2 Botched Linings=1 Scarf

There has been a hard and time consuming lesson this week. It is that the silk that I purchased shrinks. I decided to line a scarf that I had knitted for one of my daughters. After dying and doing Shibori resist on lining #1 it came up a good 4” to short. I chalked this up to me just not paying attention and cutting it too short.

So I start lining #2. I knew it was the right length so I go crazy on it with the Shibori. Started to pin it and again to short! OK, they say the third time is the charm. I cut the new lining way longer than I need and am still working on it.

So one of my commandments is. “Thou shall not waste silk.“ So one can always use more scarfs, right? I sewed the pieces together and decided to gather the ends. I can loop one end through the other and come with something that looks like the old fashioned quilting yoyo. I’m happy and no wasted silk. But I am still keeping my fingers crossed when I pin on the new lining!

                             Another way that I like to wear this scarf                   

                    

My Seamstress Heritage

My Mother was a knowledgeable, technique driven sewing  teacher when it came to her oldest daughter.  She held every project up to the highest expectations. Many a seam would be ripped out if it didn’t meet approval. I was that daughter.  She always wanted my garments to be the best I could sew and always said, “and don’t forget that the inside needs to look as good as the outside".

 I inherited her patterns. Sometimes I go through them just to look. 

My green Asian blouse was created from one of these patterns.  Pictured is the blouse and pattern.  I kept the neckline, which I thought was wonderful.  The sleeves are the same.  However, I recut the bodice into a blouse shape, added darts around and am very happy with the results. 

The material showed a tendency to fray.  So remembering Mom’s words, I bound all my interior seams, for a very finished look.

 Happy sewing and always take a re-look at those old patterns. You never know what inspirations you will find. 

A Great Mid Century Sign

The Fling

Three years ago I decided to design a wrap that one could fling on and off and that would stay in place without the use of a shawl pin.  While shopping in Saint Louis, I noticed this scarf that undulated in and out.  I though I could do that same concept with a shawl.  The idea for “The Fling” was hatched.

Once I made it, I decided that it would be wise to write down the pattern while it was still fresh in my mind.  Once I had the pattern done, I had to figure out what to do with it. 

I first ran it past Knitty.com.  They didn’t want it.   My crowd wasn’t right, I guess.  So on the computer it sat, for about a couple of years. Finally,  I decided that it just seemed right to  share it with other knitters and  get it  out there in the world.

My daughter Michelle and I are both members of Ralvery.  She is a serious member, but I not so much.  Yesterday morning, I turned my pattern into a PDF and uploaded it to Ralvery as a free pattern.  Guess I now see the value of Ralvery.  I have been amazed by how many down loads it has gotten. 

My next pattern project will be turning “The Flock” into a PDF, which means rewriting it top to bottom and getting it uploaded. However, it will not be free.   The price will be the same as it always was.

And Ralvery? - I just found a mother-load of free Barbie patterns to knit from Europe.  Ah, some day…………..Think I am hooked on Ralvery.  It you are a Ralvery member or a future Ralvery member, feel free to find me.  I am Meadowtree.  Also, the link to my free download is http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-fling-Knit On!