Here’s the ‘before’ picture: just one of my husband’s tees that was no longer useful as-is because the armpits were all crusted up with deodorant after a couple of years of wearing this regularly. Otherwise the material was in ‘very good used condition’, as they say, and I like the geeky audio-theme motifs on the front. My husband is a sound designer and I’m a … Continue reading Upcycling a cast-off T-shirt
This is my finished version of the Jalie Yoko Square Roll-Neck Top — a free pattern! Merci, Jalie! (If you read my last blog post and couldn’t click through to the pattern, the link is definitely working now.) I modified mine by adding 5 inches to the length so I could wear it with leggings and have my butt covered. Another modification: I made the … Continue reading Yoko Convertible Turtleneck Sweater & New Clothes Making Mavens podcast episode
‘Tis the season of being broke-ass! So I thought I’d share with you some of the free patterns I’ve discovered lately. Maybe something here works with some fabric in your stash, so you don’t have to lay out any cash to get your sew on. That’s what I call #brokeasssewing! Jalie’s Yoko sweater – just released today! Thanks to Dawn and Mayra on That Sewing Blab … Continue reading A few free patterns for #brokeasssewing
Have you ever sewn something and thought, ugh, kind of a disaster, I’ll probably never wear that? Well yes, of course you have, you’re a sewist, and that’s part of the deal, right? But have you ever then changed your mind and realized it’s not a disaster at all and it’s actually not only wearable but even pretty awesome? That’s what happened with me and … Continue reading Danish Cranes, or How I Learned “How to do Fashion”
I like to (try to) look stylish. And I like to be comfortable. The perfect solution: a cute blouse — but really a t-shirt — made with soft rayon knit. Win-win! This is BurdaStyle’s Knotted Blouse from the August 2016 issue, pattern #125. I sewed it with a lightweight rayon jersey in this jeweltone teal-blue that is one of my very favourite colours. I find … Continue reading Knotted Blouse & Slouchy Tee, and Living Dangerously in White Pants
An alternate title for this post could be: A Demonstration of How Much My Camera Sucks at Capturing the Colour Coral. That hot pink shirt that’s currently burning a hole in your retinas? It’s actually coral. And those large-scale floral pants that are also currently burning a hole in your retinas? Well, I have no excuse for those. That’s exactly how they look. I mean, … Continue reading Haute Skinny Pants and Plantain Tee
There’s no doubt we could use more reasons to smile lately. It’s been a while since I’ve knitted something that made me excited to plan, happy to knit, and gleeful to wear. But this neck warmer was just the ticket! This is the I’ll Pack a Cowl for Rhinebeck by Deb Jacullo. Pssst — it’s FREE! Another reason to smile. I made a couple of modifications to … Continue reading I Was Smiling the Whole Time
I do not know quite how summer came and went so fast! Earlier, as summer appeared to stretch out endlessly before me, I had plans to tackle so much work ahead of time. Two brand new courses to teach this year? No problem — they will be done in their entirety by early August! Adding new technologies to existing courses? I’ll learn everything I need … Continue reading Boxy Tee: Free Pattern But Worth a Purse of Roman Coins
World’s fastest sew: the iCandy T-shirt (a free pattern — link below). Fun design details: the shoulder seams sit forward on the front of the Tee, and the back is a couple of inches longer than the front. This t-shirt was lucky enough to have its debut in Rome! (And its model is lucky enough to currently be on vacation in Italy!) Ironically, the fabric … Continue reading Ranta in Roma: iCandy T-shirt
Until I find a knitting pattern that specifically calls for a bunch of those 30-percents-of-a-skein of Malabrigo or Madelinetosh that are always leftover from knitting hats, this free scarf pattern will remain my go-to pattern for trying to keep a lid on my ever-expanding giant bag of leftover yarn. The Snippet Scarf by Becky Herrick is not only available for free, it’s also a pretty … Continue reading Stashbusting Knitting Project: Snippet Scarf
Frivolous At Last 