Finished: Slouchy Lace Hat Knitting (And a Giveaway!)

Guys, I knit a hat! 

In the middle of August, when it was nice and toasty here in NYC, I decided to go to an even hotter Florida, and I thought, "You know what? I should knit a hat while I'm there."

(Side note: When I saw the pictures, I was like, "Gahhh, why didn't you tell me my collar was popped?" And the bf responded. "You always do weird stylish things. I've stopped trying to point them out." Thanks, I guess?)

So I took a ball of yarn and tons of different sized needles to Florida and set about experimenting to come up with a pattern for my new hat. 

I really wanted to make a lace pattern, but I was concerned about the holes being a bit chilly during winter. My sister, the queen of slouchy hats, assured me lace was fine so here you have the end result!

I'm really happy with how it came out. It was surprisingly easy, and it makes me want to knit up a whole bunch of hats - but as someone who rarely remembers to put objects on my head when I go out, I'm not sure that's the best idea. But maybe if I start to make them I'll start to wear them?

(Or maybe if it's abnormally cold again this year, I'll remember to bundle up!)

You can also check out the design here at Ravelry.

And, of course, I'm giving away a copy of the knitting pattern here on my blog.

Just leave a comment (and a way for me to get in touch with you) telling me what you're knitting for the holidays (if anything!) and you're entered. You can only enter once (duplicate comments will not count as duplicate entries). The giveaway ends November 9th at 11:59pm EST.

If you just can't wait and want to buy it now, I'm offering the pattern at 50% off for a week (until the 7th of October). Use the code HappyHalloween at checkout, either at ravelry or at We All Knit Here.

Congrats to Bobbi!

And just for fun, here's a shot of me suffering in the heat so I could get a couple photo sessions out of the way at once. Remember my prairie skirt? ;-) (Ooh, last minute costume idea since I'm not finished sewing my current costume idea maybe???)

Hat: My Design
Shirt: My Design
Skirt: My Design
Jacket: The Gap

Sewing Skivvies: Time for a Giveaway!

Are you guys still looking for ideas on what to make for the challenge? I'm going to post some more links to patterns this week for various other types of underthings (my french knickers link is up), but first I wanted to bust out a vintage pattern from my stash to give away to someone.

It's Simplicity 8750 and it's got a lot! Bra, undies, half slip, full slip, and I'm sure you could turn the bra and undies into a bikini with the right fabric. The pattern is cut, but all the pieces and instructions are there. It's a size 12, bust 34, hip 36 though I'm sure it could be easily graded up or down as the pieces look fairly basic.

To enter, leave a comment letting me know what item you're sewing for the challenge. If you're new to the challenge, check out links and buttons and things here. The contest ends July 6th which means you have a whole day to get me your address because I'm going to ship this on Monday the 8th. I'll ship worldwide.

Congrats to Cait!

In other news, I'm trying to find a more diversity in sizes for sewing patterns - but no where around me sells patterns. NYC ladies, where do you get your sewing patterns? I can't find any in the thrift shops or craft stores. Bonus points if it's in Astoria.

New Giveaway: Simplicity 5584

Aren't the Mad Men dresses over at Julia Bobbin just AMAZING? I'm so in awe of everyone that competed, especially the ladies who don't have blogs so I can't go directly there and tell them how amazing they look! (Hopefully they already know!)

In the spirit of the Mad Men challenge, I wanted to host a giveaway with a Mad Men inspired sewing pattern. I know what you're thinking: Gosh, this would have been a much better giveaway BEFORE the challenge ended, but... I don't have that much foresight. So you get it now!

But first, I'm not sure if you guys have checked out The Hollywood Sew or not, but Rachel has a contest going on at her new site. She's making a dress inspired by the Khaleesi and she's looking for votes on which dress to move forward with. Winner gets a Game of Thrones prize, but the contest ends tomorrow so get to voting!

And check out even more giveaways at Sew Mama Sew!

So my giveaway is Simplicity pattern 5584. It's a size 12, bust 32. The pattern has been cut, but there are extra patterns for the ladies who are taller or shorter than average. I'm a little confused as to why the length means extra pattern pieces, and honestly it took me forever to realize that's what it was, but they seem to be there so you can experiment away!

To enter:
Leave a comment telling me where you'd wear the blouse or jumper.

For an extra entry, follow my blog! And leave an extra comment saying that you do.

Edited to add: Giving away another entry if you follow my new facebook page!

Rules and Such:
I'll ship worldwide. Three entries per person. Content ends at midnight on May 15th. Winner must respond to my email within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen.

Congrats to Jane! Check your email!

Sew Grateful: Vintage Pattern Giveaway

I mentioned that I would be hosting a giveaway for Sew Grateful week, and now I've gone and missed the day to post! Oh well, I'm sure it's fine to post a day late, and I should hopefully have another post later because today is the day for reflections.

I'm giving away Simplicity 7580, an adorable dress or dress and shorts combo from 1968. It's a size 12, bust 34. The envelope is a little busted, but the pattern itself is in great condition. It's been cut, but all the pieces and the instructions are there. I haven't made it up, but it looks very simple and darling.

To enter:
Leave a comment letting me know that you want it. Simple as that!

For an additional entry, you can follow my blog and leave a comment saying that you do, but that's not necessary.

I'll ship anywhere. Contest ends February 14th at 11:59pm EST.

Giveaway: The Sewing Answer Book

Hello, everyone!

Sorry I've been missing from here recently, but I've had a few things going on. One, of course, being my job. The other, unfortunately, being that my sewing machine kept breaking. And the third was that every project I'm currently working on is a gift for someone else, so I can't share it just yet!

Luckily, my boyfriend fixed my machine, all the while ranting that if he couldn't understand why he could just open up my machine, turn an allen key a few times, and fix it whereas a repair store would cost me $100. ("It's a racket! These guys live off the fact that you're women and don't usually know how to repair mechanical things! Those assholes!")

And tomorrow I'm delivering gifts so I can update with those as well! And then also move on to other projects I have and am very excited about.

In the meantime, I want to start another giveaway!

Some things to note about this one/the story behind it:

Have you ever been to New York and seen all the sidewalk vendors? In touristy areas, they sell art and t-shirts, but in other parts of town (like mine!) they sell books. So I found this book called The Sewing Answer Book by Barbara Weiland Talbert. It has 4.5 stars on Amazon, and the one negative review complained that it didn't work in eReader format, so it doesn't really count.

Anyway, I saw this sewing book, and I grabbed it, all excited, and when I heard the price, I grabbed two so I could give one away to one of you!

It covers everything from basic questions ("What should I look for in a sewing machine?") to more advanced questions, like "How do I insert elastic in a casing and join the ends?" and everything in between! To give more detail, chapters cover setting up the sewing room, needles and thread, stitching basics, working with patterns, fabrics, interfacings and linings, seams and seam finishes, hems and hem-edge finishings, shaping to fit, fasteners and closers, and waistlines, pockets, and sleeves.

Okay, the downside? Because it was found on the streets of NYC, the cover has some damage. Mostly it's just discolored. I mean, it's not really a big deal, but I wouldn't want someone to receive it and then be upset because it's not brand new. No one's used it and flipped through it, except me, but the cover was exposed to the sun and dirt and grime of the city.

Of course, you can always purchase your own new at Amazon (or wherever), but hopefully you'll want to enter my contest below!

To enter, leave a comment below letting me know if you ever stop and shop at street vendors or thrift shops and your favorite find.

Additional entries (please leave a separate comment with link for each!): following my blog, tweeting about the giveaway, and pinning the giveaway on pinterest.

So you have up to 4 chances to win. Contest ends October 15th at 11:59pm. You must respond to my email within 2 days or I'll choose another winner.

Apologies for the delay! Cheryl won via random.org and said:

I love thrift shops....... I have decorated my bathroom in cats from all kinds of different thrift stores and yes I do street vendors......
My best find was a doll that was worth $250 a Bob Mackey Doll I got it for $25.00

Congrats! Send me your info and I'll ship it out to you (without delays!)

Vintage Sewing Pattern Giveaway: Simplicity 5154

In honor of back to school, and the weird still summer, but almost fall season, I'm giving away a pattern that's extremely versatile! It's a school jumper, and it will look cute in the last few weeks of summer, and even more adorable layered in the fall.

The downside is that it's a bit on the smaller side. I thought about enlarging this pattern to fit me, but I figured I wouldn't get much use out of it anyway since it's not totally my style. But it could work amazingly for you!

So it's Simplicity 5154 from 1972. Size 11/12. Bust 32". Waist 25". Hip 35". All the pattern pieces are included (though they are cut), along with instructions and a handy guide for sewing with plaids.


To enter:
Leave a comment below telling me where you'd wear this.

Additional/Optional entries:
1. Follow this blog and leave a separate comment saying that you do.
2. Tweet about this giveaway and leave a separate comment with a link.
3. Post this giveaway on Pinterest and leave a separate comment with a link.

Rules and Things
There are 4 ways to enter, additional entries/comments will be deleted. Two winners will be selected via random.org and the winner must respond within 48 hours or I'll select another winner. I'm opening this one up to other countries - so anyone from any country can enter! Contest ends August 28th at 11:59pm EST.

New Name and a Giveaway: Vogue 6574

Yes, it's true, I changed my blog name! For all those squinting and wondering who's showing up on the dashboard, I changed my name from "I Think I Just Screwed It Up" to "Sew Classic."

I felt like my old name was a little negative, not necessarily properly reflecting the crafting/sewing nature of the blog, and frankly, a little long and annoying to type into the address bar.

So with that said, let's get right into this week's giveaway!

This is another old pattern from the 1960s that I find to be darling. The shift, option B, is perfect for summer and can easily be layered in the winter, though I do love the sleeves on the other dresses. And that Peter Pan collar is my favorite!

Is anyone else incredibly jealous by the $1 price tag?!

The pattern has been cut, but it's been properly cared for and all the pieces and instructions are there. It's  Vogue 6574, size 16. Bust: 36" Hip: 38"

To enter:
Leave a comment below telling me where you'd wear this. I like to live vicariously through you guys. :-)

Additional/Optional entries:
1. Follow this blog and leave a separate comment saying that you do.
2. Tweet about this giveaway and leave a separate comment with a link.
3. Post this giveaway on Pinterest and leave a separate comment with a link.

Rules and Things
There are 4 ways to enter, additional entries/comments will be deleted. Two winners will be selected via random.org and the winner must respond within 48 hours or I'll select another winner. I'm opening this one up to other countries - so anyone from any country can enter! Contest ends August 8th at 11:59pm EST.

Vintage Pattern Giveaway!

So in response to my last post, where I felt terribly guilty for having and buying things that were just going to waste and kill the planet, I decided to clean out craft room a little, and find all the patterns I wasn't interested in. There's quite a few!

Even though I've really only used one actual pattern to make a dress (and no, it's not completed yet...) I have a large collection of vintage patterns through giveaways, sales, and family members.  I'm going to try to give away a few each week for the next few weeks, though the time may vary slightly.

Some patterns are cuter than others, but that's usually the way it works, right? Also, let me know if there is any interest in vintage nightgowns because I seem to have acquired a lot.

So my first giveaway are 2 lovely patterns that I think are darling, but they look terrible on my body type, so I'm not even going to try. I'll be giving away the patterns separately so there will be two winners!

First up is Simplicity 7580, a cute sundress from 1968. It's a size 12. Bust 34, waist 25.5, hip 36. The pattern has been cut, but whoever had it before took great care of it because it seems to be in great condition.

Next up is a Very Easy Vogue Pattern 8766. I can't find a year on it, but I think it's safe to assume the 1970s.  There are 3 dresses and a pants outfit. It's a size 16. Bust 38, waist 30, hip 40. The pattern has not been cut and it looks like no one has ever unfolded it before!

To enter:
Leave a comment below telling me your favorite decade of clothing and if that's the style you try to wear daily or if you just admire it. Also be sure to mention which pattern you'd like and a way for me to contact you if you're the winner. :-)

Additional/Optional entries:
1. Follow this blog and leave a separate comment saying that you do.
2. Tweet about this giveaway and leave a separate comment with a link.
3. Post this giveaway on Pinterest and leave a separate comment with a link.

Rules and Things
There are 4 ways to enter, additional entries/comments will be deleted. Two winners will be selected via random.org and the winner must respond within 48 hours or I'll select another winner. Because this is coming from my pocket, I can only ship to the US at the moment - sorry! Contest ends July 23rd at 11:59pm EST.