Charleen's Fiberblog

The Waiting Game

Justing hanging out waiting for the little one. Laura's water broke last night but no contractions yet. They went to the hospital this morning and now I just have to keep myself busy.

I really need some summer tops. If I wanted a baby doll top I'd be in business but after considerable hunting I came up with two patterns I like. Simplicity 3786 has several variations. I'm using the View B (the bottom left) in a medium weight sage green eyelet. I also like the one with the tucks and cap sleeves (upper right).

Simplicity 3790 is for stretch knits only. I'm going to make the large view in a bright teal with white inset. What I like is the inset goes from seam to seam so you can use a nice summer weight knit but have extra coverage for the front.

We had to reschedule the tie dyeing at school but finally got a chance to do it last week. The kids were great and we got some fantastic results, especially considering we used 50/50 tee shirts. I printed out the folding directions from ProChem and the electric bunching gave the best results. Unfortunately I returned them before taking any pictures. I did dye a few but they were squirt and dash as I was busy helping them.

I do have a problem though with the dye stocks that were left over. I showed the kids how to use the syringes to fill up cups and then use those to pour, squirt, etc. Naturally, kids being kids, I saw them using syringes to squirt on the presoaked fabric and then put them back in the dyestock. I know they must have touched the fabric occasionally. I have quite a bit left over. Is it all ruined?

Catching Up

Oops, I did it again! I've uploaded pictures and started two posts, only to discover later that I never finished nor published them. Oh, well! So.....

After listening to the interview with Bonnie Tarses on WeaveCast last fall I was intrigued with the idea of Horoscope Weaving. I put it on the backburner until Marie brought up the idea again when she was planning a baby blanket. Now that I'm going to be a grandmother in June (like the way I slipped that in?), baby blankets are a top priority! ETA: Thanks, Sara, I forgot to include a link to Bonnie's blog!

I finally found some nice fabric for the Amy Butler messenger bag that Carolyn talked about a few months ago.

I've been getting in the habit of putting things in a big tote as I think about them then bringing them into my mother's. We're getting settled into this every fourth day routine and it's working out very well. When I have weekday duty it's from 4:30 until she's ready for bed, but weekends are all day and evening. While there's no sewing machine, loom, etc. I can get tons of prep work done.

One of the perks of the Online Guild is that you have access to archived notes from all of the past workshops. I've only done one toe-up sock before so I was eager to try some other variations. This is the crocheted provisional cast on with a short-row toe. You cast on half of the number of stitches you need and short row until you have 10-12 left in the center, then reverse the short rows until you are working all the stitches. Rip off the crocheted chain and pick up the other half of the stitches and you're on your way. I love this technique. I'm almost up to the heel which is also short-row. The other sock in the workshop uses a Turkish cast on and a Reverse Dutch Heel.

What about that boundweave sampler, you asked? Well, it is coming along, slowly. No sense posting pictures as I'm working my way up the back of the little purse I'm making and it's the same as the front only rightside up! I'll post more pictures after I change my tie up with the next sample. I also bought some more perle cotton in different colors at JoAnns (thanks, Sara, for the tip) which is good. I was getting tired with the blue/red/yellow/white scheme.

Indecent Exposure

Except for the boundweave sampler warp that I casually draped over the castle, the loom has remained dressed in only its birthday suit for about two months. With cool weather blowing in this weekend I decided to wind a warp for a blanket in warm autumn colors.

It will be 2" blocks woven double width (10 epi, sleyed 20 epi). 40 ends green (the yarn in the foreground is more green than it shows in the photo), 40 ends gold, 40 ends brown, 5 times, then 20 ends green at the fold. I wanted to do a plaid but it was taking me too long to figure out how to do it in doubleweave so I went with something easier. I'm still trying to work out the plaid, there's plenty of this yarn left.

So, what do you think this is?

Give up? It's polar fleece lined with flannel and this cool elasticized fold-over binding around the face opening. 1" elastic around the bottom holds it over the car seat. All that and it's reversible too. After I get some feedback from the new mom, this may end up being my default new baby present. I'm Wallaby'd out and this little gem only takes about an hour from start to finish.

Back to Sewing

Much later than promised, but here's a few of my new sewing projects. These aren't fashion fabrics, instead I used whatever I had around here rather than making a muslin. First is Easy Pieces a quick top that I tried out with some old rayon challis. This was super easy to make, although I spent more time mitering the bias binding around the neck. This is one of three new patterns designed by Dana Bontrager I bought recently. I really like the way she gives ideas for embellishments or modifications to her patterns. I have another one cut out and ready to sew this weekend. The other two patterns are Forecast and the Ultimate Jeans Jacket.

Next up, The Weekend Shirt. I used some really funky fabric and I don't think I'll wear this for anything more than dyeing or working around the house, but I will make the pattern again in a better fabric. It's very comfortable without being too baggy. I like the 3/4 sleeves too.

When I make other Loes Hinse patterns I've made the shoulders a size or two smaller because they seem to hang too low. I think the Criss-Cross Top has less ease and I'm going to retrace the pattern using one size larger for the shoulders. This fabric is a 50/50 poly/cotton textured knit. Between the flash on the camera bouncing off the polyester and me trying to stand up straight my white bra can be seen shining through! I like this pattern and contrary to what the picture shows, is actually flattering. I highlighted the diagonal seamline because it didn't show up on the dark fabric. I made the ungathered version, but I'll make the gathered version next.

Nancy's Top is a Silhouette Pattern which has separate front pieces for A, B, or C cup in each size. I'm not sure what I was going to use this bright orange fabric for but it came in handy to try out this pattern. The pattern has both horizontal bust darts and vertical darts coming up from the bottom front for a more fitted look. I like the deep facing around the slashed neckline. It would be great for embellishment, maybe some of those beads that keep following me home! It's a little bright, but maybe I'll wear it for handing out Halloween candy!

Working with Handwovens

It's taken me a long time to get the nerve to cut into my handwoven fabric and make a garment. Finally I took the plunge began to cut.

The fabric didn't fall apart when I cut and it held up well as I serged the raw edges. The flat band didn't lay correctly around the neck and I started to take it off. Unfortunately, I attacked with my usual vengance and found that I pulled the fabric apart.

Oops! It wasn't really a problem because the fabric was wider than it should have been. So I just serged off the old band and applied a new piece.

That looks much better, but the jacket is still too big. There's too much fabric under the sleeves and the raw silk doesn't have much drape. I'll probably only wear it around the house, but I still consider it a success. It was the first thing I made from handwoven fabric and I've overcome my fear of slicing into it.

After looking at Carolyn's pattern suggestions, I started thinking about patterns that would work with handwoven fabric. I think the Cathay vest would be appropriate. View C of another Lois Erickson pattern is a possibility. Linda Kubik's Elements Jacket 001 certainly fits the bill. As do two patterns from Cutting Line Designs: Butterflies and Bees and Less is More. Loes Hinse's new pattern, The Garbo Jacket that might be good too.

Sounds like a good time for a Weave-along to me!

Kimono

I painted this warp at a dye day hosted by Claudia in 2003. After I realized how short and narrow the warp was I knew I wouldn't be able to use it. So I dyed some more raw silk and made this fabric to coordinate.

Now almost three years later I finally cut into the fabric and started making the kimono featured in Sara Lamb and Molly Freeman's Warp Painting video. The rather plain fabric was a good choice for the test drive. No stripes to worry about getting straight. I got the sleeves attached and after three tries got the neckline the way I want. I cut a band from the violet/scarlet/golden yellow painted warp. Tomorrow I'll interface and attach it. I didn't put any pleats over the shoulders but it's apparent that I need to.

I was able to wrangle some spinning time too. My new Lendrum Saxony can really spin up a storm. In just a little time I was on my second (big) bobbin of lovely grey corrie. This is from the stash c. 2004. I decided to spin it before dyeing as I'm waiting for Claudia's new design - a Norwegian sweater done in natural yarns.

New Hoodie

I made the pullover hoodie last weekend (this picture is a little too dark).

After my iPod caught on a kitchen drawer pull, unceremoniously ripped out of my ear, and dropped to the floor (not for the first time), I decided I needed to make a slight alteration to the pattern.

I added a buttonhole so I could snake the cord under the shirt and out the neck (this picture is a little too bright). The next time I'll add the buttonhole before the pocket sp it will be completely out of view, but this fabric was super thick and I couldn't get into pocket far enough. Too bad I'm not Goldilocks and I could show you a picture with the color just right!

I haven't got around to getting the zippers, so the others are still not done. I did, however, get a little more organizing done in the studio. Four racks to hold my thread. Two I had but they were taking up room on a shelf in the FSR (fiber storage room). I need to get some more brackets to hang my speakers and free up some more floor space.

The roving is dry and it looks great. A little more reds than I planned but I can live with that. I tried pictures at night and then again this morning but the sun was a little too bright. I won't complain about that and I'll just try pictures again this afternoon.

I got halfway through threading the heddles for the painted warp baby blanket. I'll finish it up and sample both wefts tomorrow, but according to the comments the dark purple will be the way to go.

Yet Another One

It's a win-win-win gift. Easy pattern to knit up, everyone loves it, and it takes two skeins of worsted weight yarn. Luckily I seem to have a year or two in between the baby bonanzas.

Despite a high of 55° today and an expected high of 62° tomorrow I'm still planning on making this over the weekend. I'm making one pullover and then ordering two zippers to make the other two jackets. Here the fabric, soft and cushy after washing, ready to cut.

I also have some great knit fabric from EmmaOneSock to make a sweater . It has a great hand - hard to believe it's acrylic. A couple of rayon/lycra tops are in the picture too. Can you tell a three day weekend is coming up?

What I've Gained From This Experience

I'd like to think I've gained a few new brain cells, but after my little buttonhole fiasco today (see below) I can honestly say I haven't. What I have gained is a bunch of pounds and and an even fouler mouth! Did you hear me today? The table of contents should have been a breeze. All I had to do was use the first three levels of headings and it's good to go. Yeah. Once I learned how to lock the fields the going was easier.

So the buttonhole problem. You might remember me saying that my new Janome wasn't making buttonholes. It would only do one side and not do the turnaround. I bought this last spring, attempted buttonholes in August, and just got around to trying it one more time before taking it in for repair. I read through the directions ten times and still it didn't work. Then I saw buried in the middle of 27 steps, pull the buttonhole lever all the way down. Oh. That. And here I was complaining that the manual was written for idiots. I guess I'm right.

So here's just two of the buttonholes it can do. Once I finished marveling at my stupidity, I finally got the zipper in on my Zipper Jacket, but stopped working on that and hopped over to the loom.

Sarah just finished redoing her kitchen and I'm making two of the towels for her. Josh painted it when he was home for Thanksgiving and he put a couple of dabs of paint on a piece of paper for me. I haven't seen it yet but she's having an open house on Saturday so I'm hoping to have both done and hemmed by then.

I love this variation on the pattern. That's a purple, let's call it eggplant, on the bottom, then gold, and then a forest green. I did three repeats and after 30" of pattern I'll reverse the order for the other end.

I'm Just Sticking with Academics for Now

Nice little bag, right? First of all the fabric frays like crazy, so in my zeal to finish this Sunday evening I was snipping at the loose threads and cut into the fabric. Okay, I can live with that - I didn't like the fabric and I didn't like the way I put in the button loop. I should have folded it the opposite way. I wouldn't give it to anyone, but I would use it to store a project. Then I looked inside.

Yes, that would be a lovely 8"x10" zippered pocket sewn upside down. With that, I got my clothes ready for the week, packed up the laptop and other necessities and went to bed. I'm back in class for two weeks. Despite having three pairs of pants cut and ready to go, I'm laying of sewing until I'm not so rushed.

The merino is in the mulch pile, thanks to all the good advice. I always think I can save something, but it's very liberating to just close the book. So, Cassie, is the bag a good lesson, too? I seem to be in the education mode.

Disorder is always in a hurry

Napoleon was right!

I've been sewing so long that I have a tendency to breeze right through directions for something as simple as a bag. Seems like I've put the bag bottom in wrong. You might not be able to tell from the picture, but it will affect the hang of the bag. It's a do over.

I've had some pretty funny sewing mistakes. In my senior year of high school I took a speech class. We had to do a demonstrative speech so I decided to show how to make a dress. I went with something similiar to this. We made arrangements to give my speech in the home ec room. I had parts of this outfit finished in advance and as I gave the speech I finished a facing, a seam, etc. I sewed the last seam together (the seam that went up one leg and down the other) and, with a flourish, gave the dress a shake. Unfortunately I grabbed the wrong sides and the dress looked like it would be just right if I was doing a perpetual split! Everyone cracked up and from what I hear the look of my face was pretty funny. I still got an A. Another time (still high school) I made a dress with a toile fabric. Unfortunately, I placed the pattern going the wrong way. No problem, I cut out a smaller dress for my sister. Made the same mistake with a Holly Hobbie dress for Laura. No cutting smaller this time, Laura was two. When I pointed out the mistake Laura said it was better - she could see Holly better! She loved that dress and wore it constantly (including a family portrait with the in-laws).

Is this worth the trouble?

I bought a pound of merino fleece to try out an ebay vendor. It's very short with weathered tips. I've tried carding and combing and nothing will get all the little neps out. I tried spinning very fine and that helped, but was extremely slow and it still had some neps. I'm thinking I gave it all I could. The color is very blah, not a rich brown, although the yarn is very springy.

A Little Spinning TIme

I picked up another class. So last weekend found me sitting in Classroom Assessment Techniques and only dreaming of winding the warp. I did take some time last night to do some spinning and made a pair of black microfiber Cruise Pants.

Tomorrow I have jury duty. I was looking forward to listening to London Bridges and finishing up the Coup d'Etat cardigan while waiting to see if they need me. Unfortunately, I just read the juror notes. No knitting needles. Well then, I guess it's back to reading articles for my annotated bib. With any luck, I'll get done early and I can get on with the warp. Of course, there's always the possibility that I'll actually get on a jury.

School School School

I was in class all weekend. Friday night, all day Saturday, and all day today. The good part is - I'm halfway through the course! I have three weeks off to read assignments, write a paper, and begin work on my final project. After another intensive weekend I have two weeks to turn in my final project. Pretty demanding, but I like pace. I have one more course like this and then the summer classes are for a full week.

I cut out a nightgown for my mom Thursday night, began it Friday between school and my class, and finished it last night. I also got a little spinning in before I crashed last night.

Some lovely Polwarth from Rovings. I have no specific plans for this, but it was definitely therapeutic.

I've finished weaving all the towels on the color gamp. This week I'll hem them and decide what's next. I've got several things going through my head. The one that pops up most often is log cabin. I made the towels last summer with a very small repeat and colors that were about the same value. This time I'm thinking about more contrast and bigger repeats. Maybe two different weight yarns. I'm looking through Leslie Voiers' monograph for some inspiration.

Back to Sewing

I finally bit the bullet and sat down to finish up two knitted items. Four hours later - done! The vest only needed to have the ends worked in. The Beast cardigan had to be sewn together, but the yarn is so thick I decided to go with some Top of the Lamb (sport weight) for the seams. Both were washed and patted out to dry. I'll take pictures when I get home from school.

I ordered a few new patterns for spring and summer sewing. One of them has (what I think to be) a unique feature. There is a separate front pattern piece for B, C, and D cups. I know you can make alterations yourself, but I thought this was pretty cool. I traced the pattern onto gridded pellon and cut a test pattern out of some mystery fabric I'll never use. I always underestimate the time it will take to paint trim, but hopefully I'll have some time left to sew this weekend.