By Brienne

Happy Homemade Hoodie

I guess you could say that I've had a conversion experience. I tend not to make kids things out of wovens very often. They prefer to wear knits and we almost always need things that can block a little chill. There was a freeze warning here last night. A FREEZE WARNING. And it's almost July. But I digress. 

In spite of my resistance to wovens (which this pattern calls for), I'd follow Elsie Marley to the ends of the crafty-earth. Her sewing style is always so surprising and cool. So when I saw that she was hosting a sew along for Happy Homemade in tandem with my long time blog-crush Cherie of You and Mie, I had to try it. 

This book was originally published in Japanese but was recently released in English and the clothing is beautiful. The shapes are simple but modern-looking. The embellishments are few - it should be right up my alley. I just didn't think that the clothing looked all that practical for kids in my climate. And I thought the style of the hoodie was just off somehow. The chopped sleeves, the angular hood, I just didn't love it. At first...

 But it appears as though I was being mighty short-sighted. 

The hoodie is cute and it's comfy. The finishing details are smart but not too fussy. 

I chose a Heather Ross print from a couple of years ago. It has the itsy bitsy spider and her song on it - it's really darling and it was precious to me. I've been hoarding it:) 

The fabric was perfect for this project. It's a lightweight linen/cotton blend and it drapes beautifully plus it behaves really well under the iron and needle. It's been a long time since I've used a no-fuss fabric. The brown dot fabric is from some yardage that I got at a yard sale. Isn't it sweet? I'm really excited about how it looks with the pink. I almost left the drawstring off because I thought that it was an unessecary embellishment but I think it actually adds some needed shape and comfort to the garment. 

I'll be making more of these. It's the perfect summer swim/sun coverup and I really dig the shape. Plus! My boy is totally getting the short end of the stick these days when it comes to the mama-mades (his deer fabric got here today, I must get cutting!) so I'm in the market for a boy print in the linen. There's a purple itsy bitsy, I think...

And I'm totally hooked on the book. There are pants, dresses and skirts that will be on my cutting table just as soon as I can get everything traced. 

Joining Frontier Dreams today over here:)

Stitching Softies ala Posie Gets Cozy

This is Miss Dandelion Doe. She is one of four new kits available for sale from Alicia Paulson of Posie Gets Cozy. 

She is being called by her full, formal name in our household and is, according to the boy, in desperate need of a brother/husband (he makes no distinction between the two). 

I've gotten softie kits before, not many but a couple and never actually pursued them to the finish. Alicia's kits, though, well there's some kind of magic in the little package. No detail has been spared. The head, ears and limbs were all so carefully drawn. The nose is just the right, slightly rounded shape. The legs are springy and long - just as they should be. 

The project comes together relatively quickly but I wanted to take my time. It was important to me that the shapes not be compromised by greedy, bulbous knots at the ends. And the little creature captured the hearts of my littles almost immediately. I wanted them to join in the fun.

I did all of the stitching this time, although my daughter was desperate to get the needle in her hands and next time I will relent. She did all of the stuffing. And after doing so, unable to wait for me to stitch limbs to the body, the kids played with her undressed and with one leg for a whole weekend:) 

The instructions provided with the kit are complete and easy to understand. But my experience with the blanket stitch and with sewing softies together by hand is limited. Plus it always helps me to have a couple of references to use when I'm trying something new.

Wool Foods Mama's  Toy Maker University Series includes a three part tutorial dedicated to making felt toys using the blanket stitch, starting with a simple project and working up to a very cool playscape at the end. I referred to this a couple of times while I was making Miss Dandelion Doe, particularly the part about beginning, ending and going around corners. 

The most difficult part of the project, for me, was the tiny clothes making.The kit came with a beautiful Liberty Lawn, which I waited to cut into. I wanted to make a muslin first. For this dress, I used Riley Blake's Swiss Dots in Gray, leftover from some the sewing that I did for the Squam sale.

The reason that the sewing is difficult on the tiny hems is that because the pieces are small, the machine has little chance to gain purchase. If you start sewing the seam too close to the edge, the fabric might get eaten up. I staystitched the curves and hems to get a good pressing line and worked slowly and carefully throughout.  I held onto both of the needle's threads when I began a seam and even tugged a bit at the fabric on both sides of the presser foot as I sewed.

I made her boots out of scraps that I had leftover from this tote and others like it. 

Her shawl is not perfect - a friend once told me, though, that each project should contain a "spirit stitch". That is, evidence of the human who made it. So I finished the shawl anyway and tied it on:) There was enough yarn in the kit to make one that was maybe even double the size - I may make a larger one next time. 

Once she was done, the kids and I thought that Miss Doe needed a quilt. Quilt making is also on my list this summer. I've now made three tops but have yet to finish any of them! So I used this opportunity to make a sort of swatch quilt out of some catnap scraps that I had left over also from the Squam sale. Plus a bit of Nani Iro fabric from my daughter's dress in STYLO magazine. 

Best project ever! And the most loved by my littles project ever. Longest post ever...

Joining Nicole and company over here today:)

Joining the Small Things readers and knitters today too and in honor of that - a brief plug for one of the best books that I have ever read, ahem listened too... Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward was the National Book Award winner in 2011. The book is about a family in the weeks before Hurricane Katrina. The subject matter is dark but the story is so beautifully written. I could not stop listening to it. And although I chose it in order to better acquaint myself with contemporary southern authors, I soon forgot about that and became completely absorbed in the beauty of the language and in the pure, whole-hearted relationships between the siblings. In my opinion, it is a must read. 

Summer Solstice in Snapshots

 

Nettie Part Deux

Ladies all over sewing webland have been stitching up the Nettie.  There have been Netties in stretch lace, Netties for roughing it in the Outback , and a cropped Nettie... 

This Nettie is the first one that I sewed before I made this one. And it turned out to be a totally wearable muslin. The sizing is right on, no need for alterations. I wasn't too sure about the length at first - I tend to like things on the shorter side of above the knee. But I think that the slim fit lends itself to the longer length. 

The fabric is some that I've been hanging onto for awhile and it ended up being the perfect match for this project. It was really a fast sew. The pattern for this version comes with just three pattern pieces (excluding the neckline binding, which I always just cut without a pattern piece). It goes together just like a t shirt would. I used the zig zag stitch on my regular sewing machine and left the sleeves unhemmed. I think that this would make an excellent first sewing with knits project. 

So, now it's time to vote. Will you pick me? The voting is easy - just head over here and "like" your top three favorites. 

And if you're local - will you consider making one? Let's sew some up, and go out! Because you know that I can't head out in this on my own.

Of Dreams and Bones

For my brother and I, The Garden Song (Or inch by inch, row by row) sung by Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seeger was the song of summer.  While it blared out of the cassette player in our mom's navy blue Ford Fiesta, we sang. The windows were rolled down. The snacks were packed and we were likely headed to the beach where we spent many days floating around atop an inflatable crocodile, Johnny. 

The tune is still so good. Have you heard it? If you don't already own it, please go and download it this minute. There is such hope and humor in Arlo Guthrie's voice, the variety of which I have never heard anywhere since. Your kids will love it, you will love it. Go and get it. You won't be sorry:)

Transition, for us, is the song of the season. Both of the kids seem so old suddenly. The season itself will change with the solstice on Saturday. And as usual things are just moving way to fast. 

In a vain attempt to hold a bit of the good times in my stitching hands, I have been hand sewing and knitting like crazy. Stitching outside last week touched off a nerve in me and somehow Miss Dandelion Doe is simply springing off of the needles. You can see a sneak peak of her in her polka dot dress and leather bootie on my instagram feed.

After completing my Feather Sweater, I was having a bit of trouble deciding on what to begin next. I have worn the Feather Sweater so much that I decided to stick with Joji. I cast on her Seacoast and so far, so good. It is, apparently, a very quick knit - making it a good summer project to drag along to the beach (where there are no black flies).    

I'm joining Small Things readers to yarnalong today so here is a peek at the Seacoast and at what I've been reading. 

Shantaram is my favorite book. Its audio version is more than 40 hours long and I have listened to it several times. It was first recommened to me years ago. And I have never encountered a book that better captured my attention. It is an autobiographical epic about an Australian man who escaped prison and fled to Bombay where he meets philosophers,  mafia thugs, slum dwellers, human traffickers and other dark business-doers. My husband and I both have enjoyed it several times over and recommend it to anyone who will listen. 

And because, like knitting projects, I like to have several books going at the same time, I have also been reading Beyond the Beautiful Forevers and NW. 

What are you working on during these fleeting summer days?

This is It!

Me, attempting some hand-stitching on a beautiful spring day at Squam. Photo source: Maya Made.

It has been over a week since I returned home from my second annual trip to Squam Art Workshops. I've waited to blather on about it because the task of capturing the profundity of it all is staggering and because I am sure to fall short.  

Nighttime knitting in our cabin. Photo source: Julie Dillion

When we arrived the first night, excited and anxious, wondering what was coming next, we were greeted by the retreat's founder Elizabeth, who directed our attention to a handmade banner that read: "This is It!" She reminded us that the retreat would be best approached with an open heart and with no expectations.

I needed to hear it. I knew it to be true, but still, the charge that "this was it" was both comforting and terrifying to me. I knew that in the quiet and calm of the New Hampshire woods I would certainly have the opportunity to rest and to stitch but that I would probably miss my family too and that the time and space might allow for thinking about things that were hard. 

That being said, this trip, like the last, was primarily joy-filled. My cabinmates were hilarious and whole-hearted in their efforts to help and care for one another. I whiled the hours happily away with my roomate who is a  gifted writer, a truly generous soul, and a night owl. We could not have been more skillfully matched. There was yarn bombing galore - toadstools poking out from the underbrush, canoes in sweaters, large stones wrapped in handknits, nothing is safe...

 The things that I made were humble but carefully crafted. I spent one day working through different methods for making short rows. If you are a knitting nerd you know what short rows are, but if not - they are used for adding shape to garments and they are all the rage. You can use short rows to add a bit of ease in to the bust of a sweater (as in the swatch example below), you could use them to shape a hem or neckline, I did so here. Here is another example of short row shaping used to make the overlapping circular fronts of a sweater. Gudrun Johnston taught the class. She was charming and clever. It was a dream to meet her. 

 I spent two more half days learning to print on upcycled fabric with the luminous Maya Donenfeld. We then used our printed fabric to stitch up a couple of pouches. The stitching was done primarily by hand and primarily out-of-doors. I loved the freedom to get away from the machines and to be outside. 

 The retreat is celebrated on the last night with an art fair. There were many rare treats to be found  there including the gorgeous knitting tools sold by Fringe Supply Co. and Cal Patch's original designs to name a couple. I was thrilled to be included as a vendor this year too. It was such a fun way to meet people. One sweet woman (Angela, are you out there?) even admitted that she had recognized me from the blog. Wow!!! And I met others who I had connected with via Instagram. Sometimes I love you so much social media...

Photo Source: Heather Classen.

I think that Elizabeth's reminder, that - this is it! is so totally right on. And, I think that if you're thinking of attending Squam, there is one thing that you CAN expect. The group is relatively diverse, last year I met my dear friend Felicia from Australia and this year, Maltina, from Germany. In spite of their diverse reasons for being at Squam, though, one simple thing is sure, each attendee is there to make time for art. We make time for art. 

And you? How are you making time for art this summer?

Joining Frontier Dreams today over here:)

Coppelia Top

I love to sew kids clothing. It's so forgiving. And the utility of it is so rewarding. They grow, you sew. For the most part, they are accepting of your stitching mishaps and charge happily out into the mud puddles wearing whatever color and combination piqued their interest that day. Made by Rae has deemed that June is #madeforkidsmonth  on Instagram. The challenge is simple: capture your kids in the handmades in a combination of their choosing and toss a picture up. No pressure to have the littles posed or in hairdos. It's been so fun. My kids tend to wear their handmades every day (we hardly ever buy kids clothes anymore) but they do so in combinations that are very different than what I might choose for them. It's great to see all the sewn-for littles expressing themselves:)

When I started sewing, though, long before I had any littles, I was sewing for me. I wanted to sew clothes for me. Although I didn't technically participate in Me Made May, I was inspired by all of the pretty things that sewists were making for themselves. I produced a whirlwind of garments in between the sewing-for-sale that I did for the Squam Art Fair and well, here is one of my favorite finished  pieces. 

It's the Coppelia Wrap Top by Papercut Patterns. I'm afraid that my modeling doesn't do the top justice. Modeling clothing is still so painful for me... But the top is to die for . It's so, so comfy and flattering. I made mine in a supersoft knit from Drygoods. The same stuff that I used for her here. It's tough to see in the photos but the fabric is white with a tiny gray stripe. Here's some pictures closer up to give you a feel for the fabric. 

I found the sizing to be right on although next time I might size up and add a little length to the torso. Papercut makes such smart, modern patterns. I'm already plotting my next make using their Anima pants pattern. And do check out Kristin's hoodie from their collection. 

Just as soon as I can work up the courage to model another garment I will. Any tips?

Feather Sweater

 

Just before traveling early this month, I finished Joji Locatelli's fresh new sweater pattern: Feathers in the Wind.

The pattern features a cozy stand up collar and a beautiful lace yoke. The increases for the sleeves are almost invisibly worked into the lace patttern. 

I had originally begun this pattern using a gray yarn, which would have shown off the lacework better. But I spied this bright green while on  vacation and couldn't resist it after the long gray winter that we had. The only modification that I made to the pattern was to lenghthen and loosen the cuffs. I didn't reduce the stitch count when I got to them and made them extra long inspired by Maddermade's signature cuff style. 

This sweater embraces all of my favorite sweater attributes: top-down construction, sport weight yarn, pretty details but still rugged enough for daily use and a good fit. Plus this yarn is the best. I don't love all of the wild colorways, I wish that their semi-solids in earthy colors were more readily available. But! The yarn doesn't pill, it blocks out obediently and it's super-duper soft. 

 

My Ravelry notes are here. 

Joining Ginny (do check out her finished Follow Your Arrow!!)  and Nicole today. What are you knitting on?

Home

I am here. I just returned home from a week of magic in the New Hampshire woods. And in the weeks preceeding there was so, so much sewing but no time for the blog kind of sharing. I feel so grateful for having had the opportunity to participate in the beauty of Squam again. And  I'm really glad to be home and to be joining the other parents on the bleachers for a season of tee ball. 

There was a crafting extravaganza before I left and between making for sale and making to wear, I have so much that I want to share. In the meantime, though, I am soaking up the long summer days by watching my littles and kissing my date. 

How are you passing these well-earned summer days?