Aimee, In Stitches

I got out my costume books and started in the wrong century for a Rose of Versailles-inspired commission (see the last project I worked on for Nautilus). It’s really more 1850s than 1750s, though I suppose military styles don’t fluxuate much. In any event, I’m super-excited to have plenty of Victoria and Albert pic spam (see below) and military-through-the-ages enthusiasts to guide me through the unknown territory of epaulet construction and sash-tying.

My shopping list is prepared, right down to tiny brass buttons from Cat’s Paw. I’ll be getting patterns together this weekend and figuring out yardage requirements. Then, hopefully, supplies will be waiting on my doorstep when I return from our trip to see the Paradox of Liberty exhibit in Washington, DC.

Motherhood, the transition to Real Food, and increased involvement in SCA and church projects has made me realize that I’ll have to continue scaling back on the commissions front.  Here’s what I will be working on over the summer:

18th c. military-inspired outfit for D– A–

Bustled silk wedding skirt for C– M–

Embroidered labels for local company

I’m also holding a space for a doublet and venetians for E– D–, timing TBD.

I’m anticipating completing these projects in the Fall and being able to accept 3-5 new projects to start in January-March of 2013.  If you are hoping to start a commission, send me an email at info@adournements.com so that I can slate you in!

I put the final whipstitches in the fussy linen cap today, completing the 4 piece outfit.

Dorothea and I got a lot done this week (baby-wearing rocks!).  Mostly, I spent the last 5 days cutting out projects.  There are still a lot of projects left, but I’ve completed an epic baby seal bunting from Ottobre Magazine’s Winter 2010 issue.

I’ve also grown tired of my Moby wrap–it’s too much trouble to fold and unfold and get into and out of.  So, I made a Hood to Headrest Mei Tai.  Eventually, I’ll put together the matching diaper bag I cut out.

And one last necessary item, a swaddle blanket that the baby couldn’t wriggle her arms free of, was on my agenda.  Unfortunately, the baby seems to have decided, between cutting out and stitching, that swaddling is a great affront to her dignity.  Nevertheless, it’s finished, and quite fashionable.

I had hoped I’d be able to squeeze in a little morning or afternoon sewing for the baby while she was in the hospital, but it turns out I’m too anxious to see her each morning and have too many other more necessary things to attend to while dinner cooks to get much done in the way of crafting.  And, while quiet for a sewing machine, the Viking is a little too hefty to cart back and forth from the hospital each day.

It’s good that my carpal tunnel did go away after the birth like they assured me it would.  This means that I can knit while I sit and stare at my beautiful baby.  Of course, now that she’s eating and she’s not inside the incubator doing phototherapy, there’s less time spent just staring.  Nevertheless, I am able to get a few baby preparations done while I’m here.  I’ve been knitting wool soakers, mostly because I don’t want to pay $30+ for them.

The Little Seedling Soaker in newborn size turned out pretty nicely, despite some pretty unclear pattern writing, and looks like it’ll fit my ever-plumper preemie when we spring her from the NICU:

I’m working on the WHW Plain Wrap now.  I think I like the look of the former a bit better, but this one is stitching up much more quickly.  I may play fast and loose with the Seedling pattern next time to make it a bit more user friendly.

I’ve also made a couple of hats.  The pink one she outgrew within 48 hours, and the green one, my attempt to accomodate her growing noggin, ended up being about 6 inches too big.  She’ll grow into it.

Just when I thought I’d escaped the most debilitating of pregnancy symptoms, I started getting dizzy, nauseous, etc.  Please pardon the radio silence.  I’m still stitching, but most of my personal projects have taken a back seat to naps.  Between the bouts of exhaustion, I’m squeezing in commissions.  My commission work is here, in case you’re wondering, and I’m working on three projects as a seamstress for hire, one miniature, one 16th century gentleman’s wardrobe, and an early 19th century girl’s dress and accessories.  Once those are done, I may take on a couple of small for-profit jobs between now and my due date, but I’ve got a gnome-themed nursery to quilt, embroider, and paint before February.  As such, my monthly goals are likely to change drastically. 

Also, I need to make a “corset for a suffering woman,” because, well, when will I have a better excuse to make a maternity corset? 

May is underway, and I’m making progress!
Goals:

0 of 1 item(s) for Etsy

1779 of 800 knit stitches (The completion of my mini sweater with 427 stitches and made a 1352 stitch start on a pixie cap to match the pink booties)

1 of 4 items for myself, my friends & family, or my dolls

Without further ado, my first finished sweater!!!  It’s a 1/3 scale Abrazo from Knitty.  I stitched it on size 2 needles with Knitpicks Essential Sock Yarn, moving the cables a bit farther apart.  It’s my first garment, and now I’m pretty confident I could make a human sized something-or-other. 

I successfully made two booties.  And they’re the same size!

Add 1334 more stitches to my monthly goal of 800.  I think I may need to reevaluate my goal.

With one week to go in the month of April, I figured an update was in order.  It’s raining today, so I’m hoping to get a great deal of stitching done before braving the elements to deposit a check and grab a few materials for next month’s knitting projects and my summer commission (16th century fencing duds for a gentleman in Ohio).

My cabled mini sweater vest is coming along nicely.  I’m to the underarms, where I’ll cease to work in the round and split onto straight needles for the front and back:

I’ve begun a set of booties for my cousin Gretchen’s little girl, who’s due soon.  I started them at 7am, and they’re coming together very quickly.  I may have them done by the end of the day, and then I can make a matching hooded capelet.  I don’t have a pattern, though, so maybe I’ll make a blanket instead.

And I’m going to gather materials very soon for Odile & Ulfr’s baby gifts, which will take a while, since the perfect knitting pattern requires intarsia and other techniques that I’ve never tackled before.

Goal Update for April:
0 of 1 item(s) for Etsy
3420! of 800 knit stitches  (2880 of my mini sweater and 540 of baby booties as of 9:30am on 4/26)

8 of 4 items for myself, my friends & family, or my dolls (one 15th century Spanish Kirtle completed and worn to Three Saints, seven eco-friendly washable pantyliners)

Here’s how the goals are going:

Etsy:  1 made / 1 projected
Knitting: 668 / 800 knit stitches.  I’ve done 3 rows of tiny sweater (192), and 8 rows of dishtowel (392) since my last post (84).

Sewing:  3 / 4 items complete.  The husband’s doublet is done.  I really need to take a photo.  My kirtle is hemmed (by hand!) and awaiting buttonholes.

Some progress is being made, but I wish I had a bit more time to stitch.