May recap

When I was looking over my list from the past month I was amazed at how much I managed to finish! That doesn't always happen, and I'm sure part of the reason it was so productive, was that April was less so. Productivity is definitely not a constant for me, but an ebb and flow.

I'm sure another reason is that now that I'm trying to keep myself accountable for fabric purchases, I have extra motivation to finish more when it counts!

I had two significant fabric purchases this month and needed to balance the scale with some used yardage.

My May stash update:

Fabric: -7.625 yards
Yarn: -1,185 yards

Fabric total 2018: -46.75 yards
Yarn total 2018: -5,511 yards

It feels exciting to be down nearly 50 yards of fabric this year! I'm going to try to keep that momentum through the summer.

So, this month, I finished one quilt and started a new one.

I'm making Carolyn Friedlander's Tangelo quilt in Daisy Chain. Paper piecing can sometimes be just the right thing to sew. It requires a little bit of thinking, but not too much (once you have some experience, of course.), and I just love these fabrics!

I should have a new finished quilt top sometime this summer.

Additionally, I finished several garments this month.

Three new Gemma tanks that were already cut got finished. I also made a new-to-me pattern, the Willamette. I ended up making two of them, as the first one was quite large on me. I will say that the garment has considerable ease built in (11 inches). I ended up making a size that would finish much closer to my actual bust than recommended. And I love it, so try it if you are interested! I'll try to get a photo of me wearing it soon to show you.

We also tried FIVE new recipes this month, and three of them were big wins. And by that, I mean we will definitely make them again. My favorite was Smitten Kitchen's Grilled Yogurt Flatbread (from her second book).

Additionally, I managed a photo of her Charred Corn Succotash with lime and crispy shallots. It was amazing as well, but those flatbreads! Let's just say we are making them again tomorrow. And finally, I finished two books this month. Here's to a great June!

(9, 10 and) 11/52

I didn't intend to take a break, but it happens sometimes! I have fluctuated between being very focused on finishing projects and flittering between random craftiness. Lots to share, because of this!

First, I want to make note of my February yarn and fabric totals.
Here is my second stash update:
Fabric: -2.5 yards
Yarn: -221 yards

Fabric total 2018: -31.25 yards
Yarn total 2018: -3,127 yards

Even though I didn't do as well in February, I still feel good about my progress this year!

So, the red and white string quilt is done (although I haven't taken full photos yet). I plan to gift this quilt next weekend, so I will definitely have photos to share soon.

Early in the month, I cut a pile of new garments and have finished about half of them so far.

I'm almost done with my first Driftless Cardigan (I just need to stitch on the buttonband now!), and I hope it will be a very wearable garment. Additionally, I finished a Lark tee and two more Lindens (one in this awesome weird vacation purchase!).

I also started a new shawl, using a favorite Moonrover yarn.

Finally, I am sewing the binding onto my 2x4 quilt (tutorial by Film in the Fridge here). in the last week, I made a back for it, basted and quilted. After letting the finished top linger for six(!) months, that feels really good! I love the quilt so much, and I hope to have photos soon. In my next update, I'll share the recipes we have tried this month. Additionally, I would like to share some of the random small things I've been sewing the past few days.

FO: Friedlander Josephine

You might already know that I am awful at documenting my finished garments.

This Josephine blouse is my third, but I haven't shared the first two here. After seeing Jeni's first Josephine, I felt inspired to try the pattern. All three of mine are sleeveless, and so wearable. I got a chance to use the new Friedlander Lawn for this one (and I have a pair of City Gym Shorts waiting to be sewn from of the leftovers!).

Photo credit Carolyn Friedlander

I actually have a shot of me wearing it (at quilt market), alongside my pal Jemellia in matching fabric! We joked that the only time it's cool to wear the same fabric is when you're among crafters and sewists!

One of my goals for next year is to be better about getting photos of my finished garments (or more specifically, of me wearing them!).

FOs: Lark Tee versions one and two

A few months back, I stitched up three versions of the Lark tee pattern, by Grainline Studio.

It's become one of my favorite garment patterns, and comes together so quickly. Before this, I had limited experience sewing with knits. As in, I had completed one simple knit garment. I'm not sure why I resisted, but working with knit is really not scary. My trusty little Janome (an older version of this one) is what I use for sewing with knits, since my larger machine is straight-stitch only.

So, I've tried three of the four necklines available, and three of the four sleeve lengths. This pattern really gives you a lot of options, and I see myself making many additional versions soon. I've already got another pile of knit fabric washed and ready to cut. The only modification I made was to crop the length (except the dotty version) because I like a shorter tee.

And the great thing about knit fabric is you can finish your hem and sleeves, or not. As you can see, on the boatneck version, I chose to leave my sleeves and hem unfinished.

I'll share my third Lark tee as soon as I get a modeled shot. And maybe by then, there will be another one finished!

FO: Indigo Sailor Top

I'm the worst about getting pictures of my finished garments. Take the Sailor Top (by Fancy Tiger), for instance. I just finished my fourth version, and I've never shared any of them here. Here's the third one, and I'll work on getting pictures of the first two soon. In the meantime, my latest was cut from the Cotton & Steel print I dyed in Wisconsin.

I love the indigo look and I'm so pleased with the fit. I'm still working on getting a smooth gather, but the neckline is so flattering. The Sailor Top is such a great garment and I'm planning to make my next one in one of Jeni's knit prints.

Since blue is my most stashed color of fabric, I definitely have a lot of blue garments. I should work on that. But, indigo!

A pile of FOs: City Gym Shorts

I'm not sure why I waited this long to try it.

Last week, I cut out the long ago printed City Gym Shorts pattern, and promptly made four pairs.

I lengthened the pattern by about 2.5 inches and shortened the elastic a bit.
They are perfectly wearable. I've worn them out walking and to sleep in.
They are a great way to use favorite prints in small cuts.
They are also a great justification for the new binding machine I bought, after seeing Jeni's this summer. I always disliked making bias binding, but the machine makes it speedy, and just look how cute!

My husband said four pairs was probably plenty, but I might sneak a few more pairs into the mix. Don't tell.

FO: Emma's Garden Datura

You wouldn't know (because there is little photographic evidence), but this is my third Datura blouse.
It took Patty asking me to make one from her new Emma's Garden fabric line (for Michael Miller) to get some pictures. There's no good excuse, because the pattern is lovely and wearable. But truth be told, this version may be my favorite.

I love the colors Patty used in this line, and I had trouble choosing two prints that I loved best. I thought Patty's bold colors and graphic elements would work well for garments, and Hilary made this beautiful dress for the tour as well.

So, a few thoughts on the Datura:
On all three versions I've made, I sewed up the back button panel, so that it's just a decorative element.

But I do love the buttons, from my grandmother's stash!
I didn't do a collar on this one, and it's such a a nice, simple look.

I also LOVE this ribbon I found in my grandmother's stash, which I used to finish the hem.

If you'd like to make your own Datura blouse, or something similar, Patty is sharing a little free fabric today!

You can win 2 yards of your favorite prints (two one-yard cuts, or one two-yard cut)!

Just leave a comment (only one!), and tell us your favorite ice cream flavor.
You can also tell us which print (or prints) you would pick! The link to the prints is here.
As always, if you are a no-reply commenter, please leave an email address for me to contact you! I'll pick a winner on Tuesday!

I'm near the end of the blog tour, but you should check out the other posts! You can still enter giveaways on some of them!

8/7 - Michael Miller's website  www.makingitfun.blogspot.com

8/8 - Hilary - youngtexanmama

8/9 - Karri - karriofberries

8/10 - Felice - sewscatterbrained

8/11 - Sally - sallysangelworks

8/12 - Liz - www.fatchickquilts

8/13 - Julia - starsandsunshine

8/14 - Jacey - jaceycraft.blogspot

8/15 - Sophie of C'est LaVie - lescrapdesoph

8/16 - Pam - pamquiltaholic

8/17 - Patty  beckandlundy

Thank you again, Patty, for inviting me to be a part of your party!

Comments are now closed.

More garments, in miniature

In further pursuit of garment sewing, I recently purchased Made by Rae's lovely Geranium pattern. I've signed up for a craft show next month, and I thought this would be a good pattern for that (make sure you sign up for the license if you decide to do the same!).

I made two versions to practice, both of which have been gifted to special peeps.

First, a 12-18 month version, with gathering. This was made for my sweet little niece, Adelaide. She turns one in December, and her mom tells me it will work well for several months. I think it's always smart to sew a little big for kiddos, and hopefully, she can wear this well into spring.

Version two is for Ara Jane's Ingrid. I sent that little scalloped hat to Ara Jane for her soon-to-be-second, and this dress for the almost big sister! This version has pockets, is a 2T top (not a dress), and has pleats.

And look. The buttons. Adorable.

I plan to make a few for the craft show, but I also expect this will be a go-to baby gift.

Contrary to recent posting, I do not have babies on the brain. So don't get any ideas, mom, Nicke and Amanda. xoxo.

P.S. Go check out yummy recipes over on Deb's blog today! She included Ara Jane's granola!

A little of this

It seems I'm a little obsessed with the Staple Dress pattern. I've made four versions, and I've got a fifth one cut out. It's such an easy pattern to sew, and it's very comfortable to wear. Of course, I have very little photographic proof that I wear them. So, let's take a quick chronological look at Staple Dress numbers 1-4.

Version 1, finished in May. I followed the pattern for this one, and did five lines of waist shirring. I cut this one at a larger size than the following versions (but the later versions also had less shirring, so it balances out).

Version 2, tunic length. I used a purchased top to select the length for this version. This is my most-worn version so far.

Let's all ponder what this pose is, shall we? I finished this one on the Madison retreat in June.

Version 3, finished a month ago.

Version 4, in voile and Tsuru, also finished a month ago.

I wore this one to my sister's rehearsal dinner, but I only have half shots of it. Oh well. Eventually.

The tunic and two later dresses were cut with a wider neckline, as I felt the pattern neckline is just a little too high.

I really appreciate an easy garment pattern that gives great results. I a, thinking of trying April's Date Night Dress pattern soon!

Back to school

Well, not really.

After destashing some fabric on etsy (there's still some available, if you're interested!), I decided to sign up for the Summer Dresses course taught by Whipstitch. I've been making more garments lately, and felt the class would help me improve my garment-making skills. The biggest problem I face (and I'm sure I"m not alone in this) is fit. It's easy enough to follow a pattern, but catering a dress pattern to your body, accentuating you features, etc. is challenging.

Over the summer, I'll share progress from the class.

In the meantime, I thought I'd share some of the fabrics I might use for the class.

I just recently purchased these two knits from Drygoods Design. I am especially in love with the one on the right. I'm picturing a tank dress (or possibly a sleeveless one) and maybe some shirring?

I also hope to use this new Anna Maria Horner linen blend (purchased from Pink Castle), but I'm not sure which dress I'll make. Before washing, this fabric is a little stiff, but I imagine it will soften up after washing.

I've also got a pretty substantial stash of voile, mostly purchased on sale (luckily).
I won't use all of this for the class patterns, but hopefully, I'll make a dent.

And two large cuts of quilting cotton. The left print has been in the stash for EONS. I originally bought it for a skirt, but think it's much better suited for a dress. The right print is from that recent Sew Fine Fabric gift certificate.

I've got a few other fabrics that might come into play, but by the end of the summer, I hope I have a lovely handmade wardrobe!