Sewing Crochet challenge---purses

I'm trying to make up some of my Vogue patterns for summer before the new Fall ones come out.  Today I quickly made up version A of  8816 (my outfit picture comes later)

I made it in a light weight jersy knit and it made up quickly and gives just the right amount of "coverage" to my aging body. I may even consider lengthening it to dress length.

Since I am trying to add CROCHET items to my sewing I decided to take a look at some of the designer crocheted purses and found several:

These 2 are from Dolce and Gabbana-----the granny square one is over $2000 and reminds me of and afghan!

I discovered that crochet is so popular this year that it is even used to make shoes!

from relatively inexpensive sandals  --------to pricey ones from Missoni:     

So, taking these all as inspiration I came up with the following outfit:

          

I have to admit that there was a pattern for the sandals in the last "Interweave Crochet" magazine which I was dying to try! Here is another picture of them ----I started with crocheting around a black flip-flop sole with the thongs cut off.

                                                          

Missoni crochet inspiration

I love the way one of my favorite bloggers, Carolyn of sewingfantaticdiary looks at all the latest runway styles and then decides to incorporate her favorites into renditions that are attractive on her. She even names her collections sometimes!

Well, I've been looking at this summer's Missoni collection and it uses LOTS of CROCHET, my favorite activity of the moment so have decided to attempt some Missoni "knock-offs" that will be appropriate for me.

Here are some actual Missoni  crocheted pieces that I would love to try to "knock-off":

                                      cool top and the wavy pattern is perfect for crochet

This is called "crochet Knit"---would be fun to figure out the stitches---love the colors

Maybe a skirt like the bottom of this dress?

                                                                                                           I'd love a long tunic just likethis!

I think this is a scarf!

I really love this but would need to make a slip-dress to wear under it---the model seems to just have tiny black underwear on!

I'm thinking I"d sew a skirt like this and crochet a MUCH larger top in co-ordinating colors!SSo, stay tuned as I attempt to got through a Missoni "knock-off" challenge----I'm off to check my yarn for colors I need.

A crochet/sewing challenge

I've been reading some of your great sewing blogs and have gotten into a sewing mood again! However I am still in love with crochet and all the new looks using it from the designers.  Therefore, I've decided to challenge myself this summer with mixing the two skills.  I"m going to try to make (and show you) some things that have both "hook and needle" skills in the outfits.    Here's my first combined outfit:

The dress is a pattern from the new Vogue Knitting CROCHET magazine.  Yes, that's right, crochet has become so popular that conservative old Vogue magazine has just published a magazine dedicated to "hooking"!          This was actually listed as a "bathing suit" cover-up----No WAY would I have worn it as that so the sewing part came in making a co-ordinating simple slip/dress to wear under it---my "crochet" friends seem to be more impressed by that than the dress!

Stay tuned for more in my self-challenge Sew/Crochet (or maybe knit) projects----I have boxes of patterns, fabric and yarn to work with!       peg

Crochet on the Runways

I can't believe it's been over a year since I had the wonderful visit and fabric shopping trip with Shams, Carolyn and Noile.   I see by their blogs that they are all still sewing wonderful things. Even though I don't comment much I love reading what they and you other bloggers are sewing!

 ME? I've only been sewing enough to make outfits to go with my new love--CROCHET.  I've known how to crochet for ages but have freshened up my skills since I see it everywhere in the new collections this spring.    Here are some of my creations:

I made a long black dress to wear under this crocheted skirt so there wouldn't be an extra slip layer.

I did make the Sewing Workshop Hudson pants and top to go with my crocheted assymetrical sweater.

I made this skirt as a joke for my friend Diane (a professional knitter)  to show her that crocheted "Granny Squares" can be trendy too!

I made another SW outfit to go under this crocheted sweater and purse.

My next endeavor with my hook will be to try to copy some pricey Missoni crocheted skirts that I've seen  so stay tuned and keep sewing, knitting and crocheting!  It's all Good!                                                             
                                                                               
                                                               

Holiday Knitting and Sewing

I'm still having fun with Sham's Tablecloth skirt. Here is my version in plaid wool that I've been wearing for holiday parties and shopping---I was asked at a boutique if it was Rundholz!

I needed a red sweater so decided to crochet one from the cover of the new "Crochet Today" magazine. As I've mentioned before for some things I think crochet looks trendier than knitting.

I love making holiday accessories too and put together several funky necklaces (the Nutcracker is my favorite)                                                   

Made several purses from "thrifted" sweaters     

I'm still knitting on my Christmas socks---love this yarn that changes colors to give the pattern-

Oh, and I can't forget my Christmas pajamas!

I'm already thinking about what I want to start after the first of the year for spring. Saw that Pantone's color of the year for 2012 is TANGERINE which I love!     Happy holidays to all.                                                                               
                                                                          
                                                                             
                                                                

Pumpkins and Tablecloth skirts

I must start with profuse thanks to my friend Shams for sharing her pattern for the Tablecloth Skirt! Most of you already read her blog but if not, check it out here http://communingwithfabric.blogspot.com/  The last entry shows all the great responses she's gotten but read down a bit and you will see her great tutorial and pics of the original garment.   "Knocking-off" quirky designer patterns is my favorite sewist thing to do, but she was way ahead of me in figuring out this one!

Anyway, I wanted a long skirt to wear this Thanksgiving weekend to go with my new boots and "Pumpkin Necklace"  and this looked like the perfect thing to try.  I had it put together in no time and on this one didn't even add the bottom flaps, so it is just one rectangular piece with an oval waist. I love the complicated and layered look it gives!

I have several more fabrics that I'd like to make up this way.  Shams, you may have gotten me back on a sewing kick!   
                              
On the knitting front I have been having great fun with this book just out----the author has discovered a complete new way to knit a sweater!       "Knit, Swirl"    

                                                               

          It is acutally a big circle with sleeves (and some fitting). 

You can even wear it upside down and have a bigger collar! This is made from Noro, a Japanese yarn that changes colors, so I didn't have to.

I'm anxious to try more Tablecloth skirts so hope to be back soon with more knitting and sewn items. Happy start of Holiday season everyone!

How I spent my summer (needle-wise)

Thanks to those who have asked what happened to me after my last blog!  Well, when the weather turned hot I turned to knitting and crocheting and limited my sewing to just making basic items to go with the crafted items.  It didn't seem like I was being very creative in the "sewing sense" but as I look back at my summer's products I feel like it was a fun wardrobe to have as I traveled extensively  (visiting fabric and yarn stores along the way).      

I've realized that it's a tremendous advantage to be able to sew just the right thing to "Make an outfit" with a hand-knitted top, rather than have to search for the right color and fit in rtw. Here are some of the summer's outfits:

This is a crocheted sweater (cotton rayon yarn) from the book "Free-from Crochet". It has convinced me that crochet can look stylish---it's not just about Granny Squares any more! The blouse and pants are just basic patterns but it was fun to look for just the right fabric with pink and yellow in it.

This is a knitted sweater in linen yarn by the designer Maggi Jackson. I really liked the rustic, arty look of it.

This is a knitted top made from hexagons that are attached as they are knitted. The designer got the ideas from some lacey doilies she saw.  It was probably the most difficult technically to make but just the thing for very hot days----thin cotton yarn.

Here's the shawl wrap I knitted as a hostess gift for my friend we visited in Colorado.  It's heavy wool but she was a good sport about modeling it on a hot day!

I'm busy now working on my fall knitted/sewn ensembles ---what fun it is to combine my love of  different types of needlework!  later, peg