May 18, 2013 8

My First Shawl

By in knitting

shawl

shawl

shawl

Pattern: Sweet November Shawl
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Rustic

This is the first time I’ve made a shawl. I once wrote them off as old-fashioned, but now I’m embracing their practicality and utter gorgeousness. They’re the perfect spring and fall accessory.

This one is as easy as it gets, so I’m trying not to be too proud of myself. The pattern consists of simple yarn-overs and decreases, but it’s still a lot to keep track of and a good introduction to lace knitting. I enjoyed the process of knitting this big, holey mess then blocking it into an actual shawl. Aaaand it has fringe. I love me some fringe. I’m from the west – I can’t help it.

The yarn I used, Cascade Rustic, is discontinued, but if you can get your hands on some I highly recommend it! It’s a super soft, wool and linen blend that comes in gorgeous colors. I have been drawn to blues and turquoises lately, but there were also some great neutrals and saturated warm tones available. The color bled slightly during the soaking process, so I rinsed it out a few times. I used less than one skein.

Also, I made a hat.

hat

Hats became necessities last winter as I found myself walking and exposed to the elements much more than I ever have been in the past. I didn’t get to test this one out since I finished it a few weeks ago and now it’s like 80. It will see a lot of use once it cools down again.

It’s another super easy pattern that you can read more about here.

________________________________________________________________________________

I’m still slowly working on my bag. I’ll be talking more about it soon but for now here’s a sneak peak!

i love it so much it hurts my heart.

Tags: , ,

April 22, 2013 3

RAGGAWEST @ Fancy Tiger Crafts

By in inspiration, knitting

Last Saturday I saw on Cirilia’s instagram that she was in Denver with Stephen West and Ragga Eiriksdottir. They were offering classes at Fancy Tiger Crafts, so I called immediately. There was room in Sunday’s Shapes and Forms the RaggaWest Way, so I signed up!

As soon as I walked into Fancy Tiger, I was like, “these are my people.” The products they carry are so beautiful. I was able to touch Liberty cottons and gorgeous yarns. I was also excited to see a wide range of patterns available from indie designers like Colette and Wiksten. Not that I need any new hobbies, but if I were to start one it would be weaving. They have affordable looms and classes on how to use them.

The class itself was a blast. Stephen and Ragga are so talented and engaging. I haven’t knit patterns by either of them, but a few shawls are next in my queue. They were kind enough to pose for multiple pictures and listen to me ramble. I was SO EXCITED.

raggawest

favoritesweater

I love the above sweater so, so much. It’s mostly linen with stripes of MOHAIR DIPPED IN LATEX WTF?!!? I don’t remember where he said he found the yarn, but I don’t think it’s available in the US. The shape that he created is exactly what I’m trying to achieve with one of my own projects.

swatchin

I was grateful I was able to keep up despite the somewhat complicated techniques. Stephen walked us through various edge stitches then how to pick up stitches through each of them. Ragga presented the most complicated cast-on I’ve ever done (beating out the hot mess of a cast-on that I had to watch a million times for the Snowy Day Cowl). It’s featured in her Craftsy class.

teaching1

boltane

I observed that quite a few of the class attendees were older ladies, grandmother types with grey hair. They were decked out in beautiful shawls and knits and talked about their blogs and Ravelry queues. I don’t know why I loved that so much, but I wanted to high-five them all.

Stephen was also here filming a class for Craftsy, which I’ll absolutely purchase. He’s really entertaining.

cirilia

I think Cirilia’s site Skrilla Knits was one of the first knitting blogs I found. I’ve followed her for years, even copying some of her FO’s like the Kureyon Pismo. Mine was not nearly as cute and has since disappeared. Anyway, I love her designs and styling, so it was really nice to meet her! You can find her musings and videos at Bricoleur Knits. Like you didn’t already know that.

If you ever get the chance, definitely go visit Fancy Tiger. It’s a great store in a really cool neighborhood. They have an open craft night on Tuesdays, so I think that may become my new hangout.

Also, THIS.

_________________________________________

I updated my Ebay with new shtuff and big lots. I think in the future I’m going to regret this massive purge, but right now I’m overwhelmed. Check it out HERE!.

Tags: ,

March 24, 2013 12

Pendleton + Leather

By in sewing

A few weeks ago my friend Kristen kindly divulged that she had found some gorgeous Pendleton wool at our local fabric store. I hadn’t even been to this store yet (isn’t that embarrassing??), so we planned a trip. I was only going to buy knits and a few other things that caught my eye in the bargain bins, but after she cut the 2 yds of wool that she came in for, I decided to take the last little bit.

pendleton

What was I going to do with 5/8 of a yard?? Initially I wanted to make a tote bag with a leather bottom, but I couldn’t find a pattern or even an inspiration piece to base it off of. I also wanted to make the most of the big print. It would be lost on anything smaller than a cape or huge bag. I’ve made the Amy Butler Weekender Bag three times before and now I’m using it again minus the front pockets. It features huge side panels and it’s quite thick, so I think it will be perfect.

bonded nylon

I also splurged on some leather. I’m using it for the piping, bottom panel, side pockets and handles. Leftovers may become a throw pillow.

half a beef

progress!

I’m getting used to the walking foot! I don’t close my eyes or flinch when it starts up. Well, initially I do then I’m fine for the rest of the day. Here are some close-ups of preparing the cording using a zipper foot.

preparing cording

preparing cording

I still need to order a zipper, buy veg tan to stabilize the leather bottom and handles and find a lining! Any suggestions on lining? Luckily, I can construct the entire bag and handstitch it in afterwards, but I’m worried if I wait too long it will sit lining-less for months. That would be awful.

At home I’m slowly cutting out Archer. It’s been such a long time since I’ve made a collared shirt that I’m waiting for Jen’s sewalong. I’m using a super lightweight, striped cotton in view A.

—————————————————————————

ALSO, I’m featured on my friend’s new blog this week. Read it here: HyLighted

Tags: , , , ,

March 14, 2013 14

Denver Design Incubator

By in sewing

When I moved to Denver nine months ago, I really wanted to work in a creative industry. While job hunting, I came across a want ad for an industrial sewing machine supply company. Luckily, the folks at Ralph’s liked me as much as I liked them. Soon I found myself peddling parts and being immersed in the manufacturing industry.

Next to Ralph’s is DDI, the Denver Design Incubator. Read about it on their site if you have a moment, but it’s basically a workspace for budding designers. The facility includes eight industrial machines – including a blindhemmer, a buttonhole, a coverstitch, a serger, a drop-feed single needle and a walking foot. There are also dressforms, a gravity iron, a dressing room and 12′ tables.

patterns

dressing room

thread

I’ve learned that a walking foot is a machine, not an attachment. The one at DDI is perfect for sewing leather clothing, lightweight leather bags and canvas. And really anything else you can think of where you might need a size 20 needle.

walking foot

Blindhemmers use curved needles and no bobbins. My limited mechanical knowledge assumes they function similar to a serger.

blindhemmer

And here’s the basic, drop-feed, single-needle industrial machine. Folks, you can get one of these new, with a variable speed motor, table and stand for well under $1000. Most of the basic presser feet are around $5 a piece!

drop feed single needle

Aaaand here’s the serger. Whatever you do, do not cut the threads. Knot and pull.

overlock

Space is definitely an issue since you can’t exactly pack the machines up and put them in a closet. That’s why DDI and other incubators provide such a great opportunity for those who want to manufacture a product, but lack the space or finances for an industrial machine.

Soon, I hope, I’ll be sewing over there. It’s taken a few training sessions, but I’m almost ready to make shitloads of tees with that coverstitch machine.

________________________________________________

The conclusion of this whole post is that I spent a lot of money on my Bernina 240  and I’m pretty pissed off about it.

What’s your take? Do you have any experience in the manufacturing industry? Have you used an industrial? Are you interested in trying one?

Tags: ,

March 10, 2013 12

Where Do You Get Your Inspiration?

By in inspiration

I was recently interviewed for a friend’s blog (I’ll post a link once the feature is up) and she asked where I get fashion inspiration. I was surprised by my answers: sewing blogs and Pinterest. I should’ve included Polyvore as well.

Untitled #139
Untitled #139 by the59thstreetbridge featuring skinny fit jeans

I’ve been perusing all three looking for spring looks and pieces to sew. First on my list is the Archer shirt. And I’m just going to assume it’s named after my most favorite character of all time. It’s such a great basic.

I also need to make some ikat or brocade shorts. That’s it on my list since I obviously have a hard time following through on sewing plans.

Untitled #173
Untitled #173 by tkow featuring a short sleeve sweater

Where do you get your fashion inspiration?

Tags:

Older Posts
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox

Join other followers: