Shop Update: Eye Searing

Today's update is a feast for the retinas! I posted last week's popular colours on Paragon Sock (Happy Street or Colour Affection could be your bitch with these babies), and some more Solo Sock!

You lucky ducks.

KAL Success!

I finished my Floating Cardigan for the luvinthemommyhood Tops Tanks and Tees KAL! Not only that, I also was done three whole days before the due date, and I already have it photographed! I might be sick or something - I've been weirdly productive this weekend.

Anyway, the knitting.

The yarn, Classic Elite Silky Alpaca Lace, made a gorgeously airy but still visually appealing fabric on 3.5mm needles. I can barely even feel it when I'm wearing it. I did have some bleeding issues when knitting and blocking, but with such a deep, saturated teal I'm neither surprised nor bothered. The sweater is soft and drapey with a slight halo. I think this would be a spectacular yarn for an heirloom shawl (you know, like the one I bought it for when I accidentally didn't buy enough yarn because I suck).

The pattern was sweet and easy. I did a few mods for fit, including doing the sleeves a size up and adding several inches to the body length. I added some waist shaping, although not enough it turns out. I had originally intended to put snaps up the button band, but there's no point as it doesn't close very gracefully at the bottom. It's no loss however as the fit is fantastic in the shoulder and bust, which keeps the whole thing nicely in place.

My only quibble with the design is that the little lace motif is proportionally very small on the bigger sizes. I made a modded 48" and felt the lace was too small, yet there were three bigger options beyond that. Kudos to Cecily Glowik MacDonald, though, for making a wide size range. It's rare that I get a chance to knit something in anything but the largest size.

All in all, I'm happy with the sweater and with all the work I put in to get it done in less than a month! Never let me make a laceweight sweater again, though. Please. It's lovely and all, but slooooooow.

 

Speaking of luvinthemommyhood, Shannon did a great review of my new yarn base, Solo Sock. I forgot to put the shop update on the blog on Friday, and what I put up is mostly sold now, but still, I think it's a great base and you'll love it! Watch for more next Friday!

 

Shop Update: Ocean Colours!

I've got a pretty one for you today guys. Lots of serene blues and greens and greys on different yarn bases, and a cute little spinning wheel bag to hold your tools!

The grey sparkly laceweight is calling to me, so please somebody, help me! I lack willpower!

Plus Sized Fashion - Your Sewing Machine is Your Greatest Ally!

I am sure you all know by now that I'm plus sized. Actually I hate that term. I'm fat. I'm also healthy and confident and body positive - three things that don't go hand-in-hand with weight nearly as often as you may expect. Sure, some days I hate my body - everyone has days. I have made peace with my curves, and that has been one of the most liberating changes of my life (another source of liberation? Did you know that nobody cares if you don't fold your T-shirts or pair your socks? You can just stick them in the drawer and nobody will be the wiser).

One of the drawbacks to being outside the "correct" size box is that great clothes are hard to find, particularly on a budget, and even more so if you don't live in an area that supports shops that cater to a larger size range. I love the idea of thrifted fashion finds, but it rarely happens here in Victoria, where I can count the number of shops with clothes that I a) want to wear, and b) fit into, on one chubby hand.

Long story short: I've taken things into my own hands. Knitting is my favourite method of making clothing, but it is neither practical nor desirable to knit an entire wardrobe. That's where sewing comes in. Most people will tell you that it isn't cheaper to sew for yourself. They haven't tried to buy a decently made dress in a size 22. This dress cost me approximately $24, including notions.

The fabric is a lighter weight decor fabric I got on sale at Ikea. It was a delight to work with, if a little heavy for garment use (but frankly too light for decor. What was it intended for??). The pattern is the BurdaStyle plus size Shakira Dress. This:

It's... really very, very ugly in that lumpy yellow fabric, but it looked like a very versatile basic pattern for $3, and I think it can withstand a lot of modification. There was an enormous amount of ease worked into the pattern - I had to take it in almost four inches from the size recommended for slightly bleow my bust measurement for a comfortable yet flattering fit. However, that means in a drapey fabric it could be made up into an entirely different thing! I love a basic princess seamed A-line and I'll definitely play more with this one.

The whole printing 50 pages and taping them together thing wasn't that bad, surprisingly, and I have a few more printable patterns in mind. And maybe I also bought fabric for them. I haven't done extensive garment sewing for years, because when I dropped out of my fashion design degree program in 2005, I experienced some pretty significant burnout. In fact, I've only just recently become interested in fashion again. I want to sew all the things!

So, do you sew, either in plus sizes or smaller sizes? I'd love to hear your sources for patterns and inspiration!

 

Shop Update: Bags and Funky Colours!

I did a little update today, and project bags are back in the shop! I don't often sew project bags for sale, but the fabric stash was getting silly so I had to whip a few up before Fibres West. There will be more in the shop in the coming weeks! They're fully lined, made from super cute quilting cotton, and feature inside pockets, drawstring closure, and a metal clip to hold you notions or hook to your belt or purse!