Winter sale!

3/2011 Crochet hooks roll

I made this one for my mum, who celebrated her birthday yesterday. Yet once more: Happy birthday, dear mum! :)

 

 I used this tutorial and just changed it a bit. It fits perfectly.

You are probably wondering where project #2 is. Well, it is coming up here soon ...

First knitted project

In case you haven't noticed in the prevoius post, I finished knitting my first scarf. Actually it's more like a cowl. I knitted a rectangle and added a few buttons on one short side and a few loops on the other.

  

THE coat

It took me almost a month to take these photos. Finally, you get to see the famous coat I have been talking about for the last few months.

 

 

 

 Making a coat is not as easy as a pie. First, I chose a pattern I liked. Burda Style patterns usually fit me, so I didn't have to make any pattern changes, except lengthening the sleeves for a bit. That is also why I didn't make a coat muslin. Second, I did a whole research on a coat/jacket construction. Then I interfaced my coat for stability and underlined it for both stability and warmth. I also made quick tutorial on how and what to interface, and instructions how and what to underline. After that I started to sew the fabric into a coat. And here it is, at last. :)

Knitting needles roll tutorial

 

 

This roll is made for total 75 knitting needles 20 cm/8 in. long. Seam allowances (1 cm/3/8 in.) are already included in measurements.

You will need:

• 60 x 24 cm (23 3/5 x 9 1/2 in.) outside fabric
• 60 x 24 cm (23 3/5 x 9 1/2 in.) inside fabric
• 60 x 24 cm (23 3/5 x 9 1/2 in.) fleece
• 60 x 24 cm (23 3/5 x 9 1/2 in.) for pockets, folded in half lenghtwise
• 60 x 8 cm (23 3/5 x 3 1/6 in.) for upper protection, hemmed on the lower edge (final measurement = 60 x 6.5 cm (23 3/5 x 2 1/2 in.))
• 60 cm (23 3/5 in.) lace for embellishment
• 1 m (1 1/10 yd.) satin ribbon 1.5 cm (5/8 in.) wide 

1. Pin wrong side of inside fabric to fleece/velour. Machine baste all four edges using 0.5 cm/1/5 in. seam allowance.

2. Place folded pocket fabric to the lower edge and upper protection fabric + lace on top of it to the upper edge of inside fabric. Machine baste using 0.5 cm/1/5 in. seam allowance.

3. Pin or draw the lines for pockets. I recommend using your knitting needles as a measure. Make sure you start pinning/drawing 1.5 cm/5/8 in. away from both left and right edge of the roll. Sew the pockets with a regular straight stitch. Don't forget to backstitch!

 4. Pin satin ribbon folded in half to the right edge of the roll.

5. Pin and outside and inside fabric, right sides together. Draw curved corners to help you stitch them. Stitch using 1 cm/3/8 in. seam allowances. Leave about 6 cm/2 3/8 in. opening on the left side of the roll (not on the side where you pinned satin ribbon).

6. Trim seam allowances except where you left the opening. Clip the corners.

7. Turn inside out, press, and pin together the opening. Topstitch.

8. Put knitting needles in your new roll, roll it and tie a bow. Cut satin ribbon ends on bias and make sure they are the same length. Happy knitting! ;)

1/2011 Knitting needles roll

When I said I would like to sew more this year, I was thinking about sewing at least one project a week.

Today, I am proudly presenting the first one - a roll case for knitting needles. My mom bought me my first knitting needles and therefore I really needed one. It is made for total 75 needles and it is soooo handy. I only started my knitting career, and I already see that a case like this means no more searching for a pair of needles when you need them. They are all in one place. And it is not bulky at all!

 

Interested in a tutorial? :)

Resolutions 2011

I make some resolutions every year, but this year is a bit different. I am finishing my studies. I have passed all of the exams. The only thing that is left is a degree I have to write. I am at home, with time to do the things I love, which is invaluable. And irrepetible. But I still feel like I am not improving my opportunity.

Here are my resolutions:

1. Exercise on a regular basis

I started with regular exercise in August last year, but ended in December. I think 10/01/2011 will be perfect date to continue my journey.

2. Upgrade my sewing knowledge + sew more frequently + write a project journal

I just bought myself Helen Joseph-Armstrong's Patternmaking for fashion design. It cost me a fortune, but it is so useful and indispensable.

3. Learn to knit

 I am already knitting something ...

4. Learn to crochet

Ultimate crochet bible by Jane Crowfoot is waiting for my attention.

5. Upgrade my programming + web design + graphic design knowledge

Do you make any New Year's resolutions?

And the winner is ...

First, I want to thank you all who participated. It was really nice to read about how other people spend their time on Christmas evening. It looks like most of us enjoy our time with our families and/or closest friends. That is actually my favourite part of holidays; being with the ones you love.

Back to the giveaway winnner ...

The sweetest pair of handmade earrings goes to someone, who chose pair A,

and that is ...

Congratulations, nette! Please, send me your address to laura.bolcina(at)gmail.com.

2011

I wish you 31,536,000 seconds full of love, health, and joy.