/missive/26/fiber_arts
have i repeated a title yet?
Hi,
Here is my skirt. When did I last talk about it? I’ll let my devoted fans comb the archives to figure it out. You can’t see it but believe me when I say the waistband is fucked up lmao. A lot of hook and eyes putting in some work at the back, but it’s hidden so uh you know. This is my first ever sewing project, a major “not bad,” but I don’t know how often I’ll wear it. Part of the problem is that the cotton is a lot lighter than I thought it would be. It would hang better if it was a little thicker and would be more seasonally in line with what I had in mind for this skirt. Totally my mistake, the fabric website lists it as lightweight and gives ounces or whatever. Just one of the risks of being inexperienced and shopping online.
This pillow is my second project and it is a commission! From my dad. If you’ve listened to the pod (gag) you will know some of the backstory.
Love the fabric pattern, which is ever so slightly raised and matches very well with the other couch cushions. In truth, this is not a perfect square because I was a little careless when trimming the seam allowance and just cut right through it, so I had to go back and close the hole I had made. But, again, you can’t tell and its soft and comfortable. I’ll admit it’s a little flat, but that’s not my fault and if the comissioner wishes, I’ll rip it open and add more stuffing. There’s a little white pillow in there that I also made, althought the details for the upholstery fabric say not to run it through the washing machine, so I am not sure how this will be cleaned.
I did just experience a colossal sewing failure, for those of you who may think I am some kind of savant. I had this beautiful cottagecore-style 1945 vintage pattern that someone (probably illegally lmao) digitized and made freely available online. It was not my size, but I thought it was close enough and I sewed these beautiful seams so beautifully small, like a 1/4 inch at most. I got to a stage where I can try it on and it’s too small in the bust. And too wide in the waist! So there goes all my effort in sewing extra small seams wtf. But the bust is so dimensional and complicated and I was entirely out of fabric so I had to set it aside. I guess I learned a lot - how to sew darts, gathering stitches, install lace edging and elastic - but oh my fucking god it was so disappointing to fail. When I think of the hours spent taping together and cutting out the paper pattern, then cutting the fabric and pining and finally sewing, and ripping out stitches, and resewing it all together I could go mad.
Currently, I’ve seam ripped the skirt off and undid the darts on the bodice to see if I could get away with a looser fit, or somehow insert the panel I had been saving to cut into strips for a bottom ruffle, but it is beyond me to figure out how to make the dimensions work. I suppose I could salvage the skirt and make it a finished piece, but it’s not quite my style. At least the fabric was very reasonable in price.
I’ve been working on my sweater since October and I got really tired when I finished the first sleeve and realized I had to do another. So instead I knit one singular sock, and I suppose when I finish the second sleeve, I’ll go back and knit it’s match.
I’ve done a couple socks with cables and I’ve gotten tired of it, so this time I attempted a lace pattern. I’m so impressed with the strong shapes and lines you can get in knitting with just strategic increases and decreases.
I struggle with sizing socks. They fit fine once they’re on, but getting them there is a struggle. Since they’re not as elastic as machine knit socks I worry they’ll fall down if I go any bigger.
I have returned to the second sleeve, and as you can see it is almost complete. Essentially just one more repeat of the decorative pattern. I think at that point, I join all the pieces together in a massive circle and decrease up to the neck. So this body piece and the one complete arm represent the length up to my armpit. I sure hope it works!!!
Love to successfully complete wool socks and a wool sweater in time for summer, while my sun dress implodes.
ttfn,
//gabriella
p.s. Did you know I have a podcast with my friends Amelia and Alex? I’m really proud of one of our latest episodes: Episode 18: The Maple Leaf's Time Has Passed Us: The Summer Son's Shorts Status (feat. Sam Aleums).
Check out Sam’s new album Dream Longer!
The picot edging on that sock is so gosh dang cute