Making the most of Jalie 2805

I love this basic Jalie t shirt pattern (2805), the same used for my daughter's knit dress.  It has 27 different sizes for girls and women and has several options for neckline finishes.
I wear almost exclusively knits, and I frequently find interesting knit fabric at Emma One Sock, like this mod graphic lightweight wool knit (still some in stock here).  I widened the crew neck and made a cowl collar.




I love sewing with knits; it goes so fast! Only three main pattern pieces, and I've been using a stretch overlock stitch on my Babylock Ellure. It mimics a serger I think ( no, I still don't own one):

For a cardigan I used the same crewneck shape but added an inch to the center front and cut it into two pieces. I bought this missoni-esque sweater knit from EOS last year. Love the colors.
The trim is a satin binding that I found at Mood Fabrics. I was going to put buttons down the whole length but was too lazy after the first buttonhole. I kind of like it worn open.

Once I traced my daughter's size for her dress, I ended up with a basic T-shirt template that has endless possibilities.  Here is a simple long-sleeved shirt.  The fabric is a ribbed cotton knit I found on clearance at a local fabric store, $2 for the bolt end. Can't beat that.

Don't forget I'm still running the Madelinetosh May promotion in my Ravelry store.  20% everything with code "madmay2013" through May 11.

Madelinetosh May promotion--20% off knitting patterns

For those of you on Ravelry, I'm helping the Madelinetosh Lovers group celebrate the fast approaching Madelinetosh May with 20% off all patterns in my Ravelry store!  This promo includes ebooks and runs through May 11.  Use code "madmay2013" at checkout!

There are so many yummy tosh yarns to choose from.  My favorites are tosh dk twist, tosh merino, tosh merino dk, and pashmina.  Some patterns written for Madelinetosh or that work well with tosh yarns are:

Unique Melody--designed with tosh merino

Stacked Columns--designed with tosh  merino dk

Cocoon Me--knit here by amiijang in tosh merino dk

Peacock's Tail would look great in tosh pashmina!!

Sewing for a wedding

Look at this a beautiful chunky knit wool fabric that I found here at Emma One Sock.  I bought it to make a sweater, but after I unwrapped it, I thought it would make the world's most cozy blanket.



So here's a simple knit blanket to make for a wedding gift:
1. Start with 1.5 yards of chunky sweater knit fabric. The cut edges will be a bit of a mess, so unravel and remove the excess yarn until they are straight, then bind them off with a crochet hook. Knowing how to knit and crochet is handy, isn't it?
2. Machine wash and dry the fabric once on gentle cycle if necessary, to shrink a bit and make the loosely-plied yarn a little denser and less likely to catch on things.
3. Embroider the couples' names and special date on a piece of wool felt.  I used my machine to embroider but of course it could be done by hand.  I used felt so the edges wouldn't fray. 
4. Sew the felt to the blanket. All done!
This fabric looks to be the same as used by Restoration Hardware for these pricey pillows (original cost was over $70 each)!  More great ideas for the fabric, which I hadn't thought of initially.

I also sewed my own dress for the wedding using a silk jacquard, now sold out from Emma One Sock (yes, I am addicted). I used Butterick 5415 and added a little lace trim because you know, lace is so in this season. It also helped to lengthen the dress a bit after I cut it a little short, oops.

This simple pattern lets the gorgeous fabric shine.

This silk is a stretch jacquard, which I quickly learned is challenging to manipulate as it is not only slippery but likes to distort all over the place. Getting a straight hem was a bit harrowing, but I think it turned out ok in the end. It's not couture, but no one looked too closely anyway. All eyes were on the lovely couple.

The Boyd St. Bowling Bag

Last month I had the opportunity to test the latest,  über-cool bag pattern from Emmaline Bags, the Boyd St. Bowling Bag.  This is the second Emmaline bag I've made. The first was the original Emmaline bag in leather. The Boyd St. bowler is another stylish pattern, destined to become a classic with its iconic shape and smart pleat detail.  Inside has a zipper pocket and flat pocket, and an optional long strap can be added (I made mine in leather, nice and long so I can wear it crossbody).



I used some unusual printed wool felt that I found at FabricMart, and I added leather trim. Instead of interfacing and fleece, I sewed ByAnnie's Soft and Stable foam to the lining so that the bag would stand on its own (I didn't sew it to the wool to avoid overly thick layers). I was going for a boho chic look and I love my finished bag, including the fab giant flower on the top of the zipper panel.



The stylized line art on the fabric reminded me just a little of the limited edition Prada Fairy bag from some years back ($2300--ouch!).

the exclusive Prada fairy bag

I also used leather on the bottom, with four brass "feet".

This is quite an involved pattern, with little details like shaped tab handle attachments and a gusseted zipper that take a fair amount of time. But as in all her patterns, Janelle takes you through each step with plenty of pictures, tips, and encouragement. It's almost like she's holding your hand and talking while you sew! I spent a good 6-7 hours on this bag, but the end result is well worth it, don't you think?

Janelle is giving away two free patterns with hardware kits right now on her blog. Hop on over to www.emmalinebags.blogspot.com to enter!

Sew and Tell: Knits and Velveteen

Between starting and keeping a facebook page, launching the Uptown Hobo, revamping this blog, and getting my etsy shop up and running again, recently I feel like I've been running around the interwebs like a virtual chicken with its virtual head cut off.
But I have had time to sew a couple quick things.  Sewing with knits goes really fast and makes a nice break from my "business" crafting time. I finished this sweater for my son in about 2 hours (including embroidery):

I used a wool sweater knit from Gorgeous Fabrics and a previously "drafted" pattern I made by tracing one of his store-bought sweaters.  My son picked out the embroidery from my NEW embroidery machine.  Yes!  I have a new sewing/embroidery machine that I bought in February but haven't had a chance to show off yet.  A Babylock Ellure:

 

So far it's been an adjustment from the vintage 1970s Singer Touch N Sew that I was using, but I'm getting pretty used to the Ellure by now.  The modern features are pretty amazing--just touch to switch to a new stitch, no changing of disks!  Self-threading needle!  Automatic bobbin thread pick-up!  Start/Stop button option!  And doing an automatic buttonhole is bliss--except that I feel like I'm cheating somehow.

This dress for my daughter was also quick.  I used a cotton lycra knit from a local fabric store and added contrast jersey trim ala Tea Collection knit dresses.  The Ellure has some stretch overcast stitches that mimic a serger (yes, I still don't have one), so I used that for construction instead of the narrow zigzag that I was using before.  We'll see how it holds up.  The pattern was modified from this Jalie T-shirt pattern.  Those Jalie patterns are pretty crazy with what seems like a billion sizes included, but it's definitely more bang for your buck!

Tea Collection Joburg dress

And finally, more pictures of my velveteen Uptown Hobo that was a gift for my niece's 16th birthday.  I used ByAnnie's Soft and Stable foam with this bag and I love the soft structure that it has.  I really need to make one for myself!  The fabric is Anna Maria Horner "Coordinates" velveteen in Midnight. 

I added extra hardware in the form of swivel hooks (large, sturdy hooks available at Emmaline Bags).  I love the catch lock; I got it from Fashionista Fabrics, which is sadly now out of business.  I haven't been able to find this type of lock anywhere else online.

Bonus!  An inner zip pocket.  (I put the zipper pull in backwards, but I don't think she'll notice.)

Presenting The Uptown Hobo PDF Pattern

The Uptown Hobo PDF pattern is now available for sale here on my blog!  The Uptown Hobo is sleek and stylish, with a large flap that protects your belongings and is useful for showing off unique hardware, a button or two, or a brooch.  The bag closes with a turnlock or magnetic snap (instructions are included for both).  Read on for full detains and more bag versions:

Skill level: Advanced beginner.

Features:
--Finished size: 14” wide at bottom, 11” tall, 4” deep. Strap drop is 10”, with 22” total length including rings and tabs.
--Inside has one large slip pocket. Optional instructions for adding an inner zip pocket are included.
--Either a turnlock or magnetic snap may be used for the closure.

Recommended exterior fabrics: wool boucle or coating, velveteen, corduroy, home dec-weight cottons or blends. If using quilting cotton, you may want to add extra interfacing (see cutting instructions).

Fabric requirements:
- 3/4 yard 44” or 60” medium- to heavy-weight fabric for exterior (shown: wool boucle)
- 3/4 yard 44” lining fabric (shown: quilting cotton)

Other Supplies
- 5/8 yard 45” fusible fleece such as Pellon Thermo-Lam Plus
- 1.25 yards 20” medium-weight fusible interfacing such as Pellon Shape Flex SF101 (use 2 yards if extra structure is desired)
- one turnlock OR magnetic snap
- two 1.5” (inner diameter) O-rings or D-rings
- tailor’s chalk or marking tool
- seam ripper and small sharp embroidery scissors
- screwdriver and Fray-Check for attaching turnlock, if using
- optional, if adding inner zip pocket: one 7” zipper and double-sided zipper tape

The gold bag was made using a wool boucle.   Here is another version I made with Anna Maria Horner velveteen; this version has extra hardware above the rings:

I'm so grateful to all my testers for testing this bag!  Take a look at their lovely variations--

Janelle from Emmaline Bags used Anna Maria Horner velveteen from the Loulouthi collection and added rivets for the shoulder strap attachment:

Veronica from Sew Very used quilting cotton and a leather strap.  The contrasting flap is a nice addition!

Cindy from Raspberry Sunshine used linen and quilting cotton for contrast:

Debbie from Murray Hill Bolt and Spool used chambray for the gusset and strap and quilting cotton for the main exterior (yes, that's the new Liberty quilting cotton!):

I hope you are inspired by these gorgeous bags to make your own Uptown Hobo!

Exciting happenings

I've been busy recently in rose.is.a.rose-land conjuring up new ideas and projects. In line with this, I finally started a Facebook page--please like me! (Doesn't that sound so junior high, lol).
I'm gearing up to start a line of sewing patterns, rose.is.a.rose bags. The first design will be available for sale on my blog by early April. I call it The Uptown Hobo:

The pattern is being tested now.  More details to come in the next couple weeks!

I also will be giving this blog a facelift.  I think it's time for a fresh start to go with the new bag pattern line.  Up until now I haven't paid too much attention to my online presence (can you tell??), so having to allot time for it is a new experience.  I'm also continuing to work on new knitting patterns, so between knitting, sewing, drafting, writing, and connecting online, this month I've been a pretty busy gal.  Not to mention being a mother and having a part-time day job.  It's all good though, because it means I am feeling so much better!