Uptown, Downtown, Pumpkin Patch or Back Yard: Sew Straight Patterns

I have fallen off the deep end.  Sadly cliche, but oh-so-true.

I have already sewn six Uptown/Downtown Dresses by Sew Straight Patterns.  And that was in the course of two weeks, I believe.  This Dress is crazy simple and addicting!

I knew I liked cowl neck dresses, as I sewed a few Heidi and Finn Cowl Neck Dresses back in the day.  See below for crazy cuteness!  But the sizing update for the H and F pattern wasn't sent to previous buyers of the pattern, so, I have been on the fence for quite a while about buying another pattern in larger sizes.  I have talked with my sewing peeps for ages about which pattern to buy - which one offered the best slim fit I was going for - and a cowl.  The cowl IS the thing, y'all. 

Anyway, super boring story short, I finally took the plunge and decided on the Uptown/Dowtown pattern.  I am so glad!  I like the shape of the cowl, and the fit of the dress is nice and slim, and you have options for sleeveless, plain neck, longer skirt, etc.  I sewed it the same EVERY TIME, though, aha.  It is literally the only version I like for this pattern, in terms of my style.  Which is apparently Camden's style ;)  I did lengthen the dress and the sleeves, though - one inch on each of Camden's versions, pictured here, and then four inches on her friend's.  Her friend, Elora, is about four inches taller than Camden, which clearly doesn't mean I should lengthen the dress that same amount, but I was playing it safe.  I ended up going with a bigger hem, probably a two full inches folded.  Thankfully, I had her on standby, so, she was able to try it on.  (I have since made her another, which I hope to have pictured on the blog when I do my next post about this pattern.)

Elora's dress is in some cute Halloween fabric purchased at Joann Fabrics, which is naturally on super sale right now.... too bad for me, LOL.  (Note on the Doodles knit fabrics at Joann Fabrics...they shrink a TON.  I had been warned, so, I took care to wash and dry mine three times.  For example, I purchased 3.5 yards and it shrank to 2.75 yards, no joke.)  Camden's dresses are both made in Birch Fabrics, which I purchased at Modern Domestic, but which are no longer available there or on the Birch site, but I do see an Etsy listing for the unicorns and a listing for the birds.  I LOVE this fabric so much.  It is so wonderful to work with and looks so nice on.  I had forever wanted to sew with Birch knits, and I'm glad I was finally able to.

Go get this pattern if you haven't already!!!  I mean....four pattern pieces and easy to put together???  Camden was so excited to have this dress, and her friend loves it, too!!

And some days in the life of.... too much has been going on!

 

She drew a picture for an Ask magazine contest!  Wish her luck!

We have been to the fort so many times recently, it's almost like we live there!

Dad has a Friday off, so, we can go on a wee hike!

Working on Camden's longhouse project

Wearing Georgia and Lulu for photos!

Tender Is the Hat....and Cowl??? Cabernet Time!

This girlie can officially be WARM this winter!!!!  Seriously, isn't it beeee-yoo-tiful???

Can I also say that I'm glad it's DONE???  Aha!  Neither of these projects is lengthy/difficult.  Naturally, though, I made them more difficult - because that's the sort of ship I run.  The first time I made the hat, it turned out too small, because I failed to read the directions and left out the first several rows I was to knit after the ribbing.  Such is life.  This first version will head off to a cousin - naturally!  I didn't want to rip it out, because I figured a finished hat is a good thing - as long as it fits someone and I have enough yarn to complete everything else, which I DID.  Whew.

Gonna get ya'!

I used Colour Adventures (the FB page link), base Dia Merino DK, colorway Tender.  Elena Nodel, as always, dyes up a gorgeous yarn.  And it needs to be known that after blocking this yarn out, it softens up super nicely, not that it's rough to begin with, but you get me??  The patterns, Cabernet Hat (in DK weight) and Cabernet Infinity Scarf (which covers several weights of yarn, though the link says it's DK) are written super well - easy to understand and no issues at all.  Monika Sirna, the pattern writer, includes a tutorial to help peeps out with the cabling, but it's not something an experienced cabler needs to look at.

Always have to do a sad face

With that hat, my gauge was trying to trick me, as usual.  I didn't want to go down a needle size, and I didn't actually do a gauge swatch IN pattern, which the pattern calls for.  I winged it, and I found the right size needle I needed for the ribbing.  I cast on for a small but did the length of the medium.  And naturally, after blocking, it's a bit bigger in the ribbing than I'd like it to be, but thankfully, the hat is a teeeeny bit slouchy, so, she'll grow into it just fine.  And as you can see, the cowl is a great fit, so, I'm pretty happy with the set.

As a bonus, it SMELLS awesome, aha!  I used Eucalan in the grapefruit oil scent...which for some reason, really stands out this time :)

Love this!

And bonus:  I love that I made two hats AND a cowl out of two skeins of yarn!  Yay to me!  One day, when I have TIMETIMETIME on my hands, I will whip up one of these sets for moi.

One day.