one more for the small one

I thought I was done making things for the littlest. And then, it turned out I wasn't. She needed a jacket, and while outerwear is something I go back and forth on being willing to make, I figured I could handle a little between seasons number for her. Enter the Urban Weekender Coat by Heidi & Finn, a perfect fall coat.

I honestly was not entirely sure that it was going to look the way I imagined with a more drapey fabric, but actually, it's better! I had this fabric laying around that I got on clearance with the thought of a jacket or skirt or something, and decided a soft fluffy lining was in order to add some warmth, so I got some smooth minky stuff. I like the sparkle outer a lot and it wasn't as bad to work with as I was afraid (spoiler: the other kid is probably getting a holiday dress out of what I have left). In fact the coat came together perfectly. I made the 18 month size, and I probably should have gone up a size to fit more layers under, but this keeps it slim which is good for the carseat, so there's that.

The buttons were perfect and have been sitting in my stash for ages, so that was pretty happy. I love the cowl collar and it looks so cute on her I can't stand it! She looks so grown up! All in all, a very satisfying afternoon sew.

Next up: a quilt top, and then some mama clothes sewing!

quilt blocks!

No kidding, guys, I've actually been working on a quilt! And since I don't know when I will get around to another, I am really trying to enjoy this one. I started collecting I-spy type blocks a while ago with the idea of making a quilt for my little people at some point. Then the little one started preschool and her teacher is amazing and I saw the picnic blankets they were using, and well, I am sure you can see where this is going.

So I am making an economy block quilt, using 5" squares for the center, with blocks finishing around 9" when I sew them all together. 81 blocks should make a very respectable quilt, I think.

As far as fabric, I cut a square from everything I had that would work for a center and bought a small charm pack on etsy to fill it in. Then I cut all the squares for the surrounding pieces and let the little on match everything up however she wanted. My only rule was that they couldn't be so similar that you couldn't tell the squares apart, and it worked out pretty well. She picks such amazing combinations and I love watching her think about it and decide what goes with what.

So now I just have to get these turned into a quilt top, and then a quilt, hopefully pretty soon. In the meantime, I have one more thing to sew for the littlest before I start on my clothes and then some giftish things. I think having this quilt top out of the way will free up some mental space and help me feel like I am getting things finished, and it will be even better when the whole quilt is finished. Slowly but surely, progress is made.

drachenfels {the finish}

I am a knitting madwoman! Let it be known that even though it took me days to block and photograph this beauty (thanks crappy weather), it was finished by the end of October, which is what I was aiming for. This is the drachenfels pattern, by Melanie Berg. I kind of love her patterns and do have plans for others eventually. I fell in love with this one as soon as some test knits started popping up, and it was a long wait before it was published, but oh it was worth it!

I admit my color choices are a bit suspect and more of a throwing together of what I had instead of a careful selection, but I love it. I used knitsomniac designs plushy sock yarn in stormy weather and sea glass, and a skein of plucky primo in miss manners. An odd pairing, to be sure, and definitely a bit more spring and less fall, but I can't even begin to tell you how soft and wonderful this thing is.

It did turn out a bit smaller then the pattern said. I used a fingering weight yarn but the swatch was fine once I blocked it and all measurements are right except for across the top, which is substantially shorter. However, it is still plenty big and I am not in the least worried about it, just thought I would mention it. I think something about my increases was too tight so that top edge doesn't have the stretch it is supposed to. It was a super easy and enjoyable knit and I already kind of want to make another one.

Between this, the zilver shawl I made at the beginning of the year, and my rayures cowl, I think it is time to stop making things for my neck for a while haha. Instead, I am moving on to a pair of fingerless mitts, which seem a bit intimidating, but I am going to give it a go. I may also sneak in some top secret holiday knitting if I can manage it, but we'll see how time is going I guess. Also, I have actually been using my sewing machine and making a quilt! Seriously! Proof will be coming soon :)

the dragon and the princess

I learned a very important thing about myself last week. I really hate making costumes. I don't even know why, it's not hard and it's not that different from clothes which I generally don't mind making, but for whatever reason, I really dislike it. I am not ridiculous enough to say that I am never making another, because I am sure it will happen, but I just want to put it out there that I don't like it.

That said, I spent last week making costumes for the kiddos and I must say, they came out pretty cute. The big one wanted to be a dragon because her name means "little dragon" and since her sisters name can mean "princess" it just seemed too good to pass up. Initially, daddy was in charge of costumes this year, but in the end, he didn't have time or know how to use my sewing machine so I helped. A lot. I got a pattern for the dragon from joanns and modified it so I didn't have to make the entire body suit, which I didn't have the fabric for. I had a ton of felt so we picked the colors and I made a hood, tail, foot covers and mittens, and daddy made the wings. It came together pretty nicely with some things she already had and I think she made a pretty great dragon. The fire was obviously the coolest.

For my little princess I used the piece of cake dress by anna maria horner (again). I made the 12 month size since that is the biggest and just added a bunch of length. The fabric is an old curtain so I didn't have to hem and I put a panel down the front with some lacy bits to princess it up. The hat obviously makes it. I covered her birthday hat and added some elastic and the little fabric piece coming down. I admit I was really surprised that she kept the hat on most of the night. It was terribly cute and naturally she had a sign.

Sure wish I'd gotten a good picture of them together, but I'm pretty sure that's the story of my life. In case you are wondering, daddy and I had signs too and went as villagers haha. They looked cute and had a good time, so I guess that's a win no matter how much I didn't like the process. Now I am going back to my quilt. Yes, you read that right, I am working on a quilt and it is wonderful. It is my break before I jump into a bunch of the other clothes/gift stuff on my list.