Crochet, Math, and Marine Life

Isn't this amazing?

So I recently watched a marvelous TEDTalks called Crochet a Coral Reef and I was really inspired to participate. Creating a hyperbolic math model with crochet is very cool, and turning it into a lifelike coral reef display is even cooler!

I really want to start a local chapter, or some sort of group to create a display, though that might be too ambitious.  At least, I plan on making a display for our home.  I'm hoping once I get a small display started, I can post some fliers around schools to see if anyone else would like to participate.  I would really like to get the $250 to create a full display, so if my pieces turn out well, I may pitch it to the local Community College.

I started one today, and half a skein later, I am really amazed at how simple it is to make some of the basic coral shapes, and how beautiful it is!  Currently, I'm just using the yarn I had on hand, some green and brown variegated synthetic.  It makes a lovely basic coral!  Once I finish a piece or two, I will post pictures of what I'm doing.  In the meantime, check out what other people around the world have made!

Doesn't this make your fingers itch for a crochet hook and some yarn?

Back from a Winters Break.

I am not entirely sure why I pretty much stop sewing for a month or two every winter.  I sort of hunker down during the coldest part of the season.  This year for the holidays, instead of sewing gifts, I made handmade candies and chocolates, and that was a nice change of pace.
But the sun peeked out this week, and now I'm ready and eager to get back to sewing!

This month, I have been putting in a little sewing time, since my husband was nice enough to make me a mini-sewing area in the living room, so I could stay warm.  My sewing area is just so COLD all winter, and I don't want to waste the energy to heat it, since it leaks back out pretty quick.

So I wanted to make some warm tops for Liz, and kept putting it off and putting it off, but finally got motivated and finished 3 long sleeved turtlenecks for her.  The One Pattern Many Looks Contest got me thinking about making more than basic turtlenecks, so I came up with 3 variations.

This is Liz's favorite of the 3, mostly because of the lovely iridescent butterfly applique I found for it.  This baby ribbed knit fabric is leftover from a top I made for myself, using the same pattern, Jalie 2805, but with a different neck option.

I added a ruffle to the bottom and sleeves, as well as a little bow to the neckline, in a pretty leopard print knit I got from my great aunt.  I think animal prints are really cute on little girls, in moderation. :)
The burgundy knit is probably the nicest knit I've owned,  It is really thick and gorgeous, a very drapy and soft fabric.  It is leftover from a cardigan I made myself from a McCalls pattern that I really didn't love. At least this piece was put to better use!

I actually made this one first.  both the white and the floral print are also from my great aunt.  I tried to give this a faux layer effect.  It isn't too small on her, it is exactly the right size, which means she will outgrow it in a month (at the rate she's going!).  That's why I made the other 2 a size larger.

Next I have plans to use a green wool/polyester blend that JillyBe sent to me ages ago, and attempt to make myself a pair of wide legged-trousers and a matching vest.  It's ambitious, so wish me luck!!

Creamed coffee wardrobe...heavy on the cream!

Well, I like my coffee with lots of cream and sugar.  Not exactly healthy, but I rarely drink it, so when I do, it's a treat.
And my new (mini-)wardrobe is quite a treat as well!  I'm extremely pleased with how 3 of the 4 items I made came out, and overall, I think there are some great pieces to continue building upon.

My favorite single piece....is a toss up between the white eyelet blouse and the corduroy jacket.  Both will get a LOT of use.

My favorite overall look is the coffee vest over the eyelet blouse. My husband says it's very 70's and I agree, I kind of look like I am dressing up a s Donna on that 70's show, but I'm cool with that.  It's a chic look, IMO.  I've already worn it out grociery shopping once, and it is totally pretty and practical at the same time.  Who could ask for more?

The Corduroy jacket is also getting a lot of wear.  Since it's a medium weight, it's great for these fall mornings.  Not too warm (like my grey wool), or too light (my windbreaker).  I never thught I'd be able to make my own jacket, and one I will get so much use out of!

I wanted to note that a good portion of the fabric for this wardrobe is upcylced or recycled, and the remainder was gifted to me.
Upcycled: Cotton Eyelet: first life as a vintage duvet cover.
Jacket Lining:  found at goodwill.
Recycled: The grey buttons on the jacket are recycled cotton.  Wierd, eh?  They look like stone, up close.
Gifted: The cordoroy came from SewMama (Angie), and the rest from my great Aung Barb, who turned 92 this year, as well as celebrating her 75th wedding anniversary! A truly amazing lady, and her husband, my Uncle Robert, as well.  Aunt Barb has kindly given me most of her remaining stash, and I am trying my best to put it to good use.
So this entire look is from the stash she passed along to me. Thanks Aunt Barb!

Classic white shirt with a special touch

I have long needed a basic white blouse.  I have a white t-shirt, but nothing that I can use for more dressy occasions.

I have had this cream eyelet fabric (originally a duvet cover) in my stash for a couple of years.  My father got it for me at a vintage store in Rockaway beach, Oregon.  I don't know how old it is, but it is in pristine shape. The entire piece was well cared for, no stains or sun damage at all.

So I finally got up my courage, and sewed it up into the top I have been imagining for it, using my TnT pttern, McCall's 6035.  I am SO in love with the finished top!  the fit is perfect, the shape, the sleeves, everything!

Although this isn't officially the key piece for my "mini-wardrobe", I know it wil be something I contiue to build around.  I have so many ideas now, pants mostly, to go with the top!

I love having my mojo back,and feeling in the groove again.  For now, I need to take a break for sewing form me, and make a few long sleeved knit tops for Liz for fall/winter.  I have some knit remnants I have been saving from my own projects, and once I get all 3 knit tops for her finished, I'll post pics of them.  Nothing too exciting, I plan for them to be functional, but still cute, of course. :)  And then her halloween costume, of course!

Coming soon, the wardrobe composite.  I thin I'll get 8 looks out of all this...we'll see how the photo shot goes with James. :D  Wish me luck in getting him to be patient enough for all the clothing changes needed for it!

Knit vest, wardrobe moving right along!

This month is going by so quickly!

It is a nice feeling to have that sewing love back.  I am still keeping active doing other things, but am finding time to also sew again, and I'm happy about it. :)

So today I finished the hem on my toffee knit vest, and Liz snapped a few pictures for me.  I hate that I look so annoyed, lol.  I was trying to look serious....well, perhaps I should stick to smiling.

I love the collar, the buttons, everything.  I don't think it is a very flattering shape on me below the waist, but it isn't bad.  I love the texture of this knit, it's all bumpy and knobbly, yet soft.  It doesn't show up in the pictures, but I can rarely get the cool details into pics.

I BARELY had enough to cut this pattern out, just under a yard.  I'm really happy with it, and glad think the fabric works well for this pattern (unlike my last top...)

The pattern for this Simplicity 2155, is meant for wovens.  This was my first time adapting a woven pattern to a knit fabric.  I made a lot of small changes (no facings, changed collar finish, removed wearing ease, etc), and I think they worked out very well, for the most part.  I also added 2 belt carriers, mostly so I don'[t lose the belt!  I know me....it would end up in the corner of my closet under a pile of fabric or something, if I don't have it fixed to the top.  

So, this finishes 3 of my 6 looks for the wardrobe contest (include the white corduroy jacket with the lace sleeved top).  It's pretty funny that adding a just one more item (a woven top, in my case), is going to add 3 MORE looks.  And speaking of, I really want to get the pattern for that prepped tonight, so I can cut it out tomorrow.  

Side not, going to Liz's Kindergarden Open house tonight.  She is really loving school!  Kindergarden isn't like I remember it, now.  They have a lot more work, but it's still lots of fun.

My first (real) lined jacket

I was lucky to be the contest manager in the recent Lined Jacket contest on PR.  The ladies were so friendly and helpful and very knowledgeable!  While I didn't finish my jacket as quickly as they did, I did make a good start and got 2 muslins cut and fitted. And today, I finally finished the jacket!

Picture by Liz!

On the 1st of this month, I went ahead and cut my white corduroy, a gift from SewMama.  There is still enough left for my pants, if I ever get around to making those, as well!


The shell of the jacket went together pretty quickly, the only slow point being inserting functional pockets. The pattern, Simplicity 3728, only has decorative flaps, no real pockets (how silly!).  Personally, pockets are a must for me on a jacket.

The lining was a GIANT pain, however, for me.  I am pretty ignorant on lining techniques, and was just hoping the pattern instructions would be sufficient, but they were not very clear.  Fortunately, the ladies on PR pointed out to me a bag lining tutorial, and things went much smoother from there.
Here is the lining, a fun 20's golf and classic car print.

I made some minor alterations for fitting (int he shoulder, back, and armscythe), but aside from adding pockets, didn't really make any other alterations.  IT's a good pattern, I think the style looks good on me, and it one of those styles that never really goes "out of style".

So, despite a few minor hitches, I am really happy with my first lined jacket!

No sewing Mojo, and uncreative contests

EDIT:  I wanted to make a note that the contest rules have been changed so that the key piece only has to "go with" your other pieces, and does not have to be worn with every piece.  Yay for that change!

I am still not sure if I will be participating, but I think I'll give it a go. :)
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Original post:

I haven't been blogging much, and I've been sewing even less.  Yes, I made the Dr. Horrible coat, but even that took me over a month, and I got NO comments at all.  Not one.  I feel like I'm living in a vacuum.  Even James just kind of said "cool".  One month of work....cool

I just seem to have lost the mojo.  I still have a desire to sew, but I look in my sewing room, and pick out fabrics and patterns, and then end up doing nothing.  I don't quite know why.

I had been looking forward to the "Mini-Wardrobe" contest at PR, even already having picked out matching fabrics and patterns, hoping it would help motivate me to start making some of the things I have been planning to make for too long, but the rules are extremely limiting.  When pointing this out, I get a lot of "Think outside the box!" and "contest aren't just about YOU" type of comments.

Well, the the contest rules are a box you aren't allowed to think outside of, and I know contests aren't about ME, but they should encourage people to sew, not discourage them.  I know I wasn't the only one who found the forced layering or else forced topper key piece to be extremely limiting, about half the people commenting clearly agree.
Leggings are not me, and I don't have time to make a jacket (which you MUST make, though many people don't seem to understand this yet) AND pants, AND 3 other things in only 4 weeks.  The people who think they can use a button up blouse as their key piece...let's see how they feel when they realize that it is impossible with the rules as they are.  Jacket and/or pants, those are your options, with jacket being the far superior option.  No dress allowed at ALL unless I make the jacket my key piece, which forces me to make pants as well, and I can't make both, I just can't in 4 weeks. :(  VERY LIMITING!!

Well anyway, I still hope to make my jacket, dress and a top soon, if I can find the motivation.  It would be nice to have a community to work with, but it seems PR is becoming more and more...elitist?  I don't know, just not very supportive.

Maybe I'm just overly tired.  Since James has started school I am tired all the time, and kind of lonely, heh.  

Well back to...housecleaning and playing with Liz I guess.