Category: 2024 Makes

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Little Makes

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I found this cute bobbin holder at an antique mall. The paint is chipped and it doesn’t really serve a good purpose in my space, but I have a hard time passing up old sewing accoutrements. I’m thinking about painting it another color, but in the meantime, I made this goofy pincushion top for it. It’s not the best construction (I even used black thread) but I just wanted to test out the idea. I did use some precious marbled fabric that I made, which maybe I should have saved for the second iteration.

The bobbin carousel pincushion inspired me to make something that I did need – a second Carry-All Pincushion. Here’s the first one I made way back in 2015. It sits next to my main sewing machine and holds things like a hump jumper, seam ripper, tweezers, snips, needles, and of course, pins. This new one will sit next to my secondary machine that I mainly use for topstitching.

I’ve had this heavyweight striped fabric in my stash since 2014. It’s thrifted yardage from Savers that I used in some of my first sewing projects. I kinda wish I still had this laptop sleeve but the tote is still with me. It’s a little too heavyweight for this project, but I made it work. I do wish I’d added more blue rickrack.

Oh hey – there’s that original pincushion above! I’m also remaking my sewing machine covers to include pockets to hold the tables and knee lifts. Making them has gotten me back into block and screen printing and it’s exciting! Hoping to finish them over winter break.

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A LOT of Knit WIPs

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After finishing my Seasons Cardigan, I immediately started this Clay Sweater. It’s a pattern I knew I wanted to knit the minute the pattern was released. I even bought the same colorway of yarn as the photo sample because it’s so perfect.

It almost flew off my needles, but then the weather started to warm up and an upcoming international trip convinced me I needed to start a more portable summer project.

So I set aside my sleeveless Clay, picked up some cotton yarn, and stared knitting a tank top. This design is simple, but the instructions were hard to interpret sometimes and I made mistakes that required ripping back a lot. After knitting the front, I started to suspect the fit would also be weird. But I persisted because I didn’t have a way to try it one while traveling and I couldn’t not knit on the plane.

When I got home and tried it on… it offered up so much side boob. I was frustrated and for some reason, my solution was… to make a second one? I actually bought enough of the same yarn in a different color to make it again! I felt I needed to have the original to reference, I guess? On this version I started the armhole shaping immediately after completing the neckline shaping and I’m much happier with it. However, it is currently waiting to be bound off, summer being very much over.

And even though I clearly have THREE other knit wips, I started a new one. While I was recovering from major surgery, I wanted to start a fresh, new project that had no baggage!

The theme this year is definitely texture, and these subtle cables on the Seaway fit right in. This yarn is so nice. It’s the Purl Soho Linen Quill Worsted in the “Baked Earth” color. It’s unfortunately discontinued.

I’m trying to loosen my death grip on this project and am getting some striping in the parts that were knit flat. I’m trying to be okay with it.

Anyway, I’m hoping to at least finish the Seaway and the gray Ingrid before the year ends. Or maybe I’ll start another project 🙂

New book by Anna Husemann (gifted). Excited to learn intarsia!

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A Pop of Blue

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I know, I know. Neutrals are my favorite, but sometimes a primary pop is what a project needs.

This subtle splash of color was inspired by the jacket itself. While constructing, I thought it looked like a painter’s smock sans paint. Inspiration hit and I thought maybe some colorful snaps could stand in for paint smears.

After a quick google, I found both red and blue snaps and ordered. I ended up choosing the blue to coordinate with the dark blue topstitching.

PATTERN: Seamwork Parker

FABRIC: Carhartt denim from Mill End

SIZE: 8

MODS: Shortened sleeves 2″

This jacket is very easy to throw on and I’ve been wearing a lot. It features raglan sleeves, angled pockets that go all the way to the side seams creating FOUR POCKETS, a back pleat, stand collar, a perfect straight cut, and cuffs.

I am also wearing Shop Pants and my natural dyes bandana.

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New Makes

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Seasons Cardigan | Ozetta

This project taught me an important lesson – one can’t just assume the steps and start knitting. I just didn’t read the instructions and had to redo the neckband multiple times. Once I finally realized it wasn’t just a simple K1, P1 repeat (by reading), it took off and was a pretty fun knit.

I bought the yarn and buttons over a year ago, but didn’t feel ready for the pattern until completing the pullover version. Now that I’ve knit both, I think the cardigan is actually easier – the short rows in the pullover kinda broke my brain.

The coolest part of this pattern is that the neckband is knit with the body. I used Berroco Ultra Alpaca in Barley and made a size M.

I shortened the sleeve cuffs by half. The sleeves are a little longer than I’d like after blocking but not enough to redo.

This sweater is a classic and it’s going to get a lot of wear. I’m considering making the oversized version at some point but definitely need a break from half fisherman’s rib for a bit.

Iggy Pants | Seamwork

My stomach hates tight waistbands so I fricking LOVE pants with elastic backs. Also love a weird leg shape!

A pair of pants from Big Bud Press got the idea of red topstitching stuck in my head and this pattern seemed perfect for a pop of red. Plus, I already had a red zipper in my stash.

I first made a size 8 but then realized I hadn’t taken my measurements in a while. The 8 fit but didn’t have the waistband comfort I wanted, so this denim pair is a size 10. I did need to pull the elastic a little tighter to get the fit just right.

A few ways I deviated from the instructions:

  • Serged off the dart uptake to make the hem less bulky.
  • Pressed the seams to one side and topstitched.
  • Added more topstitching overall (pockets, fly, rise, darts).
  • Attached waistband to inside of pants first, then topstitched the fold and added elastic from the outside.
  • Used one tack button instead of two regular buttons.
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Knitting Cases

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I started planning an ‘ultimate’ knitting case project in September of 2022 mainly because I hated the case my interchangeable set came in. The case’s function was fine, but I did not enjoy the way it looked. It also didn’t hold everything I like to have on hand for knitting.

I planned to use this pattern so that everything could live in one multi-layer case. After months of thinking about the pages, I finally started assembly in December. Everything was going great until I needed to attach the middle section to the first. I tried, but the combination of chunky zipper pulls, the B770’s giant presser feet, and my desire for neatness meant I needed to abandon this plan.

Initially I was really bummed. I’d spent money on supplies, cut up two shirts, spent so much time planning, and endured months of not knowing where anything was. I also thought having everything in one case was the best option.

Since I had discarded the original Chiaogoo case, I had to do something. So I decided to make separate cases for my circulars, DPNs, tools, cables, and shorties. And since I’d used up all of the shirt fabric on my flop, I’d use leftovers from knitting project bags. Then everything would match!

PATTERN: Creative Maker Supply Case by Sew Sweetness

SUPPLIES: Handbag zippers and mesh from ByAnnie and leather patches from Noodlehead.

Here’s the case for my interchangeable circulars set. I was able to cut apart the flop and salvage these pages and one zipper. The fabric is by Sarah Golden for Andover Fabrics, which is no longer available.

This case was the hardest one to figure out. I wanted it to house a lot and have a space for magnetic things. The fabric was designed by Alexia Abegg for Cotton & Steel, also no longer available.

This case is for the interchangeable set’s cables. The fabric is also designed by Alexia Abegg for Ruby Star Society. This was the only new fabric I bought for this project. I needed one more case and wanted it to coordinate.

The Chiaogoo Shorties come in these weird, primary color key chain pouches, but also in these functional little black cases that I wanted to keep. They fit snugly in these mesh pockets with room for their own cables.

And finally, a case for my set of DPNs. I made an entire other case in the larger size for these before realizing the small would work best. The fabric is also from Alexia Abegg for Ruby Star Society.

I am SO pleased with these and I think they’re much better than what I had originally envisioned. After making seven and half cases, I’ve gotten pretty fast!

They all fit perfectly in this basket! Everything is organized and super portable now. It’s great!