mŭl'tə-fâr'ē-əs

Like Father, Like Son

2010-04-09T13:55:00.000-07:00

With the Spring weather has come a whole new batch of inspiration for me...I've put the knitting needles down for a time and opened up the ol' sewing machine.

Before Landis was born, Luke and I were cleaning out closets, and I gathered up some of his discarded clothes, tossed them in a bag, and stuck them in my closet for later use thinking, "Surely these will be good for some boy clothes, right?" So the time came.

We bought this awesome romper for Landis a few weeks ago that looks just like a shirt Luke would wear (minus the snaps at the bottom!), and so I got inspired to turn Luke's old shirt into one. While it was a mind-stretcher for me, since I've never actually done anything like this before, it was super fun, and I was quite pleased with the result, even though I told everyone not to look too close because it was definitely full of imperfections! But that's okay, it gives it character right?

So it started like this...

(the only pic I could find of Luke

wearing this shirt, and no, he does

not play the guitar, he just dreams...)

I laid out the outfit, tucked and turned,

and added seam allowance, front along front,

back along back, to make use of button holes and seams,

sleeve on top of sleeve, to make use of hems,

and collar on top of collar...

pinned, then cut and sewed away...

I also added some cute pockets and sleeve tabs

and switched out the buttons.

So here's the final product....

and a handsome little baby, I might add...

I learned a new saying that fits quite well with

my experience, "What you sew, you shall also rip."

in orange . . and linen

2010-04-02T13:04:00.000-07:00

Joshua and I were in Zara the month after Malachai was born - - "pick something! pick something!" Joshua told me; and I picked out this orange linen bias cut dress. I wore it happily for a few months, and then, it just didn't fit right, so it got tucked away - - till a few months ago when I decided that I either needed to give it away or cut it up.

(hey look! - - baby Malachai!)

so it was cut.
I cut off the bottom 18 inches of the dress,
cut some bias tape and sewed it on;
threaded some elastic through it.

and then, after some extremely creative pattern piece cutting (I was short on fabric, ok?), I made up this little top from the pattern from these cute mamas; Rachel bought the pattern for us a year ago and we have been looking for just the right fabric ever since; we decided that this was it!The pattern gives an option for a dress or top, and I chose the top (right, well, I had already cut off the bottom of the dress for the skirt, so it was like the choice was made for me, you know . . . .) The bodice pattern piece seemed short so I added an extra inch . . but I really think that I should have added two; not that I really had an extra inch to add . . .

here's to making every square inch count!

Amaleah's Kerchief

2010-02-06T12:51:00.000-08:00

This is my kerchief. I started it on January 23rd .

I learned to increase on this project.

It started with 3 stitches and it ended with 71 stitches.

At the end of each corner, you tie a piece of yarn 37 1/2 inches long.

You put it through with an embroidery needle, and then come to where it's half-way in, and tie a knot, and do the same with the other corner. I like that you don't have to have just one color, and you can have three of your favorite colors. Mom and I decided that I could give it to Julia for her birthday. One day when it was finished she asked me, "Can you make another one for me?" And I said, "Wait til your birthday; see what you'll find!"

Yesterday, I started a headband and finished it today! Now I'm starting a knitting bag...in the book it's called a "tote bag." When I'm done with it, I'll post another blog!

~by Amaleah

sewing mithril is tricky

2009-12-25T03:45:00.001-08:00

Years ago, my friend Kim would pass her hand-me-downs my way; she would give me the best stuff. In one lovely sack full of second hand clothes, I found a beautiful silver sweater . . . and I have had it stored in my closet for five years, trying to find just the right way to use it. last month I decided that that time would never come. mostly, because I realized that Josu's dragon hat needed on arch nemesis of sorts.

and so I chopped off the sleeves of the beautiful silver sweater and after some creative, stitching, this chain mail armor beauty was born:

I will call it mithril;
and today, I will wrap it up with a note from Frodo, asking him to take good care of it - - reminding him that it was mined in Moria by the dwarves of old.
I think this will please my hobbit crazed son very much.

a dragon for Josu

2009-12-09T07:45:00.001-08:00

My Josu loves, loves, loves dragons. every time we go down to our local coffee shop
it's pretty much a given that Malachai will bring along a book to be read aloud to,
and that Josu will bring paper and some sort of drawing medium;
and it goes like this this:
1. he begs me to draw a castle with him
2. he insists that there be a dragon in the dungeon
. . . and maybe one flying
. . . . . . and then probably another one - - claws up and fire spewing out its terrible jaws
so, behold (above) Malachai modeling Josu's handmade Christmas gift (handmade is so in this year . . . . )

I followed the basic instructions for this hat,
using a couple of t-shirts that had run their course in my closet.
I added a row of dragon spikes and a nice pointy tail.
it's all a bit off
but I'm hoping Josu will be so busy breathing fire that he won't notice.

p.s. I've sworn off sewing jersey knit forever

My Favorite Sling

2009-12-02T13:27:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd share a picture of the sling I made for Landis. I love, love, love it! I found instructions here, and the cutest fabric at Joann's (which is so close to my house I can walk there, how cool is that). It was so easy. It took me a week because I had a newborn, and I sewed on it for 5 minutes at a time, but if I had 2 hours I could definitely do it in that amount of time. Jan Andrea suggests not using calicos, but the fabric she recommends offers no cute prints. So I chose a calico, and then doubled it and added a contrasting fabric, which she offered instructions for. You have to order sling rings here, but they're super cheap. So Landis loves being all snuggled up with mommy, and it's much better than carrying that heavy baby carrier around.

in light blue linen:

2009-12-01T13:17:00.001-08:00

these pockets nearly did me in
they're not so tricky . . . once you figure the bad boys out . . .
(it was a two week process for me)
this was helpful for me, and this (which is in Spanish, but the pictures were some of the clearest I found)
I traced this pattern from Catherine's Japanese pattern book (remember that weekend, Cat?!)
almost two years ago. the original pattern is long sleeved, and shorter - - but I thought it would be nice as a summer dress so that I wouldn't have to worry about pairing it with a bottom piece; so I extended the hemline and capped the sleeves.

and if anyone happens on a pair of these at your local Goodwill, please snatch them up for me? they and the dress are meant to be together.

Also,I couldn't read the Japanese on the pattern . . . but whatever size this is, it fits Josu perfectly (we called it a shirt).

whim scarf

2009-11-23T05:37:00.000-08:00

double your yarn (use a ball that's too short to use for anything else)
use fat needles (you did double your yarn, after all)
moss stitch (that way the edges don't curl)
a rectangle (or whatever, I guess)

sew on a button
and just force that button through any two stitches that you want (who needs button holes?)

oh, and the bias tape . . .

2009-11-21T05:15:00.000-08:00

I really think that my favorite part of this coat construction was the lining bias - - trying to figure out what bias ends needed to be tucked into other biased seams, and in what order - - it was like one glorious, domestic puzzle

coat obsession

2009-11-18T06:18:00.000-08:00

I have this problem - - I can't look at people's faces anymore; I only look at their coats; seriously, I can't help but take every coat I see off its hanger and examine the piecing and lining; every time I leave my Friday morning coffee with Rachel and Miriam, I have have a two minute coat consultation with Rachel (really, that coffee shop has some cute coat traffic).

and I just want you to know that you don't know realize all the possibilities until you start looking:
pockets? no pockets?
hidden pockets or external pockets?
pockets with flaps? pleats? gathers?
pleat in the back or no pleat? pleat at the shoulder blade or pleat at the waist?
piecing on the sleeves? on the front panel?
partial lining or full lining?
no top stitching? yes top stitching? three rows of top stitching?
double breast or single breast?
pointed collar or rounded collar?
(and the options go on and on and on . . . .)

It all started a couple of months ago when I saw this lovely little number and became convinced that if I could learn to make a classy coat (because really, that's 90 % of visible fashion here in Pamplona's late fall to early spring) my children would be in need of nothing else. I could dress my Selma in the most ragged and hideous of outfits, but with a cute coat on, no one would ever know!

I think there may be a verse about that in Proverbs 31.

I started this coat as a practice run; I figured it would serve as a template (because what I really wanted to use, of course was the blue velveteen), but I liked this one enough that I'll wait to use the blue velveteen for next year's coat. Or maybe I'll use the infamous velveteen for some bloomers that she can wear with tights and ballet flats (so, so Spanish, you know)

I insist again on creating my own pattern . . . sigh.

2009-08-27T07:30:00.000-07:00

I found this top for Selma last year on the sale rack at a local shop. I loved it a lot. I put her into it for the first time this week and knew, knew that it needed a black wool jumper to go over it. so I ran home and told Rachel all about the "whip it up nice and easy" pattern I was going to create in about, oh . . . 2 hours time.
my first mistake - - I laughed at Rachel when she said she thought I should add an extra 10 cm. to the bottom width of the skirt. I could barely squeeze my poor baby girl into that first model.

once I found a size two dress pattern on hand, I re-cut the fabric, using the pattern as a guide
and tried it on my girl
took it in a couple of inches on each side seam
decided to put in a couple of pleats in the back to allow some give (per Rachel's suggestion - - I listened to her this time)
took it in at the waist another centimeter, gradually increasing the seam to about an inch and a half down at the hemline to remove the excess drape
and (many, many steps later) hemmed it up.

it's too short.
Rachel and I have decided that I need to try it again. maybe with the blue velvet I got in LA with Catherine (dare I? I really, really like the blue velvet!)
I am pleased with the back closure. it is simple and neat, and I lo-ove the little pleats suggested by Rachel. reversible is nice - - it involved very little extra work and kept the seams looking nice and neat. I am reminded, though, how exact the two pieces need to be cut and sewn (hard for a no pin-er or measure-er like myself)
suggestions, anyone? speak now BEFORE I cut into the blue velvet!

Clothes for tiny people.

2009-08-13T16:33:00.000-07:00

I just blogged (briefly) about this creation.

The skirt I mean... although I can take partial credit for the girlie too!

It's made from just half a yard of fabric (I just had to have a little piece of this wonderful print!) While I was making it I kept remembering the trip with Naomi to the fabric district where, to some seller's chagrin, we kept asking for just 1 yard of fabric.

You don't want more? they would ask, puzzled.
No, just a yard.
Are you sure?
Yes. You see, we are making clothes for tiny, tiny people.

pixie

2009-02-07T03:15:00.000-08:00

This project wasn't on my 2009 list of projects-to-finish. But, I saw this picture that Naomi had taken, and was inspired :

Do you see what I see? Of course you do: her little head is obviously freezing. In need of a hat. In need of a cute little....striped?.....hat. A hat in -- what else? -- green and pink. So. Because I have five different pink yarns tucked away into different corners in my bedroom, I figured that surely I'd be able to find one that matched this little dress....

I was right. And the hat pattern is one I've used before. Unlike Mom, I'm not so good with hats, so it's good to have something to start out with. The basic idea is (for a 1-year-old hat)...
hat base: Cast on 78 stitches (with DK yarn); knit in a round for 3.25 -- 3.50 inches
hat shaping: knit 11, k2tog, and repeat, all the way around to the stitch marker.
Following row: knit.
Following row: knit 10, k2tog, and repeat, all the way around 'till stitch marker.
Following row: knit
Next: knit 9, k2tog and repeat, all the way around......
etc.!

the shaping/decreasing continues until you have 19 stitches for a round hat, or until you have 4 stitches for a pixie. obviously, we went with the pixie. It started out as a mistake on my part -- I misread the pattern -- but then we decided we liked it.

Now, if only we could keep those little ears tucked in.

p.s. http://techknitting.blogspot.com/2007/01/jogless-stripes.html was a helpful introduction to the world of striping!

Knitting Needle Roll in 10 Steps

2009-01-21T12:42:00.000-08:00

It is true, we worked hard this Christmas on handmade items, although there were several more in my mind that just didn't get done. Amaleah worked tirelessly (most of the time) on her little projects, but that's for later. This project was mine.

I made a knitting needle roll for Gran Newton. Now, I'm not sure how practical it is or if she'll ever use it, but I think for traveling it will come in handy. I searched the web for ideas, and sort of took bits and pieces combined with my ideas to get what I wanted. My primary help came from this website.

I will do my best to give somewhat of a tutorial on this, although I'm sooo not an expert. I think I forgot to take pictures of some steps, so bear with me.

STEP 1: Purchase 6 different colors of fabric, quilting quarter size, which is about 17 1/4 in. by 19 1/2 in. after washing; ribbon enough for 2 lengths that measure 28 in. each; and bias tape (bought or homemade), a little over 3 yards.

STEP 2: For the outside (a) and inside (b) fabric, you will keep it the same size. The other fabrics will only need to be adjusted for height. Here's what I did.

For fabric (c) cut to 14 1/4 in. by 19 1/2 in.; this will be the top pocket for long needles

(d) cut to 11 3/4 in. by 19 1/2 in.; this will be the medium size pocket

(e) cut to 9 in. by 19 1/2 in.; this will be the short pocket

(f) cut to 6 1/4 in. by 19 1/2 in.; this will be the little pocket for circular needles or double-pointed needles

STEP 3: Make a 3/4 inch hem at the top of each fabric (the shortest side), except for the back and lining.

STEP 4: On the back side of the lining, using a fabric marker or pencil, draw dividing lines on which you will sew to create the individual pockets going lengthwise down the roll. So, I measured out 10- 1 inch divisions, followed by 3- 2 inch divisions, followed by 2- 1 1/2 inch divisions, marking it from bottom to about 14 inches up (leaving about 3 inches at top for a fold over flap to keep the needles from falling out).

STEP 5: Pin the lining and the three highest pouch pieces together, aligning them up at the bottom edges.

STEP 6:Turn over and sew over the dividing lines on the back of the lining. (this picture is what it will look like when you turn it back over)

STEP 7: Pin the final pouch in place, aligning it at the bottom edge, and sew on the back not over every division line, but only over every 4 inches, leaving the last one at 3 inches wide.

STEP 8:Pin the outside fabric to the back side of the lining. For the ties, fold them in half and pin them to outside fabric at left edge.

STEP 9: Pin the bias tape all the way around, covering the ribbons, and sew. Then turn the tape to the inside and hand sew to attach.

STEP 10: Fold over the top three inches of fabric and iron (or sew a stitch if you like, I didn't get around to it!)

And here's the final product; cute enough for a cat to snuggle with...

what every boy dreams of

2009-01-18T07:43:00.000-08:00

I've been eagerly anticipating Gabrielle's post - - detailing all her glorious home-made Christmas wonders. well, it hasn't come yet, so I have filled my restless waiting time working up this little sword and shield tutorial for you all (because I'm certain that Rachel would love to have one these swords to knit up a little cozy for, and that Amaleah & Julia, and Amelie & Immi have been begging their mamas for years now to provide them with toys for more aggressive play . . . )

This is the first year that I have involved Malachai in the process of gift making. it thrilled him. Yes, I did most of the skilled labor (oh yes, it did require skill - - great skill. stop laughing), but he was involved, and he was giddy with the secret of it all - - waiting anxiously for Josu's nap time to come so that we could work together . . . and skittish the whole two hours - - nervous that Josu would come out from his nap and find us working on his gift.

If, by chance, any of you feel the weapon-making bug bite, and have problems following the tutorial, just let me know. I'll do my best to clear it all up for you.

p.s. I craft better than I spell. I know.

The Sword:

The Shield:

it's time to start thinking about this!

2009-01-16T06:12:00.000-08:00

I think will try layering bulbs in my 50L pots! is anyone else doing bulbs? any tips to offer?

On Thursday...

2008-12-04T13:30:00.000-08:00

I always ponder our fruit and vegetables.

Why?

We have been able to join a kind of co-op that draws from local farms that grow and produce organic fruits and vegetables (and some other yummy things). We have been very excited about this for a few reasons: it's organic, it's local, it's seasonal and it's a great price! The variety has been excellent, and one of our new favourite things is using the herb bundles they send us in a roast chicken - an easy and tasty way to do three meals for our family. But I digress,

We signed up to get a large box every two weeks. This works well for us, because the large box has the most variety, and also the fresh fruit lasts us about 1-2 weeks and the vegetables definitely last us about 2 weeks.

The way we've made it work for us is that I plan our meals around what we get in the box, which means if we get beets one week -

- then I get to have fun searching for a recipe to try! Same if we get rainbow chard:

Isn't it beautiful?

The variety of colour and type in our boxes has made our meals fun and tasty over the past few months, and has definitely helped me keep meal planning a no brainer, and renewed my excitement for good food!

So today is Thursday... they're picking our produce today. Somewhere, turnips are being harvested, apples and pears picked, and dill is being plucked... all ready for our box that we pick up on Saturday morning.

2008-11-24T14:07:00.000-08:00

Catherine gifted me me this fantastically cute book for my 30th birthday. I put it to good use for Josu's 3rd birthday. The sock elephant was fun - - the book gave enough direction but also left room for improvising . . . which I like.

and I think I have to admit, what I really, really liked was how this little guy facilitated accessorizing.

ummm . . . yes. the wee bear's ears are tweaked and crooked. I did some fast and furious blind stitching as I sat by Rachel's bed during her recent ER visit. I love hand stitching. you can take it anywhere.

Le Slouch (and it only took 7 months)

2008-11-18T03:28:00.000-08:00

pattern: Le Slouch (Wendy Bernard) -- free download, found on Ravelry
yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino chunky, 2 full skeins, some lovely lovely color that I've been in love with for some time now and whose name I don't remember.
guage: who knows. should have done a swatch, but didn't.
needles: ???
picture: Naomi. she insisted. she's good, right?

OK, so it took me forever to finish this hat (I have too many projects going at once...yes, I know that already). I should have been able to finish it up in two weekends/movies instead of taking 7 months. The point, thought, is that it is finished! And I like it. I think. At least, trying it on in my bedroom I like it. We'll see what happens when I start wearing it out in public....

hmmmmm.

2008-11-16T06:48:00.000-08:00

(Malachai's "yes i'm a very cool dude look." or in this case, very sick. and aunt Rachel's making me model. anyway...)

well now. this was supposed to be for Josiah. the first time I made it, I ran out of yarn. I frogged it. I recalculated. I changed the pattern. I made it again, and had an arm's length of yarn left over. yay for me, I thought! finished! with just enough yarn to weave in! off to try it on Malachai or Naomi to see if it's big enough for Josiah-in-Tennessee.

as you see, not so much. we decided this would be a great hat for Malachai, but in another color (and sorry Malachai, your mom says red isn't your color either, so it won't be in red). In the meantime, points for me for having a gift hat in my closet....but minus points for having to start from scratch for Josiah. sorry, Josiah!

pattern: Binary Cable Hat (found on ravelry)
yarn: RYC Cashsoft Aran, and I'm not kidding when I say you need 1 whole skein
gauge: who knows. apparently, I don't believe in doing swatches (and this is the sort of thing that happens as a result. you'd think I'd learn!)
needles: US 7

Projects for airplanes

2008-11-04T19:24:00.000-08:00

When you're facing a long trip on a plane (which I did over the weekend), here's what you do: knit a baby hat...or anything else for that matter. And yes, it's totally legal to take knitting needles on a plane, surprisingly enough.

As for my list of projects, it's overloaded because my girls and I have decided to make homemade gifts this year...so we're knitting and sewing up a storm...or should be anyway! For the sake of surprise, those will have to be posted after Christmas!

knee patches (again)

2008-10-27T08:23:00.000-07:00

because sometimes, being crafty starts here:

My List

2008-10-24T10:06:00.000-07:00

...of unfinished projects (because I'm much better at starting than finishing!) that I'll hopefully get around to completing sometime soon. And by soon I mean "sometime within the next 12 months."

with yarn:
1. Josiah's hat (free Ravelry pattern)
2. Selma's blue matinee coat (Debbie Bliss)
3. baby girl cardigan (Etsy pattern)
4. green hat for me (found on Ravelry)

with fabric:
1. green linen dress (Vogue blouse pattern, altered)
2. blue striped dress (Simplicity pattern, lots of alterations)
3. plain blue dress (my own pattern, but with with Naomi's help)
4. brown eyelet dress (vintage pattern from Ebay). still uncut, so who knows what it may end up being.
5. Very Simple Quilt. I need 8 different fabrics. 256 4-inch blocks. I've just started cutting out the blocks sooooo. this one will definitely take the next 12 months.