Black Shirt: Burda 2004-5 (111)

This shirt was one reason why I bought this Burda issue in spring 2004, and still it took me eight years to sew it! It took me so long because, after a closer look, I found that the neckline was too high for my taste. Finally, in spring 2012, I traced the pattern and lowered the front seam 7cm (cut off 7 cm of the lower front bodice, added 7cm to the upper front bodice and draw a new neckline that is 7cm deeper, too). I made this wearable muslin from black knit remnants. The result is a simple v-neck shirt... I am a bit diappointed by the small size of the knot. But the knit I used is really thin, so hopefully, with a more substantial fabric this issue will be solved.

A Collection of Boxershorts

 

 

 

 

Shorts 1: Cotton remnants from this skirt and this cover
Shorts 2 and 3: Quilting cotton from Bolt Fabric in Portland
Shorts 4: IKEA bedsheet (thrifted)

Gray Socks

Guest post by Peter.

On the last few trips, I sometimes bought wool as souvenir. As my good ol' military socks (from 1993...) have more and more holes, I use the wool to knit socks. This is the first pair, with a second one to follow soon. They are an almost ideal pastime for my frequent train rides. The pattern is pretty standard, and I got a lot of help from Marlise and eliZZZa.

Keep Calm And Knit On

I have been collecting these colorful 70ies (?) plastic double pointed needle sets in thrift stores over the last few weeks. They make cool home dec but I will also use them for my next socks of course.

Another Little Black Dress

This dress gets so much wear that I thought it wouldn´t hurt if I had another one like this. The basic pattern of the new dress is the same (self drafted) but I cut the front about 15cm wider and added the cowl directly to the bodice. In the back, I left the selvedge of the fabric visible. The original dress has no darts, but in this version, I added a pleat in the back: I just tried the dress on and pinned the pleat. Then I draped the front, pinned it and stitched everything in place.

Black Back Wrap Skirt

The front of the A-line skirt is very simple, the back is wrapped and held in place by a grey riri zipper. The pattern is self drafted, the fabric is 100% wool.
Inside - I like the red bias tape and buttons:

Red Socks

Just finished my first (bed)socks in years - I think the last ones were from 1992 or so. . .

drape drape 2: Nr.4 drape top - boatneck version

Black knit, boatneck (self drafted). My first shirt and more information can be found here.

Boots

For a long time, I was fantasizing about green boots with red metal zippers - here they are! Custom made for me by Waldviertler in Austria, with riri zippers. Waldviertler offers customization of their shoes for a small extra fee and they let you choose from many different leather options (you could even combine different colors if you wanted to...). Since I wanted these special zippers, I bought them myself and sent them to the factory directly. I ordered the boots in one of the Vienna stores and they were shipped to me six weeks later. Awesome!
Peter took the pictures in Golden Gate park on our way to the Velo Rouge Cafe today. It was such a bright and sunny day that the green seems a bit lighter in the pictures than it really is. This is a more accurate picture of the color (and also features Peter´s Ethletic chucks):

Baby Stuff

I made this hoody for the baby girl of a friend of mine. Back in San Francisco, I used to have an expat support group knitting group and this particular friend was one of the "members" (she was actually not a knitter but made gorgeous jewelery). She´s now back in Europe, too, and when she announced her pregnancy, it was clear to me that I would knit something for her baby. I used this free ravelry pattern as a reference, especially regarding the size. Since I was using a different yarn, I had to make some adjustments. The hoody was fun and easy to knit (small an cute) and I finally had the opportunity to use some new to me techniques: provisional cast on and attached i-cord. My friend received the hoody last week and apparently, it is a huge success.

For another friend of my expat group, I sewed this cardigan last year:

Her baby boy was born in spring, so I figured that something not too warm would be of more use than a wool sweater. The pattern is self drafted after some measurements I found online.

And finally, my first baby garment ever, for an other baby boy:

A romper, also designed by myself. I used the size charts from a vintage baby knitting magazine and made the pattern up as I went. The yarn is Lang organic Baby Cotton.

Rain Coat

Pattern: self drafted
Fabric: performance fabric (breathable, windproof and water resistant) from Shelby
Lining: antistatic polyester lining from Shelby, too, and mesh fabric for better breathability in the back and at the upper sleeves
Zipper: riri (melange tape)

The fabric looks and feels like a cotton canvas, it does not look technical at all. This makes the coat very versatile and suitable not only for rainy weather. The lining is truly antistatic, no electricity incidents so far;-)

Collar detail
Inside, back

Cables

This pullover was inspired by a Rowans design, Cheadle. I liked the huge horizontal cable insert, but was not too fond of the idea that each of the three bands of the braid are knitted separately. Therefore, I figured out my own pattern. I started by knitting the cabled part from elbow to elbow, front and back in one piece. Then I added the ribbed waistband and cowl. The yarn is 100% merino Bernetta Davos in black.

Covered

Peter asked me to make a cover for his custom made bag. He wants it to be protected if he needs to check it in on a plane, for example. I found the ideal canvas: sturdy but not heavy at all. I assume it´s even water resistant since it´s coated with a wax-like layer. The sack closes with a velcro strip and a clip - this construction forms the handle. I copied this system from a backpack cover that we already have and which works very well.

Introducing: The Badger

Isn´t it just cute? No dead animals however - this guy is handmade of felted wool! The artist is a veterinarian who makes the most amazing fake taxidermy. The badger is the latest addition to our bedroom and makes us smile each time we enter the room.

White Linen Men's Shirt

Another shirt for Peter, made in a crisp white linen with dark mother of pearl buttons. Given the season, I think the next shirt should be one with long sleeves.