Exercise Before Knitting
Oh, yes! This is THE one! An Elinor Brown original - and so beautiful. (I secretly wish I could wear pants like that too!)
Fabulous job. Kaffe, schmaffe -- YOU did the hard work 
Love it!
Ahahaha - brand whores, I love it. It is so true, eh? When I was new to the knitting internets I saw all these people getting caught up in Noro or Koigu (OMG!!! eleventy!!11!1!!) and I thought to myself, "should I be knitting with Noro or Koigu too? Oh help!" But no, none of us has to do anything. I think I just take yarn substitution as a given, now, whether for reasons of budget or taste or accessibility or just plain personal preference.
I want that outfit! Love it, love it, love it! Babies can wear outrageous patterns and colors and it's adorable. Yay!
What I think is that that outfit's ADORABLE. And you totally can get away with wearing pants like that: stripey pajamas!
As a total fabric brand whore, I would just like to add the other side: I get all excited about "an Amy Butler," for example, not because it's a brand name per se, but because AB has very successfully associated her brand with an aesthetic that I happen to dig quite a bit. So a lot of the quilts I've made have been showcases for the fabric, rather than any sort of intricate piecing on my part, because the fabric--color, design, the whole 9-- is what I love. And I just haven't fallen in love with many "generic" fabrics from the Joann's or wherever. Plus, fwiw, I feel like the designer fabrics tend to be of a nicer quality--they just feel better, the way designer yarn feels better than dime store acrylic.
That is my very longwinded two cents
Another fantastic finished project! I love this on your sweet little Bea!
I can see where you are coming from about the prints always being attributed to designers when it comes to fabrics. I haven't quilted or sewn in ages but I know what the prints look like and who developed them (or whose name they are distributed under, ahem). Kaffe fabric or not, that outfit is cute, and your daughter rocks it like the rock star she is.
I think most of us substitute yarns all the time, it keeps things interesting (and in same cases, makes knitting of certain items possible). I tend to favor knitting with, what some may consider, "high end" yarn, but I will knit with acrylic or an off brand if appropriate. And seriously, where would half the knitters on the internet be without places like KnitPicks and Elann.com?
Your sewn garments are adorable! (I agree that they should make adult clothing that cute) I am waiting on my sewing machine so that I can work on projects I want to get done. I ordered it on Friday. About the knitting/sewing thing, you make some very good points. Although I am not one of those people who can identify a fabric line, so the sewing is just cute, not trendy. I like to think that knitting is more snuggly than sewing anyway.
I'm sorry I'm having a hard time concentrating on the sewing/knitting argument because where I live I can't get anything brand name. I have a Micheal's and a local sewing shop that sells decorator fabrics almost exclusively. When you said that you bought Kaffe Fassett at the store (as in a location) I was amazed.
Was it you or B that coordinated her toy with her top? Adorable!
I had never thought about this issue before. But, you're right. When we sew with a well-known designer's fabric, the item is somehow still "theirs." I've never heard anyone ask "Is that a Noro?"
Oh, wow, your sewing is beautiful! I love that button you chose, too.
I agree about the print issue, and it can also be limiting if you can't find just the right thing. Also, it's difficult to create your own prints unless you're a master screenprinter or something. But there are some nice fabrics out there, and I'm just discovering the world of prints myself.
I like knitting better because of the undoability of knitting. I find using a seam ripper infuriating, and you're hosed with just one wrong cut. I know, measure twice, yadda yadda. I'm a bad planner-aheader, I suppose.
Having sewn since I was 10 years old I will say that I do love sewing and knitting is harder to fix.
Sewing takes more energy...you have to set up and clean up and sometimes pattern cutting is back breaking but I have always had such a high when I finish a garnment. That same high happens with knitting. I do enjoy knitting and given a choice as to what to do with 15 mins of my time knitting would win hands down.
The outfit again is adorable. You did a great job!!
Grown-ups can totally get away with combinations like that - that's what pjs are for...love the outfit!
Oh my goodness. Both are fantastic outfits (and great pics as usual).
So cute! I think you could get away with wearing that outfit as an adult in Holland. Anything goes here! I'm pretty sure I've seen those pants on men here. hehe
The thing to remember is that the fabric store trolls may recognize the fabric, but no one else will. It's all you in the real world. Kaffe who?
ADORABLE!!!
the thing with some of these designer fabrics is that they're so distinctive. which is probably why people buy them.
i love the outfit and i totally want pants like that. we can wear those. with vertical stripes they're totally slimming!
wow you are rockin! That top is gorgeous!
Wow this outfit goes wonderful together, and your daughter seems to like it better! Did the toy come with the fabric??? ;o) Great job!
Love the prints together - it's great that kids can get away with combinations like that. The print on the top is great. It's funny how I never thought about branding for fabric much - but what you say is so true - you can't change it. If someone knows an Amy Butler or Kaffe Fassett print, they'll know it no matter what garment or accessory you stick it on. Grey worsted wool - well, that could be one of 100 brands!
I think that's just part of the reason why I love knitting too! That's so interesting that they're so concerned with the brand name of the fabric. Kaffe Fassett is also knitwear designer and you can totally pick out his designs from a mile away. Maybe it's just Kaffe?
those two fabrics look great together! i actually think that i have the same kaffe fabric but didn't know that it was because it's a remnant
I love the new outfits! They are just adorable. Great job sewing!!!
Perhaps in the sewing world, people will associate your work with a particular designer, but among the sewing uninitiated (like me), you will be the Mom Who Makes The Cutest Clothes Unlike Any of the Crap from the Gap for her Daughter. That's not too bad.
And I ljust love the fabric combo. My favorite outfits for my daughter were always the loudest and most clashy. I like whimsy on a kid.
I love it, and you did such a nice job! I don't get terribly attached to brands, especially when it comes to fabric. It's like asking an artist what kind of paint they used. Ridiculous!
You put it together; it is your work. Nicely done!
cute, cute, cute. see, this is why my mom wants me to find out if our second babe is a boy or a girl. i think she's dying to make some pink quilts.
anyway, about the sewing vs. knitting thing. i've done both since i was a kid. sewing clothes is frustrating, though i have done it with some success. i even made a maternity dress a couple of years ago and it turned out lovely (even though i have to put a safety pin in the top else show my bosom to the world). you're right that there's not always as much creativity with sewing garments.
but quilting? totally different story. the possibilities are endless, mind-boggling, even with super-simple patterns like 4-patch. i don't do it much b/c of time, space and child constraints (would YOU want a toddler playing with your sewing machine while you're not looking? uh, no.) and also because sometimes i'm overwhelmed by the possibilities.
BTW, if you think knitters have stash issues, you should see quilters. ay yi yi.
Ooh how gorgeous. I too wish they made cute clothes for adults too, instead of the boring ones we have. Another great sewing job on your part, and she looks gorgeous in it too.
this outfit is adorable. great job! and i love the button!
Cute!!! I want a summer dress out of that top fabric! (I'd wear the pants too!)
My 2 cents to the brand name fabric thing... My mother used to be a fashion designer. We still go to fabric stores and yarn stores together to look and study all the patterns, textiles and colors. Some things are just recognizeable; designs like Chanel jackets don't really change over the years, and most of us knitters could recognize a Noro or Tilli Tomas yarn. All I can say is that those who know their stuff will see you made a very cute top, and that even if the fabric pattern is "branded", they'll understand and appreciate that the combo of that pattern and fabric (with buttons and trim) are unique and that there is just one in the world; it doesn't exist anywhere else. Don't worry about other people attributing your dress to a designer just because of the pattern. Just correct them and move on.
I guess not brand concious that way. Yes, I would notice the color /print of the fabric. However if the garment was well made and fit well I'd put all the kudo's to the person who made it, whether it was sewn, knit, crocheted or glued together. That just makes more sense.
Oops! Forgot to add that I do like the outfits!
That is one stylish little girl, love the fabrics and the patterns your using. She looks very cute in her new outfits.
Ah, I agree re: the fabric branding issue. For instance, I love Amy Butler's prints, but resent that anything I make with her fabric will be immediately recognized as "an Amy Butler." I also totally agree with Susan that quilting offers more chances to play with that -- which makes me wonder why I haven't done more quilting!? :P
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