Whitecaps Knitted Cover Up Finished

I double checked on my Ravelry page to see when I started this top.  It was January 27, 2024 and I finished on March 17, 2024!  Pretty good for me as I don't get to knit everyday!!  And considering the last sweater I made I started on July 22, 2023 and finished on January 19th, 2024!   Keep in mind I ripped out three different times on that sweater but the fourth time was a charm  You can see that sweater here.  Bob said of the five other tops I've made this is his favorite.  I actually have on a black tank top under it.  I'll be wearing this for Easter.  It's so comfy and was really easy to knit

This is the link to Yumiko's pattern for Whitecaps top and I'm so excited....my sister and I are both going to work on the same project again.  Woohoo

This is Agave pattern my sis and I are making next.  It's really lightweight linen and a lot of drap to it.  Again, you wear a shell/tank top under it.  Her patterns are so feminine.

You can make the 'flutter' sleeve shown here or a longer sleeve, which is what I am making, in the picture below.  I like the lace work that continues down the sleeve.

I ordered Pacific Tone, which is a mixture of blue and green.  Thought it would look good with a white tank top under and white pants!  I could even wear a red necklace for July 4th and Labor Day!  HA

I'm sure working with a dark color will test me!  AND we have lots of lace work, as you can see above to do!  Fun times coming...but Yumiko's patterns are well written and she has a chart for the lace work!!!!  

Can't wait to get my yarn and get started!  

 

The Dress From Hell.....

OK, that title is probably a tad severe but......here's the story...around Thanksgiving time, my grandson asked if I could make a lining for his girlfriend, Braylon's dress.  Appears when she ordered the dress online it didn't look sheer (have to support her on this...I looked the dress up and it's not sheer online!). 

You can see the lower back showing through the front...see how sheer this is!  Plus it sewn with thousands of clear sequins!

 The engineer in my grandson made him make this statement to me "all you have to do, grandma, is make a template out of some material and then sew it on".  Yes, I just stood and stared at him...not saying a word.  So last week, my DIL finally brought up this dress along with some material she purchased at JoAnn's.  I forgot all about last fall and this dress!!!

You can how sheer it is...with my fingers showing through the breast area on the top!  YIKES!

So, taking my grandson's advice!  HA HA HA  I  made a template for the breast area out of the swim suit fabric Kris purchased.  It was nice fabric to work with and wasn't very slippery!  

I was feeling pretty cocky making this template and getting it sewn on and looking good!  So I reversed the template and finished both front breast areas.....Next came how to tackle the body of the dress!!

I had some large pieces of brown paper and made a template from the front of the dress.  

I decided before I cut into the swim suit fabric I better cut out a muslin pattern.  Well, I didn't have any muslin but I do have old sheets to use for painting.  I grabbed one and cut out the template and pinned around the dress to make sure it would fit.  WHEW...lots of cutting and pasting!  HA

I finally got the nerve to cut out the template and started stitching.  It worked out quite well by just hand stitching around the side edges.  Of course, I had to manipulate to join in with the breast area I had already finished but it worked out fine!

Wasn't that easy!  NOT...but I kept hearing my grandson's voice saying how easy it would be!  HA  Front done...now to tackle that back with the low scoop back area!  Heaven help me!

I tried to use the same pattern for the front of the dress for the back but it just wasn't working out...so I had to cut another paper pattern. 

 I decided I'd use my blue marker, which I've used so often in my quilting, to create the scoop area.  Well, I tried to iron out the blue marker when I was done but it wouldn't come out!  

YIKES...I know it was on the lining but I just didn't want it to show.  I was so upset because I use this often.  

Then I was eating dinner thinking about that dumb pen and remembered!!!!!  I use this pen for my beading and embroidery work.  WHY?  Because I can spit on my finger to erase a line if I don't like it!  This isn't the iron out marker but the water soluble marker!  DUH!  came right out with water!  WHEW!

And this is the finished lining for the back.  That's the zipper on the left side so it hangs funny.  Just hope it looks better when it's on a body!  HA

And as you'll see below...quite a difference.  And I am telling my grandson he owes me....payment will be one text a week or every 10 days saying "HI" along with 5 or more words!  HA HA

Nick is good at one word replies!

BEFORE AND AFTER