Ambivalence and Ingenue, Finding my Inner Audrey
September 1st, 2011 § 2 Comments
I have to admit that I am feeling a great amount of ambivalence right alongside disappointment today. I have spent the first half of the week auditing classes, figuring out how I want to fill some of my time with learning. I have concluded to stay enrolled in 3 classes, the first is hand sewing techniques (embroidery, beading, etc), the second is a Fabric Science Class and the third and final is a pattern grading (both by hand and through gerber systems) class. Remaining on the roster until, literally, 3 minutes ago was the History of Fashion class, but I just pressed the drop button, away it went, and now my money is being returned to me, sometime in the next 7–10 business days (even though it only takes 10 minutes to give it to you…). Now, still in possession of my history book, which I purchased on Amazon in June for $50, do I sell it again? I can likely get about $100 for it …
Why do I feel ambivalent? Ramon and I took a good hard look at the Fashion Department curriculum and reviewed what it would really take for me to get a second degree, which I don’t really need. Even with all of my transferred credits I’d still need to take about 80 more units in order to fulfill the Associates Degree requirements, and with everything in my life I am just not sure this coincides with my overall goals. Yes, it be nice, but I’d really need to be going full time for a few years, and doing nothing else. That’s just not really in the cards. I tend to bite off a little more than I can chew, but surely anyone has ever noticed, that though! Part of me didn’t want to drop the History of Fashion class, even though I know it is the right thing to do. In my mind I have plenty of time to do it all, but I know that 6 weeks from now I’d be regretting it, as it would be taking away valuable time from other endeavors. So, I did the right thing, right … right? Ugh, yes. I wish that these decisions were more cut and dry for me, but they’re just not always that way.
Another class I decided not to take was a class focused around creative garment design, though upon going to the first class I learned that this class is primarily developing of what I call Mood Boards, and then designing garment “collections” in sketch-form only from your inspirations in the mood-boards. Given that I have taught a class like this at the Academy of Art, even though the “collections” designed were logos and visual branding, I just can’t see myself super excited about spending 12 hours a week on homework doing something that may not be helping me to get ahead as much as some other topic. The hard part is that if the teacher doesn’t have 20 students then she must teach the class as Directed Study (Independed Study) versus 2 times a week in a classroom environment. Well, guess what number I was. Yep, 20. So, there is some guilt and disappointment there, but at the same time, I can’t go to a class for 16 weeks to make other people happy.
Though, often when I start taking a class, or classes, I quickly notice a common thread running through my life and some special piece of content. What I have noticed this week is structure. Last week I happened to catch a show that has been a long time running, though I’d never previously experienced it. It’s a little show called, SuperNanny. This has, even though I have only seen 3 episodes, become my new favorite show. My immediate take-away is the importance of structure in a young-one’s life, which has caused me to reflect on my own upbringing. While spending a fabulous long weekend in Seattle with Ramon and his equally as fabulous business partner, Nicole, we discussed the concept of structure while raising children in some detail. Ramon had an extremely different upbringing than I did, with complete lack of structure. I had a lot of structure, and was lucky enough to have my mother be a stay-at-home mom until I was in elementary school, and I really think that this helped me to become a happy successful person. Ramon, with very little structure from his parents, even as a young child, worked to put structure in his life, and he is very happy and successful as an adult.
The concept of structure reared it’s head in both the sewing techniques class and the fabric science class earlier in the week. First, the idea was presented that that we won’t buy things unless they are comfortable, and these garments generally lack physical structure, as physical structure in a garment makes us sit-up straighter, restricts motion, etc, as well having clothes that have less structure are more applicable to a variety of body types. Second, in the Fabric Science class, clothes with more structure are generally used in social situations where we are trying to create a better impression of ourselves.
The idea that we won’t buy clothing if it is not comfortable is a very valuable notion. Look at how much knitwear (t-shirts, stretchy dresses, leggings, yoga pants, sweaters, sweatshirts, etc) is in our closets, and look at which things are so easy to get out of the closet first. How many times have you picked the knit top versus the silk blouse … why? Because the knit top is more comfortable and moves with you. And in terms of structured garments helping us to create a better impression of ourselves, think about how many prom dresses, wedding dresses, or men interviewing in suits that look casual and comfortable. But are these points not true with structure in our lives, too?
Remaining on the structure point, I feel like I have been needing more structure in my life to help me stay on track. A fitted bodice if you will. Previously I have really enjoyed taking the classes, even if some of my teachers, or the content have been a little underwhelming. I like the schedule to arrange my day around, but I don’t want it to take over my entire life. And thinking about structure and McQueen (I’ve got to make this thing go full circle), well, if there is one thing that McQueen is all about …even the knitwear … need I say more.
So, after all that, I am feeling a little less ambivalent, but still disappointed, for completely different reasons. A little knitting therapy always helps,but that is part of my current disappointment. I have been trying for a couple of months to find a variegated yarn that works completely harmoniously in my concept for a pattern design. I got new yarn yesterday to try, and yet again, failure. I don’t want to accept that the project isn’t going to work out …
I guess that things just don’t always work out the way you want them to, and instead of throwing things across the room it is better to accept it and move on. Some women think of the strength of Elizabeth Taylor overcoming adversity to emotionally deal with conquering their own. She’s never been quite my style, so I try to channel my inner Audrey Hepburn.
In addition to all of my pattern designs, I try to work on a little something for myself, everyday. Even if it is only for 5 minutes, I still want to make things just for me. I learn a lot by following other people’s patterns, and I have a lot of fun working with other people’s designs, and that is the whole point of knitting, right? To have fun? I think so.
Custom Knits by Wendy Bernard
Last year, about this time, I picked up a book called Custom Knits, in which I found a sweater that seems pretty much directly inspired by Audrey Hepburn, even if I am the only one who thinks so. The sweater is called Ingenue. So in one of my recent yarn orders, I bought some yarn that is in my budget (Valley Yarns Northhampton in Fawn) to work on Ingenue, which I am also knitting Continental Style, just as the Owls. This one is coming out much nicer. The wool isn’t my favorite texture, but I just adore the color.
The image at the top of this post is the final project in the book, and just below is an image of the finished collar, and the inside of the garment, where I have (I think) created a beautiful modification:
Instead of sewing the Cast On edge of the collar to the inside, bottom pattern repeat (fold over and sew with Wrong Sides Together), I K2Tog including the CO row and the last row of the last pattern repeat. This has resulted in a very nice finished edge, even hiding the CO row, completely, as it has been turned to the inside of the collar, which is enclosed.
Back to the point here, channeling an individual’s energy and spirit is a lot easier to do with something so reminiscent of them in front of you for so long. This project has become such a joy to work on, it is doing much more for me than knitting something without that outside influence that I am looking for. I think that this project is going to go much quicker than I anticipated, and maybe I can bring some of that influence into more of my own work and pattern development. Audrey is such a great muse and such a beautiful soul.
Oh, I am feeling better already.
- Added Structure? Check!
- Inspiration? Check!
- Knitting Therapy? Check!
- Sewing?
I think I know what is coming next.
Instant Grat-knit-fication.
April 5th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Last night I made it half way through the section on leather in the book I have borrowed, How to How to Sew Leather, Suede, Fur
This afternoon I am off to help my friend out, so I am taking a brief break from my sew-extravaganza. As yesterday was a great day for instant gratification, I am more than happy to take a little break, and do something good for someone else, other than just making Ramon dinner, and doing the laundry—oh shoot, need to pull stuff out of the dryer before I go!
In the land of instant gratification, after finishing my knit top pattern, and trimming it out, Trina showed me how to sew it. With reinforced shoulders, and french bindings in the armholes and neckline, I am super stoked with this quick project. I am also learning that I LOVE sewing knits, even if the industrial cover-stitch machine scares the bejezus out of me.
A wool polyester blend, longer in the front, shorter on the sides, really long in the back, with flare added throughout, this little top is breezy and very, very comfortable to wear.
Looking Closer
April 4th, 2011 § 1 Comment
Six Days. The food poisoning lasted for six whole days, which was exactly half way into my spring break. Ugh. Finally, after getting the pH balance of my digestive system back in order, I was able to get back to sewing. I thought I was going to be able to dive into my Alexander McQueen projects for the entire week, alas, that was not to be the case.
Last Monday I was able to sit down with my new, and fabulous friend, Trina, who actually has a fashion degree—a real sewing, pattern making and beyond, education—but even better yet, is willing to share. In my desire to learn how to sew knits, and I have let my fear over them overtake me. Yes, I know you need different needles. Yes, I know you include only 3/8″ seam allowance, but, but, but … what about everything else in that vast, dark unknown space? Where does the dart intake go? How do you account for the stretch of the fabric, and they all seem stretchy to different degrees … Whoa is me.
With Trina as excited to teach as I am to learn, the Monday when I felt very green instead of going over a lot, we simply went over the cutting of knit fabric for a pattern, ironically, the fabric was also green. On Wednesday, I sewed an entire PJ set—very cute toddler size— all by myself, also learning how to use her industrial coverstitch machine. ACK! Not easy. She taught me some of her tips and tricks for getting seams to line up perfectly, cleaning up edges, attaching ribbed cuffs, and neckbands, and attaching elastic. The result, thumbs up from all three, Trina, her munchkin, and myself. I feel my fear subsiding.
As it is not my child, I am not showing the whole child, I feel like the duck is safe though.
On Friday we began drafting my first knit pattern. A simple top that involves some new construction techniques. As it turns out she drafts very differently, and much more efficiently than I was taught. Feeling like an indoor cat, watching a tiger catch it’s prey, I realize that my ways will be a-changin’.
In the process of making the pattern for my little knit top, Trina went over just how important it is to really analyze the photo before you begin to make the pattern. While at home over the weekend, I pulled out my Houndstooth fabric, and was just about to start making an 8-gore flared skirt pattern, based on what I remembered from this picture:
Before beginning, I could hear this little voice saying, “Maybe you should go and look at the picture again, before you begin.” After finding a high resolution image of this Fall 2009 Alexander McQueen look, I discovered that I was 100% wrong about how the skirt is made. It isn’t a flared 8-gore at all! It is a classic circle skirt! After dissecting instructions on how to pattern make a perfect circle skirt with a waist radius and the hem, within 2 hours, the entire pattern was drafted, fabric cut, and the skirt was made. The 1/4 inch rolled hem was even completed. Turns out that this is the EASIEST sewing project I have ever done. Though, my sewing skills are getting a lot better, and I think that probably had something to do with it, too. It might be a shame I had put it off for so long if I hadn’t have needed the time to figure out how to look closely at a photo.
And now for the jacket … a pattern making challenge if I ever saw one!
After the green faded from me, I decided that before diving in on the leather dress, that I had some other problems to solve. I have felt for some time that my block needed adjustments, so I began making a lot of those tedious adjustments and test fit muslin garments. As a trial and as a test I made this fun little linen, zebra print dress:
I feel like the cutting added some extra ease to the waist, and that there is a little bit of gaping in the neck. For a $12 project, and a test project at that, I really can’t complain. I am tired of making test fit muslins, so I can only assume that cheap JoAnns 100% linen is going to be making some more appearances. Now knowing what I need to fix, and thank goodness I have wheedled the problems down to very minor ones, I need to figure out how to make my shoulder pads, and then adjust my pattern according, also dropping the back to mullet levels for the leather version … Yes, I am sure I will probably do one more test fit before attempting the leather.
You only get ONE shot to get it right …
2.11.11. Lee Alexander McQueen, you will always be remembered. You will always be missed.
February 11th, 2011 § 3 Comments
One year to the day, and even with Lady Gaga’s tribute, it is still your day. You are still missed, your vision unparalleled.
In an effort to properly honor this day, I bustled and struggled all week to get this dress done in time to wear to a fundraiser gala that my sister invited me to, which was held in San Francisco last night. Despite my lack of confidence in my sewing ability regarding the completion of this specific garment, I actually got it done, and I thought I even got it done fairly well!
Not without serious struggles, after about 60 hours worth of work and paired with my new favorite, everyday winter boots
The original:
After making my final dress for my pattern-making class last December, I felt like I had made a good start, but discovered that I still had a long-long way to go. Three completed muslins later I felt that I was ready to start the final piece. I decided to use a short-pile velvet for the red fabric, as I appreciated the drape and the way that the color compliments the print. Though, I found that once I got actually sewing it, it has a tendency to move around when paired with fabrics of alternate fiber. None-the-less, and I can’t believe I can actually say this, I did not have to rip out one single seam for this project.
One of the most difficult things for me was figuring out the proper way to angle the princess seam in at the waist, and have the red, side draped panel, fall properly. I must have drawn about 15 pattern pieces for the center front and princess side panels before getting so something that actually seemed like it would work out right. Luckily, Thunder was an excellent assistant on this project, even keeping my Bernina 450 carrying bag warm, and my new ironing board, that I am absolutely in love with, company
The absolute hardest part was draping the velvet side panels. Not knowing exactly how to solve the problem, I made the entire dress with a huge, huge amount of extra fabric attached to the princess panels, that would just fall to the floor. I sewed them in, and then I got out my pins and sheers. Somehow or another I managed to get it onto my dress-form, which doesn’t have collapsible shoulders. I felt frustration mounting after working for over an hour at trying to figure out how to get the right shapes in the right places. Somehow still patient enough—really, I think it was fear—I didn’t cut anything. Eventually, I did the adult thing—who knew I could do that?— and decided to just leave it alone, and come back to it later.
Wednesday, the following day, withing 30 seconds of touching the panels, it came to me, I started pinning, and within one hour the panels were draped properly, and, get this, sewn!I then spent one final hour stitching the rest of the lining into the last place it needed to go, by hand. Sitting quietly doing the hand work, I have to admit, that I really felt quite proud.
The dress with the draping completed, pinned, and sewing in progress:
Many stares, and a number of “discrete” pictures later I am forced to realize, again, just how hard, weird and completely amazing it is to wear this sort of thing in public.
Lastly, also in honor and tribute to Alexander McQueen, I decided that yesterday was the day to bite the bullet and buy the pink, snake-skin printed leather I have been eying for Months (with a capital M) for this look, pattern already in progress:
Like this:
Finally Done. Day 101.
December 8th, 2010 § 2 Comments
First off. I would just like to inform you that Knit-fest 2010 has now begun. I know what you’re thinking, “hasn’t it already been knit-fest 2010, for, well, about a year?” I am sorry to inform you, but there has just been knitting, not knit-fest 2010. Since I have finished my final project, I am off and running on my knit projects for Christmas. There are a lot. I am getting out the pain-killers for my wrist, but it will all be worth it in the end. I am to be finishing a hat (for myself) tonight. I know, i know, I should NOT be working on a project for myself, but it is so close to being finished, and my ears get so cold when we go out for walks in the evening. Mmm, that makes me sound like an old lady?
Today my final project for my pattern making class was due. Over the past week I drafted the pattern and made two test muslin garments, the first of which I took into the sewing lab on Thursday for a test fit, and the second I took in on Monday during class. I started cutting and sewing the final garment on Monday night, and finished it yesterday.
I decided to make a piece that is a stepping stone to a McQueen dress that I am [now] working on. I have velvet hanging up, and ready to go. Sadly, I didn’t buy enough of the black and gold print, and so I’ll be headed back to the fabric store on Friday to get more of it. I hope that there is enough left. Ugh. I haven’t ever run out of the fabric that I needed before.
The pattern for the McQueen dress that I am drafting for me, not the final project, is intimidating, but working on the final has eased a lot of my worries, and my pattern for my dress is now coming right along.
Constructions Woes
The fabric that I chose for the red panels, was inexpensive, slippery and quick to unravel, making construction more time consuming and problem riddled than original planned for. After making 5 sleeves, I finally gave up, altered the pattern, to make two more that better suited the qualities, or lack there of the fabric I had chosen. I still had to make three more sleeves before I was able to construct 2 that were worth of sewing into the dress.
Construction Successes
I am very happy with the print that I chose for the center panels. In working with the print I was able to get it to line up almost perfectly for the zipper at center back, a feat that I had never tried, and thus never accomplished before. The weight of it worked to my advantage as it provided a solid, rigid structure that the red fabric needed.
My final project, shot with iPhone camera (sorry for the crappy pic)
The inspiration, and the dress I am [trying] making for myself, now
Seasonally affected. Day 81.
November 18th, 2010 § Leave a Comment
I feel like I have just been behind since my event in October and the the trip to Kentucky. I have fallen about 3 weeks back in my Pattern making class, luckily we haven’t had anything due, or maybe that’s a bad thing, because then I don’t have to commit to working on anything until just before the deadline.
For about a week my motivation level has been really low, and I have been feeling really glum. I only spent one afternoon in my sewing room last week, working on a skirt, only to get interrupted and then not make any more progress.
Well, yesterday, finally, I got a little dose of motivation from I don’t know where. I made great progress on a number of projects, including a lot of my school work. Next week I have two big, sewing drafting projects due, a skirt on the bias and a tailored shirt. I am ready to begin construction. I am also working on drafting my final project, which is part of my overall final for class. Additionally, I finished drafting the entire “collar” assignment, which I did miss, but you are allowed to turn in one assignment at the end of the semester if you miss it with a “coupon” that the professor gave us on the first day. I don’t like turning in things late, and for that matter, i don’t like being late. I like being on-time, and I like over-achieving. Big shocker, I know. But, can you really blame me for putting off drafting peter pan collars?
Ramon has been down for the past few days, too. He spent the weekend at the track with his s54ti. Thoroughly disappointed with its performance, even though he is very proud of the overall accomplishment, we both find ourselves at home in a bit of a funk, but at least not at each other. I think that we are both experiencing “Seasonal Affected Disorder,” where, you feel depressed because the sun is gone at 4:30 in the afternoon.
Despite the blues, I did get quite a bit of knitting done over the weekend. After she turned me onto the most well written show I have ever seen on network television (HBO and AMC aside), Friday Night Lights, which I spent the entire weekend watching and knitting—how have I never heard of this show before???—my sister came over on Sunday afternoon after spending a weekend on a break from law school homework, riding motorcycles in the Santa Cruz Mountains with our dad. A breath of fresh air it was great to hang out and I even convinced her to help me wind about 20 hanks of yarn into balls as i don’t have a swift and a yarn ball winder. Oh, wait, I do. It’s my sister.
I completed both of the blue sleeves for the McQueen Sweater dress, and just today I finished one of the two sleeves for the Lexington Sweater, and already have it stitched into the sweater bodice. I can’t wait to wear this sweater. The size 5 needles are killing my wrist but I don’t really want to take a break. I feel like I have been letting myself down on the sewing portion of Project Hallway. I think part of is the seasons changing, and part of it is the school projects, like the peter pan collars. I guess, I feel like if I am sitting in my sewing room, I should be catching up on projects for school, even though I’d much rather be working on things for myself.
Maybe I’ll feel better once I get to the actual sewing, instead of just the drafting. Why does coffee only have caffeine and not inspiration, too?
Proof that I have been doing something:
The work room looking worked from pattern- drafting, but, again, proof that I have been doing something:
Suffering from Knitter’s Elbow. Day 51.
October 19th, 2010 § 2 Comments
I have knitter’s elbow, and wrist! I have been helping out some friends for the past few days, but there is a lot of waiting involved. My arm literally hurts from knitting. So, I have designated tonight a (k)no-knitting-(k)night. I was hoping to get some time in my sewing room, but it looks like I lack the energy and the time for that.
This weekend I finally bit the bullet and finished of my block pattern. ‘Bout Damn Time! I had been putting it off because I needed more measurements of my back, one of the things that is just about impossible to measure all on your own. Ramon has been so busy with his own project—his race-car—that he hasn’t had a spare moment either. Alas without help, I decided to go it alone. It took a solid two days, but I got it sorted, drafted, and squared. I felt that it was really holding me back not having this done, and it was. I started on some dress patterns as soon as I got the block finalized, and it is coming along nicely. A little McQueen, and a little Halloween.
On the topic of Halloween, since this is the very first time that we will actually be home over Halloween weekend, Ramon and I are getting candy, dressing-up, and carving pumpkins. We also going to a Halloween party the night before. So, we need Halloween costumes. I am knitting this for Ramon’s.
Yesterday I tried knitting this same item, and got the blue and the red in the wrong places. To my horror, it wasn’t just Ramon’s Halloween costume part, but everything I knit yesterday had to be frogged. I started knitting the lace sweater directly from the pattern published in the book, and the whole time I was thinking … this doesn’t seem right. A mere four hours in, I decided to check ravelry to see if other knitters had experienced the same problem with the pattern. They had. In-fact, there was HUGE warning on that pattern’s page, saying that the entire pattern was wrong, and it was mis-printed. Lesson learned? Always check the ravelry pattern BEFORE beginning a project to look for comments and posts about weird goings-on.
So, a cookie to anyone who can guess what Ramon is going to be for Halloween.
Due to my large quantity of on-going projects, I have limited this costume to a one-day creation adventure. Project Runway style, what am I going to be, you ask? You’ll just have to wait and see.
I was happy to see it finally start raining on Sunday. I don’t know what it is, but this year, I was very happy to see the rain come in. I like being all snuggled up inside, and I guess with so much knitting and sewing I felt like I wanted the visual cue of the season that it was time to be inside, snuggled and warm, busy as a little bee. I did decide to go out on Sunday to take advantage of the 50% off any regularly priced item coupon I had acquired from Joann’s. Buying a bolt of muslin for $1 a yard is awesome. Having the poor girl at the counter have to measure all 25 yards because the bolt has been opened, and we’re not sure if cut from, not so awesome. Sorry! After the muslin bargin bang I headed over to my local yarn shop, as I figured out how many skeins I will need for my McQueen blue sweater dress. 15. Running through the rain, I noticed Oktoberfest going on, on the main downtown street. Soggy beer and pretzels for everyone! Oh wait, those both contain wheat. Another bummer, I get to the yarn store and it is … CLOSED! Feeling bummed, but eager to get on with knitting my project I searched the farest corners of the interweb to try to find Cascade Cloud 9 in Blue (colorway 140). No dice. Not one skein. Not one. Anywhere. How can this be? I know the yarn store had quite a bit of it, so how can there be none anywhere else int he world? Oh no! And I won’t be able to make it to the store again until NEXT weekend. How can I possibly wait another week? It could all be gone by then. What if they’re already all gone? I find this yarn I love, and this yarn that is perfect for the project … oh, unnecessary anxiety attack, I feel you approaching. Damn you festival, why do you create enough cause for my yarn store to be closed?
Ramon calmly asked, in my hysterics, “Do they keep your customer information? Like, do they have a file for you?” I respond, “Yes.”
“Well, if they have you on file, they have all of your yarn purchases on file. Why don’t you call them, leave them a message, tell them what you are looking for, tell them you want to pay over the phone, and have me pick it up for you?”
Brilliant. Plan worked. The accounting lady actually went in on Sunday night to pick something up, listened to the messages, and took care of the yarn over the phone. They had all 14 (more) skeins. Knitting like a little beaver, I am almost through with the back “skirt.”
I know I say this all the time, but oh how I love yarn people.
Oh, and I couldn’t leave this out. Thunder says, “Hello, I am Thunder, and I am a laundry-basket addict. I don’t care about fur-ing up the warm clothes, I just can’t get enough of the baskets. I know I have a problem.”
All dressed up and nothing to sew. Day 38.
October 6th, 2010 § 1 Comment
So, now that I have the amazing sewing machine, I don’t have anything ready to sew. How is that possible? I think I was slacking off while the sewing machine was out of commission, and finishing knitting the in-between sweater, which, i was very excited to gift last night.
Yesterday was my sister’s birthday, and Ramon and I picked her up in San Francisco, and then went out to dinner to celebrate. I am so proud, I even informed the restaurant ahead of time, so they snag Happy Birthday to her. Hehe, oh, I am evil. The second I saw the pattern on ravelry.com of the in-between sweater, I knew my sister would love it. This project was a really good challenged and I learned a lot doing it. It was my first time to cable-knit, and it was amazingly easy, though making sure that I had the exact number of stitches wasn’t. One inch in and two inches out equals three inches of progress.
In the end it was a little big on me, and fits my sister perfectly, and even better, she likes it!
So, because I have nothing ready to sew, I drafted two skirt patterns tonight. I used the momentum from my patternmaking class and powered through them. I will make muslins, to make sure that they are going to work, as I am doing some different things in them. I don’t have the right McQueen fabric for either of them, but I am looking, and looking. Perhaps I can find what I need for these two skirts this weekend.
Cutting (in) Class. Day 22.
September 20th, 2010 § 1 Comment
I can’t believe it. I have only two things left to do for Ramon and Nicole’s new website, and then I will be done with my first major website where I have done all of the coding (properly enough) with javascript and css. The two things I have left are: 1. The About Nicole written section, and 2. Blog entries for the Projects, Custom Tools and “Blog” sections. Wow, what a lot of work, but so much I have learned!
Speaking of learning, I am not sure that my pattern-making class is all that I had hoped for. See, I thought that pattern-making and pattern-drafting were the same thing, but I may have been confused. My pattern-making class doesn’t actually go over any actual drafting. We merely take existing, correctly made pattern block sets, trace and , cut them out, and manipulate them. Granted this is extremely useful stuff to know, I just hoped their would be a little more meet to the class, like Gaga’s dress: a big fat steak to-go hat and everything. I don’t want to learn to just manipulate, I want to make! I guess any teenage girl knows that both are useful skills. I think I missed that step. Where was I? Oh, I think I was making things.
So, maybe my having taught drafting classes at a college level before isn’t helping me either. The fact that I can get through the entire week’s worth of homework every week, in just under and hour, while everyone else is struggling to do it in 8, says something. Are my expectations to high? Am I used to the Academy of Art’s rigorous training programs? (While it might be easy to get into, it’s awfully hard to stay there). So, as Jury Duty approaches next week, followed by my upcoming contract, I may have some decisions to make.
Out of respect for Lee McQueen, and his memorial service today, I wore my McQueen brass square-toe, patten leather, pink leather bottomed pumps to class today. An act which was lost on just about everyone there, though I got, I dare say, a lot of looks. Come on fashion students!! You should be able to name the designer, name the season, and name the collection, all while knowing which other designers were influeced by THESE VERY SHOES, and what seasons they came out with their interpretations!!! Again, maybe my expectations are just too high.
Though, I am startled and surprised—in a good way—about a few of my class-mates, one in particular. She’s from the UK and is interested in making childrens’ garments. OH HOW LOVELY, and what a task. Those rolly-polly little suckers do a lot of squirming around. Seems like it would be hard to get measurements off of them, but I think that once you did, you’d be set for a least a month, or maybe three-weeks, until they grow again. My class-mate has a particular toddler sweater that she loves from J. Crew. Well, after a quick search through one of my favorite websites, ravelry.com, I came across a pattern that is quite similar, though sized for a baby, and not a child. Would be pretty simple to change, oh, and I found the book, and the pattern, on Amazon.com, too. Thank you very much “Look Inside” feature!
Ok, ok. I guess I should get cracking on the website so that I can get back to sewing. I am dieing to get two pairs of leggings drafted and made ASAP. (Insert laughing at, not with, here).
Sad Stories about Knitting for Men
September 1st, 2010 § Leave a Comment
I have been so focused on coding the website that I am working on, that I didn’t even realize the all out assault—usually reserved for the Sunday New York Times Paper Boy—against my front door was staged by the Amazon.com delivery man (well, USPS, but Amazon sounds like more of an adventure, and besides, that is where I ordered the book from).
To my delight, Knits Men Want by Bruce Weinstein arrived as planned. I saw this book a few months ago, right after I got laid off, when I was Father’s Day shopping for my Dad at Book Shop Santa Cruz. Because I had just gotten laid off I didn’t want to spend money on anything that I didn’t absolutely need. However, as the months past, I couldn’t stop thinking about the great pieces in the book. My mother and I have this theory, that if you find something you like in a store, often times if you just carry it around long enough while you are still IN the store, by the time you are heading for the register you come to realize that you no longer *need* that object, and while you may still like it, you’ve moved on. This technique has saved my mother and I probably thousands of dollars, though, I am sure it has created thousands of go-back for the poor, unsuspecting retail staff. Sorry!
I have been carrying this book around in my mind since June, and haven’t been able to put it down. For just under $13 on Amazon, Ramon informed me it wasn’t a frivolous purchase, because it was patterns of things to create, not just an “object” to sit on the coffee table until I get tired of it. With the holidays approaching, I would like to knit something for Ramon for Christmas, even though I have just started Project Hallway, too. I think I can do it, or maybe I am just insane. However, knitting for men isn’t easy.
As I sat down just afternoon to begin pouring through the patterns before selecting yarn online—which I doubt I will order, because I prefer going to the local yarn shop and touching everything—I felt a strong connection with the opening paragraph of the Introduction:
“It’s 6 p.m. on a Thursday evening in early fall. My class at Sit-N-Knit, a spacious and welcoming yarn shop in Bloomingfield, Connecticut, is filling up—ten women have come to learn how to knit sweaters from the top down. Each one is knitting a sweater for herself, and each seems to have a sad story to tell about her experiences knitting for a man in her life.”
I think that this book and I are going to get along JUUUUUUUST fine! I have hope!
Also on the list for tonight are finalizing the pattern for the pink raglan, and finishing the front piece … The front and the back are more than half-way done. I just needed to sit and do the math to try to figure out the stitches for the raglan shape. I think I will throw together a muslin really quickly to make sure that it is, in fact, going to work.
… Speaking of math … I went to the class last night and dropped it immediately when I got home. I have already sold the text book via Amazon—oh how I love Amazon—and shipped it out. The professor didn’t speak English very well, and had a very thick accent. I could feel the frustration in my rising up and boiling over during the 3 hour period I was in class. Math scares me, almost as much as the dentist. I’d like to approach it in a friendly, open way, and this does not include a teacher that I simply can’t understand. I cannot bare the thought of coming home every Monday for the next 16 weeks looking to pick a fight because I can’t hold back the anger of math. Oh well, maybe next semester.
