We have a winner!

And her name is:
                              Kirsty!

Send me your address, Kirsty (see contact info under header) and I'll get this sent out to you!

Done.

Remember this blouse?  I cut out my second one last weekend and yesterday I finally sewed it up.  Not because I was really in the mood for sewing, but because I was sick of seeing it all over my coffee table.

Butterick 6085, from 1999
size 8

Remember on my first go, I made the size 10 and felt that it was too big.  Right after I finished it, I retraced the pattern for a size 8 so it would be ready when I wanted to make the next one.

Well, it's not too small, but the fit is . . . weird.  I'm still puzzled as to why there are no bust darts (but too lazy to put some in), but the major problem with this blouse is that the armholes are just strange.  Too wide, too deep.  And the sleeve heads have very little ease, which I think makes them hang strangely.  Plus, even with my big arms, the sleeves are too floppy.

So I think I'm done with this pattern.  I'm thinking that the strange fit may be a result of changing tastes in style - after all, this pattern is nearly 15 years old. Anyone have any thoughts on the matter?

I also found the collar on this pattern difficult to insert.  Somehow, a separate collar and collar stand is a lot easier for me to deal with.  

I do love the fabric though.  I got it a couple months ago from Fabric.com, and was thinking I'd get some more and make some summer jammies, but when I looked yesterday, they didn't have it any more!  I call it "Lilly Pulitzer Goes to Woodstock." It's cotton voile like my first version, nice and soft.

I thought I had gotten the same buttons  as my first one, only in orange.  But it turns out they're a little different.  Still cute though.

I think the other reason I had so much trouble with this go is that I wasn't really in the mood to sew - I really just wanted to get it out of the way so I could clean the living room and dining room (a.k.a. my sewing room)!  I had SO much trouble with the second sleeve - I had to rip it out and re-do it at least 4 times, and in the end I finally just did part of it by hand.  I hope it holds up in the wash!

But it's done, and while it's not my favorite make, it's wearable.  And luckily, I've got some pink and orange espadrilles that will be just the thing.

In other sewing news, my Traveler Dress is featured on the Lisette blog's Wear Your Style Friday!  Gosh, it's like I'm famous or something!  It was fun to be contacted by Liesl - she's a very sweet and personable lady.

And don't forget that today is the last day to enter the Giveaway if you haven't done so already!

Box Bag Bonanza (and a Giveaway!)

In a couple weeks, my mom and I will be traveling to Germany to visit my aunt. I've been meaning to make my mom a cover for her Nook, to keep it protected during our travels, and last week I finally got around to it.  I made it in the same way I made my iPad cover, only to the dimensions of the Nook.

Recognize these fabrics?  I went fabric-diving in the big plastic tub where I keep all my leftover bits.  The outer fabric is from my recent blue Ginger, and the lining is from one of last summer's Sorbetti.  (Sorry - I just can't bring myself to write "sorbettos.")

I got inspired by all the pieces of fabric I found in my box, so on Friday, I decided to make some more Box Bags.  These are better than my first one, because I actually went out and got the heavy interfacing I was supposed to use, and also I made the handles narrower, which I like better.

From my very first Ginger skirt!

lined with plain green quilting cotton.

From my bias-cut Ginger skirt

lined with fabric from my Violet blouse!

And finally, another one in the sushi print, this time with a red zipper:

lined with black and white gingham.

And guess what?  I made the sushi one for you!  Well, for one of you!  If you'd like a chance to win this bag, leave a comment on this post by midnight US CDST on Friday, May 4. On Saturday, I'll use random.org to choose the winner and post it.  No restrictions - I'll send this anywhere in the world!

Winner!

Random.org says that Tracey (#1 comment) is the winner of the Gnocchi yarn!

And I'm sure you've heard by now that Phil says we'll be having six more weeks of winter!  Boo!

Tracey, send me an email at dokucug at gmail dot com with your address, and I'll get these out to you!

Giveaway ends at noon today!

Don't forget!

Is winter almost over?

Only the Groundhog knows for sure!  But just in case it's not, how about a little yarny giveaway?

I was doing some cleaning out and organizing today, and I came across this yarn:

Three skeins of Lana Grossa Gnocchi, in varying states of disrepair due to languishing in my stash box for the last two years.

I ordered this yarn accidentally - I thought what I was getting was going to be more like the Mondial Frivola I had previously used and loved.  And they are very similar, but the pom poms on this one are smaller and more, well - gnocchi shaped than the ones on Frivola.  I was unable to overcome my disappointment.

But my loss can be your gain!  If you'd like this yarn, just leave a comment on this post saying so.  On Friday (the day after Groundhog Day, so we'll know for sure!) I'll run the numbers through Random.org and post the winner.  So let's leave it open until noon on Friday, Feb. 3,  U.S. Central Time.  I'll send this anywhere in the world:  I'd like it to have a loving home!

Results

Good morning everyone!  Here as promised are the results of the giveaway:  the Random Number Generator selected the number 1 (!) which on my list was

Lizz from A Good Wardrobe

Congrats, Lizz!  Send me an email (contact info above) with your address, and I'll get these out to you posthaste.

And speaking of the Random Number Generator, has anyone ever used it before?  It's really cool, and the results are immediate.  I don't know what I was expecting; maybe the sound of cogs turning or some elevator music.  But as soon as you hit the "generate" button, Bob's your uncle - result!

I'm letting this idea stew for a while; it could be a useful tool for creating randomness in artwork.