The Sophia Carry-all

The very talented Sigrid had a giveaway to celebrate her 400th post (wow!). I won the Amy Butler Sophia Carry-all Pattern.
My dress is hanging in the closet before I hem it later this week. Meanwhile, I've started working on the purse. I don't care for the fabric used for the pattern photo. My main body will be winter white linen with cocoa cording and handles. The lining is a cocoa and white print.

So far, everything is cut out and the cording is ready. It's really more of a purse than a carry-all. It's big enough to carry all my stuff and not too big for my short frame. This project will be the finale of summer sewing. There's still a lot of warm weather ahead in sunny Florida, but I'm ready to start on more transitional Fall sewing.

A Cool Summer Top

I've wanted to make this S2570 for a while and, finally, got to it. For summer, I usually prefer a brighter color than this pale purple fabric. Also, the fabric is very lightweight so I wasn't sure how it would work. In the beginning, I expected this top to be a muslin.

I am pleased with the result. The pattern is easy is to sew. I increased the seam at the shoulder by 1/2". Next time I'll do a 1/2" petite adjustment which should make the armscye smoother. I should have done a full bust adjustment but didn't. I had to let out the seam around the bust area. The fabric does wrinkle easily which is my only real problem with the blouse. I started taking pictures outside which did not work because of the glare and the humidity. The result of fiddling around with pictures is a crumbled blouse. At the same time, I fit in with the crowd. With a heat index over a hundred, everyone is a bit crumbled. I do like this pattern and definitely will make the blouse again. I also like the jacket which probably go on my sewing list for next Spring. I've got to think ahead! Right now, I'm developing a rather long list for Fall and trying to find time to finish my summer projects.

Excited About a Dish Rag

I've wanted to learn to knit for a long time. After numerous unsuccessful attempts, I finally took a class at JoAnns. Probably, I just needed to spend some time working on the basics. I suppose that this is more of a practice sample than a dish rag. It looks like a dizzy something with a broken heart. The teacher got me started but neither of us could figure out why I kept picking up an extra stitch in some rows. About half way through, the light hit. I was picking up a stitch from the row below at the beginning of the next row. My photo shows where the new knowledge hit! I'm proud that the stiches are reasonably even. Also, I was able to follow a pattern and finish a project (despite the mistakes).I've started another knitting project, a simple shell. I'm amazed that I understand the pattern. So far, have measured for fit. Getting the correct gauge is my next challenge. I now know why people find knitting and crocheting so relaxing. Knitting will never take the place of sewing, but it will find its way on my project lists. I know that I have a lot to learn, but I believe that I can do it. I just have to take it slow and not attempt that complicated top that I love! That top will go on the list sometime in the future.

Life is getting in the way of my sewing, but I'm slowly making progress through my summer list. I've finished a top and will post pictures later this week. I have a Burda dress almost completed after a number of muslins (plus tears and temper tantrums). Learning requires getting through the frustration, right?

I'm off to finish chores and, hopefully get back to that dress later today.