Kiwi Crafty Chemist

Friday, February 8, 2013

FO PJs for me

Yes you read that correctly I actually made something for me for a change. The story goes something like this. I bought some gorgeous fabric with a print of Venice on it last year with no idea what I would make from it. Then a couple of weeks ago I realised I needed more summer pj's and couldn't really justify going to buy them with a house full of fabric. I had a look through my few issues of Ottobre Women and found a pattern and then checked and I had just enough of the gorgeous venice fabric, woohoo.
So with nothing to lose (apart form fabric I loved) I embarked on a new sewing mission. I made a size 34 of the pj's in otto 5/2011 (patterns #1 and 2) and I am really pleased with the finish and the fit.

Although these are made from cotton and not a knit fabric they are really comfy. I somehow managed to cut the upper bodice back piece out upside down which is kind of annoying but never mind. I also had to juggle the fabric a bit to get the shorts out and could only match the print on either the front or back. I thought I had matched the front but it was actually the back but again it's not the end of the world. One wee feature I do really like of the pattern is the use of scolloped underwear elastic as an edging, quick and easy and gives a nice finish.

So there we go, all up to date for now, but with the chaos of term time work/school/daycare routine I fear the crafting with slow down a lot over the next few weeks.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

FO T-shirts for all

With the school holidays here I have managed to get a little more sewing done than normal - woohoo. I seem to have gone a little t-shirt crazy, and have more planned but here is where I'm at with them so far.

I got this gorgeous roadway knit fabric towards the end of last year for my car loving boy. Again this is an ottobre pattern (do I ever use anything else? Well yes but not very often) 3/2010 #14, in a size 98 with 110 length. The plain knit fabric for the sleeves and the ribbing were from stash.

A really quick t-shirt to whip up and the boy seems happy with it. Fit is good although I may add a smidgen more length to the next one (or two).
Having sewn this up I couldn't help but imagine this fabric in teeny tiny baby size, and luckily for me a friend had a wee baby boy :-) So here is Mr E's wee t-shirt. Pattern is ottobre 3/2011 #12, in size 62, sewn exactly to pattern. I chose an envelope neck pattern this time because I think they are nice and easy to get on small babies.

And finally Miss M is never one to miss out so here is a quick wee t-shirt for her too, ottobre 3/2008 #2, size 80 with 86 length. I was a bit nervous this would be a bit small as I have been sewing mainly size 86 for her lately but it was already cut out so I threw it together anyway. In this patternt he front neck gathering is done with a gathering thread instead of elastic and I never seem to be able to get it even when I do it this way (never again lesson learned), so yes the neck gathering is a little off to one side. I'm pleased with how it turned out with the white binding though and again fabric from Mum's stash.

And the fit turned out perfect. I like where the neckline sits and it is a good fit for both width and length, woohoo.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

FO A fairy hoodie

This is a wee project I have had in mind since I purchased the fabric last year. The fairy sweatshirting I got from a lady who was selling off a massive amount of fabric that had belonged to her mother (and I mean bolts and bolts of fabric). I may or may not have increased my fabric stash somewhat from this sale ;-)
Anyway I thought Miss M might like a wee hoodie with fairies on and since I had some time off work for the school holidays I tried to get some sewing done. The pattern is from ottobre 1/2012, number 22 and I made a size 86 for Miss M. The only change I made from the pattern was to omit underarm panels in a contrast colour and I also sewed the cuff and bottom bands on slightly differently (partly due to laziness and partly from not reading the instructions carefully enough).

The bright pink knit fabric I used for the hood lining and front facings and the lavender rib were both from Mum's stash :-)

And a close up of the fairy pockets.

On the whole the pattern went together really well. It was my first time doing a lined hood with a band around the neckline and I am pleased with how well it all sits. I did have to put the zip in twice because the pockets were way out of alignment the first time, but we live and learn.

And finally on Miss M. The fit is good apart from the sleeves being a little too short which is slightly annoying. If I use this pattern again I would either go up a size or add extra length to the sleeves.

FO Matilda Cardigan

I haven't done a lot of knitting this year at all, I have been in the sewing groove for a while now, but I did finish off this wee cardy for Miss M during our christmas break.
There is a bit of a story behind this cardy as I was asked to test-knit it by the designer way back in September. At the time I declined saying that I didn't have the time as we were all sick and had birthday's and christmas coming up etc, but she assured me that there was no deadline she would just like someone else to look over it. How can I say 'No' to that, especially when it is such a cute wee pattern.
So here is my version of the Matilda Cardigan by Schneckenstrick. I made the size 2y in a lovely worsted weight bamboo/silk yarn that I bought in a destash last year. The sheen of this yarn is gorgeous and the stitch definition is lovely as well. The lovely flower buttons are from Jodulbug Creations. This is knitted exactly to pattern and the only slight alteration I would make next time is to add a little more length to the skirt part, but I love the result and we have had many lovely comments when Miss M has worn it.

And here it is on Miss M.

Overall a lovely project and I am pleased with the finish. There is quite a lot of knitting in the skirt section because of the gathering but it is worth it for the cute result :-)