Derby Day Riding Peplum

Hey y'all! Happy Derby Day! While I'd like to be sipping a mint julep in a sunny garden right now, I'm on my couch, curled up in my newly completed aperture quilt (post to come soon!) about to watch some movies with my husband. But earlier today, I was (unintentionally) dressed in my derby best because I wore my Riding Peplum to run some errands.

My husband bought me the April Rhodes' Riding Peplum pattern in my Easter basket this year (best. husband. ever.) and I just got around to sewing it. The pattern comes together quickly and easily - definitely doable for beginners, and in fact, is a great introduction to sewing darts. They're not as scary as they seem!

I used Paper Cuts in Dusk from the Cotton + Steel Bluebird collection for my peplum. Initially I wanted a lightweight garment fabric, but at the time I went to buy fabric, there weren't any voiles really calling to me. I love the color dusky plum, and thought it was spring-appropriate. I was right, because paired with my dusky pink pants and pink flats, I felt like I should be out betting on the ponies!

Thanks to my husband for taking a few quick pictures of me prancing around in our backyard, and thanks to Stefanie (Finchette photographer) for taking a photograph of me outside of Finch this morning!





















Pattern: April Rhodes' Riding Peplum
Size: Large
Adjustments: None

Penelope Peplum

It's Me Made May 2016! What better time to start posting my creations again?

in March, I was at a St. Patrick's Day party where a small child was wearing the cutest little knit peplum top. The next day, I purchased the Penelope Peplum pattern by See Kate Sew and got to work creating my own using some leftover knit fabric I had.



I wore it on a day trip to DC with my friend Beryl, who snapped these pictures for me. This top was a super easy make, it's extremely comfortable, and I think the peplum is flattering for people with bigger hips, such as myself. I don't quite remember if this is the bicep or half sleeve version - it looks like bicep length, but my traced pattern piece is for half sleeve. Either way, I love it!

Pattern: See Kate Sew's Penelope Peplum 

Fabric: Plumage Knit in apricot from Bonnie Christine's 'Winged' collection

Size: Large

Adjustments: Added 2" to bodice length

Zinnia Skirt and Eucalypt Tank

Spring! Spring! It's sunny (sometimes) and warm(ish) and breezy (borderline gale-force) and time for skirts and tank tops (on certain days).

I'm pretty excited about my newest sewn garments: Colette Patterns' Zinnia Skirt, and Megan Neilsen's Eucalypt Tank. They're perfectly springy on their own and together. 

My husband kept complimenting me on the top, saying that I should sew more Eucalypts because they're very flattering. I agree.  I chose this floral patterned voile from Leah Duncan's Morning Walk line for my Eucalypt. It's so perfect. 

I paired the Eucalypt with my newly sewn Zinnia skirt (v. 3) which was made from a beautifully lined fabric I picked up at Finch Sewing Studio.  I cut the waistline a little bit larger on the Zinnia so that it sits a bit lower on my waist.

I wore this outfit to a lunch date with my husband this weekend, and then awkwardly posed along the W&OD bike trail while he snapped my picture.

Pattern: Colette Patterns' Zinnia Skirt

Size: 12

Pattern: Megan Neilsen's Eucalypt Tank

Size: Medium

Adjustments: Lengthened by 2"

Winter Knitting Roundup

I know, it's April, and the cold, snowy winter isn't even that far behind us. I hate to bring up such painful memories so soon, but bare with me. These knitting projects are too cute not to share. Plus, I want to reminisce about the two weeks that I had pink hair before it sadly faded out.

I basically chose an extremely cold day to throw on a bunch of my winter knitting projects at once and asked my husband to photograph me wearing them. It took all of five minutes but the poor guy's fingers looked halfway frostbitten. 

First up, the Jul Hat. Love this hat! It ended up being my most worn hat during the late winter once it was knit. Blue Sky Alpacas Suri Merino is a dream to knit with. I want to make more Jul hats just so I can use this yarn again. Plus the slouch is perfect.

Next I made the Lodgepole Cowl. I've had this variegated Malabrigo in my stash since I first started knitting and couldn't decide what to use it for. It begged to be part of a fair isle project, but I didn't know which one. This cowl shows off the shades of purple and pink in this yarn so well.

Layers upon layers! I look like the Michelin Man!

Let's bring in the big guy - the Wool and the Gang Tartan Lula Hoop! This is a giant, squishy infinity scarf/cowl made of bulky yarn and big ol' size 19 needles. I was given the kit for Christmas and got to work just in time to wear it to NYC in January. It was cold and windy and I was so thankful for finishing this in time.

For Christmas, I also received Jane Richmond's book Island and a skein of lovely Madelinetosh Vintage in cove (thanks, Jon!), which was the exact yarn and colorway used in her Renfrew hat pattern. Knitting this hat was fun - you knit it inside out! - and I love how it turned out. But... I wish I had done more repeats before decreasing. It's at an awkward length between being a beanie and having a nice slouch. Part of it could be the yarn, which has more structure to it and doesn't slouch as well. I may go back with the leftover yarn and add more length to it at some point. Isn't it pretty though?

And finally, a simple seed stitch cowl that I gave to my MIL for Christmas. I used Madelinetosh ASAP yarn in the alizarin colorway. I also made my mom one in celadon, but I don't have pictures of it. Whoops!

To review:

Jul Hat / Blue Sky Alpacas Suri Merino in Seamist

Lodgepole Cowl / Malabrigo Worsted in Milonga and Manos del Uruguay Maxima in Natural

Tartan Lula Hoop Kit

Renfrew Hat from Island / Madelinetosh Vintage in Cove

Seed Stitch Cowl / Madelinetosh ASAP in Alizarin