Another LTP and a dress in progress

The absence of activity here at Creative Laurels is indicative of how busy things have been for me lately, in both artistic and professional obligations.

I started planning Christmas gifts in September, and those have been going on in the background since that time. Now, they're where most of my making energy goes, but of course I don't want to share too much of that for fear of spoiling surprises on Christmas morning.

This year's LTP (Long Term Project) is something I've been thinking about for a while and finally found time -slash am bending time to my will- to make. This is my second venture into this type of project, so it feels less daunting, but it's by no means less work. I can tell I'm already behind, and that once the academic semester is over, I will spend my days finishing this up before seeing family.

Here are some teasers...

Hundreds of little squares. So many squares.

Some top-stitching at adjoining pieces.

Corners.

Mama's helper

 And a perfect fabric for a family who unapologetically loves scatological humor:

There's something about such a HUGE project that makes me welcome something with smaller pieces in the foreground. I decided to use a TNT Burda pattern to make another dress from a mix of fabrics. Here's a reminder of the first version, which I still wear all the time.

A few things have changed this go-round (not including about 12 more inches of hair and slightly less toned arms), but I'm using the same faux leather for the arm bands. Here is a shot of the bodice of my new version.

The light fabric has a subtle zebra print, and the batik on the sides is an interesting citrine/sand blend. Not my usual color palette, but one that caught my eye immediately!

I underlined the bodice (hence the orange basting you can see), and serged the pieces together before construction.

I decided that, since I'm really comfortable with this pattern and previously spent a long time on fit, that I will put time into finishings this go-round.  The raw edges are all serged, and I'm whipstitching them to the underlining, as I'm one of those people that gets bent out of shape when her seam allowances are bent out of shape. 

So, that's what's been happening sewing-wise around here. 

There are two in-progress knitting projects as well, one that's taking forever and one that's intended to be for Christmas but may not make it, depending on time. 

There's also a plan for some beading: supplies are bought, but this is another time-sensitive project.

Performing this semester has been more active than others, especially in terms of taking me away from home. In addition to a TN tour with my new chamber music duo L+M Duo, I gave a masterclass in western VA, L+M played Chicago, and husband and I attended PASIC, the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. All of this on top of teaching at the university, accompanying students, co-hosting our weekly podcast, and training for a half-marathon (which I'll run next weekend).  

As usual, there's been some making even when there's not much evidence of it here on the blog. No worries, though, all will be revealed in good time.  :)

Made! - All the stuff I made but forgot to photograph

It was another Christmas of making at the Creative Laurels house.

It was not another Christmas of remembering to take pictures of making at the Creative Laurels house.

source

So, I will just catalog what was done. Except I did remember to photograph the scarf for my brother, but they aren't great photos, which is why they don't really count. 

Ok, here we go.

Scarf Present

I taught myself how to knit, which is an adventure not for the faint of heart. Too many times I looked around the interwebs and saw beautiful, beautiful things being made by people out there just like me. I thought, Laurel, you tend to not like sweaters, though they are practical items...maybe if you made your own you would like them more.  Though this is true, knitting is hard, ya'll.

This scarf for my brother was my first project.

terrible flash, I know, I'm cringing for you

It's very simple, and a design I made up based off a more complicated one in the tome I purchased called Idiot's Guide to Knitting. 

Here's a better photo of the texture and color.

I didn't decide on a length before starting, I just made it as long as the amount of yarn I had.

Hat Present

For my brother-in-law I knit a hat in the round.  This means you use circular needles instead of two long ones, which I found to be much, much easier than the first way.  I'd like to say that I made up this design too, but I'd by lying. Technically I embraced my mistakes based on a design that actually exists. C'est la vie. It's at least very comfortable, and I wanted to keep it. 

Sleepytime Presents

I have another brother-in-law that travels a lot.  I have no idea if he has a neck pillow for flying, so I thought I'd make one! I used a free pattern from BurdaStyle to do it.  (Now that I look, it isn't free anymore.)

The top is a thick interfaced knit, so hopefully it will be comfortable. 

I actually made a second neck pillow for my Dad, as he has this ability to fall asleep anywhere. Anywhere.  We are similar in that if we read 3 pages while sitting up in bed we will soon be asleep. Rather than hurting his neck as his head falls forward, maybe he will read with the neck pillow so that when he falls asleep his head will be supported rather than falling all willy-nilly. (And maybe he will snore less... Merry Christmas, Mom.)

Speaking of Mom, for her I made some adorable flannel pajama pants. They're raspberry pink with cream polka dots.  I used McCall's 6658 as a place to start.

source

I added about 3 inches of leg length by adding cuffs to the pattern, and made some adjustments up top so they will hopefully fit well.  My mom is tall, and her height is in her legs, so I hope these pajamas will actually fit her and help her stay warm this winter.  Plus, if she's warm it means the house doesn't have to be kept so hot. (Merry Christmas, Dad.)

I really enjoyed making all of these gifts, even if I forgot to photograph them.

I do, however, look forward to getting through some of my sewing queue, which I had to put on hold for the last month or so. :)

I'm excited to make some more things for husband, like the Thread Theory Jedediah Pants and Strathcona Henley.