More S.W.A.G. progress! I finished the two cowl necked tops for my sisters this weekend:
You’ll recall that when I first purchased the fabric for these, I was disappointed that they weren’t as soft or pretty as my teal one. I was okay with the charcoal grey shade, and a little bit skeptical of the dark army green. I have to say, after a washing they have softened up quite nicely, and the dark army green one in particular is looking kind of awesome. I started to wonder if maybe I like it better than I like the teal one I made for myself. Naturally, I had to try it on:
Yeah, that looks good on me. And naturally I thought about keeping it. Thought about. The problem with that is that I would have to embark upon yet another S.W.A.G. project to replace the gift. What’s a Selfish Seamstress to do in such a situation? The only viable solution is to give it as a present, and then borrow it at some point in the future. Borrow it permanently.
With two S.W.A.G. gifts down, I turn once again to the brown cotton velvet albatross that taunts me from the shelf:
Oh yes, that is a partially sewn brown cotton velvet sportcoat that I started for Dan in 2007, shortly after I began sewing in earnest. A sportcoat with lots of fiddly details that I as an amateur seamstress in 2007 wasn’t ready for and that I as an intermediate seamstress in 2009 just don’t feel like doing for anyone other than myself (welt pockets in cotton velvet? Come on!)
Since I began the project, Dan has had numerous birthdays and Chanukkahs pass by for which he has been promised this jacket and instead ended up with something else. Every once in a while I take it out thinking that this time is the last time and it WILL get done, only to put it away after some incremental progress. I have some deep forest green satin to line it, after having long ago re-appropriated the teal jacquard lining originally intended for it to line a jacket for myself.
Well, dear readers, let it be declared here that this S.W.A.G. albatross is the next project on my list and it WILL get finished for Channukah. (Of course, I say that knowing that if I take the Selfish route and put it aside in favor of other stuff for myself, you’ll only be cheering me on. Enablers!)
A cotton velvet sportcoat. Why would anyone take on such a complicated and challenging project in such a fussy fabric for anyone but herself?
Oh yeah, I remember now.
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November 23, 2009 at 11:54 am
Susan - Knitters Delight
Love the sweaters. I really need to find something similar to make a few warm weather projects.
November 23, 2009 at 6:23 pm
kitty
aw, you make a lovely couple, whether you admit to it or not.
The sweaters are an interesting idea, since they don’t require knitting. I’m sure they take less time to make and they’re more adjustable afterwards.
I’d prefer the green one too, over the teal. No offense. They look great. The sisters had better be grateful!
November 23, 2009 at 9:29 pm
spottedroo
You may already know this trick but Ann’s welt pocket tutorial was really helpful for me: http://gorgeousthings.blogspot.com/2007/02/not-so-instant-replay-welt-pockets.html. Might be useful on the jacket.
November 25, 2009 at 12:11 am
Brenda
Oh Great Selfish One: If I remember correctly you do not have a serger. How did you sew and finish your seams on the sweaters? When I sew knits on my Bernina, the seams are wavy and stretched out. It gets worse when I finish the seams with a zigzag stitch. What settings, needle, tricks??? I will be eternally greatful for any help: that is all I have to offer ;)
November 25, 2009 at 3:41 pm
selfishseamstress
Oooh, I like the hints of worshipfulness in this comment, Brenda. Keep up the good work!
That is correct, I do not have a serger. I’m new to knits and I may have just gotten lucky with mine? I use the stretch stitch on my Husqvarna for seaming. It’s more lightning shaped than zig-zag shaped, and it’s been working out great for me. Also the sweater knits that I’ve been using don’t roll much or ravel, so I actually haven’t been finishing the raw edges. I figure there’s no need to add bulk if it’s not going to provide any benefit. My Husqvarna does have a nice overcasting stitch for knits though, which is what I assume I would use. For hemming up all the edges, I’ve been using a twin stretch needle. I think the stretch needle has the same blunt tips as a jersey needle. I haven’t tried sewing any lightweight knits or slippery knits, so that might be why I haven’t been running into problems. Thus far it’s been fairly stable knits and sweater knits for me. Sorry I can’t be of more help, but good luck!
November 29, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Melissa
I have a similar question about sewing up the sweaters (you’ve inspired me to make one of these for myself and one for my sister) — Did you find that a twin stretch needle was necessary? I am wondering whether I could just turn and stitch with a single needle.
November 29, 2009 at 11:12 pm
selfishseamstress
I think you could get by without the twin needle. If you’re using a denser knit, you might want to make sure it’s at least a jersey needle so you don’t end up pulling threads. The benefit of the double needle is that in encases the edge nicely and that the stitch is much stretchier than the normal stretch stitch. But I think you can certainly get by with the single needle. Good luck!
December 14, 2009 at 11:57 pm
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January 15, 2010 at 4:59 pm
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