Knit Picks

One of my sewing resolutions is to improve my skills at sewing knit fabrics.  Here are two recent efforts.

This is a rayon knit from JoAnn's using a Christine Jonson pattern.  This one is the shirred turtleneck from Travel Trio Three - 226.  I love her patterns.  The designs are flattering, instructions good and the fit is great.  This top got a lot of comments when I wore it to my ASG neighborhood group meeting.  I'll definitely make it again.

This is currently my favorite top.  It's made from a rayon knit from Vogue Fabrics.  This is another Christine Jonson pattern, the princess wrap from pattern 426.  This is my third version of this top.  I love the two made of lighter weight knits.  The one made of a heavier cotton/lycra knit is a bit snug for how I like my tops to fit.  I have some black rayon blend knit from JoAnn's and plan to make the short sleeved version of this top.

Both fabrics were in my stash so count towards the sew from stash resolution.  These two tops used a total of 3 and 5/8 yards.  A drop in the bucket but you have to start somewhere.

Happy sewing!

Sewing Resolutions

I know it's only December, but I have already set 2 sewing goals for the next year.  The first is to sew as much as I can from my stash.  My husband often comments on how much fabric I have stored.  My response is that I don't have to rent storage space so my stash is not out of control.  Also, I need to have projects for those times that I get the urge to sew but can't get to a fabric store.  Then I remind him to stay out of my stash.  He's tried to "organize" it for me twice.  Not a good move.  There are still things that I can't find from his first attempt.  Talk about crashing the sewing mojo.  I've threatened his life if he ever does it again.  I think he now understands that he is not to mess with my fabric stash.

It's not realistic to expect that a fabric addict, like me, will not purchase new fabric for a year.  With so many wonderful new fabrics available, that would be pure torture.  And, I would not be able to stick to my resolution.  To make the goal attainable, I've set the following rule - At least 5 items must be sewn/completed from the stash before I can purchase any new fabric.  I can, however, purchase notions, linings, etc., to complete projects started from stash projects.

The only exception I plan to make is for cabin related sewing. We purchased a cabin on a lake in northern Minnesota last spring and it needs some things like window coverings and cozy quilts for wrapping up in to watch movies on chilly nights.  If I see the perfect fabric for a cabin item, I will allow myself to purchase it outside of the sew from stash rules.

Goal number 2 is to improve my skills at sewing knits.  I tend to consider sewing with knits something that can be done quickly.  In trying to be fast, technique suffers.  This is the year to improve technique and speed.  I have the tools to work with knits, a serger that's older that my youngest son and a cover stitch machine.  Now to learn to use them to their full potential.

Now that I've put that in writing for everyone to see, I'm accountable.  I'll keep post yardage counts of how much stash has been used.  I have no idea how much I have, but know that I can sew for most of the year without buying more.  We'll see how much I can use this year.

Until next time, happy sewing!

Starting Over

OK... I got distracted.  Given the choice of painting floor cloths or writing about the process, I chose painting.  Then I got pulled into other things, like encouraging (nagging) my youngest son to finish his Eagle Scout application.  He finished and I was touched when he told the world at his Eagle Ceremony that he wouldn't have done it without his mother nagging him.  I am so proud of him.

The past year has flown by with two sons, one real & one pseudo, graduating from high school, the pseudo son returning to his home country, the family buying a cabin, the oldest son getting married, the middle son continuing his graduate studies and the youngest son starting college.  We packed a lot of wonderful things into the year.

Things have settled down now but with me being the only one home during the day, the animals all come to me for the attention that they used to get from their boys.  I knew the Husky was demanding but I didn't realize how demanding the cats would be.  They all need people time and I'm the object of their affection.

It's time to start over with the blog.  I've made a couple sewing resolutions and will start with those in my next post.

Getting Started - My First Post

I'm in the process of painting floor cloths for our kitchen to protect the new hardwood floors from the wear and tear of daily life in a household that currently consists of 2 teenage sons, my husband, myself , a Siberian husky and too many cats. I've just finished 4 small floor cloths and am getting ready to start the larger ones. Since I've learned a lot doing the smaller ones, I plan to document the process I've used and share it.

This floor cloth is a joint effort. I had a vision of my silly Siberian with a Van Gogh Starry Night background for under her dish. As you get to know me, you'll learn about my "visions." I get these images in my head but there is a disconnect between my brain and the paper. I can't draw. Every once in a while, though, there's a fluke and I actually draw something that looks just like I envisioned it. That's what happened with this crazy cartoon Siberian Husky. My original sketch was just like the vision. And the painted version looks like our Husky, Nikita, complete with the two color eyes.

I can't take credit for the painting on this one. That was done by our pseudo son, Petar. Petar is an exchange student from Serbia. Unlike my biological sons, Petar has artistic skills. After my original sketch was enlarged, I turned Petar loose with acrylic paints and this is the result. I love it!

The other floor cloths that are done are geometric and stenciled designs, things that can be done by an engineer with a ruler and tape... that's me. I've learned some tricks as I did the smaller ones and will share them with you. I'll also post links to sites with instructions, design ideas and material sources.