Some little things

While I dither around thinking about the next big project -- a few little items. 

A crocheted cowl (simply called cowl, i.e. project #9) from the last (2012 Special Collector's Issue) of Vogue Knitting Crochet.  Vintage alpaca yarn from Elann, probably still available as it's their house brand, but I haven't checked there lately.  Quick, easy, soft!

A little something in one of my favorite colors -- but it isn't for me -- amazing!  He Said She Said hat pattern from Chic Knits.  A unisex hat/cowl pattern from the talented Bonne Marie Burns.  Yarn is Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky.

Marin, from Ysolda Teague, which was purchased as a digital download through Ravelry.  Yarn is Country Silk, a wool/silk sportweight blend now discontinued from Fiddlesticks Knitting.  Also vintage stash.  The strong vertical lines on the left of the photo are shadows.







And just because (he showed up at the photo shoot) -- Monty In Autumn

Cute as a ...

...channeling my inner Martha (so not!), cookies for an ASG (American Sewing Guild) neighborhood group workshop.  Button cookie cutters from Fancy Flours.

Sewing, knitting...

...just not writing -- it happens.

Took a 4-day workshop recently with Peggy Sagers of Silhouette Patterns.  We concentrated on fitting (and hopefully making) a basic pair of pants and a jacket.  Before arriving we were to make a muslin of both items, and our adjusted, fitted muslin would then serve as our pattern.  It was fascinating to see the results that our group achieved, and amazing to see demonstrated just how important proper fit is to the appearance of our garments.  Peggy certainly knows how to fit!  Hopefully my own pair will debut at some point -- they are still awaiting waistband application, and hemming. 

StyleArc Becky

Lots of other sewing being done -- but no photos of most, and how boring is it to just talk about and not show?  Here's one thing though -- a pair of StyleArc (Becky) yoga pants.  The fabric is a Slinky knit.  A nice, simple-to-sew casual basic. 

Also completed - Pamela's Patterns Magic Pencil skirt.  Whoa!  So easy they practically make themselves.  Made two to check the fit before cutting into a nice wool doubleknit.  If you like that style definitely worth checking out.  Two Giorgio tops from Silhouette Patterns (that's one of them in the Becky photo - lengthened to tunic length.)  A pair of Kwik Sew leggings made from an interesting (slightly fuzzy) doubleknit from Fabric Mart.  And, last but not least, a cowl collared knit top (Ann) also from Silhouette Patterns.  But no photos yet -- what a shame.

Transitioning with Burda

Back from a very restful, relaxing stay at the beach (Outer Banks), where all I had to do was sit on the beach, splash in the pool, read the latest bestseller or knit.  My absolutely fabulous daughters did every bit of cooking -- from the advance planning, purchasing, to the actual kitchen time (and clean up) -- heaven!  I enjoy cooking (most of the time) but it sure is nice to take a break.

Now that I'm back, it seems to be a good time to look ahead to autumn sewing.  It's still plenty warm here, and will be for a while, so I decided to start with a little transitional top.  It's from the Burda Style magazine from a couple of years ago -- 09-2009, top 118 to be precise.  I'm not a regular subscriber to Burda, but I have managed to collect quite a few issues, but never seem to make anything from them.  Probably due to laziness -- all that tracing!  But the new lifestyle motto at Casa Mingling Yarn is Use What You Already Have, so after seeing another blogger's rendition of this (and I no longer remember just where I saw it, so no link -- sorry) I decided to give it a go. 

Fabric is a dotted Swiss cotton voile in a dark chocolate brown -- a not so long ago purchase from Fabric Mart.  While the light weight cotton is a true summer fabric, the dark, rich brown gives it a hint of fall to come -- see, transitional! 

What drew me to the pattern initially was the sleeve treatment.  I think it would be called a Bishop sleeve -- fitted at the top, and fuller at the bottom.  This pattern achieves that by a series of tucks in the sleeve cap that release into a fuller lower sleeve that is gathered into a band.

Not having much experience with Burda, I was not sure how the fit would be.  I decided to make it pretty much "as is" to see what I thought, but did bring the shoulders in a bit.  Burda's instructions are interesting, but other than the tie at the neckline things were pretty straight forward.  I'm still not sure exactly how the neck ties are meant to be attached -- and judging from comments on Pattern Review other sewists were mystified too -- but since I ultimately decided to leave the ties off it's no longer a worry.

Things I like about the pattern/garment:  the sleeve shape, the waistline darts (front and back) the longer, almost tunic length, the vintage dark mother-of-pearl buttons (not too visible in the photo) and the fabric was very easy to work with.  Things I dislike:  nothing much about the pattern itself, but it sure adds extra work to trace and add seam/hem allowances!  If I were to make it again, I would raise the neckline a bit -- is Germany the capital of Décolleté?  Judging from the Burda low necklines you'd certainly think so!  Not sure I will make it again, the silhouette is fairly distinctive, but I'll enjoy wearing this one.  Onward!

At Long Last, a Knitting FO

The City Cardigan is finally done.  And now it comes back to me why I don't like to hand knit cotton yarn.  Cotton yarn with big rayon slubs.  Cotton yarn with big rayon slubs that also splits like crazy -- you get the picture.

As mentioned previously, I changed a few things.  I'm happy with the way the collar/neckband looks by not picking up the band stitches as directed in the pattern -- much neater.  I'm also glad that I moved the shoulder line in (maybe about 2 inches?), as this pattern is quite wide in the shoulders -- and I'm not.  Changing the three buttons to one large one?  That change I'm not so sure was my best bet.  But, it's done now, and I won't be ripping out and re-doing that.  One change I wish I had made but didn't would be reducing the depth of the armhole.  I don't need the extra room there, and I think it makes the sleeve too large.  I was happy to have added extra length to the body.  I also added short row bust shaping in the fronts, and while I'm glad I did, I may have added one set too many.  I really need to re-think just how much extra to add now that I've lost a little weight.  All in all, I'm pleased with the final result, but as always is the case -- it could be better.  But it's done, and I'm moving on -- time to start thinking autumn, no?

Such a Cutie!

Apparently I've developed a bit of a reputation as a collector of vintage sewing machines -- I can't imagine why.  So, when local Fiber Diva Extraordinaire Margaret was looking to declutter when knee-deep in home renovations, she asked if I'd like to provide a home to the little toy Singer pictured.  Would I?  The Mingling Yarn Home for Wayward Vintage Machines is always open!

She joins another little vintage toy Singer that I had found in an antique mall in Cape Cod, and after a little cleaning and oiling, has settled in just fine.  I was even able to get her to stitch for a bit, which I had never accomplished with the other machine. 





Not sure on the age of either machine -- their bodies are the same, although there are slight differences in the seam guide and tensioning parts.  I had thought the first machine was probably from the 50's, so perhaps this new one is too.  In any event, she's a welcome addition to sewing room decor -- thanks Margaret!

NOW it's summer...

...and this is what Mr. Mingling Yarn waits for all year.  Those first luscious tomatoes from the garden made up into his favorite no-cook pasta sauce. 

It's been a while since I've posted the recipe, so here's a LINK.  It's tasty, it's easy, and did I mention?  It's no cook!  Well, you do need to cook the pasta -- but I'll bet you could sweet talk someone in your house to do that for you; I know I sure can.


Addendum:  Carol mentions in comments that her hubby prefers a meat sauce.  While I wouldn't add meat to this one, I do have a favorite cooked sauce that could take on some meat quite nicely.  It's an Alton Brown recipe for ROASTED TOMATO SAUCE.  If I were to make this for a carnivore, I would saute up some Italian sausage (or ground meat, whatever), drain it, then return it to the pan and add the sauce to cook for that last 5 minutes the recipe calls for.  Easy.  Confession time:  I love this roasted tomato sauce and even planted plum tomatoes so I can make it more often.  However, I take the easy way out and just puree the cooked veggies in the food processor, not a food mill.  I'm sure it's more elegant milled and skins removed, but hey, we need that extra fiber!  Also, this works just as well with a smaller number of tomatoes -- just adjust your oil amount (they need to be nicely coated, not swimming in it) and likewise the onions, etc.