Sunday Sewing: The Top #64

Here's my completed Top #64. The pattern is from Merchant & Mills and I purchased it online from Purl Soho. I stopped by Bolt yesterday afternoon and picked up this lightweight canvas from quilt designer Yoshiko Jinzenji. I was really drawn to the abstract shapes and lines and the muted color palette. I considered this other print from Nani Iro, but decided the Yoshiko fabric was ultimately more wearable. I cut out the fabric last night and did all the sewing today, which only took about two hours. I made a size 10–it fits me perfectly with the top more like a tunic. I made no modifications aside from having to shorten the sleeves by about three inches and using a fun contrast binding for the neck facing. The details I love: the center seaming on the front and back, the raglan sleeves, the inset pockets and how the fabric pattern on the rear sleeves mimics the back of the top (completely unintentional). I also love that this is a pullover top with no fastenings. So simple yet modern. Can't wait to try more of these patterns!

Merchant & Mills

Recently, I've seen several references online to Merchant & Mills, a British company that offers sewing patterns and kits. There's a more thorough review of their patterns on Fancy Tiger Crafts. The only question now is which patterns should I purchase?

Yay, friendly fair isle sweater is finished!

This sweater was such a fun knit! I started it last weekend and it went very quickly with the bulky Classic Elite yarn. The pattern was well-written and easy to follow. The sleeves are knit first and attached later after the body is knit in the round. The simple fair isle pattern is perfect for beginners and adds just the right amount of interest to the knitting. The fair isle on the yoke was a little more difficult to manage since it's happening across every third stitch. I may have carried too much slack in my contrasting color stitches, but I was able to tighten them up a little bit. After grafting the underarm seams, I lightly steam blocked the sweater to set the stitches. We still have some cool weather here in Portland, so this sweater will get some wear before the higher temperatures arrive. I highly recommend this project!

Knitting Projects

Back in mid-January, I started the Trestle chevron pullover from Brooklyn Tweed. I'm using Cascade Heritage sock yarn in grey and snow. I finished the bottom-front and am now combining triangles for the bottom-back. The garter stitch knitting is rather mundane though, not to mention slow going with size four needles, so when I saw this Purl Soho fair isle sweater pattern, I got pretty excited. First of all, it's knit with chunky yarn, which means I could probably finish it in a week. Second, I love the design–it's like a deconstructed fair isle, which is so utterly simple that it's brilliant. I love the colorways of the Purl Soho sweater, but for my version I decided to use Mountain Top Blackthorn in alabaster for the main color and Classic Elite Wynter in dusty teal for the contrast color. I'll be swatching and starting this project today!

Sewing: Deer and Doe Sureau Dress

I started sewing the Sureau dress last night and finished it this afternoon. I love how it turned out! This is a fitted dress with three-quarter length sleeves and I used this lovely abstract floral cotton fabric from J. Crew. The pattern is from Deer and Doe, a French company that offers a nice selection of different patterns. I made a few modifications that included a small bust adjustment and adding an inch to the side seams so the dress was more relaxed and less fitted. One of my glass buttons also broke, so I only sewed on three instead of four. The pattern itself was well written and very easy to follow. I'd recommend it! I'm adding the Datura blouse pattern to my sewing to do list.

 

Cute Free T-Shirt Pattern

Check out this cute free T-shirt pattern, Plantain, from Deer and Doe. I like the low scoop neck and there are three sleeve variations, as well as elbow patches.

Knitting: Fair Isle Socks

I had never knit Fair Isle before, so I thought a pair of socks would be the perfect introduction to learn this technique. I watched this video and started casting on using this pattern from Patons via Ravelry. I used some Berroco Ultra Alpaca and Knitpicks merino wool from my stash. The knitting was fun and went by quickly. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be and I think a Fair Isle sweater would be doable. I ran out of the dark green yarn for the foot of the second sock, so just continued with the lighter green. They're very warm and cozy!

Metallic Triangle Sweatshirt

As I was out running errands downtown last week, I stopped in to J. Crew to check out their sale section. I didn't find anything but I did see this great vintage sweatshirt with metallic triangles. It wasn't on sale and cost $65, which was more than I was willing to spend. So, I decided to make my own version. I got a sweatshirt from Old Navy that was on sale for $12 and I already had freezer paper and metallic paint supplies for the triangle stencils. I decided to do only two shorter columns of triangles because I didn't want to spend too much time cutting them out. This project took an afternoon and the paint was dry by evening. I love how the sweatshirt and triangles have a monochrome look; a subtle pizazz for the holidays!

Washi Tape Tree

Inspired by the holiday decorations in this Scandinavian home, I decided to create my own washi tape tree on the front door of my house. Washi tape is a Japanese masking tape made of rice paper and it usually comes in fun patterns and colors. Its low tack adhesive allows it to be reused and repositioned easily. The tapes I had on hand were reds and greens, perfect for the season. This project literally took no longer than 10 minutes and is a bit of festive cheer. Love it!

Sunday Sewing: Balaclava!

Winter has arrived in the Pacific Northwest! Though it's not as rainy as last year, the days have been sunny and cold; temperatures have dipped below freezing during the early morning and at night. Commuting by bike has its challenges during cold and rainy weather and a balaclava seemed like a perfect solution. It covers your ears and can be comfortably worn under your helmet. I purchased some velour lightweight fleece and some fold-over elastic to bind the face opening. I ended up drafting my own pattern, inspired by this pattern, this pattern and this one. The length is about 17" and the width is about 11". The bottom edge is finished with zigzag stitching. I think it will keep me warm on my rides!