Crafting Chavs

Friday, November 18, 2011

Red Silk Dress


My goal was to finish this dress by my birthday, which I did. The fabric acquisition has a story: I found this fabric on the sale table at Joann's in Federal Way (a 30 minute drive). It was $9 a yard, which I don't usually spend at the sale table so I passed. The haunting commenced. I dragged Matt with me, went back and bought it. I discovered that I had not purchased enough (after all these years, you would think I could read a pattern) so asked my husband to drive back with me to buy more. We took a chance, first, and checked at Southcenter (a 15 minute drive). To my surprise, the same fabric was on the sale table! I don't know why I didn't check before we went back to Federal Way.

The pattern is Simplicity 5758. I combined two views, taking the shorter, round-neck version and substituting the inserted belt for the round-the-dress belt. The inserted belt is a chunk taken off a wrap skirt I bought at a vintage store in a surprise bag.

I am very pleased with the dress; it looked fantastic on my birthday, along with my Burberry purse (garage sale, $3) and Burberry print pashmina (London street fair).

Birthday Vest


As requested, here I am in my birthday vest (posing beside my birthday cards! I'm faking that the belt fits around me (not the maker's fault). I LOVE the vest. It is quite soft and warm. Little did I know that the ribbon was a hint of the package content. The necklace is very nice, too! I was surprised at the weight but it does not feel that heavy when it is around my neck. Thank you, Anna, for your gifts and your talent!

Friday, November 11, 2011

Mom's Sweater Vest & Necklace

 Vest pattern from Classic Knits by Erika Knight
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Magnum Color 8013
Beads from Legendary Beads

In hopes of having plenty of time to knit this before Mom's birthday this week, I started last August. And I believe I finished in August because this yarn is wide! I've never knit anything so fast, I love it! And I actually still have plenty left, so I'm going to make another one for myself.
Not wanting to give Mom something I'd been storing away for two months, I grabbed her some beads and made a necklace. Hopefully she will post a model picture of it soon!