Knit and crochet until the cows come home.

Posted on April 8, 2013 | 3 Comments

I’ve been having so much fun working on my latest yarny project. Most of you know I’m undercover on these projects but I really needed to share these because I think they turned out so great…

IMG_7013 close up pink close up pink 2 blue whole blue close up blue close up 3 blue close up 2



I have no idea how long they actually took to make.  I worked on them in the evenings while watching 3 different versions of Tess of the Dubervilles among other long, slow period pieces.

The pink one is for a semi-secret mission and the blue one is for my daughter’s 14th birthday. We took down the horrible ceiling fan in her room and wired this up in its place and it works!

I might be out of my mind, but I’m thinking of making more!

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Posted in craft, crochet, design, DIY, knitting

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A Vintage Crochet Turban, For You

Posted on February 7, 2013 | Leave a comment

I have finally written out my instructions for the crochet turban that I have been making for several years. It was inspired by this great vintage pattern that I found in a box of old sewing things that was left behind in the first house I bought.

vintage turban pattern

It was such a beautiful and simple pattern that I had to give it a try.  I experimented with it until I got the pattern exactly how I wanted it with the inexpensive modern yarns I could buy at the craft store. I love to crochet but I am hardly a yarn snob.  If I only bought the beautiful but expensive yarns from the yarn shop I would never finish anything. Knitting and crochet, for me, is all about the fun and having great accessories that I can wear (until I’m tired of them and pack them up to be rediscovered later) or give to friends and family as gifts, and no one ever complains that the yarn should have cost more…

So, now you can purchase a copy of my crochet turban pattern at my Etsy store and when you do I will include the entire original vintage pattern as well. I’m imagining seeing turbans of every color imaginable all over the place, a turban revolution if you will.

Enjoy! – Jeni

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The work table today…

Posted on December 1, 2012 | 1 Comment

Today I draped some peplums on the half-size dress form. I’ve been thinking of making these for months but something has been holding me back, today everything just clicked for me and I was able to finally start.

draped peplum 2draped peplum 1

This is the first finished peplum and it’s really beautiful. I got this fabric at Mood this summer. It has a black cotton background with brown satin stripes.

finished peplum 2

This peplum ties around the waist with a drawstring of the same fabric and on the back there are buttons to hold it in place and extra buttons inside so that you can adjust the width of the peplum at the waist.

peplum back

I’m working on some in other fabrics including one from crisp white poplin with a rounded shirttail hem that will resemble a men’s shirt.

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Posted in design, fashion, sewing

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I love everything about this picture…

Posted on November 8, 2012 | Leave a comment

Rodarte F/W 2012

 

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Posted in fashion

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Have you noticed what’s happening with hips?

Posted on March 20, 2012 | Leave a comment

One of the things that really stood out for me in the Fall 2012 collections, aside from the fact that Spring’s pastels are going to get a smack down from Fall’s very bold palette, is the action going on in the hip area.

With peplums on everything from tops to pants and some just flat out distorted silhouettes the hips were a huge focus for fall.  Style.com described Stella McCartney’s collection as being “…how women want to dress now.” I for one don’t mind having a little extra wiggle room in my shirt dress but I have to wonder where is this coming from and, more interestingly, where is it going?

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New for Spring, Patchwork Detachable Collars

Posted on March 19, 2012 | Leave a comment

I have new products going in the etsy store all week.

These sweet little collars are patch-worked in spring pastels and floral prints.ImageImage

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Posted in design

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Super Pointy Detachable Collar Pattern

Posted on March 12, 2012 | 3 Comments

I’ve uploaded my  Super Pointy Collar pattern for your personal use.  I hope the instructions work, I did write them fairly quickly so let me know if anything is unclear.  I have made this collar more times than I can count so I know the pattern works for me and I hope it works for you.  See my post on how to make perfect points if you need a little help with the points.

*Make sure your pattern prints out at the right size, the ” fold” edge of the collar should measure 2.5″, you may need to adjust your print settings.

Let me know how your collars turn out! 

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Posted in design, DIY, sewing, tutorials

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