Napkins with Mitered Corners

I'm making some napkins for a housewarming coming up in April and thought I would experiment with some techniques for mitering the corners. Here's one that I learned from a Singer technique book. I'm not completely happy with the result. As you can see from the last two pictures, there is a slight gap at the corner that is driving me crazy. It is probably be user error and that I need to practice my technique.

There's an alternate technique, I think, that I saw on Martha Stewart once. I'll try that on the next one, but in the interim, here is the first technique.

BTW, the fabric is from Amy Butler's Belle collection. I had only one yard, which was enough for four 16-inch napkins.

Step 1 - press 1/4-inch from the raw edge:

Step 2 - turn raw edge so that right sides of fabric meets, sew across corner on wrong side of fabric:

Step 3 - turn, you might need a turning tool to make sure the corners are crisp:


It should like this on the reverse side.

Step 4 - clip across seam line and fold over another 1/4-inch for seam.

Step 5 - The finished product:

Nancy Bush's Lichen Ribbed Socks

I started these socks almost a year ago, last May 2009, when I was attending a convention in Lincoln City, OR. There is a little yarn store there, I forget the name of it, that had quite a good selection of yarns. I bought one skein of this Nestucca Bay washable sock wool. I started the first pair that weekend, and the second pair about two and a half weeks ago. Now they're finally done!!

The pattern is a basic 3 knit x 1 purl repeat from Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks, called Lichen Ribbed Sock. It uses a Welsh heel and a Star of Three Points toe, both of which were quite simple. The most aggravating part of making these socks was actually the ebony Lantern Moon double-pointed needles I bought at the same time to start the project. The needles were very nice to work with, but I broke three of them, the last one when I was three rows from finishing the toe. The needles were pricey ($25), and now I don't have a complete set anymore. Ugh.

BTW, the sock blockers are a purchase from last summer's Sock Summit at the Convention Center in Portland.

Quilt for Baby Bea

I've finished piecing the top for Baby Bea's quilt. It's in a windmill pattern using scraps of fabrics from past projects, which you might recognize. This has been a very satisfying project, quick and easy to piece with no complicated angles or curves, and I was able to use some of my stash. The solid sashing is Kona cotton in chocolate, and the pink patterned sashing and backing is from Dolce by Tanya Whelan, part of the Grand Revival line for Free Spirit/Westminster Fibers.



This is the first quilt I've made since one I made quite a number of years ago when Niece #6 was born -- she's turning 16 this year. I've never tried machine quilting but will attempt it with this one. I've got my trusty walking foot and will post about my efforts when I'm through. I have to wait until Monday to start, because that's when the kitchen floor will be freshly mopped and good for making the quilt sandwich.

One quick cardi

This pattern was a freebie from the Lion Brand website. If you haven't checked the site out, you should. The site contains hundreds of free patterns, as well as some you can purchase for a nominal amount. You do have to sign up for a membership, which is free, but if you're one of those people who don't like to give out your info and be part of list-serves, this might not be for you.

Anyhow, the pattern was very easy and took me only a matter of weeks to complete. Probably my quickest knitting project ever. I knit the size 38 without any modifications. It's not quite as cropped on me as the model, but I'm sorta short. Instead of using Lion organic cotton as called for, I used Classic Elite's Wings, which is a worsted weight wool/mohair (I think) blend. The pattern does not call for any buttons, and I didn't have a shawl pin so I used a stitch holder (not the most attractive). I have since ordered a shawl pin from Patternworks, and so will post that when it arrives.

Happy knitting, everyone!

Hedgehogs are everywhere!

I made these for #1's pajama party at school. I whipped it out over the weekend, using the TNT Butterick pattern I've been using for quite a while. This is a size 6, the only modification was I added one curved pocket to the back of the pants and
two to the front of the shirt. Although I made buttonholes for the shirt pocket, #1 decided he did not want buttons on them -- but I might put them on while he's not looking.

The Amelia Cardigan

This sweater is one of the best I've made, probably thanks to the relative ease of the pattern and the absolute marvel of the yarn. The pattern is from Knitty.com, by Laura Chau of Cosmicpluto Knits. The yarn is Dream in Color Classy. I purchased five skeins but still have about one and a bit left over, which should make a couple of nice hats.

Amy Butler's Birdie Sling

This is actually my second Birdie Sling. The first one I made I didn't photograph -- I gifted it to a cousin who was visiting from Berlin. In terms of construction, I actually did a better job on the first one than this one because I took the time to follow the printed directions.

The pattern is relatively easy, when compared to my previous attempt at an Amy Butler hand bag pattern. In fact, it is so easy I will probably be making a few more as gifts. It is a little capacious, so I am thinking about shrinking it down by about 20% -- don't know yet, just a thought. The fabric used here is from Amy Butler's Daisy Chain line. I love the combination of browns and pinks.

Long neglected, but still here...

Although it isn't reflected here, I'm still around. Sadly, I haven't had a chance to post anything for quite a while, but I've actually been more productive this past year (2009) than ever. For instance, for the holidays, I managed to knit three berets and sew an apron for my nieces. All of this went un-photographed, of course.

So, although this is but a small item, I thought I'd start catching up by posting this little skirt I made for a friend's 2-year-old. You can find the tutorial at Dana's blog, Made. The directions were simple, yet somehow I managed to complicate them. It was also a good use of odds and ends from the scrap fabric bin.