Episode 6: Yarning Over the Days

I’ve really been on a sewing kick lately. And I am not fighting it. Because sewing happens so infrequently in my life (I’m a knitter at heart), I don’t get much sewing done. So, I’m using this bout of inspiration to fill in some wardrobe gaps I noticed during Me Made May. At the conclusion of Me Made May, I really wanted more dresses and skirts in my wardrobe. So far, I have finished two dresses and a skirt. Today, we will talk about that skirt.

Years ago, I noticed this beautiful pattern when Tassadit created the most wonderful and elegant version of this skirt HERE. But, I wasn’t sewing at the time (didn’t even own a sewing machine), so I simply admired the beautiful work. This skirt pattern has been the pattern I’ve been searching for since I started sewing. It is Sewaholic’s Hollyburn skirt. I really like the high-waist fit and the flared bottom. This is the epitome of my style. And an extra bonus is the pockets! And the button tabs! I actually purchased this pattern over a year ago for the Outfit Along, but was unable to participate. So, this pattern just sat static for over a year.

The pattern worked up surprisingly quickly. I actually cut out the pieces, the fabric, and started sewing after church on Sunday. I finished at around 1am that morning. (Sewing always makes me pull late nighters. Lol). The fabric used is a salmon pink denim that I found at Joann’s Fabric store. I actually visited Joann’s fabric store the day before and bought a zipper. I noticed that fabric while there, but resisted purchasing it. Well, that night I couldn’t get it out of my mine. So, I woke up early the next day and went back to Joann’s to get the fabric (It helps that the Joann’s is literally down the street from my place.) Overall, I am very pleased with the flow of the fabric with the pattern. It is exactly how I envisioned it in my mind.

The button tabs are another favorite aspect to the skirt. I purchased the buttons at Joann’s also for only 50 cent! That was a deal for beautiful wooden buttons. In addition to that, the flowers on the buttons perfectly match the color of the skirt. They were made for each other.

I definitely see more Hollyburn skirts in my future.

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Update: OAL2017

Posted on June 13, 2017 by cmc

I have been working diligently on my outfit for the Outfit Along. Last week I underlined my dress and begin sewing on Friday. The dress was completed on Saturday. And I actually wore it to church on Sunday. I actually received a few compliments on the dress.

I forgot how long the bodice takes to work up on Simplicity 1803 (especially compared to Simplicity 2444); however, I really like the shaping that the princess seams provides with this bodice.

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Once the dress was finished, then I decided it was time to give my Anaheim cardigan more attention. That has been my sole knitting project this week. I did have a mishap at the underarm CO and waist shaping section. In this part, the instructions tells me to include the stitch pattern as it fits. Well, I didn’t include it where it fit on one side and there was more stockinette than lace. I thought that it wouldn’t bother me and kept working. However, the more I looked at it, the more I hated it. So, I had to rip back 6 rows in the body. That was a pain. Ripping back lacework is no fun. But, I did it and it all worked out beautifully. I am so happy that I decided to fix that mistake.

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I look forward to wearing this cardigan with my finished dress and will be sure to share the final images with you all.

Finished Object: Simplicity 2444

Posted on June 5, 2017 by cmc

DSCN5974 (3) In the past, I had issues when I first created this dress. My problems and solutions to those problems can be found in this past post. Despite the problems, I still really liked the dress and it is one of my most worn dresses in my closet. Therefore, I thought it was about time to recreate another Simplicity 2444.

The fabric was bought and cut over a year ago, but it sat in my stash just waiting to be sewn. So this past Saturday, I made it my business to finish this dress. I am so happy that I did! 😀 I made the same adjustments that I made to the previous dress by letting out the side seam allowance to 1/4” and not bringing in the back pleats/darts in as much. The fit is exactly how I like it.

The fabric used is actually this corduroy that I found at Joann’s. I bought it with the intention of it being a staple autumn/winter dress. Of course, I plan on wearing it other times of the year. In fact, I just wore it this past Sunday. 😉 I really enjoyed working with corduroy and want to make another dress in corduroy and a pair of pedal pushers in red corduroy. The fabric has a nice volume/substance and it presses so well.

The pleats turned out alright and I know I could have done a better job. However, that is such a minor thing compare to the overall dress.

I just purchased a new Simplicity 2444 and want to sew it up 2 sizes. Because I cut out a size 4, that ended my chance of sewing a larger size. With this new pattern, I hope to avoid having to make those adjustments. Also, it was on sale for only $5!

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Episode 1: Yarning Over the Days Podcast

Posted on June 4, 2017June 4, 2017 by cmc

I just completed my first episode for the Yarning Over the Days podcast. In this episode, I provide a brief introduction and talk about my most recent finished objects and WIPs. If you would like to view Episode 1 of the podcast, you can do so by clicking HERE. I hope you enjoy and if you have any questions or comments feel free to contact me.

Find me at:

Ravelry – cleocmc

Instagram – cleocmc

Finished Objects

Interchange Socks by Ariel Altaras

Favorite Socks by Voolenvine

Eyelet Rib Socks by Knit Picks Design Team

Sycamore Vest by Hannah Fettig

Simplicity 2444

Works-In-Progress

Vivien Sweater

Outifit Along 2017 – Simplicity 1803 and Anaheim Cardigan by Andi Satterlund

Archive Treasures

Agatha by Andi Satterlund

Acquired Treasures

Butterick 6284

Butterick 5895

Butterick 6323

Butterick 6319

Butterick 6316

Catching My Interest

Alice Starmore’s Book of Fair Isle Knitting

Alice Starmore’s Tudor Roses

Outfit Along 2017

Posted on June 1, 2017June 1, 2017 by cmc

Today marks the first day of the OAL2017. I’m pretty excited about this outfit along and look forward to having a completed dress and cardigan at the end of it all. The idea of the Outfit Along is to knit a garment and sew a garment. Patterns are suggested for the Outfit Along; however, you don’t have to adhere to those patterns. In fact, I will be knitting the suggested cardigan of Anaheim; however, I will not be knitting the suggested dress pattern of Kim by By Hand By London. Instead, I will be knitting Simplicity 1803 again.

I actually went to my stash for everything needed for the Outfit Along. I did not want to purchase new yarn, new fabric, or a new pattern. My stash may not be large, but I did bring a few things to Columbia with me. So, for the yarn I will be using Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Sport in the color Avocado. (I was actually eating an avocado while knitting my gauge and it actually matched the avocado perfectly. 🙂 ) The pattern actually calls for a DK weight yarn, but I was able to get gauge with a sport weight yarn by blocking it heavily. I also went down to a size 5 needle because I did not want the fabric to be too open by using a larger needle. To avoid having to block the finished garment quite so heavily, I will knit up a size to size Small instead of my usual Extra Small. Hopefully, this will all work out.

As for the dress, I will be using this fabric that was a gift to me from a previous co-worker. She is from West Africa and this is fabric from her home. I really like the bright cheery colors and I think it will make a beautiful dress. Also, I want to add underlining to the dress to give it a bit more depth. I plan on making the version of the dress that has the simple neckline. I think that little dip will look lovely with the V-neck portion of the cardigan.

To prepare for the Outfit Along, I completed my gauge swatches two nights ago. I created one in the stockinette stitch pattern and the other in the lace pattern. Also, I pre-washed and ironed my fabric yesterday. Hopefully, I will start cutting either today or tomorrow. Cutting is the part of sewing that I dread the most…

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