and now i knit (kinda)

March 8, 2013March 8, 201327 Comments

for a while now i’ve wanted to learn either knit or crochet. i pose this as an either/or because i realized my brain couldn’t learn both at once (though i do hope to learn both eventually).

after trying crochet a little around Thanksgiving, i thought i’d go that route. but then my good friend Erin (who just had an adorable baby boy, by the way – hey girl!!) came to visit from out of town, and taught me to knit! it clicked in my head better than crochet had – i think it helps that Erin is a schoolteacher in real life. in fact, she had tried to teach me a year prior and pretty much had to start from scratch this time because i forgot it all as soon as she left. 😉

twisty cowl

i haven’t blogged about this yet because i meant to get “real” photos of my first project, but you’ll have to settle for this phone selfie because i’m ready to move on. it’s a cowl. i just cast on 15 stitches, then knitted back and forth until i had a scarf long enough to go around my neck with some ease. i put a twist in it, joined the ends haphazardly with a sort of ladder stitch, and done. i knit it during the Christmas break while watching a whole lot of Sherlock with my husband.

homemade as it is, i’m super proud of it as my first project. i wear it a lot, and i realized i could (sorta) knit! but i wanted more. i wanted to make a hat. so a couple weeks ago, we went to visit pre-baby Erin (oh and her husband and older son, too…hehe) and i brought my needles and yarn with me. i asked her to teach me how to make a hat for O while we were there. she thankfully obliged!

it’s just a simple but cozy beanie. while making it i learned how to join in the round, purl, change colors, decrease, and finish off the top! valuable knitting skillz indeed. honestly the internet hadn’t been working for me to learn knitting, even youtube videos. i needed someone right there with me to tell me what i was doing wrong.

the hat is made with super bulky yarn (because it’s FAST) and i’m pretty sure i knitted it on size 13 circular needles. i was so adamant about the stripe being that lime green i just ignored the fact that it’s a different weight and looks a bit “off”…whatever. i’m forgiving myself for early knitting wonkiness.

it works for this guy too – after an initial rejection, he now loves his “pom pom hat.” he wants to wear it whenever it’s offered. frankly, he loves the pom pom so much this is actually pom pom #2 – he got a little enthusiastic with the first one and tore it to smithereens.

so there ya go! knitted a couple things! it’s super super addicting and relaxing, i see why people love it so much. sewing is usually pretty solitary, as we toil away over hot irons and noisy machines in our basement lairs with some music and a glass of wine (ha), but knitting can be done in front of the TV, while supervising kids at play, while waiting at ballet class…it’s portable in a way that’s really appealing and the results are very rewarding too!

hopefully someday i can make awesome stuff like Shannon or Jane or even self-proclaimed “newbies” like Tara or Anna (I don’t believe either of them for one second). i’ve been wistfully pinning projects from the purl bee for a couple years now, just waiting to learn how, and admiring patterns from shannon’s shop and the wiksten shop too. obviously i have a lot to learn but at least i have a foundation, right? it’s exciting….cozy knitwear, just in time for spring.

do you knit? crochet? any books or websites that helped you in absence of a helpful friend? maybe i should take a class. i need all the help i can get!

polynesian pinwheel tunic

March 4, 2013March 6, 201320 Comments

next up on the Oliver + S spring pattern preview parade is the pinwheel tunic and slip. i chose view A, the tunic. Em chose this pose:

of the three new spring Oliver + S patterns i’ve sewn (the forest path cape, roller skate dress, and this) the pinwheel is the one that differed most from my own style at first glance. my initial reaction was that the roller skate pattern was the one i’d run out and buy, but the pinwheel is probably the one that Em would run out and buy! it was a fun creative challenge to make a version we both would love and that would show off the versatility of the pattern, too!

as you can see, she is quite pleased with this tunic despite the non-girly colors. she was genuinely surprised that it twirled!

i sewed a 3T and the fabric is Les Flores from Camp Modern by Birch Organics (i got it at Bolt, but it’s available online at FQS and Fabricworm). it’s not the cheapest fabric in the world, but the print was totally irresistible to me. i originally got only 1/2 yard and had to go back for another 1/2 once i realized how perfect it would be on the pinwheel!

i knew the flounce and the print would play nicely together, but as the garment took shape and i paired it with leggings, it actually took on an almost polynesian vibe. so i just went with that, styling wise. plumeria hair clip for the win!

i decided to omit the sleeves after seeing Liesl’s link to this Narcisco Rodriquez tunic, and instead bound the armholes with bias tape (same method as binding the neckline, just fold one end under before topstitching).

the skirt is bound with kona olive (duh). not gonna lie, there is a LOT of bias tape on this pattern. the tunic itself comes together really quickly, but you’ll need get comfy with sewing bias binding if you aren’t already. Liesl has been sharing tips on bias tape making in advance of this pattern’s release, which you can check out on the Oliver + S blog (continuous and traditional methods – i always do traditional).

such a fun and pretty result though, right? Em’s closet is full of dresses but has far fewer shirts/tunics so i loved adding this to her wardrobe. the fact that i made it sleeveless makes it layer nicely under a cardigan but will be really great with shorts as summer approaches. it was over 50 degrees out, but this speedy photoshoot was still followed up with warm cocoa.

and here’s my little mama and her baby elephant. Em is getting a lot of say in the photos these days – shoe choice was hers again, as was the bracelet and elephant buddy “Trunky.” she has also started drawing “patterns” for dresses she’d like me to sew. i love her to pieces, but she can be a real taskmaster sometimes!

Cherie, Jess, and I are doing another “rolling tour” for the pinwheel pattern! here is Jessica’s adorable Easter egg solid version of both the tunic and dress together, and here is Cherie’s lovely and serene linen version of the dress! you’ve got to go check them out – their lovely fabric choices lend to totally different-looking and beautiful pinwheels.

UPDATE: the pinwheel tunic + slip dress pattern is now available for purchase on the Oliver + S website! you can order either paper or digital versions of the pattern, or keep an eye on your local fabric store if they usually carry Oliver + S. yay!

*i was provided with the pinwheel tunic + slip dress pattern at no cost for this pattern review. my opinions, as always, are my own.*

floral roller skate dress

February 28, 2013March 7, 201331 Comments

i mentioned back when i posted my forest path cape that there would be a couple more Oliver + S pattern previews coming, and here is the first! Oliver + S just released the roller skate dress + tunic, one of two new spring patterns now available. today a couple friends (Jess and Cherie) and i are very excited to show you a few examples of it all sewn up.

we’ll each post our version of the roller skate dress or tunic throughout the day today, so we’re calling it a rolling tour!

i’m up first.

since Em is a major dress gal, i’m always looking for new casual dress designs i can sew for her to keep her comfy while still fulfilling her need for fancy. i really love the roller skate dress for that. i think i actually said “oooooo!” out loud when Liesl sent me a preview of it. it’s cute, simple, stylish, and comfy. the version i picked (view A) is only two pattern pieces! it’s fully lined, a fast sew, and so versatile i can see myself sewing it multiple times, each resulting in a totally different look. perfect for my little gal.

i sewed a 3T with a 4T length. the chest has a generous fit brought in with an elastic casing for some shape, and it seems like the kind of fit that will last for quite a while as a dress and later as a tunic (she tends to grow up, not out).

the back closes with a button loop, and the construction of the whole dress is really clean and well-explained (as are all Oliver + S patterns!). it has a bubble dress-esque faux cap sleeve which is what makes the sewing especially quick, and the optional ribbon on the front adds a fun bit of contrast.

Em was super excited to wear her new springy dress. weather around here is iffy in february – flowers are starting to bud, but temps are still hovering around the 40s. not exactly summer dress weather, but that didn’t stop her from picking her saltwater sandals and pink flower hair clip for these photos! she layered it with tights and a sweater for school the next day.

she’s also really into having her hair braided after her evening bath so it’s “curly” the next day. then she doesn’t let me brush it.

do you like my polka dot wall?? i have ruffles & stuff to thank for that fun idea. thanks, disney!

oh yeah – the fabric is a thrifted vintage sheet (first used as a quilt) and i lined it with a soft cream gauze. my inspiration was this crewcuts dress though i’m excited to try this pattern out in more modern fabrics too – it seems super flexible that way.

and check out the other stops on our little rolling tour…it’ll pop up over at A Little Gray today around noon eastern time (up now!), and at You & Mie around 3pm eastern (up now!)! they each made different tunic versions for their little gals, so between the three of us you can see nearly all of the options this cute little pattern has to offer! fun fun.

UPDATE: the roller skate dress + tunic pattern is now available for purchase on the Oliver + S website! you can order either paper or digital versions of the pattern, or keep an eye on your local fabric store if they usually carry Oliver + S. yay!

the pinwheel pattern is up next!

*i was provided with the roller skate dress + tunic pattern at no cost for this pattern review. my opinions, as always, are my own.*

film petit: the big lebowski

February 27, 2013February 27, 201361 Comments

film petit february! as i re-watched our chosen film this month, i realized something – apparently my husband and i quote it constantly, maybe sometimes without even realizing it. it’s everyone’s favorite highly quotable quirky bowling movie – it’s….The Big Lebowski!

if my husband remembers to get something at the store that i forgot to put on the list? i tell him “he’s a good man, and thorough.” someone’s carrying a drink and a kid bumps into them? “there’s a beverage here, man!” something gets spilled on/damaged? it “really tied the room together.” and just at random times… “8 year olds, dude.”

am i wrong?

anyway, before i fall down the rabbit hole of movie quotes (in the parlance of our times – GAH), i suppose i should talk about the movie plot.

ummmmm wellllll it’s kind of hard to explain. let me give it my best shot. 1998’s The Big Lebowski was directed by the Coen Brothers. it tells the story of the mellow and lazy Jeffrey Lebowski (aka “The Dude,” or “Duder,” or “El Duderino, if you’re not into the whole brevity thing”) perfectly played by Jeff Bridges. The Dude is mistaken for a rich man also named Jeffrey Lebowski, and is suddenly drawn into a crazy kidnapping caper, when all he really wants to do is drink white russians and bowl with his buddies. it’s a pretty weird but beloved movie, and one i’ve seen about a million times.

typically we all pick different movie characters for film petit, but we felt that we should each make tiny Dudes this month to sort of swamp the internet with them – a mini Lebowskifest! mine is “pre-opening credit Dude,” the two scene intro that sets the stage for the rest of the movie. the Dude goes to the grocery store to grab some half and half for his white russian…

but comes home only to find himself getting dunked in his own toilet and his rug micturated upon by a couple hooligans attempting to shake him down for money he clearly doesn’t have.

film petit: the big lebowski

i sewed for O again, figuring the smaller the Dude was, the funnier it would be. and actually it was pretty hilarious – this is the MOST recognized character during one of my film petit photoshoots. people at the more-crowded-than-i-expected-it-to-be-at-that-hour grocery store were giggling and saying “haha, is that The Dude?” left and right. i started out a little self-conscious about it, but then ran with it. i think O liked the attention.

his bathrobe is made of wide wale corduroy from JoAnn, and the pattern is the Just Like Dad Flannel Robe from Sewing for Boys. i made it in a 2-3T for the length but chopped 3″ off the sleeves (and they’re still roll up-worthy!) so he’ll definitely wear it a while. the shorts are the Oliver + S Sketchbook Shorts made out of daddy’s old ones.

the undershirt, which i didn’t get a great photo of, is Made by Rae’s Flashback Skinny Tee, made out of daddy’s old t-shirt, short sleeved, with a v-neck!

i’m actually pretty excited about the non-overlapping v-neck and might share a mini tutorial for it a little later; i’ve always wanted to know how to do that and it wasn’t hard once i figured it out.

my little Dude got the munchies at the store and picked out a couple snacks. figured that was probably pretty true to character (the Dude likes to “smoke Js”).

while my little dude is snacking on chili cheese fritos and abiding, you can head over to see the other little lebowski urban achievers that my partners sewed up!

our guest this month, Sabra from sew a straight line, sewed both “bowling alley Dude” AND a mini walter sobchak! both are absolute perfection. she even gets us a toe – you don’t want to know how, but there are ways. thanks so much for joining us, Sabra!

and my partner Jessica, not to be outdone, sewed “playoff/funeral Dude” with some awesome details, AND took photos at a very special locale! go check it out!

proud we are of all of them!

***

here are the guidelines for film petit:

every month or so, Jessica and i (plus a guest blogger) sew an outfit (or outfits) for our kid (or kids) inspired by a movie we love. our next guest will be Dana from MADE!
please add any of your movie-inspired kid sewing to the film petit flickr group. if you sew along with our film petit choices, we’d love to see that too!
this is a pretty relaxed series, really the only rule is to make outfits for kids based on films you love. if you have any questions, please let either of us know.
film petit archives: the life aquatic with steve zissou, amélie, fantastic mr. fox, psycho, moonrise kingdom, ferris bueller’s day off

P.S. this is not ‘nam, this is bowling. there are rules.

P.P.S. do you see what happens, larry?!

P.P.P.S. i am the walrus.

super mario bros. shirt

February 25, 2013February 25, 20138 Comments

as Celebrate the Boy kicks off over at MADE and Made by Rae, i thought it’d be fun to bring home a post i did for I’m Feelin’ Crafty’s “Sew Ready to Play” series a few months back. O is actually wearing this shirt today, though it’s starting to look even tighter on his growing toddler belly!

***

growing up, i was the kid who didn’t have any sort of video game system at home and was constantly trying to talk the neighbor kids into playing nintendo. if you were the kid with a nintendo, you probably had an annoying friend like me, right? i was pretty persuasive in getting the neighbor kids to play (not too hard), and i especially loved super mario bros. i’m talking about the original one here…super mario 2 was fine, 3 was better (remember how you could drop behind the background?) but the original was the best. it’s still fun…have you played it lately? do you remember how to turtle top? i could never quite get the hang of it.

so anyway, it was almost a no brainer that i needed to make my toddler son a super mario t-shirt for this series!

i used my favorite basic pattern, made by rae’s flashback skinny tee, and knit fabric from two sale rack men’s shirts (my tips for sewing with sale rack t-shirts here). i appliquéd a mario scene right onto the front! the scene appliqué idea came from my friend cherie, and what exactly to put on there came from a quick google search of super mario bros images. want to make one?

gather scraps together in the appropriate colors along with some steam-a-seam lite fusible web…

draw a grid of 1/2″ squares for the stairs then cut them out, and a strip of woodgrain fabric at 1/2″ for a base. sketch and cut out clouds, a pipe, a hill, and bricks. i then added a little stamped mushroom left over from one of my project run & play creations! i just played around with the scraps until i had the shapes i wanted.

add the fusible web to each piece and arrange the scene on the front piece of the shirt, not yet sewn together. once you have everything where you want it, fuse it down with an iron and then stitch around each item with black thread, for a sketchy outline look. if you’re good with a free motion foot i’d recommend that here for the little curves, but i used my regular foot and just lifted it up a lot as i sewed around.

super mario bros flashback tee

finish the shirt as instructed per the pattern, slap it on your little guy, and he’ll be looking like a child of the ’80s!

i love how this skinny tee clings to his toddler belly…

and he likes how soft and comfy it is!

ready to play! thanks so much for having me, Louise!!

PS – i didn’t even realize when i was making this how close the colors and theme were to narelle’s post from the other day! who doesn’t like old school video games, eh?