Sewing FO: Button Scarf

I kept trying last year to get on track with the Amy Butler sew along hosted by African Kelli and Finny Knits, but I kept missing the ball. Too much other crafting going on, etc etc. While I don't really do resolutions, I decided that this year I would try to get in on their next sew along which features Simple Gifts to Stitch.

When I saw Kelli's post and then Finny's post about the first project this year, the button scarf, I thought "Oh, no! I'm off track again - I thought I had until the end of February!!!" I was right, the deadline is the end of February but... now that I finished up my scarf, I can see why everyone is finishing so quickly - it really is a simple sewing project :) For more of the fab scarf combos that people have dreamed up, check out the flickr group.

u>Project stats:
Pattern: Button Scarf from Simple Gifts to Stitch
Fabric: Exterior - a fab Amy Butler print that is totally not my style but which I love for some obscure reason, Lining - an incredibly soft grey cotton fabric that I failed to write the details down about
Started: January 2008
Finished: January 2008
Mods: I made my scarf a tiny bit shorter than suggested (influenced by the pattern on the fabric, it was going to look weird if I made it a little longer). I think my buttonhole is also a bit lower than the pattern suggests, again based on the fabric (the button had to go in exactly this spot).
Will I make this again? Maybe. It certainly was easy, but I'm not sure how practical this kind of scarf is for me. Something about fabric scarves... they seem so lightweight compared to a knit scarf. I did wear the scarf already for several days when it was just a little chilly out but not actively cold and it was very comfortable, so I guess I should just admit that it's okay to have million different scarves for different weather conditions :) I like the style of the scarf, maybe I should knit a version of it? Perhaps of some mmmmmmmalabrigo?

I went a bit crazy (for me) with the button. This pretty leaf button is from Textile Fabrics, and is some kind of special button that they just got in.

I don't have any details on it - I'm usually shopping from the $1 button bin, so this was a bit of a treat.

And just to prove that I don't always rush in without practicing, here's my button practice fabric:

I have this perennial problem with the button hole settings on my sewing machine and the difference between manual and automatic modes. I just have issues with getting it to work reliably. It's definitely not the machine's fault, just something I'm not doing correctly. (Okay, so maybe it is a little the machine's fault because it's a bit counterintuitive, but at least some of it is me.) Anyway, this results in me doing a lot of trials every time I need to do a button hole. I always sort it out eventually, but apparently I don't do enough button holes to remember the process every time :)

I'm a bit "meh" about the Simple Gifts to Stitch book so far. Several of the projects seem really dependent on fabric choice (ie looking for a specific weight of silk or a specific fabric style), which I always find a bit challenging. One of the best parts about doing an "along" is the opportunity to see how other people interpret the patterns, so hopefully as I see more of other peoples' fabric choices, I'll get more excited about the patterns.

Comments

[Julie]

Nice scarf! And I laughed out loud when I read "a fab Amy Butler print that is totally not my style but which I love for some obscure reason"

That's exactly how I feel about Amy Butler fabrics. Can't get enough of them but sometimes hate myself for it later. Kind of like a crack habit, I imagine. ;)

I've seen this book but haven't really looked very closely at the projects...will be interested to see what else you make from it!

[Grace]

Great scarf! I'm addicted to Amy Butler fabric, but have a hard time using it. I just can't bring myself to cut into it most of the time! You're really inspiring me to start sewing again this year though. :)

[sarah]

It looks great! I'm not even brave enough to even PRACTICE buttonholes, so I'm especially impressed. I also wanted to say GOOD LUCK with all your deadlines coming up...I can totally relate (I'm getting my PhD in Biology, but won't be defending until May).

[TheSteph]

I have the same issue with buttonholes!! I thought it was just me. :)