One thing Kady points out that I have heard from other customers is that zippers and yarn really don’t mix.  Zippers cause damage to yarn.  All my bags use industrial grade plastic snaps, applied with a professional-grade snap press.  They are easy, reliable and don’t “mess” with your yarn. 

In conjunction with the review, http://takeamomswordforit.blogspot.com/2010/08/diana-couture-review-giveaway.html you can enter for a chance to win a set of free Stitch Hoodies!  Read the blog post for instructions on how to enter the give-away. 

These are the Hoodies that will be given away on September 8th.

Click on this link to view the listing in my Etsy shop.  http://www.etsy.com/listing/52459049/stitch-hoodies-set-of-3-for-needles-4-to 

Stitch Hoodies are a simple solution to keep knitting needles together when not in use and to keep the work from falling off the needles.   I don’t know about you, but this used to happen to me all the time!  But not any more!  The Hoodies are easy to use, they snap shut and hold the work on the needles eliminating dropped stitches or lost needles and help prevent broken needles as well.

Stitch Hoodies work great on single pointed, double points or circular needles!  

The photo above shows circular needles with both needles held together (facing the same way) in the Stitch Hoodie.  I prefer to store the circular needles this way as it doesn’t stretch the work. 

 However, the circulars can also be placed in the Hoodie in the round, as shown above. 

The Hoodies are easy to use and easy to store when not in use.  They are available in 2 sets of 3 Hoodies. The small set accommodates circular needles and straight needles from 4″ to 9″ in length.  The large set accommodates needles 10″, 12″ and 14″ in length.  For needles size 13 and above, only 1 needle will fit in the Hoodie.

Perhaps the simplest thing I did was the flower girl’s apron.  We opted to use an apron to hold the flower petals instead of a basket.  Kayla, the beautiful flower girl, did an excellent job scattering the petals, and she enjoyed wearing the apron.  (Better pictures to come later.)

I took a piece of lace yardage, cut the bottom layer to the size I wanted and cut the top layer the same width but shorter length.  I  sewed together the side edges,  with the right side of the top layer facing the wrong side of the back layer.  I then turned it and topstitched along the scalloped edge.  I added pleats to each side of the apron to keep the pieces from being flat against one another (making it easier for the flower girl to reach in for the petals) and finished the top edge of the pocket with a simple zigzag.  I cut a length of ribbon long enough for the ties, centered it on the apron and folded it in half over the top edge of the apron and topstitched it in place.  Very simple, and it went perfectly with her purchased dress. 

This photo of the apron doesn’t show off the beauty of the lace, but you can see the general idea.  The ribbon had a little silver sparkle in it which picked up on the silvery accents in the lace.

Here are some pictures of the dress.  We bustled the dress for the reception and had to pull up some in the front too, as the bride changed to a lower shoe for the reception.  Thus the bottom of the dress in these photos doesn’t show the original intent of the dress.

Today I am finishing up a very easy apron for the beautiful flower girl to carry her petals in.  I will have pics of that and tell you how I made it as well.   Overall it has been a very busy summer. I am excited about the wedding but will also be very happy to get back to “normal” life.

This is the dress Meagan liked. 

Meagan is vertically challenged, and hemming this dress would take away some of its best features.  Also, because of her height, the position and scale of some of the folds weren’t optimal.  By designing the dress just for her, she gets a dress that will be perfect for her. 

I wanted to drape the gown and knew it would be easier to drape it to size rather than alter it.  I used my Click N Sew sloper/fitting garment  software and made a very fitted garment.  We tried it on and I made adjustments and sewed it onto my dress form.  I stuffed it to fit, measuring to make sure my measurements were correct.  I recommend using a tightly woven fabric for the cover. 

Next I made the interlining, which I will attach the boning to.  I can’t drape the skirt without an underskirt to attach the outer skirt to.  I made this and pinned it onto the form.

By the way, this dress form is a duct-tape double I made a long time ago.  The major disadvantage to duct tape forms are the inability to pin into them.  Also, I thought the arms were a good idea at the time, but they just get in the way and look strange when taking photos.  I am going to get a cheap dressform and make a cover my size when I get time.   I have to say I was impressed once again with the Click N Sew basic block pattern  and the fit I got with minimal adjustments. 

This dress is really a lot easier than it looks.  It is draped in 3 parts, the bodice, torso and skirt.  Looking at the muslin, you will still need to use some imagination, as the muslin won’t hold the shape the way the satin will.  Also, I will play more with the shape of the skirt and the tack ups, but the muslin gave me enough of an idea to know what I need to do and I feel confident enough to start with the actual fabric.  I will have a lot of hand sewing/tacking, when I get to the actual dress, which I will be starting this week.

Stay tuned for more details!  When I get a little further on the dress I will tell you the wedding date.  It is closer than you may think and I am panicking enough without hearing your gasps of shock.

The Knitting Answer Book by Margaret Radclife

and The Knitter’s Companion by Vicki Square

Neither of these books are new releases, but I want a small basics book that I can keep in my knitting bag, so hot-off-the-press isn’t as important as usefulness.  Either book will fit in the Serena Bag, but the Knitter’s Companion is hardbound spiral and is larger than the Knitting Answer Book.  At 4-3/4 x 6-1/2 inches, the Answer Book packs a lot of useful information. 

Also the presentation of the materials in these 2 books is very different.  The Companion presents information much like a conventional, larger knitting book, but in a more compact manner.  The Knitting Answer Book, on the other hand, is like having the guru from knitting group in your knitting bag.  It is a Q&A format that has all the questions I have thought about so far and a whole lot more that I haven’t thought to ask (which makes it interesting reading in addition to being a reference.)   

No matter what information is included in a book, the key to its effectiveness as a reference is being able to quickly find what you are looking for.  The Companion’s index is 1 page…yes that was not a typo…1 page.  The Answer Book has a 13 page index, making it so easy to find what I am looking for quickly. 

One thing I wanted to look up was joining in the round.   In the index of the Answer Book, I found “joining” and “circular knitting” and when I followed their lead to page 216, I found the question “What is the best way to join the beginning and end of a round?”  Followed by this intro paragraph “Each knitter has his or her own preference, but there are 2 ways to join…I prefer the first.”  Wow! Not only do I get instructions on both ways but a recommendation from an experienced knitter…just like that guru in my knitting group! 

I looked at the index in the Companion, and on quick perusal don’t see anything.  I go back and read each line and nothing on circular knitting or joining (except joining yarns).   I flip through the book and find “Knitting in the Round” and 3 brief sentences that are a little confusing.  No help. 

The Companion has color illustrations whereas the Answer Book has light purple/dark purple/black/white illustrations.  For comparison I looked up sewing pieces together.  The Companion has actual photos as well as color illustrations.  However, the Answer Book has very clear and concise illustrations that are easy to understand without taking up excess space.  The Answer Book continues its Q&A format and addresses seaming in answer to questions such as “How do I sew together the sides of a sweater?’  Both books cover invisible garter stitch joins and ribbing joins, in addition to other methods. 

The Companion has 136 pages, including the index (and an extra page with a knitting gauge and needle sizer).  The Answer Book has 400 pages, including the index.  So obviously it will contain more information. 

I wanted a handy reference book that can easily be carried, and the Knitting Answer Book was a delightful surprise.  I am sure there are many other reviews on these books, but I am so impressed with the Knitting Answer Book I had to tell you how wonderful it is; and at $10.17 on Amazon.com, it is much cheaper than the attorney fees you would accrue if you kidnapped your favorite knitting guru from your knitting group.

The good news is the new place is great and hopefully I can stay here for a while. What I have learned is that renting from individuals who do not rent as a business can be precarious…they want to move back into their homes or lose their homes and you are out of a place to live. Enough said.

College is almost over for the semester, and after the grading is all finished, I am looking forward to a lot of new additions to my Etsy shop, as well as updates to the website and this blog, of course.

The Serena bag has just been enlarged to an 8″ x 10″ size and 10″ tall. It is available with or without a divider inside.  Visit my Etsy shop for more info on this exciting new addition to the Diana Couture line!

I am teaching advanced sewing at UNT this semester, and we are finishing up a jacket.  I mentioned to my students that I had a welt pocket maker that I had never tried.  They expressed interest and I decided to give it a try.  I bought this tool quite a few years ago thinking it would be an easy and fast alternative to traditional welt pockets.  After looking at it, I put it up without even trying it out until I had some time to play with it.  Fast forward all these years and quite a few welt pockets later, and I am trying it for the first time.  In fact, I don’t think it is available to purchase anymore. 

The key to a welt pocket is precise marking and stitching.  The one advantage of this tool is that it makes precise stitching easier. 

In making any welt pocket, the first thing needed is precise stitching along the center of the pocket and the ends where stitching will stop.  Extend the stitching  1-1/2″ to 2″ longer than the actual pocket measurement.   The best way to do this is to use a running stitch sewn by hand.  To get a straight running stitch, mark the fabric using chalk and then take a couple of stitches in the fabric.  Pull the thread through, leaving a tail.  Line the needle up with the stitches just taken.  Hold the needle straight and take a few more stitches.  This will help to make a very straight line.  I like to use a thread color that is easily seen on the front and back of the fabric. ( White thread isn’t the best choice for my sample as I used white interfacing.) 

For the welt pocket maker, the next step is to cut the fabric for the double welt (this means both welts are made with 1 piece of fabric as opposed to 2 pieces, which is another step that makes the process a little easier.)   I cut my piece 7″ wide x 4″ tall. 

I positioned the fabric in the tool according to the instructions.   I took care to ensure that the fabric was lying flat on the under side of the tool.  If the fabric isn’t flat, the welts probably won’t be even. 

Under side of welt pocket tool

 

If you are looking for an easy welt pocket, there is technique I call a mock welt pocket that is so easy I bet my 9 year old could do it with a little supervision.  That blog will be coming soon!

I found out about Marg’s book when she bought 2 Owls from my Etsy shop.   I visited her shop Marg Knitting Around when I left feedback and was delighted to find that it looked like my Owls would be very busy in their new home (they like that). 

I believe my products, designed to make it easier for busy knitters to  increase portability of projects, spend less time untangling or chasing after yarn and have easier access to projects when on the go, were a perfect match for Marg’s concept.  When she asked if she could interview me for her website, I was delighted!  Not only is Marg a talented knitwear designer, she also asked journalist-worthy, thought-provoking questions.   I enjoyed the interview and hope you will too!  http://knit1fortheroad.wordpress.com/2010/02/08/diana-couture-interview-day/

As a Kindle owner, I was very intrigued that Marg’s book was available on the Kindle.   When taking a trip, I always carry my Kindle, so by knitting up a project from the book, I wouldn’t have loose papers or an extra book to carry.  The unfortunate thing about the Kindle is there are no color pictures.   I wouldn’t buy many knitting books  in this format, but I think the simplicity of these projects and the easy portability made it well worth the $5.99 price for the digital version (which can be downloaded to I-Pods or I-Phones too where the photos would be in color.)   There are several projects in the book that I am interested in for myself and some quick projects that would make very useful donations to charities.   Overall a solid, well-rounded  selection.    My first project will be the felted coffee-cup cozies.  I have had this project on my to-do list for a while.  I thought they would make great stocking stuffers for my daughters at Christmas but that project didn’t get any further than an idea.  

One of the best things about selling on Etsy is the people I meet.  My customers have enriched my life in so many ways with their talent, love of knitting, nice e-mails, love of my products and occasionally gifts too (K. thanks again for the awesome audiobook I was dying to listen to!)

A great knitting bag should be beautiful…but it must be functional as well.  The Serena bag has an opening in center front for the yarn to feed through.  You can knit without taking out your yarn.  The small Yarn Owl or the Skeini-T’s fit well in the bags to keep yarn from tangling.  But the bag is not too big that the yarn will get lost rolling around, so an additional Owl or T are optional, depending on your preference. 

The bag has a new stabilizer/interlining that keeps its shape but is very flexible.  I love this stuff, and it makes a beautiful bag.  When the bag is opened, it stands on its own and has a large opening, like a basket. 

The bag can be expanded on the sides to allow it to hold more or allow the yarn to unwind out the sides. 

There are, of course, pockets on the inside.  The pockets extend across the sides of the lining. 

These bags are going fast!  I am listing more regularly, so check back often to find your perfect bag at my Etsy shop.