Back from an incredible trip to the Republic of Ireland!!  Pictures and more to follow but in the meantime I've added my blog to Blogloving.

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A Sewing Storm.

My youngest son was married at the beginning of October and I've been busy helping and sewing for that event. I made two flowergirl dresses: Pink Imperial Batiste, a round yoke style with english smocking below the yoke, as well as a Tiffany blue dress for the youngest granddaughter.

Once those were done, I hit the sewing room to start working on my wardrobe for an upcoming trip to Ireland.  Marcy Tilton has a new top pattern out, and I got it just in time.  It's a wonderful pattern, fits perfectly, and goes together well.   Vogue 9057.

This is a sweater knit that I actually bought at Joanne Fabrics, a place I usually avoid, as their customer service, their lines and the sense of hopelessness when you see the cutting counter, turns the trip into something that is less enjoyable than perhaps getting the flu, or worse. However, I did like the fabric.  It is a sweater knit, with a black/charcoal mesh between the large dots of grey wool knit.  

Two more of the same pattern, The solid black tank fits under the other tops, for a layer of warmth if needed. It is also a black sweater knit, but very fine and lightweight.  The solid green is a cotton jersey knit.  Not too much to say, but will go with the items that I have knitted for the trip well.   The one below is an lightweight jersey knit, bought online.  I wasn't sure about the print, but it does go with the whole travel wardrobe, so we will see.  I like it better than I thought I would 

I would highly recommend this pattern, there is also included a standard t-shirt as well as the tunic styles and I will be making that also.  

I just took an all day Fitting seminar with Louse Cutting from Cutting Lines Designs. It was held in Cleveland at Janie's Sewing Corner.  Fantastic!!!!!

She covered a variety of fitting issues, and we worked with small scale pattern pieces  I also bought fabric and patterns.  Will cover those tomorrow!

One thing that always sticks out for me with the independent pattern companies...besides the better quality fit and construction, I wish they would have photos of the actual garments on the pattern.  A number of the patterns, including other brands when I see the actual garment, it looks so different from the illustration.
I bought the One Seam Pants, which by the drawing, I thought would be a baggy, elastic pants but though they are elastic at the waist, they fit very well.  Another pattern I bought, Simplify Your Life, is a wonderful top with two versions, and "Take Me Anywhere" will be a Fall coat out of some beautiful novelty wool, I bought today at Janie's.

I've been participating in Knitting Sarah's, KAL for 2014- Socks with Sarah.  As I perused the two bins of sock yarn I own, and while I browsed among the online shops for more sock yarn, I wondered just how many pairs I had already knit in the last decade or so?  (I really do not need more sock yarn)

So, channeling Susan B. Anderson's sock drawer post , I pulled all of mine out for a photo.  21 pairs, though pair # 22 is drying right now, after being blocked.

 I really like to knit the wilder self striping yarn, but I've also noticed that I wear the more subdued ones more often.  Drying right now is  a pair made with bits of sock yarn from other projects. This is the link to the Ravelry page :Sock Opus, definitely not subdued!

Sock Knitting

I've decided to join the KAL that Knitting Sarah has organized for 2014, called Socks with Sarah. I love the idea.  After we all saw the incredibly wonderful sock drawer belonging to Susan Anderson,, I know, as many knitters did, wanted to finish up my own over abundance in both sock yarns and socks already on the needles.   The plan with her KAL is to just knit a little each day on a sock, that is it. No deadline, etc. No specific pattern to use, thought she has several suggestions, just knit.

So, I just finished up a new pair!   I've called them my Monet socks, as the yarn reminds me a bit of an Impressionist painting.  Again photo to come tomorrow in the daylight.

2014!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   A new year is so full of promise, love it!  So given to New Years resolutions, of the top of my head, I really need/want to knit up a chunk of the stash of yarn I have on hand.  Not only for the decluttering and space issues, but I find if I have too much on hand, I become just a machine churning out article after article, and not really stretching myself creatively. I hope to do both this year.

I have a new sewing machine, bought the Friday before Christmas, and newly decked out sewing room with a new table and storage.  Pics to follow :)