Cherry Tart Shrug - Part I

It doesn't look like much now, but hopefully it'll look a bit like this. If only I could look like the model!

I'm using Madelinetosh Tosh DK in Tart that I bought from Eat.Sleep.Knit a couple of weeks ago. So far the only modification that I've determined to do is not do the texture on the sleeves. My arms are big enough without any help!

After having Debra, I joined a group of knitters that meet once a week in Monroe. They have become good friends of mine. At the end of February we have a field trip to Mississippi planned. We will be visiting a yarn shop in Yazoo City and in Jackson. I'm hoping to have my shrug finished in time to wear.

Miss. D's Mary De - Part I

After finishing Debra's last dress on Monday I cut out another before putting away my cutting board and other supplies. The pattern, Children's Corner Mary De, is one I have owned since Hannah was a baby - literally.


Mary De is a back wrap dress held closed by two buttons. It can be made with a high yoke and smocked or with a low yoke and embellished or left plain. This is a great pattern to have in your collection (you know you have one). Without the smocking or any embellishments this dress can easily be made the night before the baby shower or birthday party. It's a great way to showcase a small amount of novelty print or a special, way-too-expensive fabric. It can even be turned around, so that it wraps in the front. I can not begin to tell you how much I love this pattern.

This version will be made with the gingham as the main fabric with a strip of the pin tucked fabric at the bottom of the yoke and around the bottom of the skirt.

I prepared the yoke by placing a strip of the pin-tucked fabric right side facing the right side of the yoke about 1.5" above the bottom seam line.


I then sewed 1/4" from the seam of the pin-tucked fabric.


I then ironed the pin-tucked strip downwards so that the right side was facing outward. I then sewed 3/8" from the seam-line.


More to come....

Dark Chocolate Beret

I made a beret for myself, using the same pattern (Ravelry link) as Debra's beret. This one is made in Debbie Bliss' Cashmerino Aran in Chocolate. I made the adult - extra slouchy version, but I think that I would have been happier with the regular adult version.

Oh well, live and learn!

Apron Refashion

Ever since I received this apron (all the way from Australia!) Rachael has been begging for me to give it to her.

The top portion has finally become too stained and the apron needed to be retired. After some consideration, I decided that the bottom could be salvaged and it could easily become a half-apron, perfect for Rachael.

I cut the apron off 5" above the scallops, cut a 1" piece for the waistband and cut off the ties for re-use. I gathered the wrong side of the skirt to the right side of the waistband, turned the waistband strip to the right side, turned under 1/4" and then top-stitched the opening closed. Before stitching the ends of the waistband closed I slipped the apron ties into them and then sewed those closed.

I also ripped off one of the pockets from the scraps, cut it down 2" and sewed it back on at an angle.


And now I have very happy little girl with a "new" apron for playing "Restaurant."

Frannie Baby - Finished

Today was very productive! I finished up the dress from Frannie Baby and even made up the bloomers that are included with the pattern.




As you can see, I did use the gingham for bows at the underarms seams but did not put an applique on the dress. I feel that the dress would look better with one, but I am not going to rip open the side seams and the hem to add an applique to the dress (I did try to add on by just going through the side seams - didn't work).

The baby shrug is this one that I made way back in April of last year! I had always heard that Debbie Bliss's patterns ran large. I can now tell you that is the truth. Debra is in the 50% for her age group, the shrug is a 6 -9 month size, she's 8 months and she seems to be swimming in yarn. Take a look for yourself:


The bloomers for this outfit were finished off at the legs with vintage lace that had yellowed considerably, the lace is almost as yellow as the fabric. A pink ribbon at the center back lets me know which side is the back and then I finished the seams with French seams for a nice clean inside.

When I made the shrug, I had 1.5 skeins left over of Debbie Bliss's Cashmerino Aran in Light Denim and this size, the smallest, used approximately 96 yds (1 skein). I've recently been on a hat making kick and decided that this outfit needed a hat to complete the look. Kate Oates of Tottoppers has recently introduced a new line of more adult hats. The Dindy pattern (Ravelry link) is the first release and comes in infant through adult sizes. I choose this pattern because it's just so cute and oh my, on my precious little girl it's even cuter (no, I'm not prejudiced)!





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I also have another dress cut out and sitting on my sewing desk. Hopefully, after schoolwork tomorrow I'll get that one sewn up!

Frannie Baby - Part II

Well, I can really tell that it has been quite some time since I made and sewed piping! My piping skillz need a serious refresher course.


So far I've only made one modification to the dress and that is at the underarms. The pattern calls for you to make two buttonholes on each side of the underarm seam, stitch a casing and then run two bias tubes through. You can then pull the bias tubing tighter at the underarms (causing the gathers) and tie them into a bow. Instead of doing this, I choose to run a 5" length of elastic. I'm still going to put the bows, but they will be permanently tied and stitched to the dress. I'm also thinking that the dress itself needs a little something. I'm considering a flower applique or something of that nature.

Maybe it's me, but this dress looks very retro. It may be the fabric, the pattern, or the combination of the two together.

Starting to Sew Again

I think that my last post about sewing was about a dress that I was going to sew for Rachael and two knit purses that I needed to add lining and handles to. Well, I frogged the purses and have plans to use the yarn in a couple of other projects. The dress is currently residing in the trash can. There was absolutely no way that I was going to sew Rachael a dress after hearing, "You know, I just don't like dresses any more." Glad to hear that BEFORE I started sewing, thankyouverymuch!

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Frannie Baby - Part I

During my pregnancy I knit a couple of little sweaters in anticipation of Debra's arrival. Since the sweaters are in the 6 - 12 month range, and Debra is 8 months, I figured that I had better get some dresses made up to go with them.

First up is this sweet little yellow print.



The pattern is Children's Corner's Frannie Baby in a 12 month size. The neckline and arms will be piped with a blue/gray and the bows on the sides will be gingham.


After cutting out my fabric I needed to prepare my piping. Somehow the string that I have always used for mini-piping went "missing." I picked out a sport-weight yarn as a substitute from my yarn stash and got busy.


First, I needed to cut my bias fabric strips - I totally cheated. The fabric has pin tucks already sewn on the bias. I just followed the pin tucks when cutting my bias strips.


I then ripped out the pin tucks on each strip and ironed each one. The fold marks did not come out completely, but I figured that it wouldn't be noticeable after making the piping and I was right!


More to come....