I'm not sure I will do the SWAP this year, but if I do this is an idea what I want to make.

I have most of the fabrics already except for navy blue wool knit fabric for one of the cardigans and white cotton for the tailored shirt. I'm half way done with the purple Islandic style cardigan which is part of a Craftsy class. Also the tailored shirt is part of a Craftsy class.


SWAP 2014 by Annikas76, on Flickr

Melissa, you will get many answers!  I first made a pair by cutting apart an old worn out pair and then discovered StyleArc Jilly jean pattern which was fairly close to my cut up jeans.  I have probably made over 15 pairs from the same pattern.  I have made a few adjustments, but am still fairly close to the straight pattern.  If I make them out of non-stretch I need to allow a little extra in the side seams and, if the denim is very stretchy, then I take them in at the sides.  I think that's why i like making jeans, you do the inner leg and topstitch, then the crutch and top stitch so they are almost finished, but you can still adjust them easily at the side seams.

Thank you for the tip about leaving side seams to last - I am planning to make my first pair of jeans next year and will try this!

The newest member of the datcat household has arrived.

I had been watching various machines online, and this one happened to be on my watch list on evilbay.  Of course hubby being the impulsive soul he is, just went ahead and bought it, and presented it to me for my wedding anniversary present.  She's not the best looking specimen, and certainly more than a bit knocked around.  However her gears move beautifully, and she makes a lovely stitch.   I am going to look into sprucing her up a bit sometime next year. 


handcrank machine by Datcat, on Flickr


handcrank machine by Datcat, on Flickr

According to a cursory search, she was made in 1911, in scotland.    She's not rare, but still, she will be loved here.  I am hoping the treadle and featherweight are kind to the old lady. 

I have two kinds of printed knit fabric. One is screen printed - the dye is 'in' in the fabric. The other has the print on the surface - sort of like a plasticky coating. What is this kind called?

I have to admit I wish I hadn't bought it - in tshirts I have found that the screenprinted ones age well, the plasticky ones look terrible after a few washes.

Hence, I need to check what it is called so I can make sure I don't order it again!

I've continued collecting Claire Shaeffers patterns and am now only missing 4 of them. I check eBay and etsy mostly  everyday to see of any new that I don't yet have are on sale in my size. Now one of the 4 missing patterns - V8428 -are up for sale on eBay in the right size. Yay!! It has been such a long wait for that pattern. However, unfortunately the seller only ships within the US!!!   

I know it is much to ask but could someone in the US consider bid on it and then ship it here to me in Sweden? Off course I would reimburse you fully for the pattern and for all shipping costs. 

I'm not sure it is appropriate to link to the seller and the item on eBay here so I don't.