projects Archives - Page 6 of 12

Lucinda July 25, 2011

Vogue 1224 Tracy Reese Dress – Encore!

Pattern: Vogue 1224 Tracy Reese

Fabric: Rayon Jersey from Metro Textile, also available at gorgeousfabrics.com

Sandals: Tahari

Earrings: M Style Lab

I loved this pattern so much that I decided to make it again! On my trip last month to New York and my stop at Metro Textile, I bought this amazing knit jersey that Kashi showed me in his studio. At first I thought it was a bit, well…wild and bright for my personal tastes. But being that I am required to wear black for my job five days a week, a pop of color and a splashy print is a welcome addition to my usually neutral wardrobe.

Not really much to elaborate on other than the fact that I love this print and wanted to share it with everyone. For a fabric like this, a simple silhouette is really key: if there was more to the design of the construction, it would be lost due to the nature of the print. Pattern selection to fit the nature of the fabric is just as important as fabric selection to fit the requirements of the pattern.

I used the same mods as before: no drawstring at the neck, just elastic; graded the skirt from a 10 to a 12; added 2″ to the length so that it wasn’t hitting at my thigh. You can read more details about the first dress here: Vogue 1224 Tracy Reese Dress

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Lucinda July 23, 2011

Next on the Needles: Leaflet and Clapotis

Back home! On my trek back from PA to MA, I took a pit-stop at Webs in Northampton, MA which I deem to be the Mecca of yarn stores. I hadn’t been in over a year and yes, I can order from them online, but it’s not the same as being there in person and looking at the colors, feeling the fibers, etc. So I splurged.

I wanted to make Leaflet as soon as I saw it in the Knitty First Fall issue released a few weeks ago. While I do like the orange pictured, I was trying to remember my fall wardrobe and didn’t think I’d have many tops to layer with that color. So I opted for a hearty wool and alpaca blend from Valley Yarns in a boysenberry color that would work with my grays, browns, and purples that I wear in the fall. I’ll probably be casting on for this in the next week or so. I’m happy that I found a sweater that looks cute and knits up on big needles, since larger needle sizes don’t aggrevate my wrists as much. Probably the reason why I haven’t made much progress lately on my Round Yoke Cardigan.

Clapotis has been in my knitting queue since 2004. A long time, yes. But the length of time is due to the fact that I couldn’t find a substitute yarn I liked for the Lorna’s Laces Lion and Lamb, which would cost me an arm and a leg for this project. Noro Silk Garden, which is a popular sub on Ravelry for this project, has never appealed to me since I’m not a fan of lots and lots of variegation or the texture of the yarn (I frankly think it’s overrated). But the moment I walked in the door at Webs, I immediately saw this yarn and thought “Clapotis.” It’s got the color gradient I was searching for, the soft texture of the blend, and was at a more affordable price point for the project. Sold! I probably won’t finish this in time for the cool autumn weather to set in in New England since I think I’m the world’s slowest knitter, but it’s such a versatile color for a scarf that I could definitely wear it next spring as well.

Now, on to try out my new Thera Gloves to see if they actually help my wrists.

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Lucinda July 8, 2011

Vogue 1224 – Tracy Reese Dress

Had to take these pics before a potential rainstorm!

Pattern: Vogue 1224

Fabric: Rayon Jersey from Metro Textile in NYC

Size: 10 graded out to a 12 at the waistline

Shoes: Target (Merona brand)

Bangle: H&M

I knew as soon as I saw Erika B’s Tracy Reese dress posted on her blog, that pattern would be at the top of my sewing queue. So cute, flattering, and simple to sew: three elements that equal “yes” in my book!

I was lucky enough to be sent to NYC last month for a business trip and squeaked in some quick shopping in the garment district. Usually when I go to New York it’s on the weekends, so I don’t get to frequent a whole lot of places since they’re closed; usually I hit up Mood and Paron’s. I did do some damage at Mood this trip (found some turquoise eylet for a knock-off CK top and a pretty orange gauze), but I also had the opportunity to visit Metro Textile. It’s my favorite place to buy jersey – the selection is amazing, the quality is great, and it’s a source that Ann at Gorgeous Fabrics uses for her business (I can always spot fabrics on her site there). Plus, the service is great and prices can’t be beat. I could go on and on about how great Metro Textile is, but let’s get to the review of the dress!

One of the quickest sewing projects I made…I literally cut this dress out one night after work and stitched it up the next night to wear to a party the following day. I’m glad that I read some reviews on this dress before I made it – seriously, what did we do before the internet? Trial and error I guess!

1) The Length

Boy is this dress short! I’m pretty leggy so dresses and skirts seem shorter on me, so I lengthened the dress two inches and put in a very narrow 5/8″ hem. I think the original length would have hit on me at mid-thigh, totally not my style.

2) The Skirt

The pattern envelope shows the skirt being pretty tight on the model. That’s fine for her, not for me. I probably could have gotten away with the whole dress being a 10 taking into account the stretch properties of the fabric I was working with, but I knew I wouldn’t be comfortable in a tight skirt. I graded it out from the waist to a 12, as I usually do with dresses, and it worked well.

3) The Neckline

The neckline is pretty cool: it’s elasticized, and the elastic is joined to decorative drawstring ties. Me, being always impatient and not wanting to deal with the tediousness of turning the ties inside out (really need a tube-turner), opted to not use the ties. Plus, I didn’t want to make a buttonhole on a knit – I didn’t have any Sulky tear-away stabilizer to reinforce the buttonhole. I think my neckline resulted in being more gathered since I used a shorter piece of elastic, but I like it that way.

4) The Lining and Waistline

I really didn’t think it was necessary to line my skirt, like the pattern suggests, since my fabric had enough body to it. I used the technique I used with my jumpsuit to join the bodice and skirt together: the seam allowances created a casing for the elastic to go through. This created less bulk at the waistline and was a time saver.

Blurry photo, whoops…trying to show the print detail

I’m absolutely planning on making this dress again…I bought another knit at Metro Textile that’s really funky and has a lot of pattern and colors going on in the print. The design of this dress is simple enough that it’s a great pattern to showcase large or busy prints.

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Lucinda May 31, 2011

I might as well jump. Jump!

Pattern: McCall’s 6083

Size: 10-12

Fabric: Rayon poly knit from Joann, I think the color is called “Caviar.” Great drape, but a little too heavy for hot hot days.

Extras –

Shoes: BOC by Born

Earrings: M Style Lab

Bangle: Forever 21

Shades: Bulgari

I don’t know how many jumpsuits I need in my wardrobe, but it sure was easy to make and easy to throw on and wear! I may do another one in a drapey white or gray woven instead of a knit next time. I think neutral colors are best for long jumpsuits, not too overpowering. I mean, who wants to be an giant blob of head-to-toe bright blue or orange? The long jumpsuit itself is enough of a statement, but I guess if I was to do the short version (which is tempting in this heat and my no-AC apartment) I would do something like a tomato red with black woven sandals.

You can read more specs of my review at Pattern Review. Happy sewing!

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Lucinda August 16, 2010

Finished Project – Lace Neckwarmer

See, I told you it wouldn’t take long!

Pattern: Wicked Lace Neckwarmer

Yarn: Rowan Silk Wool DK

Size: n/a

Needles: US 6 circs

I originally bought two balls of yarn for this project since I was following the yardage for the pattern, but I ended up needing only one ball instead. It was a nice, easy lace pattern – which is saying a lot considering how much I don’t like lace. When I finished the neckwarmer, though, I noticed that my gauge must have been off since the circumference measured 14″ instead of 18″. A little blocking helped that and I was abled to get it to 16″, which is alright. It’s just a little too tall for my liking and ends up rolling underneath my neck, and I don’t exactly have a short neck. Maybe it it had been the circumference it was supposed to be, it would lay lower around my neck. All in all, I’m looking forward to wearing this with my black jacket this fall.