Yarn Along: Sweater Progress and more Mitts!

Linking with Ginny for Yarn Along!

It has been quite a week.  Piglet, Birdie, and Ponchik have all had RSV this month (in addition to Birdie's having a stomach virus for a week, just for variety and fun times).  Last week, I spent a tense Wednesday evening monitoring Birdie, wondering if I'd have to take her to the hospital for respiratory distress and related complications from the infection.  In the end, we were able to stave off the visit with steroids and antibiotics (she tends to get secondary bacterial infections in her lungs because of her airway malacia).  Ponchik was sick too, but didn't seem very serious until Friday night, when she took a dive for the worse and ended up spending the weekend at Children's Hospital on the pulmonary ward.  

Needless to say, that threw a wrench in my plans for this week.  Thank God, she is doing better now, and we came home on Sunday afternoon, but it is Wednesday now, and I still feel like I don't have my feet under me.  

The kids are still crazy, cranky, and a little bit sick, and I'm exhausted from being up all night Friday night in the ED, and then not sleeping on the ward for two days.  I had made plans to make a dress for Christmas this year, but as the fabric hasn't arrived yet, and my energy levels and sewing motivation are at zilch, it will just have to wait.  

The upside is that I've gotten a lot of knitting done this week, because it doesn't require a lot from me.  

First up is the blue sweater, which photographed very badly today.  As I said previously, the color is a deep teal-mallard blue color that is very saturated, but it came out looking dull in the light this morning.  I've made it past the shoulder decreases and am now working the length into the armholes. 

 I'm not in love with the Paton's yarn I'm using.  After this, I'm going back to Swish.  I'm also not thrilled with how the decreases and increases are done on this pattern, because they show so much in the middle of the sweater.  I'm not sure why the cable line is belling in and out in the middle either.  My tension is pretty even, but the sweater is really looking "handmade" if you know what I mean.  Part of me wants to scrap it now and start again with Swish, because I hate to spend a lot of time on a sweater that won't be wearable (seems to be the theme this year!), but I also hate to waste yarn that I bought (although, admittedly, it has been in my stash for a while).  I think we all know my history with frogging, so don't be surprised if I show you balls of yarn next week.  

I'm also making more mitts--I really like the golden gauntlets I made earlier this fall, but they are a bit bulky and I was really just using up leftover yarn and pattern testing with that pair, so I've been knitting some worsted versions.  I made a green pair earlier this week (which took a bit of doing--I knit the whole pair twice because I was determined to get it out of one skein!) and have one brown one made. 

So far the brown one is my favorite--it is a riff on the pattern I used for the green pair.  I like the look of the green pair, but I wish they were longer and a little less bulky.  I also love this shade of brown--it has some purple and blue undertones in it and is just so lovely.

The brown one seems to be the perfect combination of length, interesting stitch pattern, and weight.  I'm hoping to make a coordinating hat to go with the brown pair.  I think I can also get this pattern out of one skein, which is also a win!

I'm not reading much at the moment--I've finally made it through the stack of articles that were sitting on my nightstand for an age, and am nearly caught up with the news magazines I read (I got behind in October and am just now catching up) and I've got some books on historic costuming from the Penn Library to keep me busy in the New Year.  I'm working on some essays on clothing sizes, fitting, and foundation garments, and these books will be a help for those pieces, I think.  I continue to revisit Jamie and Claire in fits and starts, just to spend time with old friends.

I'm hoping to get more writing done in 2015, as well as cracking a few new sewing patterns, and finding my perfect sweater pattern.

Happy New Year!

Talking Tuesday: Fr. Stephen Freeman and the Un-Moral Christian

I recently ran across a piece on the Ancient Faith blog by Fr. Stephen Freeman on the dangers of moral relativism in the modern age.  He writes that we Christians must do more than lead moral lives--morality is really beside the point.  Our spiritual life must be one that is focused on struggling toward Christ-like existence, toward divinity.  Any sort of moral code would naturally proceed from that struggle, but it must not be the point of our existence, or even the point of origin.  Fr. Stephen had many wonderfully articulate things to say in his essay, and I would encourage you to read the whole thing, but this passage stood out to me:

One of the failures of morality is that it seems so tantalizingly possible. And so we distract ourselves as we wrestle with our morals, condemning ourselves for what we somehow imagine that we can and should do.

But think carefully about the commandments of Christ: “Be perfect. Even as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Morality withers in the face of such a statement. Christ’s teaching destroys our moral pretensions. He doesn’t say, “Tithe!” (Priests and preachers say “tithe”). Christ says, “Give it all away.” He doesn’t just say, “Love your neighbor.” He says, “Love your enemy.” Such statements should properly send us into an existential crisis.

The disciples recognized this. “Who then can be saved?” They wondered.

Christ responded, “With men it is impossible. But with God all things are possible.”

The modern fascination with morality is a theological travesty for Christians. It is the reduction of the Kingdom of God to the Democracy of the Mediocre: “I give thanks to God, for I’m doing better and making progress!”

~Fr. Stephen Freeman, The Un-Moral Christian, Ancient Faith Blog, December 17, 2014

The Historical Sew Monthly

I discovered recently that vintage sewing is a gateway drug to historical costuming.  Earlier this year, I joined a Facebook group for a 1910s-themed sew-a-long, and although I didn't end up making the suit, I did learn a ton about the fashion of the period as well as priming the pump for the Out of Africa 1917 Coat Dress.  Watching Peaky Blinders this fall has been so interesting to me from a costuming perspective (the show is really a stunning production all around) and I've gotten lots of inspiration from Grace's outfits in particular.  I've been reading vintage sewing blogs for over a year, and several of them also do historic costuming, so it has been fun to read about other's adventures in this direction.  I guess it was bound to spill over into my own sewing sooner or later!  The historian in me is just loving it.  Research!  Sewing!  More research!  Knitting!  Rinse, repeat.

I've spent all fall meticulously examining the details of the costumes on Outlander (as well as pretty much any other period show I watch!) and avidly following Terry Dresbach's blog (she is the head costumer for the show, as well as Ron D. Moore's wife).  The show's costumes cover my favorite periods at the same time: the 1930s/1940s and the 18th century.  I started researching basic garments, plotting to recreate one of the outfits that Claire wears in several episodes, and then I stumbled across a few 18th century costuming groups.

Suddenly I found myself well and truly hooked on historic fashion details and construction.  I hand-stitched large portions of the Coat Dress as a result of some of that fascination, and bought some patterns and fabric to make the outfits I saw in my head.  I started researching how to make stays, of all things!  (I have a whopper of a post cooking along on foundation garments)  Earlier this month, I made an 18th century petticoat skirt (the construction is so clever!--pics to come) and have plans for a complete outfit that includes it.

thedreamstress.com

This year I've decided to join the ranks of those who participate in the Historical Sew Monthly.  The last few years it has been a fortnightly historic/costuming sewing challenge but for 2015, it will be monthly, which I think gives me a shot of participating at least a few times.  So I'm throwing my hat into the ring, so to speak.  I know I won't be able to do every challenge, in part because my time is very often not my own, and in part because I really don't have the space, skills, or resources to sew a historical costume or accessory every month.  My goal is to produce items that I can use in modern life that are historic in some way.  Plus, the guideline dates are up to 1945, so that fits my vintage sewing just fine.

That said, here are the challenges and my initial thoughts on them:

• January – Foundations: make something that is the foundation of a period outfit.  I plan to make an 18th century shift or chemise.  I have handkerchief linen that was purpose-bought for this, and a JP Ryan pattern I'm going to use.  I probably will sew it on machine, however, given my time constraints.
• February – Colour Challenge Blue: Make an item that features blue, in any shade from azure to zaffre. I've got a flannel just-au-corps/jacket bodice in the works in a lovely shade of mallard blue.  I've got it cut out and a few seams (machine) sewn, but I'm a bit intimidated by the boning, so I keep putting off doing it.  
• March – Stashbusting: Make something using only fabric, patterns, trims & notions that you already have in stash.  I have several dress-lengths of printed cotton and would like to make a 1930s-style casual dress out of one of them.  I also have some printed cotton and vintage buttons for a blouse that I didn't make last summer.  I'm also planning to participate in Sew for Victory in the spring, so I'm sure at least one of these will overlap with that challenge.
• April – War & Peace: the extremes of conflict and long periods of peacetime both influence what people wear.  Make something that shows the effects of war, or of extended peace.  I'm not really sure about this one; I'll have to give it some more thought.  Probably something small like a 1930s hat because of Lent/Pascha.
• May – Practicality:  Fancy party frocks are all very well, but everyone,even princesses, sometimes needs a practical garment that you can DO things in.  Create the jeans-and-T-Shirt-get-the-house-clean-and-garden-sorted outfit of your chosen period. This is my sewing motto!  Probably a 1940s Swirl dress for summer using my watermelon fabric.
• June – Out of Your Comfort Zone: Create a garment from a time period you haven’t done before, or that uses a new skill or technique that you’ve never tried before.  I'd really like to get to the Armistice blouse, because it scares me with all the detailing, but I already know that June will be nuts, so probably not going to get to this one.
• July – Accessorize: The final touch of the right accessory creates the perfect period look.  Bring an outfit together by creating an accessory to go with your historical wardrobe. I'm thinking about a fichu using some printed cotton from my stash.
• August – Heirlooms & Heritage: Re-create a garment one of your ancestors wore or would have worn, or use an heirloom sewing supply to create a new heirloom to pass down to the next generations. This will have to be hand sewn or something small because I usually can't sew in the August heat.  
• September – Colour Challenge Brown: it’s not the most exciting colour by modern standards, but brown has been one of the most common, and popular, colours throughout history. Make something brown. Probably going to knit this one, possibly a pair of brown gauntlets and a beret.  I have some lovely yarn that will work well for it.
• October – Sewing Secrets: Hide something in your sewing, whether it is an almost invisible mend, a secret pocket, a false fastening or front, or a concealed message (such as a political or moral allegiance). I'm considering a set of embroidered pockets for the petticoat skirt.
• November – Silver Screen: Be inspired by period fashions as shown onscreen (film or TV), and recreate your favourite historical costume as a historically accurate period piece.  I'm waiting to see the second half of Outlander season one before I make plans for this challenge!  I'm also quite inspired by the costuming on Peaky Blinders, so I might give one of Grace's outfits a go.
• December – Re-Do:  It’s the last challenge of the year, so let’s keep things simple by re-doing any of the previous 11 challenges.

And, we're off!  Wish me luck.

Talking Tuesday: Anuna

I have another Talking Tuesday post in the hopper for more reflective times, but today I wanted to share a new-to-me Irish choral group called Anuna and their fantastic rendition of Gaudete.  I really like their performance outfits too.  I immediately purchased their Best Of album after hearing this piece, and bought their Christmas one too.  The group's diction is superb and choral arranging is very tight.  If you like choral music and traditional Irish singing, this is a great group to try out!

A Win for the Home Team

I finally made a skirt I love!  It fits quite well, works with my current wardrobe and fills a nice gap that was there.  I'm thrilled.

Some of you may remember the gray skirt I made earlier this fall.  I ended up giving it away because even after fiddling with the darts, I still couldn't get a good fit around the waist.  And the pockets added bulk right where I don't need it.  In addition, the gray flannel had washed differently from the brown and a lot of the herringbone pattern definition was lost on the gray for some reason.

So I decided to pull out the Anne Adams mail order pattern I'd used for the back portion of the gray one and use the whole skirt pattern and see how it came out fit-wise.  I cut into my cinnamon Shetland Flannel, pinned and then set it aside.   I kind of hit the wall with sewing this fall.  It seemed like everything I made was a wadder (I've made a few things that I haven't even shown here because I just don't like them) and I couldn't fit myself for schmatz.  Oh yeah, and my weight has been fluctuating about 5 pounds every month.  Super fun times.

So I bought a few wool pencil skirts on ebay and etsy for the cold weather, as I'd given up on fitting into the ones I wore in between my pregnancies with Birdie and Ponchik.  I nearly put the pieces for this skirt into my fabric bin to deal with at a later date, but about a week ago, I decided I should just make it up and see how it looked.

I'm glad I did!  It is one of the best-fitting skirts I've made so far and it was easy to sew up.  I think I could probably get it done in an hour in the future, as I had to take the zipper out and redo the whole waist band the first time because I needed to add in a second set of darts.  I moved the zipper to the side and left the lining off this one, which was the right call.

I used a rust-colored vintage button from the stash--this fabric is a bit into the rust family, but there is black in the cross-weave, so it is pretty versatile as far as colors go.   The zipper isn't my finest work, but the second insertion went better than the first, so that is something.

I made the waist band much thinner than any other skirt I've made thus far, and I really like the change.  It is roughly the width of the wool skirts I bought and sits very well--some of my other waistbands have a tendency to roll without a belt, but this one seems to stay put.

Ponchik has been getting up for the day at 3:00 a.m. these last few days, which, combined with Birdie's stomach flu and Piglet's respiratory virus, is just super.  I'm running on fumes.  I'm off to the accupuncturist in a few minutes--maybe he can do something for me.  

Outfit Deets:

Cinnamon Flannel skirt: Anne Adams 9481, using Robert Kaufman Shetland Flannel in Cinnamon

Fat Face cardigan sweater: ThredUp (I love this top, by the way--it is the perfect vintage length and the little openwork detail around the yoke is wonderful)

Bird brooch: Acorn and Will

Earrings: from my mom

Boots: ModCloth

Oscillate: Yarn Along

Working on an Amy Herzog sweater pattern this last little while.  I changed the cable pattern to a straight 6 stitch cable, two back and one front cable, as it was easier to remember the stitch pattern with all the increases and decreases for the waist that way.  (I also didn't care for the look of the original cable pattern)  I've had to frog bits of it back here and there, and my knitting at the frogged lines is a little uneven, but I'm hoping that will fix itself with some careful blocking.  I'm also confused as to why the increases/decreases happen at either side of the cable panel; it makes them much more obvious, and I think it would work better at the edges, but I'm not quite confident enough in my knitting pattern hacking skills to just change the instructions as I go.

The color is a really deep mallard blue, and I'm happy with it.  It is Patons DK Superwash, but it doesn't feel like any other superwash wool I've worked with before.  Feels more like straight up wool as the yarn isn't particularly soft. I do have another cardigan that is similar in feel and I can wear it without itching to death, so I think it will be okay with something under it.

I also finished this little capelet a few weeks ago and I really love it.  It's the first thing I've made for myself that I really love and wear (well, except those gauntlets from earlier in the fall--I've worn those a ton too)  I used KnitPicks Billow yarn in Comfrey, and size 11 needles, and the texture is so interesting.  It is a useful garment and I've worn it quite a few times already.  I've got yarn to make a wool version as soon as I get a bit further on the Oscillate sweater.

The yarn is spun with differing thickness (fingering up to super bulky) so that produced a nice textured piece.  I do think I'll make the ties a bit shorter on the next one and the collar a bit wider as this one the collar wants to flip up some.  I'm curious to see how it comes out in wool as the cotton in this one makes it very floppy (which is fine).

Not reading anything worth writing about--just researching an essay on the history of tissue patterns and sizing guidelines and getting frustrated with the faulty logic of some writers in this area as well as the sketchy information available.

Linking with Ginny for Yarn Along!

Florence Nightingale ~wiws~

Birdie has come down with pneumonia these last days and spiked a pretty good fever yesterday, so I stayed home with her and Ponchik (who is still less than well).  My husband took the boys to church and we chickens hung around the house this morning and puttered.  I took the waistband off a skirt I sewed yesterday because (surprise, surprise) I had to add extra darts to make it fit properly, plus I wasn't happy with the way the overlap looked and fitted.  I'm trying to make myself put projects down when I run out of steam so that I don't a) get sloppy and b) get frustrated with the process in my desire to finish a project on some random timetable.  

Anyway.  What I wore today in my ongoing role as Florence Nightingale: I'm actually quite pleased with this outfit, as this sweater was a random good find at ThredUp (I've found some really excellent sweaters there lately) and the skirt a recent ebay find (a wool Pendleton for $5!!  I wasn't inclined to quibble about the too-big waistband and just pinned it back until I have the time to alter it properly) The seller had listed it as navy, but it is actually more a really gorgeous deep blue with black in the cross-weave.  It photographed badly on the listing, so I was thrilled when it arrived even better looking than I expected.  I've decided this winter I'm all about the wool.  I'm hormonally cold this year (not pregnant, just messed up) and wool is the only thing that really keeps me warm.

The keen-eyed amongst you will notice I've had my hair cut--I've been wanting to try bangs and also to have my curls be more uniform, so my stylist suggested a super layered cut that is shorter in the back.  (I was going for something like Claire's cut in Outlander)  I'm pretty pleased with the results, although I'm still getting used to styling it and the basic profile in the mirror.

Details:

Sweater: Ralph Lauren Jeans via ThredUp

Pendleton Wool Skirt: Ebay

Pavlovo-Posad scarf: bought in Moscow more than a decade ago

John Horse brooch: Acorn and Will

Celtic Knot earrings: Etsy

Tights (not shown): Foot Traffic

Boots: LLBean mid-calf Wellies

Linking with FLAP for What I Wore Sunday

Mustang Daisy dress + Yarn Along

Linking with Ginny for Yarn Along!

First up: I finished the 1940s Twisted Rib Sweater!  (ravelry notes here)  I wore it to church a week ago, and meh.  I realized after I finished it that the color doesn't work well with my wardrobe, and I'm not in love with the yarn (Caron Simply Soft).  A friend at church really loved the sweater when I wore it, so I gave it to her (after washing, of course!)

I seem to have a hard time finding knitted projects that I want to wear when I'm finished.  I did finish that purple soft-shoulder cowl I was working on a few weeks ago, but I made a mistake at the shoulder increases and ended up with an extra steek, plus I wasn't happy with the finished length.  It was too long at the neck and too short below the shoulders.  I wore it a few days to see if it would grow on me but it just bugged me. I pulled it all out and am going to try again and see if I can get it right the second time round.  I do like the yarn I used (Swish Worsted from Knit Picks), so I guess that is something.

As for this sweater pattern, I do like the pattern--it knits quickly, the shaping is nice, the pattern is very stretchy and forgiving on the sizing, and fit pretty well.  I think for a future iteration, I would do full length sleeves, as the 3/4 length didn't really work for me, and I would skip the ribbing at the bottom (or possibly do the ribbing on slightly larger needles).  And choose a better yarn.  Probably something in Swish.  Right now I've cast on a sweater using the Oscillate pattern from Amy Herzog using some stashed Patons Superwash in a lovely Mallard blue color.  I've frogged it once already as I did something wrong with the cable panel after the first cabling, but hopefully it will go smoothly the second time.

So far so good (second go)

Onward!  I finished sewing this dress a couple of weeks ago, but I didn't have buttons or a belt buckle that went well with it, so I was waiting until I found something before I photographed it to show here.  

I happened across a belt and buckle set over the weekend and they arrived on Tuesday, so I sewed up the belt and put the buttons on while re-watching The Wind That Shakes The Barley.  After his most excellent performance in The Peaky Blinders, I find myself on a Cillian Murphy kick.  He's another very interesting actor to watch--subtle performance, a lot going on below the surface.  Plus: Irish. I think I'm sensing a theme here.  

Anyway.  This dress.  The pattern is my TNT Frankenpattern, and I made two changes to this iteration that changed the fit just slightly, but I'm very happy with it.  I made the waist seam 1/4" deeper, which brought the bodice up slightly (my other iterations sit a little below my natural waist; I'm very short-waisted so it looks okay, but I wanted to see if I could get it closer to my natural waist).  I also frenched the central seam on the skirt, which I think may have made the skirt fit a bit closer, but I think it works.  

The fabric is from Cotton + Steel's Mustang line and I love it!  Their fabric is lovely to work with.  It is kind of between lawn and quilting cotton and has a nice drape and hand.  I'm eagerly waiting for the Tokyo Train Ride line to come out in January so I can get the Navy Countryside pattern for another dress like this.

The buckle and buttons are from a 1930s card from the Miss American line. I dislike having buttons left over after a project, and my normal three button configuration would have left me with 3 orphans, so I decided to take a page from The Button Dress and do them at an angle on the sides.  I'm pretty pleased with the result, even if it doesn't show that much under a sweater.  

It was hard to get decent photos today--it is cloudy and cold, and my camera wasn't behaving well, so apologies for the overexposed shots.  I think the up close shots show the fabric well.

This is also one of those outfits that I feel like the boots make it for me.  I'm noticing that about a lot of my colder weather clothing--I feel "off" in something until I put on my boots, and then I'm happy with my outfit.  We are shoeless in the house to keep the dirt down, so I sometimes feel a bit off all day since I'm mostly at home.  You'll notice too that I'm not doing much with my hair these days.  I'm frustrated with it and just want it out of my way most days, so up it goes.  I'm going to my hair stylist on Wednesday to see what she suggests.

Strangely, the back bodice sits a little lower than the front, even though they were the same length when I attached them.  I guess that is a hollow back problem?  It's not very noticeable with the belt, I think.  Also: I'm pretty proud of my pattern placement on that belt!  

I used the daisies on the fabric to line up my buttons so they were perfectly even on both sides. I used white bias tape to bind the neckline, sleeves, and hem, and I'm pleased with the finish.  I can pretty much make one of these dresses in a morning now.  

As for reading, not much right now.  Just wandering through Dragonfly in Amber with Jamie and Claire once again while I wait for the second half of season one of Outlander to air.  I picked up a book at the church book sale on Sunday that I might crack during the Nativity Fast called The Ascetic Lives of Mothers.  Life feels fairly spare to me right now; I'm curious to see what the book has to say.

Details:

Mustang Daisy dress: Emery bodice+Simplicity 1797 pockets+ McCall's 4275 skirt

Butterscotch buttons and buckle card: etsy

Shawl collar cardigan: H&M via ThredUp last winter

Boots: Modcloth

Earrings: etsy

Go see Ginny for more Yarn Along!

Talking Tuesday: Community in Traditional Society

Brian Kaller is rapidly becoming one of my favorite non-sewing bloggers.  He writes about a wide range of topics and, in his position as an American living in Ireland, has a unique perspective on the world.  He's from the area around Ferguson, MO, and has posted a bit about that this week.  His latest contained a little nugget that I thought was worth re-posting here, as I think he captures what it is that I am missing in (post) modern life.

"Most of the economic relationships – their rudimentary means of getting food, shelter, warmth, water, security and so on – the basics of life – are vertical, to strangers in distant and possibly unaccountable institutions, rather than horizontal, to family or neighbours nearby, or singular, things that they can provide for themselves. We grow up warehoused in schools, and most young people are aware of it and don’t appreciate the squandering of their early years. But it prepares us for the life that many American children will live, as cubicle plankton in office jobs. We didn’t grow up with many real skills to provide for ourselves, and most of us didn’t know anyone else who had them either, so that kind of life was difficult to imagine.

When I talk with elderly people here, or people from any traditional society, who grew up before wealth or electronic media, I find their lives were fundamentally different. Most security was accomplished through social pressure and shame, rather than armed men wearing uniforms. Young men grew up occupied with chores and hard labour, rather than the opportunity for mischief. People were able to provide for their own needs in many ways, that we were not raised to be able to do.

People had deep relationships to other people around them, so that the person who runs the shop might have also helped dig your father’s grave, and might have helped you with your first communion. These many threads of relationship in every direction wove a quilt of community, which cushioned the weight of the world. So people might have been poor, but they were incapable of feeling poverty the way Americans do now, for their lives were not spent floating idly upon a sea of strangers."

~Brian Kaller, Ferguson: Just the Beginning, Restoring Mayberry blog, November 29, 2014