OAL2014

This has been soooooo much fun! I was actually a bit torn... which do I start... dress or cardigan... cardigan or dress. So I started BOTH!

The Myrna. This is my second Andi Satterlund knit. My first, a Miette, is in very high rotation this winter, so this OAL's timing is perfect. I love how quickly 10ply knits up. And the Bendigo 10ply is a dream to knit. I spent half my time patting the wool. The colour is a little bit like butter and for some reason that's what I think of when I'm touching it. I did have a moment with the keyhole in the back. It's shape didn't look so good after knitting, but after finishing, I have to say it looks fine.

I was checking out Lauren's posts on the OAL dress when she snuck in one about stabilising button bands with petersham ribbon. What a good idea. There's nothing worse than having a fab cardi ruined by the dreaded GAPING BETWEEN THE BUTTONHOLES. So I went hunting for some butter-coloured ribbon and stabilised those bands. Very happy with the result. Minor issue with the size of button holes made. Note to self: when using irregular (flower-shaped) buttons, make the size of the holes just a little bit bigger. Whilst I can open the buttons, it's not an easy job. Oh well, I'll just have to wear it all day. Can you tell? I love it. Love. It.


Simplicity 2444. I've not made this dress before. This is a wearable muslin. This fabric is not what I would usually pick but nice enough and the lemon colour matches my buttery wool. The double bodice darts intrigued me and whilst full skirts aren't my "thing" I thought that a pleated skirt would be worth trying.

So I was making this up and, because I like doing this kind of thing, I hand basted all my skirt pleats down about 1 1/2 inch from the waistband. I still had the basting in when I first tried it on. A little bit of pulling over the hips, but wow! I really liked the silhouette. As a rectangle, any assistance in waist definition  is good (one reason that I generally make straight rather than full skirts). I usually end up looking like a box when I try on gathered or pleated full skirts. This was a nice compromise. But because it pulled and it was just hand basting, I took out the basting. Nice, but not as good as before. So I made the closed pleats permanent by stitching them down. Much better. There is also some gaping at the neckline. I've read that others have had the same problem. I might slip a couple of little darts in around the neck if I get around to it later, but I will make changes to the pattern. I will use this bodice again. Don't know if my wardrobe will stretch to another full skirt but I definitely use the bodice again.

I actually finished both the cardi and the dress in time for the grand reveal but then got sick and had to travel for work so either didn't feel like photos or wasn't anywhere near my new outfit to take them. So instead, here's my own personal reveal. Better late than never.

Book Week for The Princess

Do your kids participate in any book week activities? Mine do (or have done) with a parade at school.  I think this year was my 9th one but my first in a while where only one was involved. X is now too big (and too cool) for this kind of thing. But The Princess is still right into it. We spent a week gathering ideas. Which book? Which character? She decided on Sophie from Sophie's Misfortune. This is a lovely book by Comtesse de Ségur written in 1858 for her grandchildren which has been translated recently by Adelaide's own Stephanie Smee. So what does Sophie wear?

I spent a bit of time checking out the story and more time checking out the cover (and any other cover versions I could find online). Not much there beyond a white or light coloured dress.

So artistic interpretation was definitely an option. I have invested in a few girls patterns lately, including Simplicity 1457. A very versatile pattern. Options for length, sleeves and neckline. And a cute little bag included.

After much consultation with The Princess, we landed on a lovely poplin with a light embroidered pattern overlaying a tiny red and mint strawberry pattern. From our local Spotties. Cap sleeves and round neck. I made up a 12 which is still a little big, but maxed out the length. A few reviews mentioned it was on the short side. The length was ok in the end. 

Nothing special in the construction. The yoke is fully faced, which could be overkill but given I was using a light weight fabric I went with it. It looked fine. I had a zen moment hemming the dress. I decided to do it by hand. There is something calming about working a hem with a fine needle and thread (I am contemplating more hand sewing - don't know how I'll fit it in though). I bought mint coloured ribbon to match for her hair, but ended up embellishing the front with a bow too. I think it's a nice touch.

Importantly, The Princess is dead chuffed with the result. Lots of compliments on the day and she is already contemplating when she can wear the dress again (although it's spent a little too long in the ironing basket since).