Giveaway:$25 Store credit for Miss Betty's Attic Vintage Patterns PLUS 25% Discount Voucher Code

I have an exciting giveaway for all you vintage pattern lovers - $25 store credit at Miss Betty's Attic Vintage Patterns on Etsy plus free shipping worldwide! I ran a giveaway in conjunction with Miss Betty's earlier this year, but if you haven't looked at the shop before I can tell you that she has an amazing selection of patterns for sale. Her shop is one that I always check out.

Here's a selection of a few of my favourites from the store:

Butterick 5498 - I'm a big fan of the cape (cowboy hat optional)

Simplicity 2273 - I love this belted plaid jacket

 

Simplicity 9074 - Perfect for stylish lounging on a winter evening

Butterick 4518 - Sweet 60s dress that would look gorgeous in a light wool

Sadly there can only be one winner of the giveaway, BUT I also have a special 25% discount code for you all to use. This will be active from today until a week after the giveaway has ended. So if you've spied a pattern that you really love and want to snap up, now you can do so!

The Discount Code is HOLIDAYCHEER25 (Active immediately and valid until Thursday 13th December)


How to enter to the giveaway

1. Go to Miss Betty's Attic and pick out your favourite pattern
2. Comment below to let me know your favourite
3. Make sure your email address is in your comment or easily found in your profile or blog - if not I will pick another winner!
4. After the closing date I will announce the winner here and email them.

Giveaway Terms

1. Giveaway closes at 7pm GMT onThursday 6th December
2. Winner will be selected at random after that time
3. Entries are welcome from worldwide
4. Prize is $25 store credit with free shipping

Good luck!

K x

WIP Wednesday

New cardigan started using this Bestway vintage pattern and yarn swapped with Kathryn of YesIlikethat.

 

I'm determined to crack crochet once and for all, and make a ripple blanket. I've had a couple of skill exchange sessions with my non-knitter friend who has been keeping me right with my crochet. This is based on the pattern from Attic24.

K x

p.s check back tomorrow for an exciting GIVEAWAY!

Baby Got Back

The more time I spend sewing my own clothes, the more I get an idea of the adjustments I need to make to fit my body. Some are easy, like adding length to bodices and skirts, but one particular adjustment is really giving problems and I just cannot make the pattern alterations work for me. It's the broad upper back adjustment.

It's only in the last few weeks I realised that this was the adjustment I needed to make. I used to think I just had wide shoulders but when making patterns that are closely fitting on the bodice I always ended up with the same problems:

• Tightness across my upper back
• Difficulty raising my arms up 90 degrees or more to my body
• Tightness at the front of the sleeve
• A high armscye that seems too small

This was really evident when I made up this vintage McCalls pattern, which I love:

 
I had all of these problems and eventually I gave up because I didn't know how to make it work. It didn't help that I was already grading the pattern down from a larger bust size, there was just too much adjustment for me to handle. As much as I wanted to crack this pattern and use it as the basis for loads of tops, it was a MEGA FAIL.

Fast forward a few months an the Sewaholic Alma blouse is released. You will see that it's pretty similar to my beloved McCalls pattern. I decided to treat myself to it and make a fresh start.

You know what? I had EXACTLY the same issues.

Pattern piece adjustments by Sunni - from A Fashionable Stitch

I traced the pattern, added usual length and wide shoulder adjustments but my first muslin was too tight. I then realised the type of adjustment I needed, with the help of The Fashionable Stitch's post. This was amazing - it was like it was written exactly for me! Sunni has exactly the same problems with the bodice on her closely fitting garments too.

I used her advice to make adjustments to the armhole on the back and the back of the arm and made a second muslin using the adjustments she shows on her pattern pieces.

But it wasn't much better! Still too tight.

 My front bodice pattern piece, with loads of paper additions.

Then, with the help of Fit for Real People, I did a 'slash and spead' thing that you can see on my muslin here:

 

You know what, it still doesn't feel like enough adjustment! So while I now have a name for the adjustment I need to make I still haven't cracked how to make it work for me. Though I've spent several hours and made 2 muslins I still feel not much closer to cracking the adjustments I need to make. *Sigh* It does feel like some sort of result that I have refrained from throwing it all out the window, though I did go a bit mad slashing up my muslin to see where I needed more room!

So how do I move forward from here? I have been concentrating on other projects to keep from getting to frustrated with this issue. I know I will crack it eventually, given time. I've thought about paying a private sewing teacher for a couple of hours to enable me to make up a sloper or at least to show me how to adjust for my back.

A broad upper back adjustment doesn't seem to be one of the more common adjustments - Do you have this issue with your patterns?

If this is a familiar issue to you I can recommend two online sources:
'How to Fit my Body' on A Fashionable Stitch
Article from Threads Magazine by Sandra Betzina

I'd love to know if anyone has any other help or information sources they can share.

K x

Anyone want to swap some 4 ply yarn with me?

This is just a post on the off-chance. I have 7 balls of Rowan Pure Wool 4 ply in a lovely rich purple. I bought it a wee while ago and am now having second thoughts as it doesn't particularly go with anything I usually wear.

I would love to swap it for some equivalent yarn (4 ply, 100% wool) in a colour that I would wear. These colours would be - red, green, turquoise, mustard, rich blue. I have had a peruse on Ravelry at their yarn swap section but can't see anything quite right.

So, if you have anything you'd be willing to swap please let me know by the end of the week in the comments or by email on kestrelmail[at]gmail.com.

It's a lovely rich colour and a good quality wool so if no one wants it I'm going to knit it up into a cardigan anyway!

These photo are an ok representation of the colour - I'd say it was a little darker than it photographs (the ball band is more creamy coloured than white so it's a little bleached out).

K x

Pattern Monday #35

And you thought YOUR Dad was embarrassing?

Picture from The Pattern Palace on eBay.

K x

FO: A Very Scottish Cardigan

It's finished! It's finished! My Manu is finished. I started it 6 months ago, and after a few breaks it is complete. It couldn't have come it a better time - as the weather gets colder I really need more cardigans to wear. I never actually put away my knitted cardigans and jumpers at the end of the season because they are pretty much needed all year. However it's nice to have a new piece of knitwear to throw into the mix.

Here's my notes on the project:

Modifications

• Narrowed sleeves as I found them too blousy. So, after the cast on edge and garter stitch rows I increased to 51 instead of 70-something and maintained that for the whole arm. Maybe could have done with increasing a little for the upper arm as it's a snug fit but I much prefer the more closely fitting arm. If you do this be aware that it will affect the short row shaping you do after attaching arms to body..
• Reversed the pleat direction on one side using Ravelry notes from another knitter (can't remember who but it's not hard)
• Cast on 30 sts for pockets instead of 36 and increased to 50 instead of doubling number of stitches, as I didn’t want to the pockets to be too blousy
• I had trouble getting gauge with this yarn so went down to a 3.25mm needle and also made a size smaller than I intended. This generally worked out well.

New Techniques Learned

• Carol Sunday's short row method. It seemed like a bit of a faff as you have to use lots of spare yarn to mark but was a really effective method that doesn't leave holes like the wrap and turn (or whatever it's called) method. I recommend her You Tube Video on Sunday short rows. This helped enormously.
• I-cord bind off and buttonholes
• Pleating - never tried this for knits before! Was a little tricky but produces a nice result.

Material Notes

I used New Lanark Donegal Silk Tweed DK. It is 90% wool and 10% silk. This yarn is not as soft as some wools, like maybe a Rowan Pure Wool, but it has a lovely flecked appearance and feels robust and cosy like a more traditional type of wool. It did soften a bit when blocked with a no rinse wool wash - I wouldn't use it for baby clothes but I really like it.

The yarn was a gift from my In-Laws - as were the leaf buttons I used. I didn't have the right shade of blue in my stash so went for metal buttons which pick up on the yellow fleck through the yarn.

Helpful Note for other Knitters

•   Be aware of the provisional cast on method. I used my usual method and only at the end realised that provisional method is required so you can 'unzip' it and do an i-cord bind off around all edges and cuffs. Whoops! I was able to pick up and knit instead which worked ok.
• There is a LOT of stocking stitch required with the other techniques all required at the end of the knit.
• This pattern is recommended for a confident knitter. Some of the techniques are a bit tricky to get your head around, though the main part of the knit is straightforward.
• The neckline pleats look blousy and puffy until blocking sorts them out.

Conclusion

I am so happy with my cardigan. I love the length, the pockets, the pleat details. It took longer to knit than it should have, due to breaks,  but was worth it. I know this will be a wardrobe staple for some time to come. I also like that it was made in Scotland, with Scottish wool, using a pattern made by a Scottish Knitwear Designer - Kate Davies.

Now I just need to think about what to knit next, hopefully using some stashed yarn....

K x

How it will usually be worn - with hands stuffed into pockets

EDIT: My cardigan is on Ravelry here

How To: Make Mittens from a Felted Jumper

 

Ever accidentally shrunk a beloved jumper? Or just want a new way to recycle knitwear? This tutorial I wrote at the Herald explains how to felt a jumper to make a pair of cosy mittens:

How to make Mittens from a Felted Jumper

I used a cashmere jumper from a charity shop that had already been shrunk, and I think these would make a great Christmas present. You could also make a 'string' to hold the mittens together through the arms of your coat, by cutting strips of leftover jumper too.

Enjoy!

K x

p.s - If you'd like to make a bag from your felted sweater, check out Steph's Felted Sweater Tote Tutorial, posted today

What a Copycat

As the name of my blog suggests, I like to post about things I have found as well as things I make. This item isn't something I have 'found' as much as something I tracked down after seeing it on someone else's blog. Then bought one too.
 

It is a 1970s snack tray tower that I first saw on Jumbles and Pompoms blog. I knew it would be perfect to house my jewellery collection so I tracked one down on eBay. This wasn't too hard as there were a few listed. I was the only bidder (maybe because the auction ended at 10.30 on a Saturday night) and won it for £6.99.

It's just the perfect thing for the purpose, though it would also be cool for its intended purpose of snack dispensing. Here's how it sits on my chest of drawers:

It goes perfectly with my 1930s jug. It's only recently I have begun to appreciate the variety of 1970s style and fashion, and I love the 1930s influences it absorbed. I definitely associate bright orange with the 70s but it was also a really popular colour in the 30s too, which is why these items fit so well together. The picture in the background also picks up on the colour scheme too. This is definitely the most coordinated area of my bedroom!


K x

Pattern Stash Number Crunching

How many patterns have you got stashed away?

How many of those have you actually used?

How many will you ever, realistically, sew?

Last week I tidied and re-organised my pattern stash. It now lives in 3 boxes and is divided into 3 categories: Dresses, Separates and 'Other' (nightwear, childrens, mens, household, coats and 'sets' ie. patterns with jackets, tops, trousers, skirts etc together).

 

Black box contains dress patterns, 'Other' on the left and Separates on the right

While tidying I counted the number of patterns I had and the number I had actually used. Here's how it worked out:

                      Have           Used
Dresses =      56               10
Separates =   31               12
Other =         37               3

Total =          124              25

So this means that :

• I have only sewn 20% of my stash
• Dresses form 45 % of my stash
• I have only sewn 18% of my dress patterns but I have sewn 39% of my separates patterns

The conclusions?

• I have a lot of dress patterns that I've never used
• I make pretty good use of my separates
• I really don't need any more patterns, surely most types of garments are well covered by my selection?
• Don't buy any more dress patterns for f***'s sake. Or at the very least make a few that I already have first.

 Box full of dress patterns

Of course this only takes into account paper patterns - I also have a few patterns as pdfs plus patterns in books like the Colette Sewing Handbook and Built by Wendy Dresses. It also doesn't account for making patterns more than once, as I have done with a handful of patterns. Still, it gives a pretty good idea of how my pattern stash stands.

My stash definitely reflects that like many seamstresses, I began my sewing by making dresses that didn't always fit the lifestyle I actually have. I do wear dresses but definitely have a need for separates, as the stats prove.

I don't think there's anything wrong with having stash, or with collecting patterns. I know a lot of people just love to look at their patterns or use them for inspiration. But for me, this was a good exercise in making me think about what I have and what I need. It seems silly for me to spend more money on patterns that are similar to ones I already own. Plus I have several books on making your own patterns - all unused!

What about you? How do your numbers stack up? I'd love to know if my stats are the same as anyone else's. I was going to do a poll in the sidebar but couldn't work out the best way to do it. Please add to the comments if you have numbers you want to share

K x


p.s These are 2 patterns I'm not including in my stash count, which were bought as part of pattern lots on ebay. On the left -  Vogue 6641 a blouse pattern with 23 pieces. I can't even bring myself to count if the pieces are all there. On the right, McCalls 6323, a loose fit 1980s blouse.

I think both of these patterns are so hideous I have never even tried to bring them to a swap. That being said, if anyone in the world has any use for these patterns, let me know by email and they're yours. EDIT - Now Taken

Pattern Monday #34

Susan found that strapping a cushion to her head was the best way to prevent injuries on a drunken night out.

Pattern available here

K x

Bits for Knitters

Yesterday I picked up a couple of useful knitting-related things:

1. A lint remover for shaving the bobbles off my knitwear. These are currently selling in Lidl for £2.99 which I thought was a pretty good deal? I don't know, I have never looked into buying one before but I think it will be useful. I only went in to Lidl to buy some butter but that's often the way with their weird and wonderful selection.

2. Some 'Soak', a no rinse detergent for wool. I wanted this for blocking my Manu cardigan, which I finished knitting during the week. I initially wanted to get Eucalan, another no-rinse wool detergent but my local wool shop only had Soak.  I thought it would be nice to support my local shop rather than buying something online, plus in the end it would take a few days to be delivered in any case.

When I paid for it in the shop I was more than a little surprised that it cost £17.50 (for just under 500ml). Luckily I managed to refrain from making a strangled noise or allowing my eyebrows to hit the ceiling. I'm sure it works out favourably at cost per use as you only need a teaspoon each time. Still, I am expecting to be using the bottle for the rest of my life and possibly passing it on in my will.

Once blocking is completed I just have to sew on the buttons and then my Manu will finally be ready to wear. Hooray!

K x