A this and that day

I couldn't really get into much yesterday. I "piddled" more than anything. I guess some days are just like that. The second "muslin" if my vintage top is cut out awaiting the machine. I picked up the sewing room a bit--too many projects going at one time clutter type stuff.

I volunteered, aka: got drafted, to present a "Christmas in July" program for my guild at our July meeting. As usual, we all seem to wait to the last minute to start our Christmas sewing. We thought if we could get some inspiration in July, we might get a head start on those projects. I began searching for some simple gift projects that might be used as stocking stuffers or small "thinking about you" Christmas gifts that I cold share with the group. I ran across this pattern and found some polar fleece scraps and made one up. See?




I like it. I'm contemplating getting some maroon fleece and embroidering ATM on them for all the Texas A&M Aggie students in my life. I have about eight that I give small gifts to at Christmas.

I found a few other potential contenders for this program, but I'll save those for later.

Waiting for the Meds to Kick in

I was able to get in to see my Doc this morning. I had to wait a while because they were "working me in," but the wait was OK knowing some relief would be forthcoming. Came home with 3 scripts--antibiotics, anti-itch, and anti-inflammatory. Hopefully, the swelling will begin to subside this evening.

Don't know that I feel like getting in the sewing room at this point. Maybe tomorrow.

Playing with one of the old patterns

I played with this pattern today between doses of benedryl and advil and I like it. This was a "test" in hopes that it could be a wearable. I think it is.
Front:














View of the sleeve:







Back:















My left arm is pretty swollen, so I'll call the Doc tomorrow morning. I'm waiting for my latest dose of benedryl to kick in to calm the reaction.

I'm Miserable

Poison ivy! I have it. I know I'm allergic to the stuff and, yes, I can recognize it. I thought I was being smart....BUT There were several vines on my back fence. With no leaves on it, I covered myself almost copmpletely - long pants, long sleeved shirt, gloves, socks, closed toed shoes, etc. and commenced to chop the stuff out of the fence last Thursday. As soon as I was done, stripped carefully - all clothes directly into the washer and me directly into the shower.

Well, the long sleeves didn't do their job. I began itching some on Friday and more yesterday. I used Zanfel (which I keep on hand at all times)but not much relief this time (of course I guess it would be worse without the Zanfel). Now I'm seeing spots on my tummy and legs. This may call for a doctor visit (I had to resort to a doctor visit once before many years ago.). Been taking benedryl, which I think helps some, but I'm sleepy all the day long.

Well, this too shall pass - I HOPE. Probably not much sewing the next couple of days. Ugh!

Note to self: stay away from the stuff even if it doesn't have any leaves and berries on it and even if I do have on a moon suit!

On a happier note, I see that J's has Vogue patterns on sale for $3.99 next weekend. Maybe I can snag that dress pattern. I'll try anyway.

Well. . . .

Well, one of the sleeves is basted in, but I've got to figure out how to remedy the "sticking out factor" you will notice at sleeve hem. I have been playng with it this afternoon and am making some progress. I had to hang it up and take a break. I think I can get it presentable--I hope.



I've still got to find buttons, I think I will try to get to Js or Hancocks tomorrow and see what I can find. In my head, I see it with the little black faceted buttons like the old bakelite. Haven't decided yet if I will do button loops or just settle for buttonholes. While I'm anxious to get this finished, I'm losing interest at the moment (probably because I'm struggling with the sleeve).

It's still a slow go

In the sewing room, that is.

I started working on the WWII dress sleeves this afternoon, but didn't get very far. This morning was Curves workout, a bit of yard work (80 degrees here today as a high), some house work, laundry, puppy monitoring, and some company. Finally to the sewing room about 3:45 p.m. and I'm TIRED.

Here is the sleeve as it is cut out:










Here is the sleeve sewn. I struggled with it a bit, but I think it will be OK.


I think I will put it away til morning. When I'm tired, mistakes happen, plus in an hour or so, it will be feeding time for all the critters.

As Scarlett would say, "tomorrow is another day."

Lucky Accidental Find

Pink sherpa:



I had a doctor appointment in Dallas this morning, and then I was to meet a friend for lunch. Well, between finishing at the doctor and time to meet my friend, I had just over an hour to kill. I wasn't that far from the Perth Street "fabric district." I really shouldn't go, I'm telling myself, but my car is going that direction...what else could I do? I give the $1/yd fabric a walk thru and nothing jumped out at me, so on to the higher priced area. Out of the corner of my eye, I see one roll of what appeared to be sherpa. I get closer, and YES, it is dusty pink sherpa--the only color they have--the color I had been wanting--and only $8/yd and 60" wide.

Needless to say, I had to have some. I got 2.5 yds - should be enough for a jacket. So much for my fabric moratorium today......

Due to the time of my lunch date, I couldn't stop at any of the other stores and that was good for my fabric moratorium.

And, no, I still haven't gotten back in the sewing room. . . . . yet.

Bummer!

Well, I made it to Hancocks and J's yesterday for their President's Day Sales. At Hancocks, I was after the Vogue Pattern

I mentioned in an earlier post. As ususal for me, there was one to choose from and it wasn't my size--shucks. I coudn't go a way empty handed so, I did get the SB jacket pattern:


Headed over to J's to check out the deals there and came out with $30 from the 50% off notions wall. I looked for the Vogue dress pattern there (thinking, well, I'll just buy it at their 50% off price) and there were none to choose from--completely out. So, I just have to wait!

Haven't been able to get back to the sewing room. Maybe those sleeves will get into that WWII dress this afternoon!

Buttons - Yikes

Did you notice the number of buttons I'll need for the WWII dress? Yikes! I'm not going to button it all the way to the hem; just to the hip area. BUT STILL, that's alot of buttons. I'm sure I don't have that many in my button stash--even tho I do have quite a stash. I'll have to see what I have and go from there.

Today is my ASG community sew day (today it's the Rainbow Room), so I'll be sewing with my sewing ladies most of the day. Probably won't get to work on the dress today. I would like to steal some time to at least baste in one sleeve to see how it's going to look. We'll see how the day goes.

Making some progress

I've been able to spent some time sewing this morning. This afternoon is errands, so don't know if I'll get back to it today. But I'm excited to be making progress.

Th photos aren't really cooperating. The small black/white checked fabric is coming out "wavy" in all the photos. But to give you an idea, here we go (and I hope you don't get dizzy).

Here is the photo of how I'm doing the construction--leaving the sides seams to later so I can take-in/let-out as necessary. This is where I left off yesterday.



I cut side seams as 1" from the original pattern. I initially sewed the seam at 5/8" and then had to take in from armhole to hip to about the original 1". The armhole seems a bit "gappy" right now, but I'm not going to take any more in until I baste in the sleeves.

Stay tuned!

FINALLY: Sewing the WWII dress

Yep, it is true. The WWII dress is finally underway. This pattern is here I have had it cut out for some time and couldn't get the right motivation for some reason. Ever have projects like that???? I began construction this afternoon.

This is a 1940's pattern that is "unmarked" with the exception of small punch holes in the tissue. I am completely changing the construction process. In my "muslin" I used the construction process recommended in the 'scant' instructions. It calls for each of the upper bodice, the midriff, and the skirt to be sewn at the side seams and then the midriff be attached to the bodice, then the skirt sewn to the midriff--thus, three horizontal seams from front to front. I decided it would be much easier to "alter at the side seam" if necessary, so I made the side seams the "last" seams--thus sewing the side seam from arm hole to hem. Does this make sense? I tried to get a photo, but the evening light was bad even with the flash and the small black/white check looked all "wavy and made one's eyes blur." I go for a better pic later.It looked like some psychedelic print--which I've long since outgrown!

Success!

I like it!

While Onyx pup was napping this a.m., I was able to get to the sewing room. This dress was cut out earlier so all I had to do was change thread on the serger and sewing machine and go. All was done on serger except sewing the bodice to skirt. The instructions call for sewing clear elastic to the seam allowance there. I haven't done that yet, and I think will do a rolled hem (which is not yet done). It went quick; about 1 hour sew time. And it fit great. I cut a "M" and no alterations. I think I'm really going to like this one and will make a summer short sleeve version.

Oh, and I get to add to my "yards of stash sewn."

Not much sewing lately

I am still alive and kicking. Not much sewing going on this last week. I had great intentions and then "life in general" seemed to get in the way. I hope to get to sew today. It's going to be cold and windy here so it should be a good day for staying in and sewing.

Just because I 'm not sewing doesn't mean I'm not e-baying vintage patterns as has become somewhat of an addition for me. This one came in the mail yesterday. I'm intrigued by the top. I may try to morph it into a sorta dressy "T" without the neck bow and waist sash. I like the "v's" and the gathering in the bust area. We'll see. I have so many vintage patterns that I need to sew.

Yesterday

All I did in the sewing department yesterday was one dress for the Rainbow Room (for our community service sewing). I haven't taken a pic yet, but will try to do that. I'm trying to keep better track of my ASG sewing this year--just because I think I may be surprised at the end of the year how much I have really done. Once again I used an old pattern from my DGD's "collection." Sometimes I can even remember what fabric I used for some of those patterns for her. That's kinda fun.

Then in the afternoon, the temps were in the low 70's--yes, freezing last week....in the afternoon I got out and began to tackle cleaning the garage. YIKES--so much STUFF. I've got plans to toss lots and then come up with some organization so I will be able to find things. I need to get some shelving, etc. I have no deadline on myself for getting this completed, but if I work at it a few hours when the weather is nice--it shouldn't take forever. I have some of my fabric stash in the plastic bins out there. I did get them stacked in some semblace of order. I think there are about 13 bins out there. YIKES again! Hopefully, with my commitment to try to sew from the stash, that number will be down by the end of the year.

My ASG meeting is today. I look forward to seeing my sewing friends.

Drinking with the Big Dog

She can't reach the Big Dog water bowl from the floor, so she improvised. Works for her!



Sewing? Yes, I plan to get something done today; just what, I'm not sure yet.

I like this little outfit

Here's what I did today. No, didn't work on my dress. Instead, I did some community service sewing. Our ASG group sews for a variety of groups. One of those groups is the "Rainbow Room." Isn't that a neat name? The Rainbow Room is for abused children here in our community. We help those unfortunate children to have "their very own new outfit(s)" when they come to the shelter. We generally have several "sewing days" throughout the year to support this effort. Our first for this year is in a couple of weeks.

I cut out several outfits this morning (so they would be reday for sewing on the day we meet) and I finished this little seersucker spring/summer outfit from a size 14 pattern I had from sewing for my DGD a number of years ago. Her old patterns have come in handy for this project!

I did make time to take Bumper for a walk while Onyx napped. Bumper has had cabin fever for the last few days with the rain and the cold.

My dress? It will eventually get done.

Happy Groundhog Day!

Well, I heard that Groundhog "Phil" says we will have an early spring. It's cold here in the metroplex area. A guild friend and I were supposed to head to North Dallas to a sewing shop for a demo and then some shopping, but we decided that we'd better stay home. There is some ice/snow in the northern and western part of the metroplex and some of the overheads are icy. Weatherfolks say another front may be moving in late morning so wisdom says stay off the road.

Maybe I'll get that knit dress sewn up today. If I get it done, I'll report back.