Mom's birthday hoodie

June is not the month a person would want to wear wool in my corner of the Earth, but it is the month in which my mother was born and she has shown to appreciate knitwear, so... a sweater she gets! The chilly season isn't that far away.

M8051, 2 ways

  

   

Even though I am not much of a dress or skirt person, a simple pencil skirt pattern or sloper is an excellent thing to have on hand when inspiration hits. And it hit me twice with this cotton stretch sateen dress and denim skirt. Adding a bodice and then a center placket were both cinches.

I elected to use a commercial pattern to practice following other people's instructions. I probably didn't need to settle for something as easy as this pencil skirt from McCall's, style 8051 (a reprint of style 3830) but why not, I figured. I get tired of drawing and cutting tracing paper sometimes!

Biodegradable biker

Do you ever get the urge to do something that doesn't make any sense, just to see if you can? Does it skip the denial stage, because you've already admitted to yourself that it's a bad idea, but you want to push forward anyway?

Let me introduce you to my big stupid Kwik Sew K3764 motorcycle jacket made from paper fabric. Yes, paper. It's an idea that feels about as bad as it sounds (crunchy, if you were wondering), but hey, I think it looks cool in photos!

As a purposefully self-indulgent, impractical, not-for-everyday-wear garment, I believe it goes even further than #SewFrosting. It's not suitable for wearing at any occasion or time of day or really ever at all!

A sign that I should really learn how to crochet

Quick post! So short and sweet that I won't even put a Read More break.

    

I made this minty fella for my cousin's child. The pattern is the Big Orange Elephant by Claire Fairall Designs knit with Red Heart Soft in Minty, held double on US 10 needles. This is an extremely easy pattern as you knit back and forth in garter stitch. The shape you end up with is a very rectangular and uncomplicated.

I don't think I like stuffing knitted toys because of the stretch factor. I'd rather sew multiple pieces for a plushie with a more defined shape. Plus you can see the polyfil stuffing through the holes in the stitches, even after I went down one from the suggested needle size. Shoulda gone down another!

I could solve the fabric density problem if I just learned amigurumi like any good fiber artist. I got one foundational skill down; I crocheted little wheels for the mint ele-phriend's chocolate brown eyes. If they hold up better than plastic buttons would, maybe I'll consider picking up crochet knowing my struggle was worth it. (Yes it was a struggle to make two simple circles. Do not judge me).

    

(Braided tail made from this video tutorial; this person's channel is legitimately one of my favorite crafting resources and I hope that this information is preserved long after our society has perished).

How to manipulate aluminum mesh or "chain mail"

 

    

Chain mail! The best metal "fabric." You may have seen this material in tiny novelty evening bags, 2000s-era slinky "going out" tops and... well that's probably the extent of its use. I'm no advocate for it becoming a widespread material for fashion but I'd like to showcase some of its characteristics as a material. Y'know, for the novelty. Let's get inspired!

Instant Classic

    

There must be something going on with me to go through a creative block and then frantically tackle a feat as laborious as knitting a sweater. Something simple and small to ease me back in? Nah.

It took me just over three weeks, without breaking for a single day (save for blocking and drying). That's just what happens when I see a potential closet staple: I want to get it done as fast as possible in order to maximize the chances I'll get to wear it. 

"The simplest things are the hardest to execute"

Now, that's generally a true statement but currently it feels like an excuse or a cop out. Because, rather than this being a difficult project (they're t-shirts, come on!) it's more that I got complacent. Now you can see me grump and grouse about it.