Miette II

I love this cardigan pattern so much! I finished my first Miette and cast straight on for a second as my very next project.

This yarn is quite different from the first. It is Sirdar Denim Sport Aran, an acrylic/cotton/wool mixture. I had made a cushion cover previously so I knew I wanted a finer knit using a smaller needle size. I upsized the pattern to the 42 to compensate. The sizing turned out ok, the negative ease is forgiving, but the bust darts are too high. Moving them to the side would be more forgiving but their placement is one of the reasons that this pattern looks so nice when worn. 

I did full length sleeves again. I kept trying on and considered everything from cap sleeves to elbow length to three-quarters. But the yarn is heavy and bulky so full length sleeves make the most sense to me. It is nice and warm on.

I omitted the lace at the sleeve cuffs and skipped the row of purl that segues into the rib. I just started the rib immediately and I prefer the smoother finish it gives.

I found the sleeve decreases to be too severe and gave a lump. I changed the decreases to work over 6 rows, not 4. Two normal rows in between each decrease row. My Ravelry notes are here.

I messed up a bit of the lace around the neckline and got the buttonhole placement quite wrong in the middle, but I'm going to keep it as is.

Costs:
 Yarn: £7.44
 Buttons: £3.50
Total: <£11.00

Popover Isle of Wight Dresses

The second Isle of Wight Dress needed to be quick and easy or it wasn't going to make it to the Isle of Wight for a photoshoot. Luckily the Oliver & S Popover Sundress is just that. 

I've made the doll dress before but not the child size. This is a really cute style in both sizes. Plus it is quick and uses very little fabric. And the pattern is free! What's not to like?

I especially love how the scale changes in the doll dress, turning an overly busy fabric into something more special. I added a row of white piping between the yoke and the dress and I made the straps out of the same fabric as the dress and yoke.

I did French seams and I really must add side seam pockets next time.

Cost:

Fabric (both): £0.91

Isle of Wight Dress

This fabric came from the Isle of Wight, purchased on our last summer holiday, and I think it is only fitting that it return to the Isle of Wight as two dresses.

The first is inspired by a Boden dress.

Cathy S/S 2014

Boden S/S 2014

I love how the pin tucks change the pattern of the fabric, making the design more dense, then flowing into the skirt. My tucks are not as tiny and I didn't make separate cap sleeves but it was a good starting point for inspiration.

I used The Cottage Mama's Party Dress pattern, an old favourite (free to subscribers of her newsletter). I went for a size 8, even though she was measuring smaller; it gives her a lot of room to grow.

I added pin tucks before I cut the bodice. I did this by measuring the length of fabric I would need for the bodice and then, starting from the centre, began tucking. I stopped when I got bored. It turned out to be 4 on each side. This is where the neckline started to curve, so it was a good place to stop.

When I cut the bodice, I extended the sleeves outward. I wanted the cap sleeve effect from the Boden dress, but I didn't want to draft, and set in, a separate sleeve.  I made a straight line across from the shoulder for another 4.5 inches.

In reality, this method actually didn't work very well. First, she couldn't even get her arms in, so I had to re-do the side seams and extend the opening down into them. There still isn't a natural movement through the sleeves, a fold appears through the bodice. I also added a notch in the sleeve, which gives a bit of extra movement.

It was surprisingly easy to create. Just a V where the lining joins the fabric. I could have made it more  of a line and less of a V.

I changed the back into a normal button back, I got these flower buttons on the Isle of Wight at the same time as the fabric last year. I was hoping to make a button front dress but in the end, I wasn't brave enough. The button back is very practical, I can fasten them at the perfect distance to fit her and move them as she grows. The dress will always fit well!

I made the skirt of two widths of fabric, one for the front and the other for the back. I thought it was a bit full, particularly in the polycotton which has no drape, but she loves the fullness and curseys like a princess. She loves the side seam pockets too and I'm glad I went to the extra trouble to include them.

Cost:

 Fabric: £3.19

 Buttons: £0.75

Total: £3.94 (cf Boden £22.40 on sale!)