Sewaholic has done it again!

By now, I am sure most of you have heard all about Sewaholic’s latest offering:  just in time for the warm weather, here is “Gabriola” - also know as the perfect maxi skirt.  And I was lucky enough to be a pattern tester!

This skirt sits at the waist – which is brilliant!!  That means the skirt is going to stay put instead of rotating every time I get up until the side seams are working their way towards center front.  (I realize that a waistband that actually sits at the waist may not work for everyone, but I am personally thrilled with this feature.)  

The yoke detailing is my favorite part of the pattern, and really elevates the look from just another long skirt to something much more special.  Even if the style lines are hard to see with the print I chose, the silhouette that is created flares from the lower hip instead of the waist and makes it that much more flattering.

If I was forced to admit I was unhappy with any part of the design, it would be the large yardage requirement.  But, given that any maxi length skirt or dress is going to use tons of fabric, it is a minor irritant.

That being said, I think this would also make a fantastic knee-length or mini skirt.  Although the season is quickly passing, I think Gabriola would work beautifully in a lightweight wool with a shorter hemline. 

As I was waiting for the hemline to drop on this skirt, my first Knit for Victory sweater was on my dress form and I realized that it complimented the navy in the rayon print very nicely indeed.  I just love when things work out like that!

This is my first rather winter appropriate styling for the skirt, but I am absolutely positive it will be getting a whole lot of wear this summer!  And when the hot weather once again turns chilly, I have a feeling I am going to need a warm weather version of the skirt.  

Sweater:  Made by me, Cabled Cardi

Skirt:  Made by me, Sewaholic’s “Gabriola” Maxi Skirt

Shoes:  Seychelles

Earrings:  Macys

Dots and Dashes

I finally have some finished garment photos to share!

My second Knit for Victory sweater has been completed - buttons and all!  And I love it so much I thought it deserved its very own skirt.

There was just enough leftover yardage from my Ceil Chapman project to whip up Vogue 1296.  And after quite a few involved projects I needed something quick and easy that did not require a muslin, or masses of time and energy.  This skirt was just the ticket!

And what happens when you try something without a test run?  Something unexpected.  I was hoping the skirt would turn out to be mid-knee length.  The model on the pattern envelope looks to be extremely tall so I suppose that the skirt is sitting at her hips instead of the waistline in the photos, or maybe she just looks tall - my bad.  The end result works in wool, since I am likely to always wear stockings or tights with the skirt, but if/when I make a summer version it will probably get lengthened by one or two inches.

The project went extremely quickly since I had everything I needed on hand (except for a black invisible zipper – how the heck does that happen!?!).

And I cannot decide if this wool is dotted or dashed.  Since the red contrast is woven through the wool, looking at both the right and wrong sides reminds me of Morse code.  But dots and dashes are just as good as polka dots, right?

Now back to that dress!

Sweater:  Made by me, Sirdar 1741

Skirt:  Made by me, Vogue 1296

Shoes:  Nine West

How many red buttons are hiding in my apartment?

It turns out that I have more red buttons stashed away than I thought.  And it would seem that I have become obsessed with the color red.  Four of the six projects started in 2014 involve the color.  This was certainly not my intention, but having a theme is a lovely surprise!

Rainy Day Knits

This past weekend I really did not feel like doing much of anything - but the one thing rainy days are perfect for is knitting.

Now to find the perfect buttons!  I actually like the sweater without, but I have a feeling that a row of buttons is really going to finish this project.

Knitting Away

This is my second Knit for Victory project, although I doubt it will make the deadline.

A sweater that looks stylish in any decade.

Is it 40s, 50s, or 60s appropriate?  Take your pick!

The design is not actually a cardigan, although it has that look (and I have to admit that was my initial impression until I started reading the directions - whoops!).  The back is now complete, and I am starting to like the look of it.  The sparkly wool is from KnitPicks and, once again, they have outdone themselves with the color name:  "Fiesta"!

A big thank you to Subversive Femme for sharing this vintage treasure!

Completed Cables

With only a few hours left in 2013, I finished my latest knitting project.  And it felt great to put the finishing touches on the sweater before the year was over!

The buttons are not anything special, but they will do the job.  Contrasting buttons are always a possibility, but they limit the wearability of a garment.  I think this will get a whole lot more wear with my (rather boring) choice.  

Here is what I generally have on my lap when I knit.  It slows the process down considerably, but he is hard to resist!

Joining the Club

The Fall for Cotton Sew-Along was such fun, I just had to join the Knit for Victory Knit-Along currently in progress!

My pattern is one that I have worked with before - I love my Red Cabled Cardi so much that I thought I would make another! 

The navy yarn is proving difficult to photograph in the winter lighting, but I do love the color.  Instagram filters, however, make the texture stand out, even in dismal lighting.    

My drawers are filled with quite a few black sweaters and I always find myself wishing I had more deep blues to choose from.  So here we are!

The back is just about completed.  

I really have missed my knitting needles – this project is just what I needed, plus the motivation of a knit-along!   Happy knitting, everyone!