bits and bobbins

it’s been a couple weeks since i have posted some of the latest and greatest from wardrobe_remix. i’ve been busy! but, clearly, so have these seven wardrobe_remix(ers): they are working hard staying cool in this ridiculous summer heat!

verhext:

lucky olive:

sjwhidden:

spin_me_til_i’m_sick:

melovescookies:

warholuva:

bethany_eowyn:

as always, it’s extremely hard to pick just a few to highlight! there are so many stylish, amazing folks over there at wardrobe_remix. it makes me so proud! *sheds a tear*

my diploma finally arrived today! seems i graduated with honors! how nice.

i actually almost shed a tear at the sight of it, as i pondered (and shuddered at) the actual cost of that piece of paper, not to mention all the mental and physical stress and whatnot i went through to get it! *groan*

however, the diploma did arrive a bit wrinkled! i blame both the new school (who are notoriously negligent in things of an administrative nature), and also our local post office…they do not have a very good track record when it comes to all things mail. *sigh* but it’s here, and for that i’m thankful.

i must also admit: i miss being around people, learning, and having something significant to do. yes, i need a JOB. that will be one of my major tasks once i get to san francisco (one month until the big move). i’m truly yearning to get out there and work and do something with myself professionally…whatever that is. working for someone, working anywhere, working for myself, etc. making money and paying back what i owe, saving for the future.

things in our apartment are in a state of disarray at the moment, as the process of sorting through our things and doing a little packing has already commenced. i’m ready and eager to get out there, to california, and to get settled, and to start the next part of the journey…

i can never, ever keep still. always doing, dabbling with this, that.

***

for starters, i decorated the front and back cover of my sketchbook/croquisbook:

***

i’m taking a sweater design class at downtown yarns, a local yarn shop. i kind of know what i’m doing in that arena, but my knitting and crochet design legs are still wobbly, so i figured i’d take a class. it gives me something to do in this limbo period i find myself in of late. i like taking classes. if i could, i’d be a perpetual student. okay, maybe not…

anyhow…here’s my preliminary sketch:

the sweater i’ve designed, which i’ve nicknamed “the age of acid empires” sweater (due to it’s acid-green color and shape), is the one on the far left in this sketch (with the front and back views). it’s a tent-shaped, empire-waist affair, with a lace panel down center front. it’s also got a loose low neck and small, short sleeves which shall also be a little on the loose side. i’m thinking floaty and comfortable. something worn over a brightly colored cotton camisole, whose printed fabric can peep out of the yarn-over lace holes in front and back.

i made some swatches, one with the leaf motif lace pattern i plan to put up the center front of the sweater:

i had originally intended for the sweater to be white. unfortunately, the white was sold out when i went back to get more, so i ended up with a quite lovely acid-green. the yarn is blue sky yarn’s 100% cotton worsted.

i’m a little more than halfway through the back of the sweater. i had to make some increases on the back as i was approaching the armholes, and the class instructor suggested doing them in a different manner (with one increase in from the edge, and others 14 stitches in), but i thought paired yarn-over increases looked more interesting and achieved the same end, while sort of echoing all the lace and yarn-overs that i intend to have in the front of the sweater.

***

and lastly:

i’ve decided to test my mettle as a newly-minted “designer” and have given myself the task of making a small capsule collection based on my own measurements, using almost all recycled (read: vintage, thrifted fabrics) from my own collection. in the end, each piece will be something that i can actually wear, and will be representative of what my design sense is all about. which is, in a nutshell, “cute”. above are some of the fabrics i am intending to use.