Kwik Sew 2948 Cardigan

This pattern is an old one that I've made several times since buying it in 2000. I cut out this version last February but put it aside due to work duties. I pulled it out on Sunday because it's cold enough for sweaters again, and I needed another project! This one was already good to go since it was already cut out. I feel like I'm on a roll with completion of the Thanksgiving Sewalong and want to encourage myself to keep sewing!

The fabrics I'm using are light green coordinating knits that date back to the late 1990s (!), leftovers from a previous ensemble. They're from Fashion Fabrics Club; the fabrics are a combination of acrylic, polyester, and other fibers.  One is textured and the other is smooth. Last time around, I used the textured as the main fabric and the smooth as accent. This time is the opposite, because I have a lot more of the smooth fabric left over.

I was able to serge together the shoulder seams, attach sleeves and complete both side seams in about an hour on Sunday evening. Knits go together so fast, especially with the serger to help things along!

 A couple of reader comments about the Giveaway:

 Karen Roth made this remark about the Sandra Betzina Vest pattern: just wanted to say if you've ever been unconfident about doing bound buttonholes, the instructions in the Sandra Betzina vest are the BEST! Of all the times I tried to get it right (welt pockets too) over the years this pattern was a major lightbulb moment. Perfect bound buttonholes/welts out of faux leather into a wool vest, bound to match. Worth it for that alone.  

Thanks, Karen--good to know! I was not aware that the vest had a bound button tutorial. TSW patterns teach a lot of great techniques. 

Pam asked: How does one manage to get so many duplicates? 

Pam, there are a few factors:

• The local ASG chapter I belong to has a trading post, and independent patterns appear there from time to time. I've picked them up only to discover later that I already had the pattern. 
• I also won some auctions on eBay that included patterns I already owned. Not an ideal scenario, but sometimes there are a few patterns in the auction you simply must have so you buy the entire lot. Thank goodness I'm past that! 
• And then, there's just poor purchasing, thinking you don't have a pattern that you already have at home.

I've gotten more careful about pattern acquisitions since becoming aware of my wasteful ways! Still haunting the ASG Trading Post, but I haven't bought any eBay patterns in a while and I've cut way back on other pattern purchases.

Downsizing and Reorganizing

DF is finally talking seriously about moving in with me. He's finally figured out that now isn't the right time to be selling my house. It's going to be a bit of a process though, as he'll gradually be moving in over the next 6 months, the term of his current lease. This is what happens when you're both older and have been on your own for years and years. We have to ease into changes.

As a result, I need to start making room for his things. While DF is a minimalist, he does have some stuff! Phase I is clearing out the closet and bureau in the guest bedroom so he'll have someplace to keep his clothes. As you all know, the guest room can easily become a haven for all kinds of "extra" storage and mine is no exception!! Among other things, my guest room is the auxiliary fabric spot. OMG!! I have so much fabric!! I mean, it's not like I didn't know all the yardage was in there, but this exercise has really forced me to face it.

So, last night, with the assistance of a glass of wine, I started pulling fabrics. So far, this is the discard pile:


I included fabrics from the main fabric room (I mean sewing room) as well, so I was able to create some extra space in the Wall of Sterilite and bookcase. However, this is what's left to be put away:


Looks like I'll need to get cracking on my sewing! Of course, that could lead to overflow in my clothes closets, but that's not such a bad thing... is it?

Honestly, I suspect that sewing will only be a part of it. I've been meaning for months to start auctioning on eBay, some items will go to the ASG Trading Post, Friends of the Library always seems to appreciate old books, and maybe I'll even do some giveaways here.

Relaxed Saturday Morning

I'm working on the annual review of my largest customer relationship this weekend, so I doubt there will be much sewing. No, instead I'll be at the office, analyzing and writing.

Maybe Sunday night, since DF will be at the Man Cave instead of my house. I hope I can find some time because I'm almost done with another Kwik Sew 2565 T-shirt. All it needs is the coverstitching at the neckline, sleeves and hem. I'll post a picture when it's done.

This morning I've been making copies of my new patterns so I can put them in my catalogs (for more on them, here's the original post on that topic). They've been sitting since the last big eBay purchase because I've been too preoccupied to buy supplies for my printer. Finally got around to it, so that's been a productive form of procrastinating before I head downtown.

Another Box-O-Patterns from eBay, and More!

I ordered another assortment of patterns from eBay and it arrived yesterday afternoon. This one's got some good stuff in it, although not quite as sweet as the last two I've won (see here and here if you want more details). Don't get me wrong--this one is still very good! 49 patterns, of which 33 I'd consider keepers. 67% positive is not a bad average, especially at a cost of $0.68 per pattern for the ones I'm keeping.

I also received a fabric that I bought for the Michelle Obama Convention Dress. It's rayon blend doubleknit from Lucy's Fabrics. The fabric is royal blue vs. the turquoise of her dress, but that's ok. I look great in all shades of blue. I happen to have a couple pairs of earrings that will coordinate, so I'm even accessorized!

And, there's a package from Fabric Mart that I expect to receive any day now. Yep, I'm still buying stuff because I don't have time to sew much...there's just something wrong with that.

The eBay Lot

I mentioned winning this lot in a previous post, and I just had to post some pictures. I've had a chance to check through them all, and they're exactly as described. Thanks, *legallyblonde! for an excellent purchasing experience!







At this point, my favorites are the purple Givenchy (lower right in 2nd photo), the red Geoffrey Beene (upper left in 3rd photo), and the Ralph Lauren (upper right in 3rd photo).

True, these are a little more recent than what some of y'all would consider vintage. Umm, yeah, you have a point. But that's the beauty of it for me: they're 20-30 year old designs but still fresh for the most part.

No Sew Saturday

I thought that would probably happen once DF and I decided to get together last night. He's working both days this weekend since we have the trip coming up, and the original plan was for me to be on my own Saturday and Sunday. Oh well. I do rather like seeing him...

I ended up doing a lot of running around yesterday. My Santa Fe needed its 45,000 mile maintenance, and the appointment was in the afternoon. The dealer is located across from the mall, so they offered to take me there while I was waiting. I didn't buy much except a couple of bras at Dillard's. I did get a little snoop shopping in, though. There were some neat things I may copy.

The first was using lace yardage as interfacing. I was looking at some sheer tunics that used this technique to line the front facing. At first, I thought they'd overprinted a design over the main print. But no, cream or white lace was layered between. The facing side was the same fabric as the tunic but a light colored solid. I'm going to have to try it or at least do a mock up. Cute idea.

I also saw some knit tops that were similar to Marcy Tilton's new T shirt pattern, 8497.



The shirts had the same basic design lines as the green view. The lap went the opposite way, and the edges were finished instead of raw. The fabric was a bold Ed Hardy style print, and the lap was finished off with large silver snaps. The snaps were the kind you apply with the plier-like tool, not the sew on ones that are so popular now, and were attached through all layers so not functional as snaps. I loved the look but $90 for a cotton/lycra t-shirt is ridiculous no matter how kewl. I wish I'd been bold enough to take a photo of the display with my cell phone, but I thought the store might have a problem with that. Maybe I'll go back and do so in the dressing room!! At any rate, I have a whole new appreciation for Marcy's design eye (as if I needed a reminder).

At that point, I got the dealership to pick me up as I was malled out and had a short wait. I did stop by Target on the way home. An Isaac Mizrahi skirt jumped into the cart; it'll be cute for vacation. Unfortunately, it's not on Target's web page, so I'll need to post a photo later. It could not be easier to make--a drawstring tube skirt with welt pockets from a ticking stripe. But there were some cute designer-y details so I went for it.

I also received my latest eBay purchase, a group of several designer Vogues I got for $7 plus shipping. I need to go through them for completeness, but there are some nice ones in the group. Patou, Ungaro, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Yves St. Laurent, Givenchy, Geoffrey Beene, among others. There are a few I won't be keeping but I'm really happy at this point. I picked up the package from the mailbox on the way to the dealer, so I had the chance to look at them while I was waiting. I can be such a dork at times (but I don't care)!

Smudge has managed to pull off his tail dressing, so I'm off to the vet again this morning. I'd given him a break from the collar and didn't watch him closely enough. Hopefully, it'll be quick if I get in there right as they open.

New Pattern Acquisitions

I was shopping in Walmart Thursday evening after work and found a couple of patterns that I've been looking for.




I first saw this New Look top on Stitcher's Guild. The original poster was looking for a garment to try an FBA on. While I recommended against using this one since it has a side zipper closure, I fell in love with the pattern and put it on my "to buy" list. I thought I'd probably have to mail order it because Walmart has only one tiny rack of New Look, but I got lucky this time. My favorite views are A (3/4 length sleeve at upper left), E (sleeveless with the wide collar, 2 versions on the upper and lower right), and D (flutter sleeves on lower left). I also like the remaining 2 views, but I already have a TNT similar to View B at upper center. View C (lower center) has a cute neckline treatment, but it's not really my style, maybe a little too retro? I don't know exactly.




This Simplicity "It's So Easy" is a dead ringer for a regular Simplicity I cut out when I was 30 pounds heavier. It's gone OOP so I couldn't buy a replacement. This is the same design, so I picked it up. This line is pretty inexpensive, so Simplicity doesn't discount it. Regardless, a good price at $2.44. I bought it for the capris, which are very close to some J. Jill capris I love.




This one is my latest eBay purchase that I got from seller krysia david. I just fell in love with the jacket. I'm not sure you can really make out the details, but there's a faux bolero (fauxlero?) effect in front that forms the stand up collar at the neck. But...there are also traditional lapels underneath that peek through slits made in the faux bolero. Whew! Making this would be a huge challenge, but you have to admit that it's a cool jacket. M. Givenchy is a genious--this one isn't quite vintage since it dates from 1997, but it's cool. The strapless dress might also prove useful if I ever need one (not likely). I'm thinking more in terms of a pencil skirt.

Following Up

Time to respond to comments and follow up on some posts.


Diane is a fellow Louisvillian and asked where I went to high school, as she is a Durrett graduate. I went to Iroquois HS, located in the South End.


Carolyn and Faye Lewis: thank you for your comments on my sewing room. It's a pleasant place to spend time. I can't find the comment right now, but somebody asked me how large the room is. Not that big, really. According to the house's floor plan, the room is 11 feet 4 inches by 10 feet 8 inches.


Also be sure to take a look at Annika's shelves for fabric storage. I'm quite impressed!


The day after I posted my rant about the postal service, I received a call from one of the supervisors on the day shift. She was also helpful and she promised that it would be corrected that day. And it was! Since it was resolved so well, I thought I should give a compliment.


The Calvin Hunt is Officially Over: a couple of days after I wrote that post, the Size 10 I ordered from eBay arrived. I also got a different Calvin pattern yesterday, a circa 1990 anorak:





I had planned on using it to make this J.Jill jacket:





However, I noticed it was on sale for a good price on the website yesterday so I went ahead and bought it. But I definitely see myself making the anorak at some point.


Carolyn and Marji: I don't see either one of you advocating not having a stash! I hope I didn't give that impression. Personally, I think having a minimal stash is vastly overrated, especially if you live in a fabric wasteland like I do. True, there's the internet. But that involves a slight wait, doesn't it? (wink wink nod nod)

The Calvin Hunt is Almost Over

The Calvin Klein pattern I've been coveting for a long time finally turned up on eBay this morning in a size 10. Of course I got it. Hooray for "buy it now!" Now I just have to be patient and wait for it to get here.

More re: eBay

Still feeling a little bit frenzied with eBay, but it's abated a little with the completion of the Threads collection. Yes! I have all of them now, mine all mine.

To be honest, I think some of the enthusiasm over the early issues is a bit misplaced. Yes, there are some wonderful articles. But there are clunkers as well. I don't weave and I'm the world's slowest knitter, so those kind of articles don't help me much. So here's my take: there's no such thing as a Golden Age. OK, so I'm being a sewing heretic. But there you are. No Golden Age. Not for Threads, probably not for anything else. So be careful of nostalgia.

I'm still happy to have them all, though. It's cool to have an entire set of anything, especially when the collection has so much utility. Yep, I still think so, even though I've just declared the Golden Age to be a myth.

Another recent win arrived yesterday:

I was looking through the pattern selections on eBay and discovered a listing of 42 contemporary patterns from lessalt. In case you're a Stitcher's Guild member, that's the same lessalt (Leslie) as on that board. Knowing her tastes and size from Stitcher's Guild, I bid and won the collection. What a pleasant surprise when the box arrived yesterday! There were even more patterns than advertised. Leslie had discovered that one of the patterns in the collection was cut, so she added a dozen more to make up for it!!! Amazing!

It's been fun to go through them all and decide which ones are keepers. Obviously in an assortment this large, there will be some that are duplicates or otherwise just don't suit a person's taste. However, I'm keeping most of them--46 at this point.

Stage 2 of eBay will be starting pretty soon, and I'll start selling items once I open a separate checking account. IMO, it's a better practice not to co-mingle money. Initially, I'll put up excess sewing things like patterns, magazines, and books, then venture out into other items as I get the hang of it. Maybe I can clear out some of my excess and even make a little money. I'll let you all know once I'm set up.

eBay Can Take Over Your Life

It all started innocently enough with the purchase of the Rowenta steam generator iron. Then I needed to get a gift for a prospective customer, so I got him a replica of the NASCAR my company sponsors (he's a big fan of NASCAR racing).


Then patterns. I had a particular set of Calvin Klein blouses in mind. I already have it, but I bought it a long time ago--before I knew to buy the pattern by the upper bust or shoulder width (depending on what method you use). I know I could, in theory, scale it down. But I know myself. It's not something I'd ever actually do, or it would have been done by now.




I haven't gotten that one yet (waiting for an 8 or 10 to turn up). But, 2 other Calvins and a Ralph Lauren have found their way to Casa Flan.







And now, Threads. Yep, the holy grail of Threads Magazine fanatics: to have a complete set. I'm very close thanks to some recent wins.





I think the next step will be to sell some things...