NPRINS

Dear readers, I finally finished the Jennifer Stern Khakis pattern (in charcoal) that I cut out over 90 days ago.  In the above picture I paired the pants with a charcoal jacket (that is similar but not exact match). If you're a follower of the blog - you may know I'm a big fan of Jennifer Stern patterns.  In fact, my TNT Jeans pattern is Jennifer Stern - so I used that pattern to ensure that the sizing was correct and used the same crotch seam for this pair - so I knew I would have a good fit without a toile.   I made a mistake in the waistband (easing it in) but found excess material (unusual for me) to remake it without the ease.  Pictures were difficult due to the Pixie and Paddy being a little too excited, Pixie above. The fabric is a grey stretch charcoal denim-like material bought in the denim/duck/khaki section of Mood LA  -  I never wear khakis myself due to the similarity in features to the Croc Hunter, Steve Irwin.  I had some execution problems with the zipper so yo

Dear readers,          After my khaki/black jeans fiasco - and since my sew-jo was back - I needed a quick fix.  And, satisfied that itch by making roll-up pillowcases, a technique expounded by my friend (unfortunately a non-blogger) Francine.  Please ignore the fact - these are indeed Christmas themed (and it's the end of January); we're not going to worry about that right now:)   After perfecting the technique - the pillowcases took less than 15 minutes each (the first took 20 - the second 10 minutes (if that).  I found this 7 minute You Tube video to be the best tutorial for my learning style: Ridiculously easy with finished seams.   So, much easier than the pillowcases I used with other tutorials.  The Kerries do like them.  I bought new pillows to show off the cases as well. I got my quick fix and am now hungry for other quick fixes:  Pencil cases, little Kindle cases - oh the anticipation. I finally washed my quilt after four months, and I must admit I like the crinkled p

Dear readers, I left my wonderful tailored and cut out my TNT Jennifer Stern (J Stern)  jeans/khaki pattern fabric out for about 3 months.  Last night, I attempted sewing them - wonderful.  The pattern went together wonderfully in just over an hour with just the waistband and hem to finish.   I decided to wait until morning.  The fabric is a black denim-ish stretch fabric from Mood Fabrics .    I don't wear khaki (I resemble Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, a bit too literally when I do). What happened?   Well, I followed the pattern directions to "ease" in the waistband - although I have made her jeans and have never "eased" the waistband.   But, I did so in the morning.  Didn't try them on - wow.  Waistband way too tight.  So, I'm outta fabric - a trek to Mood in is order.   They fit wonderfully - and I can probably recover this fail (if I can find similar fabric). The offending pants and waistband: The pants, picture above, are recoverable. The offe

Dear readers, My first yarn bought (before I really learned to knit) - was three skeins of Liberty yarn.  I bought it after seeing similarly colored yarn in Sarasota, at A Good Yarn  (where they have yarn based on the local beaches, coastal and littoral features, and sea mammals, fish and corals.  I loved the agua and blue colors - so I bought the skein of Liberty wool thinking it was merely blue, yellow and light green with a hint of pink.  It turns out it is mostly pink. Just a hink of pink.  A tiny little row of pink . . .  No . . . mostly pink!  So, I continued to make the Easy Cowl in Any Gauge - like my last very successful cowl. I don't prefer the bright colors.  Even though the project turned out fine.  So, my friend Allyson volunteered to take it to her breast cancer fundraising store (hurray).  This yarn would be great for children/infants - but a bit too bright for my tastes. Yesterday I took Knit Fixes I - which teaches you to easily fix your mistakes (even very very la

Dear readers, I made a visit to Mood last week on my day off and it was brilliant - not done yet (so I didn't take pictures) but much easier to get to (off the 101 in Hollywood and then South on Vine, take a right on 3rd, and a left on La Brea and Mood is on your right.  It was much larger and had about 30 percent more fabric and notions.  I loved it.  I bought these fabrics: On the left, some seersucker (for a shift dress), in the middle, some vintage-y fabric for the button down shirt Craftsy class (tailored shirt) and more cotton for the class. Very unlike me - I wanted to splurge on some wools and knits.  But I didn't.  I was fiscally efficient (sadly).  But, what a wonderful location and fabulous store - more to follow. Over Christmas I made many more washcloths below (the patterns are Here, waffle knit dishcloth  and Here ):  Unfortunately, one blue curly Kerry was too interested in these items:  What? Dog Toys?  Yeah!! Apparently, knitting equals dog toys! P.

Dear readers, I decided to take the Seamless Pledge  for the next six months (until the July 4th weekend).  I'll reconsider over the 4th.  I don't really buy vintage/thrift (I'd like to  - no patience - and I live in thrift heaven "vintage Ventura").  So, I guess I'm gonna be sewing and knitting! Here is the pledge: THE RULES No buying new clothes for the duration of your pledge. By new, I mean any new mass-manufactured clothes. You can buy second-hand manufactured clothes – so be prepared to get to know your local charity shops awfully well. Vintage clothing is a-ok! Anything you’ve made by hand is definitely allowed. Get your sewing machines and your kntting needles out, because handmade is definitely in! Get involved! Join in on  the Flickr group  and like our  Facebook page . Elena will be looking to feature pledgers on the blog in the future. Elena would love to see your second-hand finds, refashions and hand-made creations! I don't "need" a

Dear Readers - I didn't do so well in 2012 on my Planned Project Goals  (where you can see how little I accomplished)   I completed only three projects our my fifteen planned (if you count cutting out a pattern as one, and a rather large quilt for one) my success rate is small - 5 percent.  5 percent?  really? really. But, I did learn to knit and had an extraordinarily busy year at work - which curtailed my sewing results.  So, this year is going to be different, I tell you! So, I am limiting my goals for 2013 (I'm "goal'd out" in other parts of my life). 1.  Expand my knitting skills.   I'd like to knit fingerless mitts (learn to use DPNs), a hat, socks, and eventually a sweater like this one.  The above pattern is free,  Susie's Reading Mitts , available at Ravelry (Thanks  Tanya of Sew Sassy Again for the link to this pattern ). The pattern is available for free at  Garn Studio , and here is the link to the  Celtica Shawl Cardigan from DROPS. . I'v