banksia - wip

The other garment I committed to make during my self imposed 'August is Buttons' is the Banksia top by Megan Nielsen.  Well, I've made a start.  The next step is the placket and the buttons, so I'm taking a bit of a  break from it now to return to my knitting. I'm using Liberty of London fabric I bought back in April .  It feels good to go into the stash.  I hope to finish this top next weekend, although we are planning another trip to the snow.  This time just for the day (Sunday) and to Mt Selwyn, which we haven't been to before but it is 'family' oriented and heaps cheaper than where we usually go, so it's worth checking out.

 

Drape Cardigan no. 15 again!

Much to the annoyance of Ben I made him take this photo of me.  We are off to the snow today (skiiing tomorrow not today) so this is my 'travel outfit'.  Liking this cardi - especially with the shorts. Last photo of the cardi, I promise.

Finished! Drape Cardigan no. 15

My mum thinks this fabric looks like a mangey dog and Oliver thinks it looks like snake (which I think is cool for him because he is so into Ninjago rise of the snakes).  Ben was also pretty dismissive of it, but you know what.  I think I like this cardigan.  Especially from the front.

This cardigan has been really fun to put together.  I mean it. The pattern is great and I love how the pattern has built in pockets.  It was also a great one to do in bits. Thursday night:  trace pattern. Friday night: cut fabric and sew seams together.  Saturday morning add trim and Saturday afternoon: buttons and button holes (all 7!!!).  Yep, here is a picture of some of my buttons.  Very proud.

I really like the pattern from the front, but there is a lot of bulk at the back which I'm not sure suits me 100%.  If I made it again, I might try to shorten it a bit at the back.

My bottom definitely looks big in it....but it is an interesting cardi and one that I think I will wear.

Drape Cardigan no 15 - the obsession begins

I was originally going to start my month of buttons aka "August is Buttons" with the Banksia top - I have the fabric, pattern and buttons... but on closer inspection of Drape Cardigan no 15 from She has a Mannish Style, it was impossible to go past this pattern.  I have become obsessed.  Just look at those shaped pattern pieces!

Last night I pulled out the tracing paper and got to work.  Yeeeesh.  I've traced a lot of patterns before but I had forgotten about this book - rivalled only be the Drape Drape series I think.  I'm all for saving a tree but would it really hurt to put in just one more page so the patterns aren't so hidden!!
I really must also invest in a Seam Allowance Guide!
I'd run out of wool for my dodgy lo-fi blanket, so luckily I was in the mood for some tracing in front of the tv while I watched the Olympics and the last two episodes of Mildred Pierce.  Has anyone seen this by the way and if so what did you think?
The other part of my obsession with this pattern is that I saw this jersey (very soft and very thin - not sure what type it is) at A2F a couple of weeks ago and then got it into my head that this would be the perfect material for this cardigan.  I raced in on the way to the swimming pool (basically leaving the car running with the boys in it) this afternoon and grabbed some.  It is now in the wash and while I'm not as obsessive about it now as I was this morning, I still think it is going to be a winner.  It is a bizarre cross between animal print (can you see that?) and preppy!

August is button month

I am ready for August!  To celebrate and taking a bit of a cue from Collete's how to develop good sewing habits I have decided that all the outfits I make this month will involve buttons!!  Yes buttons and specifically button holes.  Outrageous I know!  But I want to be a better sewer so this month I am going to attempt some discipline (unless of course I win the pattern over at Handmade by Carolyn and then that jacket might be my one exception!!! ).   So, a couple of outfits that I would like to make that will challenge my previous unwritten no button hole policy:

1.  Banksia Top by Megan Nielsen.  Liberty fabric and buttons already purchased for this one so I should definitely get this one done this month and
2.  no. 15 drape cardigan from She has a Mannish Style.  There are plenty of buttons on that little beauty!!

And we'll see what else pops up during the month!  But it must have buttons and a buttonhole!!!