I spent much of the weekend tinkering with my website and trying to figure out how I was going to organize our ever growing photo archive. You should slowly see changes here as I find the time and the motivation to make them. If you see anything wonky, or just plain ugly please let me know. I view my site on Firefox and, from what I can tell from my stats, most of you do too.

I also pulled out the sewing machine this weekend. I have said it before, and I’ll say it again, I hate sewing! This is probably the largest disappointment in my mom’s life. She’s an excellent quilter and has always wished I’d find my way to her One True Craft. Ah, I found my own! Part of her quest was to gift me her old Bernina Machine. This is a nice machine that deserves a much better owner than I. In fact, this weekend was the first time (in the two years I’ve had it) that I pulled it out on my own. That is, without her here to prod me into it and/or make it work. The occasion? I needed to sew my knitting.

I am so dedicated to my knitting craft that I will sew. I will sew pretty. I will, surprisingly enjoy sewing pretty for my knitting. I will be inspired to buy this book: Sew U: The Built by Wendy Guide to Making your own Wardrobe by Wendy Mullin.

Okay, so I haven’t bought it. However, I am considering it. Mostly because the author is a Wendy…and well, I just CANNOT resist a Wendy. It also has gotten some wonderful reviews by people I trust. Now, mind you, I am not about to go making my own cloths. I am just pissed that I can’t. That a stupid machine can beat me. And well, that is just uncool.

Back to the project at hand.

I knit up the one-piece baby kimono from Mason-Dixon Knits (all the links and details are below). I seriously think that this is going to be too small for the giftee. Chalk it up to a failure to swatch (I NEVER swatch baby knits) and delayed gifting. So, I decided that if I was going to risk it not fitting. I should make it look really cute for sweet baby’s future doll dressing extravaganza’s.

I picked up some grosgrain ribbon, cut 4 pieces about 9″ long and used the machine tacked the edges down to prevent future fraying. I even used color coordinating yarn! I then thread the ribbons through the knitted garment. The two on the sides were looped around the seam to ensure a firm placement. I used the machine to sew the loop closed. Viola!

A long time ago I made some personalized labels for my knits using iron-on t-shirt transfers and ribbon. I decided that this knit deserved it’s very own custom label.

I sewed this in using the machine and, get this, I even remembered to change the bobbin so that the thread visible from the back of the sweater is the same color as the yarn!

I am a person who sews, here me roar!

Pattern Details

Pattern: One Piece Baby Kimono by Cristina Shiffman in Mason-Dixon Knitting

Started: 07/06, Finished: 08/06

For: Baby Daisy

Yarn: Brown Sheep Company Cotton Fleece,

Color: CW105 Putty, 2 skeins (barely)

Needles: Denise Interchangeables, Size 7

Modifications: None

Notes: I barely used the 2nd skein of yarn. I used a sewing machine to attach the grosgrain ribbon. I also made a tag for the sweater, “Handknit for Daisy”.