lumpshade

I finished a test knit for saxarocks last week!  This was a new kind of project for me - a structural, felted lampshade.
 

I used the recommended yarn, Paton's Classic Wool and knit the 8" diameter lampshade.  Since I don't have soldering equipment, I followed the instructions to use wire and metal rings to construct the structure, but I think I might need to line it with something so it doesn't shrink inwards in the middle.

I had trouble keeping it straight, particularly because my floor, lamp base, and bulb socket are all crooked, in addition to my handmade lamp structure.  I tried to balance all the crookedness.

abalone

This might be the longest I have ever waited to post a finished project.  I finished this the second week of October.  You can see I am ambivalent about it.

My ambivalence is this:  I wanted to try knitting with cotton and I have to admit that it is a big adjustment from wool (I used Classic Elite Seedling - actually a good cotton yarn, it's just hard to get used to the lack of elasticity in all cottons as compared to wool).  This is actually a good pattern for cotton, since it is not super-fitted, but where I really went wrong is that I did not increase enough stitches at those bottom corners there, so the bottom edge puckers and folds under (see below).  Yuck, I don't like it. 

But I wasn't pulling out the whole border after I was done - that was an entire skein of yarn, folks!  (I realize that not wearing it for 5 months is more ridiculous).

So that's my Abalone.  Live and learn.

packing!

 and playing with my camera!

simple jersey top

I mean simple.  Like, it's basically a pillowcase.  But with less stitches than a pillowcase.

I got this soft, light, super-stretchy jersey knit, of course, in the remnants at G Street fabrics.  All of those adjectives = difficult to sew with.  My textile preferences often override what is suited for the project, or, what I am capable of working with.  I'd rather have an item that is less than perfect with fabric I like, than a nice garment with fabric I don't like.

Thus, the pillowcase top.

To keep it as simple as possible, I based this off my square top from C+C's tutorial and this simple top tutorial that I found via pinterest.  But even more simple.  I folded the fabric in half and cut it 22" wide by 26" long.  I cut a neckhole in that top fold and then sewed the two sides with a zigzag stitch (and a 3/4" seam allowance so there would be a little bit of a sleeve), leaving 9" at the top for the armholes.  Done.

I really like unfinished jersey edges (really, not just an excuse to only sew two seams) so I just made a simple, drapey top. 

This time I did try to iron it, but this fabric really isn't havin' it.

My only concern is that with time this could be easily stretched out without seams to stabilize it. 

Be gentle.

tulip skirt (and a new camera!)

My outtakes on this camera are better than the final cuts on my old camera.

And because I am still learning how to use this camera (and use it on manual focus, and use it on self-timer), I have only outtakes of this skirt.  (I really have no excuse for the lack of ironing though, sorry, except I hate ironing).

This is the Tulip Skirt, another lovely Wiksten pattern.  The fabric is a remnant of unknown fabric content from G Street Fabrics.

I made size S and everything worked out about right, but for some reason my waistband didn't match up to the skirt when it was pleated.  It may be because I did french seams and used greater than the seam allowance accidentally, but I just made the pleats a little smaller to adjust.

I had fun playing with the stripes, using them horizontally for the placket, and cutting on the bias for the ties.  The inside of the waistband is horizontal as well.

I toiled for a day over which buttons to use - these were from the collection I inherited from my grandmother.

Sorry for all the pictures - I'm excited about my new camera!  I bought a Canon Rebel EOS XT body (pre-owned and discounted) and a Canon 50mm f1.8 that Kristina recommended.  And then I discovered that the lens on an old 35mm we got at a yard sale fits too!

I just don't have a clue what I'm doing with it.  More projects to come this week though!

Oh I almost forgot!  This is the first of my Handmade Wardrobe - you can see it here on Flickr along with photos of handmade clothes by other members of the group!

vintage finds

Oh my goodness.  I loved Avenue Antiques, once I discovered the downstairs. 

That place is so big I never bothered to go upstairs until last weekend.  It's even BETTER up there.  It's like vintage pyrex heaven.  I think I was in the whole store for two hours (poor Ben).  That place is a gem, and luckily I don't think anyone from Baltimore reads this blog, so I can keep it to myself a little longer...

Charlie Brown/heart monitor skirt (I don't know) - $10!!

 I'm working one of these plate walls - $6!

I untangled this necklace for 10 minutes in the store without knowing if it was worth it - my hard work paid off - $10!

And a vintage map of Massachusetts for $6.

Earlier in the week I picked up another addition to my vintage suitcase collection from Avenue Antiques and it's becoming a paper and pencil organizer for the kitchen because EVERYTHING ends up on the kitchen table.  This was half off - $7.50.

I know it's probably so tacky to list the prices but they're SUCH good deals!  You'll know if I don't list the price I'm embarassed to admit how much I shelled out for something...

Blogging has been slow because I've been waiting for my new camera (and now a CF card?!) and I wanted to take these pictures and others with it.  Hopefully today - I got the camera yesterday and I was sitting there with the manual in one hand, dslr guides on the computer with the other hand and somehow a third hand fiddling with buttons and switches and then I just put everything down to start looking for photography classes.  I feel like a baby learning to walk.  I'm SO excited though.