Hello all! Me Made May has come to a close. Well… at least for me. I decided to close out my own May adventure with week four!
Here is the final short that I made for YouTube.
I’m currently working on more long-form videos. Those will be coming soon!
I have also started a Patreon. I will have additional blogs, vlogs, and information for projects there. Here is the link if you want to join. https://www.patreon.com/killerkitschdesigns
Hello all! I made it through week three of Me Made May. One more week to go!
I am starting to film for long-form videos. Those should be coming soon. Stay tuned and in the meantime here is the link to the video.
I have also started a Patreon. I will have additional blogs, vlogs, and information for projects there. Here is the link if you want to join. https://www.patreon.com/killerkitschdesigns
Hello all!
I’ve made it through two weeks of Me Made May. I think I might make it throughout the entire month! Taking the time each morning helps.
I’m starting to film full-length videos this week. It’s a learning curve. Thankfully, my husband knows how to edit videos and can help me if I get stuck.
Here is my YouTube short for this past weeks outfits.
I have also started a Patreon. I will have additional blogs, vlogs, and information for projects there. Here is the link if you want to join. https://www.patreon.com/killerkitschdesigns
Hello all!
I hope everyone is doing fantastic!
This year I am attempting Me Made May again. So far I’m going strong. Life is super busy right now, so I hope to keep it up until the end of the month. You can see my daily outfits over on my Instagram account, as well, I will be posting a weekly round-up video short on YouTube. (video below)
What is Me Made May? For the entire month of May, makers will post the garments they’ve created. They can be sewn, knit, or crocheted. This was started by Zoe Edwards of @sozoblog over on Instagram.
Are you participating in Me Made May?
I have also started a Patreon. I will have additional blogs, vlogs, and information for projects there. Here is the link if you want to join. https://www.patreon.com/killerkitschdesigns
Well… that took me a bit longer than it should have. A weird way to start a post? Let me explain.
Several months ago, I started a KAL for the Aloha Jumper. (click HERE if you want to join) For myself, it should have been a fairly quick knit, however, several things happened between when I started and when I finished. (I was part of a test knit, I knit a cardigan for my friend’s toddler and there was a death in our family) So… ya, some delays. Anyhoooooo… I recently got back on track and the beauty is now finished.
A few things to mention if you are interested in knitting the Aloha Jumper. Be prepared for a lot of ribbing. The entire jumper is 2 x 2 rib. The yoke can be a bit tricky, even for this experienced knitter, it took me a few minutes to figure out how to best attach it. Otherwise, it is a very quick knit, especially if you opt for DK over the suggested fingering weight yarn.
Speaking of DK, why did I choose it? A few reasons. The main one, I live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. We now seem to have two seasons, Winter and Summer. I tend to use slightly heavier yarns, so the garment is wearable — longer. Using DK also helps the jumper knit up faster and less faffing around with sizing up.
Initially, when we started the KAL, I was off to a good start. I was able to knit the back piece and the bottom front. Then it was put in a project back and set aside until recently.
In the last two weeks, I finished the yoke, sleeves, and shoulder pads and sewed up the jumper.
To say I am pleased with how it turned out is an understatement. Also, the fit is perfection!
Construction Notes:
DK = Double Knit
KAL = Knit-a-long
The original pattern for the jumper is called Aloha, Design 2636 from Sun-Glo. It is a pattern from the mid-1940s. The pattern can be found over at the Subversive Femme website. Here is the link: https://subversivefemme.com/patterns/aloha-design-2636-from-sun-glo/
Bex (store owner) also wrote a really helpful blog post about it. https://subversivefemme.com/fo-aloha-a-1940s-knitted-jumper/
As I mentioned above, I used DK yarn (and I tried to choose a red that was close to the illustration). This will not only make the jumper warmer, it also saved me from grading up too much. The original pattern is for a 34 bust and depending on the ease of the pattern, I can be a 40/42 bust. This pattern has a lot of ease in it from the 2 x 2 ribbing. Please keep that in mind when you make this pattern. I did a swatch to see how much stretch there was.
I’m also considering designing a cardigan to go with this jumper, including adding the yoke detail on the front panels. Stay tuned for that.
One of these days I will get Zoltan to take photos of me wearing it. I will update the photos on the blog when that happens.
I have also started a Patreon and a YouTube channel. I will have additional blogs, vlogs, and information for projects there. Here is the link if you want to join. https://www.patreon.com/killerkitschdesigns and/or YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@killerkitschvintagelizzie
Hello all!
As I work on more long-form videos, I’ve continued to add shorts. I was going to add the long-form videos once I had all of the Haslam content ready, however, I decided, I’m going to start posting vlogs in the meantime (it’s going to take a bit of time to get all of the Haslam videos filmed/edited, etc.). I’m going to start filming the vlogs next week.
The types of vlogs I plan on making are going to be about projects I’m working on, my pants/trousers journey, some storytime/get to know me and who knows what else.
In the meantime, here are some of my latest shorts. Please also subscribe to my channel. It helps get it seen!
Sewing Room Reality!
Elsa Culottes Part 1 and 2
I have also started a Patreon. I will have additional blogs, vlogs, and information for projects there. Here is the link if you want to join. https://www.patreon.com/killerkitschdesigns
Hello all! It’s been a hot minute! I’m finally getting back to blogging/vlogging AND have created a YouTube channel.
The main intention of the channel is to have a space to show how to use the Haslam Draft At Home System. I’m also going to be creating videos about other types of sewing, knitting, and creative journeys such as finally making trousers!!! We all know how long I’ve been avoiding that!
Currently, I have a few shorts on the channel and will continue to upload that type of video until I have my other content ready.
Here is the most recent short. Please also check out the other videos.
I have also started a Patreon. I will have additional blogs, vlogs, and information for projects there. Here is the link if you want to join. https://www.patreon.com/killerkitschdesigns
I know… it’s been a while. A really, really long while. After getting KAL/SAL burn-out, I decided to give it another go, however, doing it all differently this time around. There will be no set schedule. KALs/SALs will be random and there might be chunks of time in between. That all said, I’m back at it!
A few months ago, we started a Lavenda Rainbow Jumper SAL. It’s ongoing so if you would like to join in all of the info is on my Instagram Page or over in our Discord Group.
I might fit in one more KAL before late Spring. I will check in at a later date to see who might be interested. I will take a break from them for the Summer months (it gets waaaay too hot to knit here in the summer). Instead, I will set up a could sew-a-longs instead for the hotter months!
A hint about what the first SAL will be… it will be pants, trousers, slacks… which ever name you call them.
Onto the KALs.
As with the Lavenda Rainbow Jumper KAL, there is no hard-set beginning or ending date. Start when you can and take as long as you need. When I am able to, I will find free patterns and when I cannot, I will link to resources for you to buy a pattern.
Vest KAL – February 1, 2023
This is a bring-your-own vest pattern KAL. It can be a women’s, men’s, or children’s pattern, all we require is that it be a vintage knitting pattern. Generally… anything pre-1990s.
The vest I’m knitting is from the 1970s, but it would pass for a vest from the 1930s.
We run our KALs and SALs over on Discord. We would love it if you joined us there, but… if you don’t want to set up another social media thingy, you can join us here on Instagram! If you want to join our Discord group, here is the link. https://discord.gg/yPeZRJpWpk
I have been IN LOVE with this pattern for years. I made one several years ago and gave it away to someone who really loved it. Over the years, I have been wanting to make another one and I finally decided it was time!
I bought my pattern from @Bexthefemme store. If you need to purchase the pattern, I highly recommend purchasing it from her. Bex’s patterns are always topnotch! Below are the links.
Webstore: https://subversivefemme.com/patterns/aloha-design-2636-from-sun-glo/
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/156412444/aloha-1940s-pin-up-ribbed-jumper-vintage?click_key=b16a97fd46a518dc3aff1c26997287ead0fc82c4%3A156412444&click_sum=3d622ba3&ref=shop_home_active_2&sts=1
I hope you are able to join us for one or both of these KALs. Please let me know if you are!
2021 has definitely become the year of blouses and trousers for me. I’m focused and determined to fill my closet with them. I have plenty of dresses and skirts, but not enough blouses and at this point a wearable toile for trousers. I’m on a mission, oh yes I am!
Along with blouses for myself, I am also working on men’s shirts. This is two-fold. #1 is to make shirts for my husband. #2 is top secret for right now, however, you will hear details soonish. I’m still working on it!
As I often do, I will run an a-long to help keep me motivated. We currently have a blouse-a-long and a trouser-a-long running in our new(ish) Killer Kitsch Discord Community. If you want to join us, click here for the invite. We decided to start a Discord Community so that anyone who wants to participate can join. We were holding them on Facebook, but many people no longer have Facebook, never had Facebook or they rarely log-on (I, myself am also moving away from Facebook and will eventually be archiving the groups over there). I know many didn’t join in because of this. The Discord Community is so much easier to access and makes running a-longs easier!
Now back to blouses! The blouse I am working on is a 1930s reproduction blouse. As with all patterns, I had to grade up, especially in the hip/tummy area. As I lose weight, I will eventually need to do less grading. (with the exception of vintage patterns, I will also need to grade those)
I want to start by saying, that blouses aren’t as scary as they seem. In fact, they are pretty damn easy to make. Yes… there are usually many more pieces and steps, but in all honesty, they go together quite quickly. You just need to be patient with yourself. One tip I HIGHLY recommend is even before you cut out the material, 1. do a toile (muslin/mock-up) AND 2. read the instructions through a few times. That way, no surprises when you cut into your fabric!
I tend to sew and knit within three decades (1930s/40s/50s) and will be doing the same with my blouse journey. My first blouse is (as mentioned above) a 1930s reproduction pattern. Upcoming blog posts will be about the ones that I make from the other decades, as well as the men’s shirts I will be making. I plan on making the blouses in a variety of fabrics. These are the two I’m making at the moment.
How long did it take me to sew it? I don’t have a firm time as I tend to break it up and sew in stages. I used to try to do it all in one day and I’ve learned that doesn’t work for me. After hours of working on one piece, I do (as most will) get tired and when I get tired…. I make mistakes! By sewing it all in stages, I also find it more enjoyable. Below are the stages.
2. (toile/final project) Cut out all toile or final material and place everything, including notions in a zip lock bag.
3. (toile/final project) Sew day. Depending on how many steps, I may break this into two days. For this blouse I’m currently working on, I sewed everything up to the buttonholes.
4. (final project) Finish off buttonholes and hand-stitch, plus any other finishing.
I hope those steps helped. Here is a few photos of before and after the buttonholes.
All said, I’m really please with how the first blouse came out. I will definitely be making many more of this one. After I sew the red one (and possibly a third) I will be moving onto the 1940s. I may even have a few more 1940s trouser toiles done by then as well.
Exciting NEWS! Not only does Killer Kitsch Designs have a new collection, but we are also having a contest and it’s in collaboration with Heather Babcock, the author of the novel Filthy Sugar! You can win both a copy of the novel and the one of a kind beret & scarf set inspired by the main character Wanda Wiggles!
The new collection is called The Miss Bow Collection and is inspired by Clara Bow! Clara was both a Silent Film and Pre-code movie star! She is famously known to wear berets in many of her photos and movies! When I came up with the theme for the collection, I knew Filthy Sugar had to be part of the contest! Filthy Sugar is the debut novel of the incredibly talented and sassy Heather Babcock!
Here is a blurb about the novel!
“Set in the mid-1930s, Filthy Sugar tells the story of Wanda Whittle, a nineteen-year-old dreamer who models fur coats in an uptown department store, but who lives in a crowded rooming house with her hard-working widowed mother and shrewd older sister, Evelyn, in the “slums” behind the city’s marketplace; a world where ‘death is always close but life is stubborn’. After a chance encounter with the proprietor of the Apple Bottom Burlesque Theatre, Wanda is thrust into a world of glitter and grit.”
Wanna know how to win the Wanda Wiggles set AND a copy of Filthy Sugar, head over to the @killerkitsch13 Instagram account!
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