scaifea's 2017 knitting/sewing/cross stitch/crafting projects

Happy new year, everyone!

My first project of the new year is to overhaul/clean my sewing room. Ooof. I've got a few knitting projects going (and that old flannel shirt quilt business that's been in the process for years), but otherwise I'm between sewing projects right now. A good time for some reorganization, eh?

I always get the urge to reorganize at the new year! Go for it.

>2 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura! We'll see how it goes...

Good luck with the reorg!! My living room has turned into my craft room again. I much prefer the living room to the tiny 3rd bedroom-turned-craft room. This has the unintended side effect of me not having to figure out what to do with the wing-backed chair hiding in the craft room. My cat thinks it is her personal scratch post.

>4 lesmel: I feel so pampered that I have an entire room (and it's a big one) designated as my sewing/craft room. It's the main reason I don't really ever want to move...

>4 lesmel: My 3rd bedroom isn't really a bedroom...it is the craft room; but it's cramped and on the opposite end of the house from the backdoor -- which means I have to stop everything, walk the 40+steps through the house, let the dog out, waaaaaaaait, let the dog in, walk the 40+ steps back through the house, and pick up my project (repeat 6 times a day). The master bedroom or my office/library would function better as the craft room. Better space, better lighting, closer to the backdoor...

>6 lesmel: Ha! I sympathize with the letting out, waaaaaiting, letting back in. We have two.

>7 scaifea: yup, I thought >6 lesmel: was pretty funny too. The dogs seem to always want to be on the other side of the door. And when there's more than one dog, they completely fail to synchronize their ins & outs.

>8 lauralkeet: Laura: Our dogs do pretty well with going out together. Well, more accurately, Tuppence is happy to go out whenever Mario wants to do so - she's definitely less high-maintenance than Mario is...

So the truth comes out - it's not just cats who always want to be on the opposite side of any door they're facing. Good luck in your sewing room!

>10 mabith: Ha! Thanks! I've been working on the rest of the house first, but that's now finished, so I'm hoping to dive into the sewing room on Monday...

My sewing room earlier today, mid-reorg (and I couldn't even fit all of the fabric piles into the picture - yeesh):



But now it's all finished and clean and tidied and YAY!

Oh my. Well, at least you have a sewing room, right? Imagine if that were strewn all about the house!

>13 lauralkeet: Along with the nine sewing machines...

I'm proud of myself for sorting out a TON of fabric that I know I'll never use and bagging it up to donate. It feels good.

>14 scaifea: Congratulations on your reorganization and purge! I know that feeling. Find any interesting UFOs?

>15 avaland: Thanks, Lois! I didn't discover any that I'd forgotten. Believe it or not, I actually keep pretty good track of my projects; I may not have worked on them for years, but I know just what and where they are. Ha! For the UFO Challenge, I think I'll try to finish one of the cross stitch projects that have been languishing...

>14 scaifea: - After having packed up most of my fabric for the move, I went to the local senior center holiday bazaar and there was a lady there who makes clothes that fit American Girl dolls. I'm pretty sure I have some fabric that would work that I could donate to her. I did take a bag of left over flannel pieces (from some baby quilts) to the quilt store I use that has a charity group and a person who likes to work in flannels. But I think I'll do a better purge when I unpack.

I donated a boatload of my mom's fabric to a local chapter of Project Linus, which makes quilts & blankets for critically ill children. So that's another option to consider.

>17 dudes22: It feels good to get rid of some of the pile, doesn't it? Good luck with your purge when you get unpacked.

>18 lauralkeet: Thanks for the tip, Laura!

First project of the year = re-covering some old pillows. I made covers for these just before Charlie was born for his nursery; they now stay in the living room and get tons of use as comfy floor cushions, stepping stones in floor lava, and family pillow fights. They're a little dingy after all of that use, and certainly out-dated (Charlie's now 8 - I think it's time to update the fabrics a bit). So, here they are now:



I'm working on the new covers, using fabrics with Marvel characters, Minions, etc...

Very nice. Very practical. :-)

>21 avaland: Thanks, Lois. They do get a TON of use in our house. I've finished one and am nearly finished with the second - photos when all are done.

Great idea!

>23 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura!

I finished a pair of Gryffindor socks for Charlie last night:

Cool!

>26 avaland: Thanks, Lois!

Finished the pillow re-covery job (see >20 scaifea: above):

I made this little thing today:

Cute! Cute! Cute!

>30 dudes22: Thanks, Betty!

>29 scaifea: That is cute!! Have you made pillowcase dresses? I see them on pinterest and think "why aren't there more little girls in our family?!?" Heh.

>32 lesmel: Thanks! No, I haven't, but I've seen them, too, and they're cute.

Adorbs! You are always so busy, busy, busy!

>34 avaland: Thanks, Lois! Don't I know it... Ha!

I finished my new bathrobe yesterday and I LOVE it! The fabric is French terry cloth and it's so soft and comfortable. And I love the colors, which will go well in our in-the-process-of-being-re-done bathroom (the new colors are sage and various shades of brown).

Okay, so this isn't a fabulous picture, but I've tried taking one with the robe on a hanger and even with Mrs. Danvers (my dressform) modeling it, but none of them looked right - this actually is a much better photo of it than any of the others I tried (and no, I will most certainly not model it - ain't nobody wants that):



You can see Tomm's old robe peeking out underneath - I'll be started his new one soon...

I love that you matched your robe to your bathroom! I've never matched mine to anything really, I just go for comfy in a color I like. Yours looks really nice!!

I can never find what I want in a robe, the big thing being I hate ones that tie. They never stay tied and they open up and reveal all. So I've been thinking that's one thing I might make once we move and my sewing area is set up.

>37 lauralkeet: Laura: I've never been tempted to robe-match, either, until now. Tomm's doing all of the painting and carpentry, and my contribution has been to pick out new, matching towels and make new curtains, so I thought I'd make us all new bathrobes, too. Charlie's, however, will be bright purple, because that's the fabric he choose...

>38 dudes22: Betty: Isn't that just one of the best things about sewing your own stuff? You can custom make whatever pleases you! So will you have a zippered one? Buttons? Pullover?

LOL, Laura said it before I could!

>40 avaland: Lois: Ha! My last robe was a disgusting bright dark pink color. I've had it so long (20+ years!) that I can't remember where it came from or why in tarnation I would have purchased something in that color. So something in a nice, tame color that matches the bathroom seemed lovely and sensible.

Robes are somehow meant to be photographed hanging on a hook, I think. It looks great!

>42 mabith: Thanks, Meredith! Something about the knittiness of the fabric makes it not look right hanging any other way, although it looks great on an actual person (read: me (not that *I* look great, just that the robe turned out nicely, is what I'm trying to...oh well, you know...)).

>39 scaifea: - Amber - I'm leaning toward buttons or snaps. I have found some winter robes that snap in the past, but I might go with buttons.

>44 dudes22: Oh, snaps! I forgot about those - of course! Buttons would be nice, too, though.

>38 dudes22: & >44 dudes22: My grandmother made house coats/dresses for her daughters and herself. Mom recently gave me her house coat since A) she prefers a tying robe (go figure) and B) the handmade house coat/dress now is about 3 times too big. Anyone who sees me next to my mother always has a moment of doubt that I'm her biological daughter. I'm a foot taller (like my father) and outweigh her significantly. The handmade coats/dresses have zippers; but I remember my grandmother always preferring snaps to zippers.

>46 lesmel: I don't think I'd want a zipper - too cold...

>46 lesmel: Speaking as an official old fart, and as someone who has occasional trouble with hands and fingers, I'm a fan of robes that tie. Both snaps and buttons are very hard to manage, especially early in the morning. Even zippers can present difficulties on bad days, although my mother loved her housecoat that zipped from the bottom, and all the way up (not a metal zipper, either: it was plastic).

>48 Lyndatrue: That makes complete sense! I like a tie robe because it's easy, and I don't care if it falls a little open (although this one seems not at all prone to doing that), because no one sees me in it - I'm only in it for the time it takes to comb through my wet hair and then put on make-up after the shower.

My ultimate goal is for something light to pack for traveling that I can put on after my shower and still sit on the balcony somewhat modestly. This year I brought what I think might really be a nightshirt that goes over my head.

>50 dudes22: Oh, good point. I hope you show photos if you do decide to make one!

I finished this little dress yesterday for my shop:



Next up: Charlie's new bathrobe...

I have a few projects on the needles, too, and this one I'm particularly enjoying (a tea cozy), because the yarn is so gorgeous:

>52 scaifea: Excellent job on those tucks!

>54 avaland: Lois: *SNORK!!* The tucks were in the original shirt, which is why I chose it to make a dress - I thought they'd look pretty adorable.

>53 scaifea: I love the yarn for the tea cozy! It's so pretty!

>56 lesmel: I know, right?! So pretty.

>55 scaifea: LOL! I didn't realize that, of course. It is pretty adorable.

Charlie's new robe is finished:



My goodness, is that stuff not fun to work with - I had fuzz in places I didn't know fuzz could get to. Yeesh. But it's SOOOOO soft. He loves it.

Charlie is one lucky kid! I really love that robe. I own three plush robes (yellow, yellow, and pink), but now I want to find a purple one.

>60 Lyndatrue: Thanks, Lynda! I've never had one that soft - I've had terry cloth ones, and they're pretty cuddly...

>59 scaifea: Love the bathrobe - it looks so warm and cozy and the materiel will wash and dry easily. Well done! I'm knitting a cardi. at the moment but I decided to adapt a pattern; unfortunatley there's a slight error in the pattern at the top of the back - so I've had to guess it as best I can - just hope the shoulders or neck opening isn't too wide!

>62 justmum: Thanks! It does wash up nicely, even though I feel wrong using such a synthetic type of fabric.

>63 scaifea: Don't worry about it - I have a cotton bathrobe for wintertime but don't use it very often because it takes a lot of drying. just use my long lightweight summer one which dries in a trice.

>64 justmum: I just really prefer the thought of using natural fibers. I'm also big on re-using and recycling fabrics when I can.

> 65 That's all very commendable. Well done!

>66 justmum: I just re-read >65 scaifea: and it sounds so self-righteous! Ha! I really didn't mean it that way at all. Sorry!!

Don't be so down on yourself. Did you hear about the Christian Aid Prayer for Women on the 8th for International Womens' Day? Maybe you could share it? God, you made us all in your image
We give thanks this day
for women across the world
whose leadership, resilience and resourcefulness:
in raising and feeding families, resisting despair,
embracing new ways to thrive in a world
threatened by climate change,
is transforming their communities
to challenge poverty.
Amen.

>68 justmum: My beliefs don't tend that way (I don't believe in the Christian god), but of course you're welcome to share the prayer on your own threads.

>69 scaifea: OK I'll do that. Managed to find time to get a bit more of the cardigan done thank goodness.

>59 scaifea: Fab robe! It did come out well. I don't envy you working with that stuff. Always a challenge to work fabric with a deep pile. I think the only thing that might be worse is working with real fur. I cut up an old fur stole to put around the hood edge of a cloak...I had fur all over everywhere (but the black cloak looked great in the snowy January wedding photos!)

>71 avaland: Lois: Thanks! Ooof, I've never worked with actual real fur. I think it would give me the heebie-jeebies, to be honest. I've sewn leather before and felt like I needed a long shower afterwards. I just kept thinking, "this is skin...this is skin...I'm sewing skin..." Ha!

>72 scaifea: eewww.

>73 lauralkeet: Laura: I know, right?

I finished another little peasant dress for the shop today:



Next up: Husband's robe.

I also finished a knitting project yesterday - a felted tea cozy for myself:



And here's the teapot underneath, if anyone should be interested:

All so very nice!! I've never felted before but am taking a week-long course in felting techniques this summer. What method did you use?

>77 lauralkeet: Laura: My usual method: Stick it in the washing machine, turn the water to hot and cross my fingers... Ha!

>78 scaifea: *snork!*

I'm vaguely familiar with that method (!!) although I've never tried it. The course I'm taking is a "Feltmaker's Sampler" teaching needle, nuno, and wet felting:

Practice different methods of making felt to discover how versatile wool can be. Wet-felt around a resist to make hats, bags, slippers, and/or vessels. Incorporate silk into wool to make nuno felt scarves or fabric of amazing texture. Later in the week, use carded wool and felting needles to embellish your felt and even sculpt a figure. Students of all levels, join us for a physically active, creative week.

I'm more than a little excited.

>79 lauralkeet: Laura: Oh, gosh, that sounds amazing!

I once started collecting old wool skirts and sweaters I found at yard sales, second hand store, etc with the intent of felting them and doing pillows or Christmas stockings, but then decided maybe that wasn't for me.

>81 dudes22: I've been collecting wool clothing like that, too, and I'll eventually do...something...with them...

>81 dudes22: >82 scaifea: Rug hooking! All rug hookers start off collecting such things. Wool appliqué is another way to use them.

>83 SassyLassy: Ha! I think about doing that every so often, but my mom has a rug loom, so that's how we make our rugs 'round these parts.

>84 scaifea: Is that a woven rag rug? I'm not familiar with rug looms. There is a person Terri Schaefer in St Croix Falls WI who teaches braiding. I once took a class from her and bound a hooked mat with braiding. She is a very good instructor. Her business is called In the Wool.

Rug hooking is much more portable than a loom! Terri teaches it too.

>85 SassyLassy: Yes. This is essentially what my mom has, although this isn't a photo of hers (I've taken it from the 'webs):

Do you use a particular kind of yarn/thread/fabric to make them?

>87 dudes22: She orders the warp specially, but the fabrics are all re-purposed from sheets, jeans, flannel shirts, curtains,...

I finally managed to get the sewing machine that my mom gave me for Christmas a couple of years ago into my own house:

I love it! Are you going to have any of the lettering touched up? Is the cabinet original?

I wanted my grandmother's machine; but my cousin took it. Even though she's never going to sew a day in her life. Also, I had to show her how to box the thing up for travel and how to mount it in the cabinet.

Ah, well. At least I will get my mother's Bernina that scares the ever-loving crap out of me because it's so fast. And I'll probably get my great-grandmother's machine that was a foot pedal Singer.

>89 scaifea: You caused my heart to flutter, and my breath to catch, just a bit. That machine and cabinet are in amazing condition. PLEASE resist the temptation to do cosmetic touch-ups; the cabinet has only some very minor condition issues, and that machine is startling in its beauty.

Do you think your mother would adopt me? That's a very nice gift.

I'm sure you've probably already seen this, but just in case you hadn't:

http://ismacs.net/white/white-sewing-machine-company-history.html

>90 lesmel: I don't think I'll have it touched up, but I will be using it, and yes, the cabinet is the original. It even has the original manual with it.

>91 Lyndatrue: Lynda: No, I won't be doing any touch-ups. It works, though, beautifully, in fact, and so you'd better believe that I'm using it! And thanks for the link!

That is works is even more fantastic. Congrats to you! It's a great gift. :)

>94 lesmel: I know, right? It makes machine #10 - Husband says 'enough.' How adorable of him, eh?

>95 scaifea: As we like to say in the South, "how precious..." or my personal fave "Bless his little heart!"

>96 lesmel: *snork!* Exactly.

It's so gorgeous! Love that you have the original manual.

>98 mabith: Thanks - I know, right?!

>86 scaifea: Thanks for posting that picture of the loom. That's what I had envisioned, although I don't think I realized quite how sturdy the tension apparatus would be. It is needed. Still not tempted?!

>89 scaifea: Beautiful machine and what great condition!

Oh, what a lovely machine! What a gift!

>100 SassyLassy: You're welcome! Threading that thing is a bit of a nightmare, though.

>101 avaland: Thanks, Lois! I can't wait to try it out!

>102 scaifea: I just happened to think of something. Have you ever used a treadle machine before? If not, I strongly suggest "pretend sewing" with it so that you get the feel of it. You know, without needle, or thread, just a piece of cloth that you can run under the foot, at first. There's a rhythm you'll fall into once you're used to it, but it's something to get used to, that necessary coordination between feet and eyes and hands.

It almost makes me want one... Oh, wait, no I don't. I have enough yard work to wear me out; no sense having a sewing machine that contributes. I really look forward to hearing your adventures as you start to use it.

>103 Lyndatrue: No, I haven't used one before, and so I've planned on doing just that - practicing. I don't think it'll take too long to get the hang of it (being a percussionist, I have a bit of experience using my hands and feet in rhythm with each other), but we'll see.

And I don't care for yard work at all, so I don't have that problem, at least! Ha! The Outdoors is completely my husband's domain...

>104 scaifea: I like that you give it a proper name. The Outdoors. ha! Anyone want to volunteer to take care of my The Outdoors?! Which reminds me I need to update my gardening thread...

>105 lesmel: I tend to capitalize The Unknown. I much prefer to stay indoors, completely.

>103 Lyndatrue: I really like how you reigned yourself in there! I wish I had a bit more of self-control.

>107 avaland: Self-restraint when it comes to sewing machines? ... Never heard of it.

I *have* been sewing, folks, but I just keep forgetting to post here. Plus, I recently finished up a new bathrobe for Tomm, and of course he won't let me take a photo of him in it (and it took FOREVER to make, for some reason). But I did whip up another little peasant dress for my shop today:



Edited to change "bathroom" to "bathrobe."

Next up is the annual Spring Cutting Off Charlie's Pajamas to Make Pajama Shorts (so that they last until fall)...

I smile every time I see those little shirt dresses, they're so precious.

>111 mabith: Me too!!

>111 mabith: >112 lesmel: Aw, thanks, ladies! I love making them - it's so fun to watch the shirt transform into a cute little dress.

>109 scaifea: - At first I was ok with Tomm not letting you take a picture of him in the bathroom, but then I realized you probably meant bathrobe and I had a little chuckle.

>114 dudes22: *snork!* Sorry about the typo!

So last weekend I found a lovely flowery fabric at one of the garage sales for $.50, and decided to pair it up with a scrap of pink leftovers from another project to make Charlie's teacher an end-of-the-year present:



I'm going to fill it with summer vacation themed odds and ends (sunglasses, nail polish, flip-flops, sunscreen and a copy of Michael Chabon's Summerland.

That's so cute ! And what a good idea for a teacher!

>117 dudes22: Aw, thanks!

That is a great idea. As a teacher I received so many gifts over the years (most of them given with love but not much thought as to their use :O) and your's would have been a highlight!

>119 judylou: Thanks so much, Judy! That's so good to know that you would have liked it!

Here it is with all the goodies in it:

That's a fabulous gift, Amber!

>121 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura! I hope she likes it; she's been amazing this year for Charlie.

That is such a lovely teacher gift, Amber! I'm sure she will love it if she has any sense at all, and it sounds like she does. :-)

>123 rosalita: Thanks, Julia! It was pretty fun to make, too, so I've been trying to think if it would work to make some out of upcycled fabrics - jeans, maybe? I don't know.

>120 scaifea: I saw that on Flickr and LOVED it (still love it)!! Thinking Flickr, have you seen anything if Flickr will be part of the Yahoo sale to Verizon?

>124 scaifea: Am I right that it has to be a heavier fabric in order to maintain its shape? The first thing that came to mind was lawn-furniture cushions as they tend to be a heavier fabric. But jeans would be very cute, too.

>126 rosalita: You could use stabilizer with a lighter fabric. I've done that.

>125 lesmel: Thanks so much! I don't know about flickr and the yahoo sale...

>126 rosalita: Julia: I made this one out of a ducking fabric, so yeah, a heavier one, but I also used interfacing as well, so technically you could use a lighter material, too.

>127 lesmel: Yep. I buy the stuff by the bolt because I use it tons.

Hey, look, I finished a pair of socks!

>129 scaifea: Those socks are wonderful! Heck, I'd buy them if they were in a store (except they're probably knitted with wool yarn). I love how the colors aren't the same. It almost makes me want to get out the knitting needles. Almost.

>130 Lyndatrue: Thanks! Yep, the yarn is a 70% wool blend. It's a self-striping yarn, which I love, and made the second sock not so boring.

Very stripedy! I don't really understand the magic behind self-striping yarn, but I love the results.

>132 rosalita: Thanks, Julia! Me, either, and me, too!

Very cute socks.

>134 judylou: Thanks!

>133 scaifea: Right? How does the yarn know where to make stripes when the yarn doesn't know how big the thing is going to be? It's a pure mystery to me.

>136 rosalita: Julia: AGREED!

>136 rosalita: you're making my head explode!

>138 lauralkeet: Laura: Ha! I guess maybe I sort of get sock yarn that's self-striping - it's made to be used to make socks, which don't have a lot of variation on how big around the knitting round will be. But other yarns? Yeah, I don't know.

>138 lauralkeet: Ha! I'm so glad I'm not the only one befuddled by this magical yarn mystery. :-)

>140 rosalita: Julia: It would be a fabulous topic for one of your clickbaits...

>141 scaifea: Hmm. I'll have to see if I can find an article ... good idea!

>142 rosalita: Julia: I get ideas sometimes...

Love the socks!

Thanks, Lois!

My latest finished project - a tote made from old jeans and a flannel shirt for the lining:

How cool is that! I love it.

>147 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura!

>146 scaifea: Very CUTE! I love recycled/upcycled clothing projects.

>149 lesmel: Thanks!

So cute!

>151 rosalita: Thanks, Julia!

Great idea! The last think I made out of old jeans was a wide-brimmed sunhat (I had to piece some of it).

>153 avaland: Thanks, Lois!

The projects are fantastic! I just moved so I don't even have access to my crafts for a while but I can't wait to get going again. I have room-mates so I can't indulge myself. I have to get organized right away!

>155 mmignano11: Thanks! I hope you can get to your crafting stuff soon. I know it's frustrating not to be able to!

I finished another pair of socks last night:

Ooh, those are fabulous! Is that self-striping yarn just knit in stockinette or is there a pattern going on there?

>158 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura! Yep, self-striping. Love that stuff.

So pretty! I love the chocolatey color.

>160 lesmel: Thanks! I love the colors, too, especially the bit of blue that peeks out occasionally. I love knitting with self-striping yarn, partly because it's fun to watch the pattern unfold.

Lovely socks, and gorgeous yarn!

>162 mabith: Thanks!

Well, I had a bit of a dry spell with the sewing and such, and then we did some house renovation, which screwed my whole schedule/system up, but now I think things are back to normal, and here's my latest project, Charlie's Halloween costume (Link, from The Legend of Zelda):









I bought the long-sleeved t-shirt, the boots, the tights and the sword, but managed to make everything else myself.

>164 scaifea: I wonder what you will do when Charlie grows out of modeling for you (they grow up, you know). He's a great kid, and that's an excellent costume.

I ought to find the old photographs of my daughter in her angel costume (40 years ago).

>165 Lyndatrue: Charlie is so much like my brother, who loved Halloween until the day he died (at 46) and asked my mom for help making his costume every year, that I feel fairly confident that I'll be able to keep this gig for a good while yet.

That’s really cute. I think it’s great he’s willing to wear tights.

He looks wonderful!

Fantastic Halloween costume! And model! :-)

>166 scaifea: I'm sad that your brother left so soon, but really happy that Charlie is like him. He takes the best pictures (of course, you have a good eye to get those shots, too). I think that I love the next to the last one the best (he is posed almost like an illustration).

>167 dudes22: Thanks! He loves tights, in fact; he's in ballet classes and loves the outfits.

>168 judylou: Thanks so much!

>169 rosalita: Thanks, Julia! I agree about that model...

>170 Lyndatrue: I miss my brother every day, but I love that I can see him in Charlie in a million different ways. And thanks for the picture love - he is pretty photogenic, but also the key is to just click away and take tons and then sort through them for the good stuff. It helps that he can be a bit of a ham sometimes, too.

My! Charlie has grown!!

>166 scaifea: Sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. I'm glad you can see him in Charlie.

The last major costume my son made was a full size "sock monkey" costume. He bought the fabric and came to our house to use my machine. While he accepted help engineering the head, he would not let me do any sewing. He didn't want to have to say to others that his mother had helped him. He was probably in his late 20s. Oh, and I bought him his own sewing machine and he makes costumes for his wife!

>172 avaland: Thanks, Lois. It's been 7.5 years since he died, and I'm finally at a place where I can remember him with fondness and laughter (he had an amazing sense of humor). I LOVE that I see so much of him in Charlie, and I love sharing stories about him with Charlie, who was 1.5 when Steve died and so doesn't remember him on his own.

And I LOVE that your son has a machine and does his own (and his wife's) sewing! That's so excellent.

My next project is making a suit, vest and tie for Charlie to wear to his school winter program. So far, I've the bow tie finished:

>174 scaifea: I can't wait to see the outfit! I love the bowtie. :)

>175 lesmel: Thanks! Charlie picked out the fabric for the tie and vest - the vest is the same pattern but green with silver snowflakes. I'm hoping to find a flannel/wool blend for the actual suit, but I may have to order it online. We'll see how it goes.

Cute! Cute! Cute! Is the suit going to be plaid???

>177 dudes22: Ha! It probably would have been if I'd allowed Charlie to choose that fabric, too. I want him to have a dark grey suit, though, in case he needs it for something else (in the next couple of months before he outgrows it (yoicks)).

Wow, a whole suit! Charlie is a lucky kiddo.

>179 mabith: Ha! Well, maybe, if I can get the thing made... The fabric did come in the mail from Mood yesterday, so I'll get started soon, maybe.

>180 scaifea: I saw your mention of Mood. Have you been to the garment district in NYC, Amber? Very overwhelming (so I say every time and yet, I go back again and again). My problem is that I don't always go with projects in mind, so I am overwhelmed - it's like a drug trip. The last obsession was Liberty of London....

>181 avaland: Lois: No, I haven't but I'd LOVE to, of course! I think that may be why Tomm never invites me to go with him on his NYC business trips...

>182 scaifea: whahahahaha! No doubt!

>183 avaland: One of these days, though...

Progress Report:
Vest is nearly finished, and I'm also nearly done knitting a Ravenclaw scarf for Tomm. Photos soonish, I hope...

Okay, so here's Tomm's Ravenclaw scarf:

Beautiful! Such a vivid blue!

Thanks, Lois!

The vest is finished:



Up next - the suit pants.

>188 scaifea: OH! I love it!! And the Scarf in >185 scaifea: is lovely!

Beautiful! And combined with the necktie Charlie is going to look fabulous.

Thanks, ladies!

I can't wait to see a pic of Charlie wearing this dashing ensemble!

>192 lauralkeet: Laura: I can't wait for to see the whole thing, too! The difficult part will be getting him to to a fitting for the pants; he's as fond of fitting sessions as I was as a kid...

>188 scaifea: Fabulous job! It really looks great, Amber.

>194 avaland: Thanks, Lois! I've been working on the suit pants today. Yoicks; it's been a good long while since I put a zipper in anything...

Both the vest and the scarf are great! That green is so festive.

>196 dudes22: Thanks!!

Another pair of socks finished:

>198 scaifea: I'm impressed. I've heard the heels are quite different to get correct, but you seem to be a master at it!

Those look mighty toasty!

>199 thornton37814: Lori: Nah, knitting heels on sock ain't no thing, once you learn how to do it. Honestly, that's the part that makes socks fun to make.

>200 rosalita: Julia: The yarn is nice and soft, too.

Nice socks! Are they for yourself, or a gift?

>202 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura! They're for me. Tomm has such large calves and I haven't figured out exactly how to make socks for him, and I've recently made sock for Charlie, so I'm treating myself. The next pair will be for me, too...

Wow! He is going to look marvellous in that vest and bow tie. Looking forward to seeing a photo.

>204 judylou: Thanks, Judy!

I finished Charlie's suit this afternoon with just a couple of hours to spare before his holiday concert:

>206 scaifea: Whoa! That's incredible! What a handsome young man he's turning into, too. :-}

Thanks, Lynda! The jacket had me sweating for awhile, but I managed to get it finished in time. I LOVE the fabric - a lovely light and soft wool flannel.

>206 scaifea: WOOHOO!!! That's really cute!!

Thank you!

Wow! I can't imagine taking on that project. It came out great.

How cool! He certainly has style!!!

The suit turned out wonderfully!

Thanks, all!

>211 dudes22: Betty: Yeah, I tend to have delusions of grandeur with sewing projects. Sometimes it works out okay, miraculously, as in this case; sometimes not so much...

I cranked out a couple of presents for my husband's nieces today:

I finished half of Tomm's nieces' presents today (still working on a couple of skirts for them):

This is Boris. He enjoys beekeeping and baking cookies:



This is Barnaby. He likes birdwatching and playing Bingo:



I'm also working on a couple of skirts for them, too, using same fabric as in the bears, so they'll be sort of matching sets.

How cute! I assume the alliteration is intentional? And I love the idea of matching skirts. What a fabulous and memorable gift.

>216 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura! Yes, definitely intentional - the nieces are Bella and Bridget...

Bears and skirts all finished:

>218 scaifea: Oh, those skirts are so very pretty. My daughter would have been overjoyed to receive either one, in those long ago days (she's 45, and would probably still wear them, to be honest).

>219 Lyndatrue: Ha! I'm 42 and I was thinking as I made them that I'm tempted to make myself something similar...

The bears and skirts are fabulous!

>221 mabith: Thanks, Meredith!

What a great idea! They came out so cute!

>223 dudes22: Thanks!! I hope the girls like them.

Very sweet, Amber, and such a creative idea.

>225 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura!

I love your new creatures do you have a special name for them?

>227 justmum: The bears, do you mean? Oh gosh, honestly I don't fully remember - one of them was Boris but I can't remember what I named the other one (it started with B, though, as my nieces names both start with B)!