April 24, 2017

Quilted Linen Tamarack Jacket

April 24, 2017/ Ashley General

I finished my jacket just in time to wear it a little bit before we slip into warmer weather. This project was more time consuming then any other piece I have sewn, but it wasn’t any more difficult. The only reason this jacket sat around unfinished for a little while was because I was nervous about the welt pockets, but with the step-by-step tutorial on the Grainline Studio blog there wasn’t any reason to be worried! The only thing I added was a little loop at the back so that I can hang the jacket up on a coat hook (not pictured), but otherwise I made the size 2 with no modifications. I have been wearing it daily since I finished!

Pattern: Tamarack Jacket by Grainline Studio

Outer Fabric: Robert Kauffman Essex linen cotton blend

Lining: Cotton + Steel Tulips from the Bluebird 2015 collection

February 05, 2017

FO: Beach Tank

February 05, 2017/ Ashley General

I just finished my first FO of 2017, the beach tank, a pattern by Jess Schreibstein. This was such a fast knit, and if I didn’t have so many WIP’s going at once I would have finished it well before February. The pattern is simple and straight forward, and the boxy tank is the exact style I want for a summer beach shirt. I’ll probably make another one, but this time a little longer for everyday wear. But what’s more perfect for summer then a cropped, boxy tank made from upcycled denim?!

The yarn I used is Wool and the Gang’s Billie Jean yarn. It’s one of their newer yarns, sustainably made from upcycled denim (pre-consumer denim waste). I found working with this yarn was similar to working with any worsted weight cotton yarn, although it did turn my fingers blue after knitting with it! Quite a bit of dye came out when blocking too (but to be fair, WATG warns that this is expected) and hopefully I won’t get blue skin when I wear the tank. Overall I’m super happy with my yarn choice and the outcome of the project! I’m looking forward to what Jess comes out with next!

Beach Tank Pattern: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/beach-tank

Billie Jean Yarn: https://www.woolandthegang.com/product/billie-jean-yarn/yarn-and-wool

Save 15% on your first WATG order: http://watg.co/s/j96c8

January 12, 2017

2017 Sewing Goals

January 12, 2017/ Ashley General

Last week I wrote a post up about some of the knitting I’ll be doing in 2017, but I’ve also fallen in love with sewing this year so I wanted to write a little list for my second hobby too. These two crafts go well together especially because I want to work on building a well-rounded quality wardrobe this year. So I’ll start with some garment plans I have and then this list may trickle into smaller projects I have planned and even some embroidery.

One project I’ve been wanting to make since it was released is the Tamarack Jacket by Grainline Studio. I want to get into quilting and I think this jacket would be a fun way to work on that. I’ll probably practice my quilting on some even smaller projects before the jacket, things like potholders and oven mitts.

This next sewing goal I’m sure will lead me into an entire new world of it’s own. I want to learn to make my own jeans, and I’ve already been learning so much about different types and weights of denim, and all sorts of new terms too. I was inspired by these embroidered Citizens of Humanity Jeans that I can’t afford, so I decided to embroider my own jeans. And that way the embroidery will be unique too. I was just going to buy a plain pair of jeans and do the embroidery myself, but I think this is a good chance to learn a lot of new sewing skills. So I have a couple patterns ready to go and I will update as I make more progress.

Citizens of Humanity Liya Rock on Blossom

The only other garment on my mind for this year is a pajama set. I’m deciding between the Lakeside Pajamas (Grainline Studio) and the Carolyn Pajamas (Closet Case).They’re both so different and I’m sure I will eventually make both, so I guess I’m just deciding which to do first!

Lakeside Pajamas by Grainline Studio

Carolyn Pajamas by Closet Case

Some other projects include something that incorporates waxed canvas (I’m thinking the Stowe bag), a pin cushion, a fresh cover for my ironing board, and a huge embroidered map. The rest of this post is just some pictures that have inspired me lately. I obviously have a lot to learn and do this year!

September 20, 2016

My Handmade Wardrobe: Scout Tee

September 20, 2016/ Ashley General

Almost a year ago I walked into a lovely little sewing store and decided I wanted to start a new project. Initially I picked up a pattern for a button-down shirt, but ended up deciding on what looked like the simplest pattern in the shop, the Scout Tee by Grainline Studios. I picked out some beautiful Nani Iro fabric to go with it, and I tucked it all away, feeling too intimidated to start for a year. I’ve sewn a lot of bags and pillow cases, but never any garments except for a simple pair of pyjama pants, and I think the idea of making a shirt that I was actually supposed to wear in public sort of scared me. I didn't want to mess this up.

But it turns out the Scout Tee really was a great project to get me excited about sewing my own clothes. I later bought some inexpensive grey fabric, because I wanted to test the pattern before cutting into my beautiful Nani Iro double gauze. I sewed the first top in a size 0, which did fit, but I decided I wanted to go up a size for the “good” version of my top. The size 2 feels perfect on me. I didn’t have any trouble with the neckline, which was so satisfying to sew and I love the clean look of the bias neckline. I decided to use the overlock foot to finish the seams and so far they’re holding up really nicely.

All in all, this is such a good beginner project that I would recommend! I’ll probably be making more sometime in the future, but for now it’s onto something new.

August 09, 2016

Inspiration For My Handmade Wardrobe

August 09, 2016/ Ashley General

I usually stick to knitting accessories, socks, and smaller projects, but lately I’ve been so inspired to start building my handmade wardrobe. Inspired by many of the makers I follow on Instagram, the sewing store I work at, and a trip I made to a local dying store.

The dying store carried all different types of natural dyes, as well as different weights of un-dyed yarn and fabric, and the samples they had around the store were so beautiful. Karen Templer of www.fringeassociation.com posted a picture of a simple top she made from a modification of the Lakeside Pajamas Top by Grainline Studios. I love that the hand dyed fabric was a gift that Karen sewed into a shirt with the help of a pattern from another friend. There is such a story in this garment.

I also really want to add more linen to my wardrobe. The sewing store carries shelves of beautiful linen and I can see so many garments in my wardrobe being made from it. Here are some pictures from Adrienne Shanti @jai_jai_ma on Instagram, some amazing linen shorts and details of a low-back dress she made from linen.

The shorts are made from the Merchant and Mills 101 Trouser pattern, using the shorts variation. And the dress is a modification she made to a Wiksten pattern. I still have a lot to learn before I can start modifying patterns, but I love what people can do to make something completely their own.

Another maker who’s wardrobe has been inspiring me is Jess Schreibstein of www.witchininthekitchen.com. Her beach tank knitting pattern is such a wonderful basic. I love the neutral colour she chose and I plan on doing something similar when I get to knitting this one.

Jess also sewed a Camber Dress by Merchant and Mills in the prettiest charcoal fabric, and it looks like such a staple dress. I want to fill my wardrobe with pieces like this, things that are easy to throw on, neutral colours, and simple shapes. I think I’m going to try a dress similar to this using some of the beautiful linen I’ve been eyeing up. What handmade garments have been on your mind lately?