By Brienne

Why I Sew (and Knit)

This post was originally featured on the Kids Clothes Week Blog last February:)

I spend as much time as I can making things. And even when I can’t, it consumes my thoughts. And kids things in particular. As I considered this post over the last few weeks, I couldn’t come up with exactly what it was that compels me to make. Compulsion is the nature of it, to be sure – but why?

There was a time when my marriage was new and my babies were both so little and unfamiliar that hand-making helped me to make sense of domesticity – a concept that I had always flailed hard against.

But that’s not why for me anymore.

As I worked on this leather-feathered vest (using this pattern), I finished listening to a novel, The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey. About midway through, the book’s writer answered this question for me and much more eloquently than I could have.

“In the evenings, she lit a lamp and unfolded the fabric on the table. Following the pattern offered a kind of comfort, a quiet balance [to her day's work which was] coarse, exhausting [and unpredictable]. Sewing was different. She knew if she was patient and meticulous, if she carefully followed the lines, took each step as it came, and obeyed the rules, that in the end when it was turned right-side out, it would be just how it was meant to be (205-6).”

That passage about a woman sewing a coat for a child is one that I’ll be thinking about for a long time. Even though she’s musing there about stitching, the passage also contributes to the book’s persistent theme of impermanence. The stitching, it helps us to cope with the fleeting nature of things. Of kids and of youth and of thwarted meant-to-bes. And, I think, that’s why I do it.

 Joining Frontier Dreams readers today over here:) And the Small Things knitters over here:)

 

Perspective

More and more, my son has been reaching for my camera. It's always been my intention to share photo taking with them but I've never been very good at including them. It's heavy, it's fragile, I'm lazy. 

I'm working on letting him in, though. So, yesterday - when I heard the shutter clicking, I resisted the urge to caution him or to tell him that today was not a good day for it.

He took these in the sewing room yesterday and although, like many moms, I have a deep fear of camera lenses - I am saving them. 

I was fortunate to participate in a photography class with Thea Coughlin last summer. The camera technique was over my head (due in NO part to her instruction - I was just out of it that day:). But the classwork  also included material about the spirit of photography and so much of what she and the other students shared really stuck with me. 

I hesitate to try to narrate the details because her presentation was so well articulated. Do help yourself to one of her classes one day, you'll not be sorry!

Suffice it to say that Thea encouraged us all to be photographed. She shared a slideshow with us of her mom, who - like me and practically everyone else in the class, did not appreciate having her picture taken. Her mom is now gone. And she reminded us that those photos are for our families - who are not likely to look back on them with disdain over imperfect skin or the way that their mama looked in jeans. 

If you're curious about Thea or her photography projects, or if you're a mom, or a blogging mom, or an aunt or a grandma or a sister, check out her across the room project. Just head on over there and read a bit of what she has to say. It will do your sweet soul some good. Be sure to have your kleenex close at hand. 

Love this one he took of his sister, hard at work. 

Do you let yourself be photographed? How do you get past the discomfort? 

P.S. I was working on a Brigitte Needles and Notions Pouch . I need about four or so of these, upsized in order to fit my longer double points. 

 

Joining the Small Things readers today - head on over for loads of knitterly inspiration. 

Let them be.

I finished up some knitting last week, a quick Barley cap to block out the balance of the winter cold.  

The snow turned into rain. 

This transition was a thrill for the littles. They couldn't wait to try their limbs out in this new medium. 

This is how we wash away the winter. 

I've been mulling over this article in the Atlantic all week... Have you read it? 

I always fret about, well everything. But parenting in particular. While I fret, they grow. Scratching out meaning on their own. 

If you need an extra dose of funny this week, be sure to give this hilarious short story your ear: We are Fine Parents  by John Jodzio. 

What are you working on?

Joining Frontier Dreams readers today. Thanks to Nicole for hosting:)

Figgy's Heavenly Tour: Celestial Duds

It's happening, it's happening! I'm the next stop on the Figgy's Tour today in tandem with Frances of  Miss Matabi.

I'm so excited to be included in the tour and I'm really excited to share some samples of these great patterns with you. It turns out, that I've actually made several items from the collection already but let's start with the garments that I made for the tour. First up, a Celestial Maxi Skirt for Hiver.

 Shelly's patterns are carefully drafted, exampled and well detailed. The garments are simply yet distinctively shaped. I was drawn to the maxi skirt because of it's potential for embellishment. The contours of the skirt make it fun for swishing but the curve in the front and back leave the legs free for climbing. I've been saving up this pink Nani Iro for some time - love, love!! I'd like to make it a staple... And this skirt seemed like the perfect use for it. The fabric was a little bit coarse-feeling and sheer, so I decided to line the skirt with a really soft white baby rib and to let the layer hang out underneath. I wanted the skirt to look easy and not too formal. And as you know, I'm a sucker for layers. Somebody stop me.

I chose to add a wide waistband, instead of attaching decorative elastic. I didn't have access to any and I really liked the gold polka dot paired with the pink. Because of the waistband, I ended up shearing off quite a bit from the bottom to get the right length. Shelly advises taking careful measurements to decide where on your skirt-wearer you want the skirt to fall and I should have. I wasted a bit of fabric here because I didn't think it through, um measure... So much for my resolutions....

I added buttonholes and a drawstring too. I wrapped the string with embroidery floss using this tutorial. 

Next I stitched up the Celestial Pullover in a soft lavender fleece. I wasn't sure that the fleece would work, it's not very stretchy - but it passed the 20% stretch test, which is what the pattern calls for. It's so super cozy and the short sleeves are a smart complement to the cowl neck. She had it on outside today and with hands in the pockets and the temperature stretching into the teens, it was just the perfect thing.

I topstitched the pockets too, to keep them from shifting below the hem and to give the top some detail. 

Below are the other things that I've made so far from the collection.  

 

1. Ambulance Pants 2. Ethereal Dress w/ Exposed Zipper 3. Valentines Day Duds

Now! A couple more things - I know you're already stuffed. After you've gone on ahead and picked up the new Figgy's Collection (it's on sale!) Head right on over to check out Frances's post. And then, head to her shop and get some fabric - it is so, so gorgeous. And her customer service is dynamite. Seriously. Plus, she's got fabric on sale right now too. Woot!

And be sure to check out what these fine sewists are stitching up. Don't foget to enter the giveaway at the end of this post! 

P.S. I am not in any way affiliated with well, anybody. I just think that Shelly is the bees knees and her patterns would make you happy. Regarding Miss Matabi, I just love her selection and have had excellent sales experiences with her in the past. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How to Hack Your Flashback: Part I

 

The pattern that I have used more than any other pattern is Made by Rae's Flashback Tee. When I was first learning to sew (am still definitely learning) and to sew with knits, I tried this pattern. Because of the high quality and versatility of the pattern, I succeeded in hacking together a couple of t shirts for my son. And they went together so quickly that I didn't have to dwell in the discomfort that early sewing with knits can be. They allowed me to zip along, experimenting and practicing while creating something both totally practical and totally upcycleable. I was in love. 

I'm getting a bit braver now. But I still find myself returning to this pattern time and again, though now I tend to want to monkey with it a bit - just for fun. My latest experiment with the pattern was to make it into an empire-waist dress for my daughter. She prefers dresses to pants and I was scrambling to figure out how to make one that made sense within the confines of these freezing temperatures. 

This Spoonflower fabric by Hey Tangerine was nice and heavy. It seemed like a good fit for a winter dress. It used to be called interlock but it doesn't say that anymore - still it feels like an interlock and it sews up like that too. Totally cozy, totally easy to stitch on. 

 In terms of hacking the pattern: 

I used the bodice of a dress that I liked the fit of to estimate where the Flashback Tee pattern should be cut. I was making a size 2 and I ended up making the cuts on both the front and back pattern pieces about 2.5" below the armpits. See the black line on the pattern piece to the far left? 

I cut two skirt pieces on the fold that were each approximately twice as wide as the bodice piece is once it's unfolded. The bodice was aout 12" across, so I cut two skirt pieces out at 24" each. The skirt length was about 16". In retrospect, I wish that I'd have made it a bit longer.

I gathered each skirt piece and then attached them to the bodice BEFORE sewing up the side seams. I find that when you do this, you can make the gathering more even. 

I finished the dress just as I would a standard Flashback Tee, the only difference being that I made the neckband a half inch narrower than the pattern calls for because I wanted a daintier neckline. And I hemmed the sleeves instead of adding cuffs because I wanted another long-sleeve shirt to fit easily underneath the dress for warmth. Today she's wearing it with a high low top underneath and the fit is great!

Have you made other variations of this pattern? I'm hoping to do an A-line dress next with an exposed zipper...

Edited to add: Megan Nielsen has offered up an idea for easily gathering knit fabric by putting elastic thread on your bobbin. I think that her method would be the best way to gather your skirt pieces before adding them to the bodice in this case. Go check it out!

Thanks to Frontier Dreams for providing a space to share.

And don't forget to enter a comment to be entered in the giveaway from yesterday's post!!

Flashback Hack: Hi-Low Swing Top

I tend not to buy my kids clothes - since I love to sew them. This is impracticle at times. My daughter has grown (surprise) since I last sewed her some practical winter tops. She does have two winter sweaters that she's taken to wearing  over the top of one another in lieu of shirts. It's a little grim, although I'm thrilled that she likes her handknits.

I remembered I had made this riff on a flashback tee back in October but didn't like the neck and never really put it into circulation.
 

I decided to dig out the pieces and give it another go. These go together so quickly (the raglan sleeve is a breeze due to its straight lines) and the shape is great because it layers over a dress easily. 

First in a grey stripe with elbow patches. 

 

 

Then in strawberries for her. 

Her brother wants in on the picture taking. Come to think of it, I am slacking on the boy duds. Better get with it. 

These should hold us until KCW. 

Collaboration: Winter Layers

At the risk of sounding very dull and very Midwestern - I must report that we are into the dreaded days of winter that never get above ten below zero. We spend our time primarily cooped up indoors,  darting  outside intermitedly to jump cars and to make sure that the chicken's combs remain unfrozen. These days often provide an opportunity to experiment with new ideas, though, this week by way of painting and pattern drafting. 

The Kids Clothes Week blog just announced its winter dates and with that in mind I am busy scheming up some clothes for my littles. I am always trying to think of ways to include them while I'm making things and these textile markers seemed like the perfect way to do it. 

I've been working on drafting a pattern inspired by a ready-to-wear dress and I finished up a version of it that I'm relatively pleased with but it needed something. I tried beading it and thought about applique - dip dyeing? We couldn't really wait. My girl is in desperate need of layers to go over tights and was way willing  to be a contributer.

With that in mind, we got to work making it hers. Both of the kids really enjoyed painting on a new medium and I think the result is pretty cool. I still have to make something from my son's painting - maybe a dolman-style top? His illustration is pretty wide, so it won't work on a flashback tee, which is typically my go-to for a quick fix. 

 For now, she's got a flouncy layer and some wearable art. And I've got some work to do to get the arm shape right and maybe to add some sleeves...

Thanks to Frontier Dreams for providing a space to share. 

 

Winter on the Shore

Everything Old is New Again

It's been hectic. We traveled this week to visit family and weather has been, well - wintery. We made two 10 or so hour car trips in three days. Although the travel was a bit harrowing, our time with family was restful AND I all but finished one sweater


And cast on another...


Our main gift to the kids was carpet squares for their bedroom, which they were actually very excited about.


In addition to the carpet, I did refresh their space a bit, adding a new reading/resting nook - knowing that they would need a refuge after the holiday craziness.


I had also meant to order a toy cash register but forgot and so, on the day before Christmas, I had to improvise. I moved jingling bells from their unreachable spot near the tree and added it to their play stand. I unearthed a set of Irresistible Numbers that I had made a couple of years ago (to use as play money) plus some play food that had also been stored over the summer.






And I found some apples that I had knitted awhile back to round it all out.


We had a small celebration for Hiver's birthday last night. It was good to be home and to be ourselves. If the girl wants to wear a bathing suit on her birthday, even though it's 10 below outside - it's alright with me.


Were your holidays mostly happy or harrowing?

Around Here

Drafting a pattern for a little girl dress - using rainbow blocks. Note to self: must purchase a set of cheap french curves.

Quick sewing for and dressing up the extra bedroom for holiday guests.

Casting on this but dreaming of this and this.

Using glitter (for the first time) and embracing the mess. Oh! The mess...