Simplicity 2246

I take a course every semester with a local designer and some great seamstresses in fashion design. I LOVE it. We chat, we learn, we make stuff.  Every class I have an "aha" moment and it's like my world is being turned upside down.

Last semester we focused on pants and blouses.  For my blouse, I chose to make Simplicity 2246, which is a Lisette pattern from the designer of Olive S & Co.  I made view A, so instead of a blouse, it’s actually a shirt dress.  

 

(image from: www.simplicity.com)

 Modifications: in order to meet the requirements for class, I drafted a sleeve placket and cuff and also a proper stand collar (in lieu of the faux stand collar included with the pattern). I used a size 10 and graded to the 12 at the waist and hips. 

The material is fine wale navy blue corduroy that attracts lint like no one’s business.  I decided not to line the dress as I will likely wear a slip with it and finished the seams with a serger.

Overall, I’m very happy with how this turned out. The final version is a little looser than my muslin (I think the corduroy has a bit of stretch in it), but I’m used to wearing more fitted clothing, so I think it will just take some getting used to.  I wore it to work the other day thinking that I would wear tights for the walk in and then take them off and just wear it with ballet flats…Um, yeah, summer’s over Jacey.  I had my tights off for ½ hour before I got too cold and had to put them back on.  Then my dress clung to them all day like a small child not wanting to let go of its mother.  Next on my sewing list is a slip!!

Oh, and I looked down while I was sitting at my desk when I wore it to work and found that perhaps the buttons are spaced a little too far apart as I had skin showing around my stomach.  Another reason I really need to make a slip!

My pants from the class are the ever popular Jalie jeans and are still waiting for belt loops and waistband.  I won't lie, I'm nervous about them.  They didn't fit well out of the gate and I'm afraid they're going to look a little "becky home-ecky".  So, I'll either have a pair of great jeans to show you soon, or we can all have a giggle at my new "painting jeans":)

(sorry about the crappy pics -- I'm relying on my iPhone right now as my other camera recently decided everything should be pink. I'm shopping around for cameras, so hopefully it won't be for too much longer!)

Rhinebeck

This was my first time ever going to Rhinebeck and it certainly won't be the last!  It was everything I hoped it would be and I can't begin to describe how wonderful it feels to hang out with people who are as passionate and interested in your craft as you are.  I really felt "at home".  We hit every Target we could find on the way down (Targets, although on their way, aren't in Canada yet) and I got some great flannel from JoAnn's for pj pants. 

We only went on the Saturday, but it was plenty and we were all pooped by the time we left at 5:00. 

We were there at 8am and first in line!!!  Which means we were able to score a Jenni The Potter Rhinebeck mug, woo hoo!

Some of the line ups were crazy, like this one at Miss Babs.  But, we were warned, and really spending time in line admiring everyone's selections?  There are worse ways to spend my time.

We met some podcasters as well. Pamela and I went to the podcaster meet up where we met TheKnitGirllls, Diane from Knitabulls, and Aimee and Darren from Knitting In Circles.  Oh, and Ysolda Teague!  Earlier in the day, I ran into Lisa of Fibernymph (she also does the 90% Knitting podcast) and she was handing out samples of some of her yarn.  This is me with Bashful:)

And of course, there was knitting, lots and lots of knitting.

 I can't wait for next year!!!

Rhinebeck Bound

www.sheepandwool.com//general-information/festival-history.asp

Myself and four fantastic women from stitch n'bitch are hitting the road tomorrow to the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival (aka Rhinebeck) - woo hoo!  I'm so excited.  Hopefully I'll have lots of new stash to share next week...and some sewing too!

Unfortunately, I didn't get a sweater done specifically for Rhinebeck, but I will be wearing my Quintet cardi, which I love.  It's Berroco Ultra Alpaca and oh so soft. 

Simply Claire

Hello!  Welcome to my blog! 

I’m very excited to begin this blog.  In this first, inaugural post, I want to introduce a new sweater pattern I just released named “Simply Claire”.  I often wonder how people come up with names for their patterns.  Is it random?  Are they inspired by something in particular?  For this pattern, I was inspired by my grandma, Claire.  She turned 80 on the day I finished writing the pattern and so I thought it apt that the two coincided. 

I’ll give a little more information on me and this blog in my next post.  But for now, check it out!  Available on Ravelry or Craftsy.  My sister, Gillian, is the model and I have to say, she look hot in this sweater!  Apparently she wore it to the grocery store last week and got all sorts of compliments on it.  I don’t know what pleases me more – that she got compliments on something I designed or that she’s actually wearing it!  You knitters out there know how frustrating it can be when you put your time and energy into a project only to it go unappreciated by the recipient.  I know Gillian appreciates the effort (she loves hand knit socks!) but to have her wear it out and about is just fantastic. 

Simply Claire

This sweater was inspired by the desire for something I could wear to the office with a skirt or work pants instead of a blazer or jacket. In keeping with this desire, Simply Claire was designed with clean lines, set-in sleeves and shaping to hug your curves in all the right places without creating bulk. At the same time, because it is knit in a worsted weight yarn, it knits up relatively quick.

As it happens, not only does this simple little cardi look great paired with a skirt, it's also perfect for a Saturday afternoon in jeans!

Simply Claire is designed to be worn with 1" to 2" of negative ease and would look fabulous on a woman with curves.

Sizes

For women's garments: XS [S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL]

Finished Measurements

Chest: 30 [34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54] inches

Length: 23.5 [24.5, 25, 25.5, 26, 26.5, 27] inches

Gauge

20 sts / 25 rows = 4" x 4” in stockinette stitch

Materials

Cascade Yarns 220 [100% Wool; 220yds/200m per 100g skein]; color: 890; 5 [5, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9] skeins

1 set 4.5mm (US#7) double-point needles

1 40” 4.5mm (US#7) circular needle

Tapestry Needle

1” buttons – 7 [7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8]