A Book Review for Knitters and Crocheters

75 Birds, Butterflies & Little Beasts to Knit and Crochet by Lesley Stanfield

This book is one of my newest acquisitions for my knitting library. There are some beautiful flowers and leaves in this volume as well as the many birds and butterflies.  I’ve crocheted some nettle leaves to add to a scarf I’m making and plan to try some of the flowers for hair clips.  There is a dove in the book that would be a wonderful Christmas decoration or part of a wedding centerpiece.

I am only beginning to imagine how much fiber fun I can have with the instructions in this book!

Croquis of Purple Dress

Progress on Purple Dress

The Purple Shirtdress is cut out and sewing has begun.  On a trip to Wal-Mart for milk, I also happened upon a bolt of pink georgette for $5.  Yes, it is thin and polyester, but for $5 I can afford to resurrect some patterns that have been sitting idle since the eighties--and try a few new ones.  The resulting garments will be pink, so I am bound to wear them sometime!

Yes, I am ADD.  I like to have several sewing projects, several knitting projects, and a half dozen books in progress at any given moment.  I flit from book to project to project to book........and back to the Purple Shirtdress.  I chose to make the view with the pleated skirt, pointed collar, and 3/4 sleeves with band.  I have a lovely photo of my croquis, which is trapped inside the digital camera until I can enlist a child to help me get it on the computer.

I Want a Purple Dress

Some time ago I purchased Simplicity 2724 , a Project Runway pattern. The pattern is versatile: choose a sleeveless bodice or add short or long sleeves. Neckline options include a jewel neck, v-neck with pointed collar, or v-neck with mandarin collar. Join the top to a slim skirt with a vent or a fuller skirt with released pleats. A wide fabric sash and front ruffle detail are additional options with this pattern. A special feature of all Project Runway patterns is a traceable croquis: a sketch of a figure with traceable skirts, sleeves, etc. to enable the user to draw designs before cutting and sewing them. Yardage requirements are listed for each separate element, making it easy to purchase one fabric for the bodice and another for the skirt if desired.

Today I was in Wal-Mart and decided to check out the fabric. (I'm so glad Wal-Mart put the fabric department back!)  For under $10 I got 4 yards of basic purple broadcloth to try out the pattern.  Now on to the croquis!  I'll be back later.

Fiberfrau Welcomes You

This blog will chronicle the creative process in one woman's sewing room.  Any topic involving fiber (the kind for knitting or sewing, not the dietary kind) is a possibility for my musings. If there is a topic you'd like to see addressed,  no matter how obscure the topic, ask me in the comments and I'll see what I can do.  I'm a librarian as well as a fiber freak, so I like to look for information.

Check back weekly and  I will try to give a more interesting post each time.