Next sewing project and an update

First, the update.

I cut out all the pieces for Vogue 8771 with my amazing yarn-felted wool from gorgeousfabrics only to realize there are tiny holes ALL OVER THE FABRIC. So very so so very so depressed now. Trying to figure out how to fix this because I don't have enough fabric to recut on non-holey fabric pieces. Worried that the black version has holes in it too now, but I've been too scared to look.

Double sided fusible interfacing with scraps to secure the holes? I don't know. Totally sad.

Instead I started cutting out the muslin for Hot Patterns Denim Diva Biker Babe Jacket (long title).

 Hot Patterns Biker Babe

I've sewn a couple Hot Patters before and find the sizing is woefully awful and consistently (laughably) larger than expected. I have a gorgeous black baby camel hair (since sold out from gorgeousfabrics) and a lovely medallion print black lining (still available) that I will not be cutting into until positive about the outcome of this jacket. The pattern is not lined, but I'm mildly obsessed with lining so it will happen. Also not including the pockets, never been a fan of boob pockets. Not including the belt either, I can't really see myself buckling and unbuckling a belt everytime I took a jacket on and off, buttons and zippers are work enough.

I've been looking forward to this piece for a LONG time. I bought the fabric about 2 years ago and had a lot of other stuff to do in that time. I've been calling this jacket, 'the jacket that will make everything better.'

New Simplicity Patterns?

I was totally flummoxed when I got an email about new Simplicity patterns, didn't they just release a new season of patterns? Any way, let's take a look!

1798

The peplum is remarkably on trend and the shows were only a couple of weeks ago. Someone at Simplicity is paying attention. Now unfortunately, the peplum is also remarkably unflattering and in my opinion, very 80's. I do really like the collared version of the dress (without peplum) and the split sleeves, but not together. One focus at a time please.

1799

Eh, its ok. I like the white dress, but not a fan of the fit-and-flare version or the fluffy sleeves. Kinda blah, eh? Boy oh boy, that's some cheap and shiny purple fabric. Pattern companies need to understand we like to see the patterns. White makes the details hard to see (black too) and busy patterns/shiny stuff obliterates the lines as well.

1803

This one has some possibilities. I love the peek-a-boo necklines, though I worry about a real woman's figure in there, it has the possibility of going female Klingon. The full skirt balances well with the more fitted bodice. The tie would look kinda sassy with a fabric covered belt. Not a fan of the notched neckline, personal preference.

1802

Rowley maintains a nice balance between girly and sporty all in one dress. The skirt is very kicky and would inspire 'I feel pretty, oh so pretty' to start playing in your head, and the seaming is a tiny little bit tough to temper the pretty. Love the short sleeves with the contrasting blues, helps bring out the sporty side.

1801

Dull as dishwater. Seen it a million times. 

Most of the other patterns are simplistic and I've seen a trillion times, but I find it hilarious that Suedesays made a children's pattern. Edgy man!

At this rate Simplicity Fall should be out next week.

Couch pillows!

I forgot I made these. Correction, I forgot I made these for use on the outdoors couch as I've been using them on my indoor couch. I've been trying to up my print mixing repertoire and I love the way these go together. The pillow forms are outdoor safe and the backs are done up with buttons. I love pillowcases with button backs. Charmant!

Fabric from fabric.com

Oh hey, Foliage! Do you approve?

Knitting Pattern Review: Sweetheart Sweater by domiknitrix

This sweater has been TWO. YEARS. IN. THE. MAKING.

Its a beautifully designed pattern with princess seaming-like decreases and increases giving a gorgeous waist. There is short row shaping in the chest for an amazing fit. The neckline frames the face perfectly. There is intarsia that is possibly the most evil design in the history of knitting. Ok, maybe not, but there were nine bobbins going at once and I accidentally dropped everything on the ground. Almost cried.

The pattern is very nice, I didn't have any problems with the instructions. The only problem that I found was that the neckline is a bit floppy. This is the first time I've picked up stitches so the neckline was definitely difficult for me. You can especially see this in the back view as the back neckline is stubbornly not standing up. When I wash it again, I'll try to coax it up. I also made the sleeves way longer than the pattern as its quite cold during the winter and my wrists would get jealous.

This was the second time I've done intarsia and it was the first hardest I've done. I was terrified that it was going to stretch out the front something terrible, but when all stitched up and the ends woven in, its .... perfect!

<3

I used the yarn recommended in the domiknitrix book which my teeny-tiny and perfect LYS miraculously had in stock in all the right colors. It knit up very nice. It feels very nice. Not itchy at all.

And to clarify, this sweater didn't take two years total to knit, I had other stuff to do.

Story #1 about this sweater:
July 2011, upon nearly completing the sweater and getting ready to seam everything together, I realized a little creature had nibbled holes all over the sleeves. I spent $20 on 15 min of time with a lady teaching me how to duplicate stitch over the holes. I ripped everything out to the holes and re-knit everything later.

Story #2 about this sweater:

The first stitches I made for this sweater I did at my boyfriend's old apartment. We'd only been going out for a short time and I didn't yet understand his (now our) cats proclivities. I had knit up about 5 rows of ribbing and headed to the bathroom. When I came back and sat with at the knitting, Amazing Boyfriend asked, and I quote in its ridiculous, "Did you give the cats one of your yarn balls?" My "No" turned into a "AHHHH" as I saw Foliage darting away with one of the yarn balls. It was a "Nahhhhhh." Resuming knitting, I quickly realized that the yarn ball that had so peaked Foliage's interest was the one I had been knitting with. She had gnawed through it. Little punk. Lesson learned.

I <3 the sweetheart sweater. I want another one. It'll only take 1 year this time, right?

Couch update!

The large back cushions are now covered. I'm really really good at covering cushions now. And attaching centered zippers. Wanna see?

Next is the whole enchilada? Well, AB had an idea. Let's rip off the seat cushions and cover those separately and then the main frame of the couch. But. I'm worried that once the cushions are removed from the frame, I'll discover that the cushions and the main part of the couch share only one layer of fabric between the two and the innards of one of those will be exposed. I'm not really keen on sewing fabric to upholstery. I can cover it all I want. I can't sew onto it though.

Removing the cushions would make the angles of the final cover easier as well as make the final product look neater. What to do, what to do?

Anyway, its going to be a while. The couch is outside and its sleeting.