Annie Hall Sweater

This project is from the September/October 2011 edition of Crochet Today.  As you can probably guess from my previous blogs, I am very much into everything vintage.  I especially love this sweater because it reminds me of a 70s style preppy cardigan. 

This is the original photo from the magazine

 

 

Pattern: Annie Hall Sweater (September/October 2011 edition of Crochet Today)

Description: Casual wrap sweater inspired by 70s fashion icon Annie Hall.

Yarn Used: Caron's Simply Soft Tweed Yarn in Dark Sage (You may be able to find this online but quantities are limited) This is a worsted weight yarn that is 96% super soft acrylic and 4% rayon. I loved the green tweed look. It can be substituted with any other worsted weight yarn such as Caron's simply soft. The pattern calls for SMC Northern Worsted which is a 100% acrylic yarn.

Sizing: I believe I made this in a large.  This pattern is available in in sizes S-2X.

Instructions: I would say this pattern was very easy to follow.  I had no issues completing this project.

Changes: I only substituted the yarn...I do that a lot!

Level of Difficulty: Crochet Today rates this one as "Intermediate" skill level.

Timing: It took me a few weeks to complete this sweater.

This is my go-to sweater for that vintage preppy look.  I can see myself running through the streets of New York to a meeting in this one! I love to pair it with jeans or stylish khakis.  I would definitely recommend this pattern to other fashion lovers and crocheters alike!

Until next time...

Big Bow Cardigan

I am a huge fan of publications such as Interweave Crochet and Crochet Today.  I often find myself quickly skimming through the pages for inspiration or looking through them for clothing patterns to make for myself.  When I saw this pattern on the cover of the Winter 2008 edition of this magazine, I knew exactly which yarn I had in my arsenal with which to crochet this cardigan.

This is the cover of the Winter 2008 edition of Interweave Crochet

This is my version of the Big Bow Cardigan

The buttons are a unique find at your local Hobby Lobby.  They were on clearance!

Pattern: Big Bow Cardigan (winter 2008 edition of Interweave Crochet)

Description: Cardigan with built in scarf that extends from the collar.  Asymmetrical closure.

Yarn Used: Caron's Simply Soft Eco Yarn in Natural (You may be able to find this online but quantities are limited)  This is a worsted weight yarn that is 80% super soft acrylic and 20% specialty fibers made from recycled plastic bottles! I love this yarn because I feel like I am saving the planet while creating something beautiful.  It can be substituted with any other worsted weight yarn such as Caron's simply soft.  The pattern calls for Naturally Naturelle Aran 10 Ply which is a wool yarn.

Sizing: I believe I made this to fit bust circumference of 41". This pattern is available in plus size as well!

Instructions: Interweave rates this one as "Some concentration required".  This was pretty simple for me just mostly counting your stitches.

Changes: I only substituted for an awesome eco friendly yarn!

Level of Difficulty: Very simple stitches and pattern very easy to follow.

Timing: It took me a few weeks to make this due to the many other projects I have going on all at once.

Overall, I love this cardigan and I get many compliments on it each time I wear it.  The photo was taken recently but I made the sweater a few years back so unfortunately the fit is not where I want it to be but this is nothing a few inches off my waist and in my bust can't fix!  I love the scarf and it actually has a key hole to allow for versatility for tying the scarf.

*Styling notes: Jeans (PZI), Lipstick (Rebel by MAC), Headband (Ardene's), Hair (Just my natural wash n go)

Sales and Couponing at JoAnn's

Those of us who have a love for crafting, sewing, needlework or any other type of art can understand that purchasing the materials needed to create works of art can be a bit on the expensive side.  I am no stranger to a great sale; however, my couponing skills were a bit novice to say the least.

In my recent efforts to create and follow a real budget, I began doing some research on couponing and retail savings.  I was also in need of some pretty expensive yarn and a sewing pattern.  I have been a JoAnn's consumer for many years going back to when I was in high school.  However, I always found their prices to be somewhat on the high side.  I realized that I always walked into JoAnn's with ONE coupon...so silly....told ya my couponing skills were lacking.

This weekend I walked in with 3 coupons.  I needed 2 skeins of Red Heart Boutique Treasure yarn in the Mosaic color scheme.  This yarn is currently out of stock online at JoAnn's and Red heart.  I found one store in my area that had it in stock.  This yarn is originally $6.99 but I had 3 coupons for 50% off one regularly priced item!  Below is a picture of the yarn:

I also needed a Vogue Skirt pattern and we all know Vogue patterns are very expensive!  Lucky for me, when I arrived at JoAnn's, the pattern was on sale for $4.99!  The original price was $25.  I also bought a pretty cheap "See & Sew" pattern as well.

I roughly spent $19 for about $49 worth of materials! I promise to show off what I am making with these materials in my next few blogs!

Vintage Girl's Top Pattern Review

Hi fellow Stylists and Clothiers,

I do make a lot of items from patterns and I thought...why not share those garments with my audience as well?    For my first review I thought it would great to take you all back in time...TWICE!
I made this little number when I was about 12 years old.  It was my first unassisted sewing project and I made it for my little cousin who kept it all these years and decided to give it back to me when she was an adult.  This is vintage 1970s Butterick pattern 4733 for girls.

Pattern: Vintage 1970s Butterick 4733 View A

Description: Loose-fitting top with iron on transfer and blanket stitch embroidery

Fabric Used: Since I made this at 12...I can only guess by looking at the top that I used a light weight cotton blend.

Sizing: Pattern only came in girls size 14 which fit my cousin perfectly!

Instructions: If a 12 year can do it....it has to be easy to follow!

Changes: I did make one minor change.  I hand stitched my cousin's initials on the front pockets!

Level of Difficulty: As the pattern says, this one was fast and easy!

Timing: I remember making this in my bedroom in one sitting.  So I am guessing this took me about 1-2 hours tops. 

Overall, I loved this pattern and remembered feeling very accomplished as a preteen making this. My little cousin loved it so much she kept it all these years in fantastic shape.

Evening wear circa 1998

I designed both of my high school prom dresses as a teenager.  I would sketch them out and enlist my aunt to help me make my vision a reality.  I knew nothing about pattern making, neither did my aunt.  However, she did teach me how I can alter a pattern.  We would shop together for a pattern that matched my sketch the best.  I would then spend time at her house and together we would make my prom dress.  Below is a sketch of my second prom dress that I designed for my high school senior prom.

Senior Prom evening gown sketch

 I was very fond of what I called "Slash Fashion".  This is basically what I called garments that appeared to have pieces missing.  I designed the gown to have one shoulder strap with a keyhole int he front.


Back View of evening gown sketch

 In the back of the dress I intended for the shoulder strap to separate into two straps in order to anchor the dress on both the right and left bringing back symmetry to the gown.  Below is how the dress actually turned out....

Unfortunately, my aunt and I could not get the keyhole worked into this pattern...

 Still, the dress turned out beautifully....

We also had to alter the back of the dress to make it wearable once we started the project.  However, for a teenager without formal design education this is a great attempt at creating from a sketch using a pattern.

New Direction for SMH Designs

I recently moved back to Atlanta from Toronto.  During my year in Canada, I decided to put SMH Designs on hold.  I wanted to go in a new direction and breathe new life into this business of mine. 

Now that I am back in my hometown, it is time that I begin anew and re-vamp designs.  I have a lot of new and exciting things in the works.  Don't worry all the old works will be there as well and better than ever, including my menswear, my children line and my lingerie line, Kinky Krochet.


I am adding other talents to my product mix as well.  So please stay tuned for new works and new designs.

Much luv
The artist
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