Knit and Crocheted Wrist Warmers

I've been making slow progress on some autumn themed illustrations, but fortunately when I'm feeling mentally blocked I can work on new items for Scarlett Made. Recently I've been working on some fingerless gloves. I love making these, because they are quick enough to allow for experimenting with new designs.

I was thinking these tan ones could be for men, as well as women, but not according to my boyfriend. Any ideas about what accessories men actually want to wear?

Recent Knitting

I've finished several knitting projects recently (and also added to my pile of WIPs).
Another pair of fingerless mitts. These are actually suprisingly warm, and of course I love the bright colored yarn (Heart and Sole, Mellow Stripe, by Red Heart). You can find the pattern free from Red Heart.

My Mitered Baby Blanket, for some friends and their new baby. I have to admit, rows and rows, and rows of garter stitch were somewhat boring to knit. I like the finished result though. I was afraid the geometric pattern wouldn't be as visible as I wanted in this yarn, but it shows up nicely.

I love my Hedgerow Tee. I wore it today. Super comfortable, I think I'll knit more vests. And much quicker to knit than a full sweater.
Made mostly from Moda Dea Silk n Wool Blend (discontinued), the contrast yarn is Cascade Wool. I actually had more Silk n Wool blend in another color, but decided I didn't like it with the grey. And I ran out of the grey too. Just a few rows short on the back, so it didn't really matter, I just switched to the blue earlier than the pattern directed. Fortunately I was anticipating that so I knit the two front sides before the back.
And in case your wondering, yes, I did consider chopping off my head in this photo because I hate pictures of myself.

Completed!

I finished a few things I meant to share last week, but then I lost my internet connection for a few days, and with the truck engine dying, and some unexpected guests for Easter I just never got around to it. First, my Marlene Socks

This is the first pair of really nice socks I've made for myself, and I love them. I pretty much followed the pattern, with some adjustments around the foot for gauge, and I decreased at the toe to avoid using kitchner stitch. I used Fibranatura's Yummy Superwash Wool.
Next is a Louisa Harding purse.

I didn't do a very good job following the pattern, mostly because I didn't do a very good job reading the directions. But I'm really happy with the result, and thats all that really matters. I liked the styling in the pattern photo, but felt it was a little "granny" and then saw another similar Louisa Harding purse with much trendier styling, so I decided to go for something in between. Because I am neither granny nor cool. I used Paton's Bamboo Silk, and then made a lining with some brown cotton and attatched a pair of bamboo handles I've had for years, but hadn't gotten around to doing anything with yet. Then I added a velvet ribbon and some pins. The ladybug pin used to be my grandmother's.
I also finished making my "Fern Frond" illustration into cards to put in my Scarlett Design Etsy shop. Again, I'm very pleased with how the finished item turned out.

And finally, a project that isn't completed but that I just started.
I got Alabama Chanin's book last spring, and I've been meaning to make some clothes with old T shirts, just never got around to it. Then I saw some of her Spring 2009 collection. And its beautiful, but definitely out of my budget. So I finally began a skirt. So far I love it, I don't often handsew anymore, so its kind of nice to do things differently for a change.

I have a few more photos of these, but I'm tired, so I won't be adding them to flickr until tomorrow.

Project Runway

I'm a fan of Project Runway (I really want Christian to be eliminated), but I had some doubts about the Simplicity patterns. They seem trendier than clothes I would normally wear, and not the same shape I would normally wear either. Then again, do I really need another empire waist sundress (always!!)? But I tried one of the PR patterns anyways, mostly because patterns were 5 for $5, and I always need another minidress. I decided that the lack of waist and bust shaping in this dress would be made up for by its shortness.

This dress was easy to make, and once the fabric and pattern were prepped, it really only took one night to finish. Despite its simplicity, it has some great details.
Gathering at the bust

Notice that I've actually topstitched around the neck and pocket. I used to skip this step, but recently I'm loving the finished look it gives homemade clothes, although I kind of like the homemade look, just as long as it isn't messy. For the short amount of time it takes, topstiching is definitely worth the extra effort. Also, I put the bodice/neck together slightly differently than according to the directions; instead of sewing the armholes last, and finishing with bias tape, I sewed around the neck and armholes first, then trimmed my seam allowances and turned the garment right side out, before sewing my shoulder seams. So the topstiching serves the function of holding the seam allowances down, as well as being pretty.
Supercute pocket

Also, I love that they insert this template for designing into the pattern, which would be very helpful for new sewers, although this pattern may be a little difficult (but not impossible) for beginners. Overall, I'm very happy with this dress, only beacause the dress is slightly tapered, its a little tight, but not unflattering on my butt. This is probably because its a juniors pattern (or I need to work out more often). But I can easily adjust that the next time I make this pattern.
Another reason I love this pattern, it that it gives options. You could actually make a longsleeved dress with pockets! There are two neckline variations, several sleeve variations, two options for pockets, and some variations you would make your self would be very easy, suck as lengthening the dress, or making the skirt untapered. Not like some patterns with "six" options, which include adding lace, a ruffle, or bias tape.

Check out my new fabrics! Sometimes a sale just doesn't result in my saving money. I'm thinking that since I've already binged on fabrics, and my stash is getting rather large, perhaps this would be a good time to take the wardrobe refashion pledge.
I'm thinking a skirt from the green, and a sundress from the white boarderprint, and that adorable baby pink with flowers is going to be some pjs/lingerie. I'm not sure what to do with the asian print yet.

I'm thinking maybe I should redo my living room with the blue and brown geometric print, and the coordinationg flowers, you saw how good it looked with the yellow walls. Is it a bad idea to match your clothes to the furniture? Maybe just some pillows, coasters, placemats, napkins, etc.

Golden Age of Couture

Unfortunately, I won't be getting to London anytime soon, so I will have to miss the Victoria and Albert Musuem's "The Golden Age of Couture". But at least I was still living near Boston when Paris Fashion Shows exhibit was on display. Check out this link:
http://www.vam.ac.uk/vastatic/microsites/1486_couture/exhibition.php
epostcards, photos, and even a free dress pattern!

Fall Fashon

Here are some of my favorite looks this fall

Some tearouts from a Vogue 1920s Paris fashion shoot


Vera Wang, very glamorous in a Russian Imperial way

Kate Spade, this is just fun