Monday, April 13, 2009

Cherry Blossoms.


I finally finished my plum tree yoke top (designed by my dear friend Rosemary of suzy smalls handmade) and am happy to wear it as the weather gets warmer.


I had really wanted to photograph the top outside but it's been so windy and everything here in New Mexico is so... brown that it was hard to get an interesting photo. So, here I am in front of the boring ol' white wall in my bedroom again.



I really liked constructing this top and even though I ran into a few small issues (my own issues, not the patterns), I learned how to correct myself and already bought fabric to make another. It's a comfortable shape and doesn't need to be too "fit" ... no zippers, darts, buttonholes or bias tape trim! wooohoo!

It's funny to think that I have been sewing for twice as many years I have been knitting. My skills with a sewing machine and fabric have not improved as greatly as my skills with needles and yarn. (Not that I am any expert knitter, but I have a lot less trouble reading instructions and completing projects with knitting than with sewing.) Perhaps there is something about the simple, tactile qualities of knitting that I just "get", as opposed to working with a machine? I know that there really isn't anything wrong with that, I have found my niche and found what I like, but I do realize that my skills as a sewer will not improve if I don't keep sewing sewing sewing! As I often tell beginning knitters, you'll only get better with practice!

7 comments:

Bec said...

You did a great job on this - it looks fantastic!!! It's hard to find the time to put in the required practise for two different skills isn't it. I'd LOVE to be able to knit properly (or at least, be able to fix mistakes so I could keep going once I muck something up) but there's never enough time to do both sewing and knitting, so knitting always falls by the wayside for me. I'm sure one day I'll get more time to practise properly... :)

pickles said...

Supernice!

Heather Neill said...

You constantly amaze me V.

suzy smalls said...

it looks fantastic, way better than MY versions! that's the nice thing about going slow. you end up with a better product in the end, as you're actually paying attention!!

your hair looks real cute, too.

Anonymous said...

The top is really cute!

Anonymous said...

Excellent! What beautiful fabric... drool...

I have to confess... I am a bit intimidated by my sewing machine.

Feel much more comfortable with two sticks and some strand!

Gorgeous top, Vanessa, looks really good on you...

vanessa said...

thanks, everyone, for your sweet, sweet comments!! and thank you, Rosie, for creating this top! will the pattern be available soon?