Sunday 15 May 2016

...and a Bambiblauw kitten pullover

Once I'd settled on using the Bambiblauw sweater panels from Maaidesign, it was easy to choose which one A would have - it had to be the kitten!


The temptation to try and cut a dress was strong, but she really does NOT need more dresses. She needed warm tops to wear with skirt or pants (please!) during the colder months ahead.

Again, I wanted to go with a tried and true pattern, so I chose pattern "r" from Girl's Sassy Clothes by Yuki Araki. I've made the top once before, when it was the base for the insane Beaded PixCell Deer Project and the dress version (pattern "h") all the way back here.


A gloomier indoor photograph turned out to be the better exposure to show off the pale pink and fabulous yellow of the background fabric - and another label thanks to Maaike!

This time around I made the size 120cm (previous versions being 100cm and 90cm) and with no alterations the fit is perfect.

I was very careful to cut and preserve as much fabric as possible, which was much easier than with P's Snow Tiger. And I'm glad I did as I'd misread the confusing pattern layout and added the extra shoulder length to the left front rather than the left back pattern pieces.


I almost let it slide, but it would have meant the button placket would overlap forwards rather than to the back, and I knew it would bug me.  Luckily it was the front panel with the image that was longer than it should have been, and I was able to cut another back panel from what I had leftover.

Now I have a cute pink and yellow spotted t-shirt shaped remnant. I'll have to find a complementary sweater knit for the back and sleeves and make a hooded t-shirt or similar before she outgrows the size.

In a twist of good fortune, I had some buttons that were just the right size and colour. If I remember rightly, they came in a little package from the lovely Mel of Stuff I Make when she sent me an hand me down dress. Thank you!



I'm always delighted by my very basic, mechanical sewing machine's approach to buttonholes. Anytime, anywhere, any fabric she says. Admittedly, the ones that are this close to thick, folded edges take a bit more concentration and pushing of the fabric, but the result is still a very nice buttonhole exactly where you asked for it to be.

In extra happy news the sweater has been very warmly received and is bound to be in frequent rotation. I had some ideas about teaming it with beige, grey or light blue pants, any of which would have been great for the photoshoot, but no, hot pink ruffle skirt it was.


At least I have the power to crop pictures! :)

15 comments:

  1. I think you picked the perfect style of top to show off the fabric, and it will be so nice and cosy in the cooler months to come (ugh, i hate winter!). If bambiblauw ever makes a panel with a tabby or a black-and-white cat I'll have no choice but to make something for R! Oh, and you should really get a tax deduction on these animal-related purchases, don't you think?!

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    1. That is a brilliant idea Marisa! Work related purchases, of course!
      You could get a photo of your own cat printed via Spoonflower, that would be incredibly cute!

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  2. That cropping power is very strong! Fabulous use of a panel piece.

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  3. That is super duper cute! I was thoroughly disappointed that Maaidesign doesn't ship to the US, but glad to see you are using their fabrics to their best potential!

    BTW, are you watching the Tour of California?? They aren't coming close enough for us to see any stages this year...wahh!

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    1. Nicole, I heard that Janice of Urban Sew is opening an account with Bambiblauw - keep an eye on her fabric store.
      I've been so out of the loop on road racing (although I did watch Paris Roubaix of course!). I think i only saw one stage of the Giro. I really need to start some crazy hand sewing projects in May and go right through until after the Vuelta in September!

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  4. Shelley, I love this - the kitten and the background fabric and especially that placket - so adorable!

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  5. Oh wow. Yeah, I have a feeling this sweatshirt is going to get a TON of wear! What girl wouldn't want to wear that every single day?! It's fantastic! The kitty is amazing, but I am really smitten with the cut of this sweatshirt, the collar, and the buttons. It's so great!

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    1. It's a lovely pattern Inder. I'm very fond of Yuki Araki's patterns they are always such nice, simple but well made looking shapes.

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  6. It looks both cute and cosy. Perfect.

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  7. Thanks Rachel. you can't go wrong with a kitten!

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