Author Archives: Jan

About Jan

Musician and geek and Juris Doctor; lover of fine art and fine craft; mother and grandmother and significant other and friend. Passionate about sewing.

Cute and comfortable

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Here’s a second take on Katherine Tilton’s Butterick 5961. I made the first one on Saturday and blogged about it here. I wanted some more black for tops, and picked up a nylon/acetate/lycra Swiss 4-way stretch at Gorgeous Fabrics. Ann’s description is accurate—”it’s a joy to sew.” I liked my sweatery teal tunic so much I decided to try the shorter version. I have ordered a pair of those new leggings-with-attached-skirt that one sees everywhere nowadays and thought the length of View A/B would be just right with that. I dipped into my knit remnants basket and came up with … Continue reading →

Another new top, and more love.

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When I made Katherine Tilton’s Butterick 5925 top (blogged here and here), I fell in love with the RPL (Rayon-Poly-Lycra blend) fabric. I raced over to Gorgeous Fabrics and grabbed two more pieces, one in Peacock and one in Army Green. I expected these two pieces to have the same hand as the red RPL. I prewashed, and then last night, when cutting out Katherine Tilton’s Butterick 5961, I realized the hand was very different. And still wonderful. This top, which is slated to go to Germany with me next Friday, feels very similar to a lovely lightweight cashmere twin-set … Continue reading →

THE Blanket!

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I don’t like long drawn-out projects. I like feedback and knowing the end is in sight. When I was an IBMer, I interviewed for several Customer Engineer positions, but knew I wouldn’t do well in a job where you plug away and plug away and it can be months or even years before the customer makes a decision. I’ve written previously about this project, the Lion Brand Yarns Slip Stitch Sampler Throw. I wrote first in July, at the three-blocks-complete stage, then I updated my status a couple of weeks ago. The true timeline? I bought the kit from Lion … Continue reading →

The Bag Lady

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“Marcy’s Coat” has been put on hold for a couple of days while I attend to higher priorities. This particular higher priority was mandated by a baby shower I will attend on Sunday. The new-mom-to-be is a chorus colleague of mine. She’s been dealing with a lot of physical pain unrelated to the pregnancy, and feeling much stress related to the confluence of pain and pregnancy. I suggested I teach her to knit as a method for reducing her stress. As much as she wants to sign on to this plan, our calendars prevented our getting together during the past … Continue reading →

Sew? Clean? Sew!

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My sewing room is an abomination. An embarrassment. A couple of days ago, the Jazzman walked in while I was slaving over a hot sewing machine, then backed quietly out as he turned out the lights so he wouldn’t have to look at the mess. That was a suitable response. In fact, the only way I would share a photo with you was by first running it through my iPhone’s ToonCamera app so the mess wouldn’t be quite so recognizable. Here’s the problem: there are only 24 hours in a day. As you know, I’m trying to get too many … Continue reading →

What Every Body Needs

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As I walked into the JCC this morning for my water aerobics class, the sky was overcast and the weather forecast said there was a 90% chance of rain for the balance of the day. A young mom and dad were getting out of their car next to me and walking their two children into the day care center. The mom was dressed impeccably and wearing a bright red coat. Wow! Pop!! We all should have a brightly colored coat to bring us some cheer on gray days. I’m headed into my basement sewing room to begin work on Marcy … Continue reading →

All You Need is Love

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… And some of this incredible poly/rayon/lycra knit from GorgeousFabrics and Katherine Tilton’s wonderful Butterick 5925 top. I think I am more in love with this garment than anything else I’ve made this year. (You like the picture, don’t you? I’m channeling my inner Shams.) Here’s the review: Pattern Description: MISSES’ TOP: Pullover top has neckline and pocket variations, seam detail, and shaped hemine. A: slightly draped neck and pocket bands. B: pocket binding. A and B: semi-fitted, stitched hems. C and D: loose-fitting, hem band, and narrow hem. B, C and D: neck binding. Wrong side shows on hemlines, … Continue reading →

Thinking About Design

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[Photo borrowed stolen from Marcy Tilton’s fabric store. I wrote recently questioning the definition of design. This morning I reviewed my blog posts since early February of this year (the date I traveled to Santa Barbara and got kick-started by my friends/teachers/mentors Diane Ericson and Marcy Tilton and inspired by all my stylish sisters of the cloth on the West Coast). I have made a staggering 27 garments since returning from Design Outside the Lines. Twenty-seven! (Oh, and that’s in addition to a bunch of knitting, two sewn bags, and helping DGD make her first T-shirt.) Honestly, that seems a … Continue reading →