Yay! Two finished projects!
I jumped on the bandwagon to knit a sweater (jumper) with Tasha’s “Knit for Victory” knit-a-long. I used a vintage PDF download from VanessaLovesVintage on Etsy, for the Aloha Sweater.
I’m not the most patient knitter, and I was being exceptionally cheap, so used whatever baby yarn was on sale at the craft store. That being said, it’s all acrylic, and, while it was cheaper than wool, I really wish I had just bought a good yarn, after all the time I took. And, being baby yarn, I had only pastel colors to choose from, which aren’t my normal color palate. I also used needles larger than called for and so the knitted stitches were 2/3 what they were usually. I’m not good at math, so I’m kind of surprised I didn’t mess this up! A co-worker at my last job gave me hints on what to do (that’s how long ago I started, right after the challenge was announced! I’m slow), which is the only way I figured it out! I decided to omit the sleeve puff pads, because I thought they looked silly.
The color palate actually worked out perfectly, though, because my brand new to me vintage hat matches perfectly! I never thought I would be a “pink” girl, but I love my new hat. It’s from Bullock’s Wilshire, and inside is stamped “Kitten Fluff”, and it’s fuzzy, with topstitching. And lucky girl that I am, I found this one AND a bright absinthe green color one at the same time, and the same model hat. I just have to figure out something to go with that one. So, true, they probably would not have worn a hat with an outfit like this, but I don’t care. I wanted to wear my new hat :) I really love how the sweater came out, too!
My trousers I made from this pattern. This pattern had been on my wish list FOREVER, until I finally got in a bidding war over it a few years ago and won. I was pretty sad, when I actually got the pattern in my paws, when I realized the pattern wasn’t really for drop front trousers, but just fastened up the side with a slide fastener, and had buttons accenting darts at the front. Bummer. I had patterns that would have worked for that already. But the cover art is SO pretty, and I have a pretty big weak spot for vintage McCall patterns.
I was a really naughty girl and didn’t make a mock up, and, because of this, I’m not happy with how they fit. They’re too big in the waist (see, I’m holding it in the pics to look better. LOL!), and too saggy in the butt, but- you may not believe it, but before I wore these for the first time, after they were assembled, I frantically took one inch out of the center front seam in the middle to nothing at the waist and crotch, and two solid inches out of the back in the same way. And it’s STILL too saggy in the butt. But I do know that’s what you get with real pants patterns from the 30’s and 40’s. (If you want a mid-point pattern, try my Smooth Sailing, because they’ve got the vintage look without the excessive bagginess that plagued early trouser patterns).
Saggy butt, wonky back length gives me a roll at center back. I guess I should revisit these, but they sure are comfy as-is. Like wearing pajamas! On second thought, maybe I don’t care that much ;)
So, there we have it! Two finished projects! Yay!
Stephanie
January 16, 2014 at 12:18 pm (10 years ago)You are too cute! :D
zilredloh
January 16, 2014 at 12:20 pm (10 years ago)Your top is wonderful! After reading all of the substitutions you made I was like *woah* yet it still turned out great. :D Happy knitting for victory.
Lorna McKenzie
January 16, 2014 at 2:15 pm (10 years ago)Love the knitted top and seeing that pattern image, I think we might have it in our vintage knitting pattern LOL! The trousers are wonderful, send them to me, they’d fit
Laura Mae
January 16, 2014 at 2:58 pm (10 years ago)It is such a relief to hear that I am not the only one who looks at a vintage pattern and assumes a completely different construction method than what actually exists. No matter how they are put together – the pants look fantastic and so, so comfy!
I love the pastel colors on you – next time I would go for the wool because it is really lovely to work with (unless, of course, you have an allergy to it!).
Lauren
January 17, 2014 at 4:43 pm (10 years ago)“It is such a relief to hear that I am not the only one who looks at a vintage pattern and assumes a completely different construction method than what actually exists”
Ain’t that the truth! I find the more we know about sewing, the more I think of ways “I” would do things, instead of the way things were really done! LOL!
And thank you!
Yes, wool for sure, next time. Though I did just get a lovely cotton/modal blend yarn from Knit Pics that I’m anxious to try out.
Carla
January 16, 2014 at 3:03 pm (10 years ago)I love your sweater! The colors are super cute on you, and the eventual outfit you came up with is awesome!
mancunianvintage
January 16, 2014 at 3:07 pm (10 years ago)What gorgeous makes – but holy smokes I absolutely ADORE those trousers – I need some in my life pronto!
That’s definitely one to add to my ‘to buy’ list :D
http://www.mancunianvintage.com
quinnmburgess
January 16, 2014 at 4:05 pm (10 years ago)Cute pants and a super cute sweater, too! I think the colors are great and I love that it’s knit like a bow. I imagine it was a complicated pattern, though.
Best,
Quinn
Laurie
January 16, 2014 at 6:45 pm (10 years ago)When I first saw your picture on your fb page, I thought you had planned all you colors out purposely, they go so well together! What a funny story about the pants being baggy! Actually I find it encouraging as I learn more and more about patterns. I nearly quit sewing a few years ago because I thought patterns were supposed to fit me perfectly.
Lauren
January 17, 2014 at 4:42 pm (10 years ago)Thanks!
Ah, no… for the most part, all patterns take a little playing with.
We all take such pride in the uniqueness of our character- we should expect the same of our bodies! Nothing will ever fit perfect off the rack, but the extra time really pays off. I’m sure I’ll revisit these again, now that I know how they make up. At least the fabric was just cheap from an estate sale!
Siri Andersen
January 16, 2014 at 10:00 pm (10 years ago)I too, thought you had some real color coordinating going on! The whole outfit is fabulous (and of course you should wear your hat!). Well done on finishing your Knit for Victory top, I really like the button placket detail in the back ;)
That McCall pattern is to die for, such beautiful art on the envelope.
Brigid Boyer
January 17, 2014 at 5:40 am (10 years ago)Your sweater turned out fabulous! And the pants are great too! To bad they don’t fit correctly. :(
Your new hat reminds me of one that I received for Christmas which was also a fedora style, only it is in rust colored wool. I absolutely LOVE it!
Lauren
January 17, 2014 at 4:41 pm (10 years ago)Thanks!
Ooh… a rust colored fedora? That sounds just dreamy! Hat love!
Masha
January 17, 2014 at 3:22 pm (10 years ago)I love the ensemble! Everything you make looks really authentic. How do you achieve that?
Lauren
January 17, 2014 at 4:40 pm (10 years ago)Thank you so much!! That’s really sweet of you to say.
I actually try to look at real period sources as much as possible. I’m really influenced by old catalog images, so I can see color combos and how things were worn. It really helps to get an authentic period look!
Katie Jo Long
January 18, 2014 at 2:35 pm (10 years ago)The sweater looks great! As far as yarns go, I find that wool is much more enjoyable to knit with. You can order relatively decent quality yarn from knitpicks.com. Also, acrylic may be inexpensive, but there are lots of affordable wool yarns available at most yarn stores.