream Christmas plaid. However, this fabric is *very* sheer and so I had to completely underline the bodice in white cotton. 

*thats* what my hair looks like from the back?

Cost: The fabric was $17 for 5 yards. I also purchased a vintage zip from Remainders for 50 cents. All other materials and notions are from Deep Stash and their monetary value has been lostttt to tiiiimmmeee. So we'll say the project total was $17.50. 

Timeline: I bought the fabric in November, but didn't start sewing until December, and finished around the second week of December. 

Funny story about why it took me so long to start: I thought this lightweight shirting would be PERFECT for this dirndl pattern from Gertie - B6322. Gorgeous and it looks fairly simple to put together. 

Except... I don't HAVE that pattern, I have THIS dirndl pattern - B6352. 

This pattern is, in my opinion, the superior pattern but it's also much more difficult and I didn't discover my mistake until about a week before I planned to wear the dress to a party (which was, of course, canceled). So I went back to my pattern stash and chose B6453.

Sizing, mods, changes and notes on fitting: Since I had already done the hard work of fitting this bodice in 2019, I used that as my starting point, which was possibly a mistake. I am slightly bigger now than I was then so I simply tried on my dress form 2019 and then approximated how much I needed to add to the side seams in order for it to fit. It was about 2", so I thought I could get away with it. I made a new bodice muslin and everything seemed to fit well, but I do not love the final product. The bodice is an inch or so too long and the overall fit of the princess seams is a little weird. The bodice could also be a bit off because, as I said, this was a very sheer fabric and I underlined all the bodice pieces with muslin. Since I wore it mostly layered this year, I didn't mess with it, but it will need some fitting tweaks before I wear it again next Christmas. 

  . 

  

In terms of construction, I again followed Gertie's B6453 Sew Along on her old blog for this dress. I did an FBA on the bodice in 2019, and added 1/2" to the side seams this year. I also re-drew the facings to match. Other than that, I sewed the dress as written. Oh, and I cheated on matching my plaids by cutting the side bodice pieces on the bias. So the center back seam was the only place I had to match!

Feelings about this project: I love the fabric, I love the pattern, but the dress is meh due to fitting issues. There's always next year!

Feelings about the world: I'm feeling strangely optimistic about 2022, despite raging covid cases and increased restrictions. I guess I am just determined not to spiral out right now. 

2021: Everything I Made This Year (Almost)

Happy New Year! Ok, so I have not been great about blogging individual projects, but that doesn't mean I can't do an end-of-the-year round up, right? Here's everything I made in 2021 (almost):

1. Basic Stitch Bikini

2. Striped Pillow

3. Chartreuse Axis Tank & Maxine Undies

4. Fujiyama Mama Bolero

5. Long Granny Coat

6. Short Granny Coat

7. Seamwork Madhu Top

8. Baby Set

9. Red My Little Secret Crop Top

10. Poisonettes Top

11. Halloween Costumes - Prince John and Sir Hiss

12. Bryant Gown

13. Halloween Panel projects - Banner

14. Halloween Panel projects - Pillows

15. Hamburger Socks

16. Pumpkin Spice Benning Dress

17. Crochet Strawberry Bucket Hat

18. Vintage Sheet Benning Dress

19. Christmas Plaid B6453 Dress

20. Negroni Collared Shirt

21. Stockings for me and Chase