Summer Wardrobe: Wiksten Tank

As part of my plan to sew at least one project a month throughout this year, and as one of my goals to make more of my own clothes and accessories, I decided I wanted to try to make a garment. I am a big fan of Jenny Gordy's blog Wiksten Made and her clothing line, Wiksten, so I was thrilled when she released her Tank Top and Dress pattern.



This is my first sewn garment that fits, and it fits well. I was a little nervous about how the tank would look on me, but I'm thrilled with the fit. I think it's universally flattering and it is so comfortable.



Jenny's instructions were very clear and helpful. There were a couple of times when I wasn't entirely sure what I was doing, but I trusted her directions and did what she told me, and eventually everything became clear. I'm not a very experienced seamstress but I had no trouble following these directions, and I can't praise the pattern the pattern enough.




The adorable pocket detail is one of my favorite parts. I think the fabric is vintage--I got it at a barn sale last summer. I was happy to find such great fabric for this project in my stash.

I'd like to make the dress version, and I also have Jenny's Tova shirt and dress pattern that looks perfect for fall. So much to sew, so little time...

Summer Wardrobe: Tote Bags

As part of my plan to sew at least one project a month, I made two tote bags in July (I'll catch up on April through June soon). I'm also trying to craft with the seasons and create more of my own clothes and accessories. Even though I was busy this summer I managed to make several things for my summer wardrobe.

The first one was the Broadturn Bag from Amanda Blake Soule's wonderful book Handmade Home. This is one of my favorite craft books. It's a wonderful blend of personal history, beautiful photographs, clear instructions, and projects that fit my aesthetic, budget, and lifestyle. This is not an easy feat! One thing I love about it is the frugal Yankee mindset that runs throughout it--this is something that runs in my family as well, and it's very inspiring to see it executed so beautifully in this book.



I had a little bit of trouble sewing the oval bottom to the body of the bag, but i often have trouble with that. I dug into my stash of fabric and found a large piece from my grandmother that had panels of coordinating fabric already sewn together. I separated the two fabrics and used one for the strap and the other for the body and bottom of the bag. I was pleased with myself for using stash fabric and for completing this quick and easy bag! It's already come in handy for corralling books, craft supplies and other random items for day trips.




I also made the Inside Out Bag from The Purl Bee. I love this blog so much, and over the years I have been able to make so many things from my stash thanks to the inspiration I've found there.





Instead of bias tape, I used extra-wide ribbon I had lying around. There is a great fabric shop around the corner from me and they sell huge rolls of ribbon for a dollar. A dollar for the entire roll, not a dollar a yard! This means I end up with a lot of ribbon. I also used some great red fabric from the stash that I had originally intended to make curtains with, but I've been using it for other projects here and there. This bag has also seen lots of use--the magazine pocket and smaller pockets are genius! I'm always carrying magazines with me and I hate when they get wrinkled, but that doesn't happen with the special pocket.




I'm still learning about sewing, but I'm glad I've been pushing myself to complete sewing projects every month. I even made my first garment, which I'll share next time.

Afghan from Aunt Nancy

This is the last of the handmade wedding shower gifts--a hand-crocheted afghan by my Aunt Nancy.


As you can see, it covers our queen-sized bed, so it was definitely a labor of love. (The quilt underneath was made by my great-grandmother.)


It has already been cat-approved. (Luckily, it's also washable.)

If you look closely at this last picture, you can see the two cherubs and the interlaced hearts above them. We love this beautiful afghan! Thanks again to all of our generous friends and family who gave us wonderful gifts.

The heat of summer hasn't slowed down my crafting, but I have switched to embroidery and cross stitch for the moment, along with sewing at my sewing machine. Sewing can be a little tricky in the heat, as it usually involves ironing. I do have a couple of finished projects to share with you next time.

Handmade Wedding Shower Gifts

I really meant to share these much sooner, but wedding crafting and planning got in the way. We had an amazing wedding and we were lucky enough to be able to celebrate with our wonderful, funny, and generous friends and family.


But more about the wedding later! Back to the wedding shower. If you were wondering where my crafty skills come from, here is proof in so many ways:

Dishcloths crocheted by my Aunt Carol

A bottle cap trivet (yes, those circles are bottle caps), also crocheted by my Aunt Carol. I especially love this because she has a similar one hanging in her kitchen that I've admired for years.

Hand-embroidered dish towels, also made by my Aunt Carol. I'm not sure if you can read it in these pictures, but the stitching along the bottom reads "Caitlin's Kitchen." Love!

A lovely table runner, also crocheted by my Aunt Carol.


Hand-embroidered monogram pillowcases, also made by my Aunt Carol (she was busy!)

Hand-crocheted edging on a beautiful set of sheets, made by my Grammie Stevens.



A handmade pillowcase/bag, sewn by a member of Jack's extended family.

My Aunt Nancy passed on these heirlooms (the doily above, potholder and basket below) to me. I have the tags that tell me who made what somewhere but I can't find them at the moment--everything was made or belonged to my Great-Grammy Audrey or Great-Grammy Atwood (I think).
I can't believe how tiny the stitches are in the lace doily.

A hand-sewn patchwork potholder.

This excellent basket, which now lives in my craft room. In it, my Aunt Nancy gave us a hand-crocheted afghan, but the pictures are on Jack's camera.

I love all of these wonderful gifts, and they make me feel so connected to the women in my family--past and present. I like to think that some of my crafting skills are just in my genes, but I'm also grateful for all the help I've received from these amazing women over the years.

Home Again

Jack and I are now married and back from our honeymoon!



We went to Glacier National Park in Montana--it was beautiful and relaxing and fun, but I'm glad to be home. (The picture above is my hiking boots on the steps of one of the cabins we stayed at.) I'm especially glad to be home and without any wedding projects or checklists to work on! I loved that we did a lot of wedding stuff ourselves but it was also a lot of work.



(This picture is my boots on our front steps.) I have lots to show you--beautiful handmade gifts from our shower and wedding, the crafts I made for the wedding, and the great craft materials I picked up in Montana. I'll be back soon!

March Sewing Projects, Part I

I have done quite a bit of sewing this past month, but I can only show you some of it right now.


I made this crewel embroidered fish for my cousin's 5th birthday. He loves fishing and he is really looking forward to getting back out to the lake this spring.



Someone in my embroidery group brought this pattern in, along with other patterns, when we were working on crewel stitches. There was no stitch guide so I just looked at my copy of The New Crewel and did what I felt like. I used random wool from my stash of crewel wool, some of which came from my great grandmother.


My cousin also loves to cook, and I sewed him an apron to go with the cookbook we got him. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of the apron (probably because I was finishing it 20 minutes before we left for his birthday party). I used this pattern, which you should really read even if you don't sew because it's hilarious. It is also really helpful and informative, even though I didn't follow all of the directions exactly. It seem that lately I have just been crafting by the seat of my pants, and if it doesn't work, I just rip it out and go at it again. That's one advantage that sewing has over knitting--ripping out is much faster, although sometimes the fabric doesn't hold up as well as the yarn does.

Next up, more sewing and lots of baby things!

Brattleboro Hat

In between two snowstorms, I finished my Brattleboro hat.


The construction is interesting--first you knit the lower band, then you block it to relax the ribbing. Then you pick up and knit around the top of the band (which I dreaded, but it turned out fine), knit fewer rows than you think you need, decrease at four points around the crown, and then pick up and knit the short button band. I was worried the decreases would look funny, but I think they look fine:



Brattleboro Hat from New England Knits
One skein of hand-dyed, handspun yarn from Woolly Beers Yarn, purchased on last fall's Wool Arts Tour
Size 8 US needles
No modifications




I mostly enjoy winter (yes, even at this point in February), but I'm looking forward to spring, too. Especially getting my garden started again. I miss the smell of dirt.