By Brienne

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?

How to Hack your Nettie

I've been hearing about Nettie. Have you? Nettie is this great new bodysuit pattern by Heather Lou of the Closet Case Files. This pattern was right up my alley for so many reasons but primarily because I have invested a small fortune in those slinky little "body con" tops from Free People and the like. Many of them are too print or straptastic for me but others are just the perfect thing to layer over leggings or under a big sweater. I discovered them while I was pregnant and they have become a staple. It's time to make my own.  As I mentioned, the Nettie in it's true form is a bodysuit with several different sleeve length or neck options. It can also be made as a dress. I made two this past weekend. This was the second one and I decided to toy with the shape a bit. 

I wanted a dress with a bit of ease over my middle. I wanted the hem to curve up on the sides. In order to achieve this, I decided where I wanted the bodice to hit my waist (this took a couple of try's) and then I drew a curved line with the highest point on the hip and the lowest point on the abdomen or fold line. I cut the bodice away from the skirt on this new line. I mimicked this same shape on the skirt piece for the hem. 

Then, I cut out the new, shortened bodice as directed. But when I cut out the curvy skirt piece, I moved the pattern piece six inches from the fold - adding 12 new inches of fabric for gathering. Does that make sense? Here is a close up of the hack job.  I am a fool and left my tension at it's highest after gathering the skirt - so most of the garment was sewn at this tension grrrrr!! But I still really like it. I'd be happy to take pictures of my altered pattern pieces if it's useful to anyone. More Nettie's to come! 

My Shift of Focus

I made this sweater last spring and I never shared it. What makes me really love it now is that it's been worn - and I am tough on my handknits. I sleep in them regularly (just ask my family), do the dishes in them, mix cocktails in them, bathe kids, feed chickens, dig in the dirt in them. Not all handknits are up to the pigpen in me but this one is. I just drug it out to snap some pictures of it, no blocking, no shaving - no maintenance at all in a whole year. The neck could probably use some steaming, it's getting pretty wide but otherwise, I'm kind of amazed by this little sweater.

If you're looking for a quick spring knit, I recommend! It's Veera Valimaki's Shift of Focus. My Ravelry notes are here. 

Hello, Wiksten.

So, I'm a little late to the party but just the same I wanted to make a couple of spring things for myself this weekend. I've had the Wiksten pattern in my stash for awhile now. And I've long admired beautiful versions like this one and this one and this one floating about the interwebs. My first two attempts, though, were a bust. Too long, too wide, too boxy, and with a naughty little unhemmable hem to boot. 

This was a tough one. But I feel moderately pleased with it. I love this fabric. And the fit - for the most part. I would sheer off a bunch of length if I were to make it again.

I ended up cutting out and making three sizes before I settled on this fit. I used a size that was two sizes smaller than what I measured at and I narrowed the shoulders by more than two inches using Rae's instructions. 

 

Woot! One wearable item made by me for spring...

Are you doing any selfish sewing these days? If so, please feel free to leave a link. I'd love to see what you're stitching on. 

Join me over at Frontier Dreams, too if you'd like to share what you're working on!

Shades of Me: Project Pink

I did it. I made something for myself in pink. Honestly, this project was so quick to sew - I don't know what took me so long. I have spent a fortune this week on patterns and have spent hours in the sewing room after bedtime staring at fabric and taping together patterns (and maybe watching the Twilight movies again shh - seriously). Why is sewing for us so hard? Part of it, I know is that I don't have too many fabrics in more than one yard cuts (except for a lot of blue and black and gray) and although I love to mix it up and colorblock on the kids, I know I won't wear things that are too busy.

It's another Briar. My all-time favorite sewing pattern. I used leftovers from both the dancy duds and from the Goat Hoodie. I used Megan's tutorial for sewing in shoulder patches. 

Well! Now that that's out of my system, I think I'll go back to gray, and black and blue...

Knitted for Me: In Pink

 

I have a bit of sewing to share, in pink. But I wanted to get this out there too. This is the Ariosa Center Cable Dress. These grainy photos don't do it much justice but hopefully you will get the gist. I seem to pull this out around Valentine's Day every year. It's very warm and soft. 

It's a good reminder too, because as I consider my next selfish sewing move, I want to be realistic about what will get worn. I do love the idea of this tunic but I'm afraid it's both too bright and too bulky to make it into my regular wardrobe rotation. I'm finding that sport weight is the best sweater making fodder for me with an occasional well-behaved worsted weight thrown in. Both the yarn and pattern are beautiful, though, and it knitted up as written. 

Ravelry notes are here. What's in your color scheme this week?

Joining Frontier Dreams readers today. Thanks to Nicole for providing a space to share. 

Sewing for Me

I am excited to do some sewing for myself. As much as possible, I wear handmade. But it's been awhile since I've made anything for myself - since last April, actually. And my closet is a bit bare. I was excited to read about the Shades of Me project and I'm eager to participate. 

It's hard, though, for me - to decide what to make. So I am preparing in just the same way that I did for the KCW. Pulling out a few items that I really like to wear and trying to figure out what I need and where to go next. Although I know that part of the plan is to stretch ones self, I really didn't expect to do that. I am a blue/black/grey girl. Sometimes all at the same time with very little variation in between. No jewelry, except my wedding ring (which is both very plain and very precious to me) and I buy these tiny black beach rock stud earrings locally and by the pound. I wear them all the time.  When I started poking around in the stacks, though, I noticed a theme that's been emerging  without my really knowing it. 

Um, pink? I'm not sure... yikes. But there it is, screaming out from among the greys and browns and blues. Will it work with some neutrals to anchor it?

Upon further investigation, I discovered that this was not my first love affair with pink. I found this old friend buried deep in my closet.  Perhaps I should take the hint - being that this hot number has barely been worn, in spite of the beautiful yarn (given to me by my Dad a couple of years ago). 

What do you think? Should I stretch? Should I give it a go? What will you be making for your sweet self?

Head over to Kristin's post for a little more selfish sewing inspiration.