The Black and White Sundress is Aging

In the closet, that is. I just decided to take a break from it. I didn't feel all that great yesterday. We were getting storms again yesterday morning. (I haven't checked the rain guage yet.) The dogs may have to grow webbed feet just to maneuver the back yard when they go out and my kitchen floor stays a MESS! I'm a bit down and out with this weather--can you tell?

Anyhow, back to sewing. I did manage to trace off a couple of patterns (and found out I need to buy some more "pattern tracing paper/stuff") and cut out a pair of capris from a Kwik Sew pattern I've had for a while.

I will be having lunch with some of my sewing friends and from there it's on the grocery store (not my favorite activity). It's cloudy today. I think rain is in the forecast again.................

More black and white

I bought this pattern from E-bay a few weeks ago.



I've wanted a "sundress" but didn't want the "stappy or halter type" so this seemed a good one to try. I've always liked the dropped waist patterns, and the "tied" shoulder seams looked cute to me.

I had some black (cotton with a bit of lycra) with white embroidery that gives a look sorta like eyelet. I only paid $1/yd and I got 5 yards. Seemed worth a try without a "muslin" first. If it didn't work out, not much was lost.

I did cut 1" side seam allowances and I'm glad I did; I had to let it out a bit at the hips. Here's the WIP (work in progress):



I really like it with the exception of the "ties." They aren't good for this fabric. They don't look like the pattern picture. I think the fabric is too thick/heavy whatever. On mine (see my right shoulder in the pic), the tie just looks like a "knot with two very short bunny ears sticking up." I've been thinking--what about making a buttonhole on the front extension and pulling the back through the buttonhole--then maybe gathering up the shoulder seam a bit and secure with a little band of fabric.

I'll keep thinking on that possible solution and let you know what I finally decide to do. I hope I don't just lay this aside for weeks or months as I think it has potential.

This Afternoon was Black and White

Black and white T's that is. I hadn't mailed that green skirt to my DGD yet, so I decided to make a couple of tops to add to the box. I pulled out that ever popular Simplicity 4076. I had made View D for myself earlier (you saw it in a earlier post). I decided to use up the white/black dot rayon that I had used for the Kwik Sew Dress (same post as the View D top) and made her View F twist top.



While "on a roll" and with white thread in the machine and serger (lazy me) I pulled out a remnant with lots of lycra, a 4-way stretch and cut out View B for her. I'm not sure how she will feel about so much black/white, but.......I'm hoping they fit. I'm going by the last measurements I took on the Thanksgiving visit. I've had good luck on skirts I've made, but tops are a little more "iffy." Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained, RIGHT?




We are still getting rain here in central Texas. I emptied 7 inches out of the rain gauge yesterday. I haven't looked at the gauge today, but I doubt it has much more than an inch. We are a bit water logged. Who knows when we'll get to mow the jungle again.

Memorial Day 2007

Some quotes on this Memorial Day 2007:

For love of country they accepted death... ~James A. Garfield

Perform, then, this one act of remembrance before this Day passes - Remember there is an army of defense and advance that never dies and never surrenders, but is increasingly recruited from the eternal sources of the American spirit and from the generations of American youth. ~W.J. Cameron

The patriot's blood is the seed of Freedom's tree. ~Thomas Campbell

The dead soldier's silence sings our national anthem. ~Aaron Kilbourn


To all those who so courageously gave their lives so that I might be free here in my world in Texas, I thank you.

The Potholder

I started with the plain red potholder--sewed some decorative stitches and came up with this:


Folder her over, stitch her together, and you come out with this:



No other sewing today.

I just can't help myself

Well, I confess, I succumbed to Fabric Mart's .99 shipping in their ad that showed up in my inbox this a.m. Got 2 pieces of black Liz knits, pant weight and two pieces of linen with spandex. My Sis will get something out of this order, so that's how I've justified my shopping this a.m. Oh well...........

I've been working on my ASG program that was going to be in July (Christmas in July) but has been moved up to June. Now it's Christmas in June. Anyhow, I've been working on a "trunk show" of sorts making quick gifts, etc. to try to inspire us into "not waiting until the last minute" for making stocking stuffers, etc. We'll see if it works for all (or even some) of us! Today I'm working on an eyeglasses case (or could be used as a rotary cutter case) made from a quilted potholder. You've probably seen something similar. I'm "decorating" it with some of the stitches from the machine that I "never use."

Weatherlady is predicting rain today so we'll see what all I get done in the house! Until later..............

I Sewed Today!

Here's the Simplicity T:



I will make it a bit longer next time. AND, I cut a 14, but the hip area needed more fabric (I can't be eating too many cookies!!??). Well, what could I do to salvage it? While exercising at Curves, I thought--a "triangle" aka gusset. Could that work? What did I have to lose in trying?

So, I cut this: (well, really cut two--one for each side)



and came out with this:



The fabric is cotton/lycra and sometimes I have a love/hate relationship with lycra (sometimes too hugging for me). I have to try to remember to cut a bit larger for less "hugging" to the body (aka lumps and bumps). I do like the shirt though and will make more with the two adjustments.

THEN, since I had white thread in the machine and serger, I sewed this:



I cut this dress out a few weeks ago. This is Kwik Sew 3472. My first version of this pattern is here. This fabric is rayon knit and the neck is finished with fold over elastic. I love the rayon's feel! Here is a close-up so you can see the "dots" that make the swirl "stripes." they don't show well in the photo above.



I have another of this pattern cut out in a navy print for my Sis. It goes together fast so maybe I'll change the serger thread to navy and be "ready" to start it soon. And I still have to finish the Cosmo.

The Pasture Mowing is Done! All 24 Acres

Yeah!!!! I finished yesterday, and the rains came last night. I'm so happy to have it completed.

Now, maybe back to some sewing. I did pick up simplicity 4076 at Walmart (one of them that still has some fabric and patterns).



Hancocks had Simplicity's on sale for $1.99, but I didn't want to make that 25 mile drive, so I chanced Walmart matching the sale price and they did with no problem. I need a white T and I hope to get one made by the view with the round neck with gathers.

I also need to get back to my Hot Patterns Cosmo dress mulsin. I hope to have some actual sewing to report on this evening or tomorrow morning.

Mowing (More) and Sewing (Less)

I began mowing the pasture (24 acres) on Monday. I've been trying to get to that in between showers and storms here, and Monday was a great day. Temps only got to about 75 degrees (with low humidity) and there was a nice breeze. So DH gave me a "refresher course" on the driving the Case tractor and away I went--for four hours. I got about 8 acres done. It looks so much better and the horses' eyes aren't so watery from allergies from the weeds/flowers/grasses that were blooming. Today, after grocery shopping, I mow some more.

Yesterday was our ASG comunity sew day. We worked on chemo caps and ladies dresses. Most of us did chemo caps as it has been a while since we worked on that project. We turned out almost 50 caps of various sizes and 5 ladies dresses. Not bad for a days work, huh? Best of all, we enjoy visiting and laughing with one another. We take a sack lunch, take a break and catch up on one another's life adventures!

Until later......the tractor is calling me..........

Status of Stuff

Well, with yard work, helping my DSis with some things, and general Sewing ADD, I've gotten away from what I had planned--gotten things out of order. But that's not really unusual for me.

The crochet dress is where it was when I showed the last pic, BUT I have done about 5 more crochet chemo caps for donation.

The Hot Patterns Cosmo (mulsin) dress is still "under construction." The evening I was hoping to work on it--well, received a phone call from an old friend and used up my sewing time talking with her (and that's OK). I do have all the pieces serged, have the darts sewn/pressed and have the front/back sewn at the shoulders. So--that's where that stands as of this writing.

BUT, I did sew this:



It was one of those printed panels that makes a circle skirt. I'm hoping DGD will like it--It was a $4 remant I picked up at the last shopping trip to Harry Hines. I think she will like the "glitters" on it. I let her decide on what top to go along with it. It will go in the mail later this week.

So, with that said, I DID finish something--it just wasn't anything I had been working on............again, not totally surprising for me.

First Hot Pattern

My first Hot Pattern arrived today--the Cosmo dress. It has been traced and a "muslin" cut out. It would be great if this could be a wearable muslin, but we'll just have to see about that.

Maybe I can sew on it some this evening.

Stay tuned......

24-Gore Skirt With Only 21-Gores

This is the pattern that I purchased at the Dallas Quilt Show. I think there is a photo of the pattern in an earlier post. (I'm too lazy right now to search for it and link it.) Anyhow, "in between" today I managed to get it cut out in the rayon batik I got on one of the recent ASG shopping trips. I stole some sewing time this afternoon and it is done minus the rolled hem. I think have enough scraps left for a tank top.

The pattern says to check the fit after sewing 18 gores together. I had only enough lengths of the 3 fabrics to cut 21 gores, so I was praying to the sewing gods to "let it work." 21 gores made it 'just right.'

I think I'm going to really enjoy this one. I love the colors and the feel of the rayon.

What a day yesterday-----

I LOVE my sewing freind, Eve. She is an inspiration with a CAPITAL "I" to me. I have several friends that are inspirational to me. For that I am blessed. She has dealth with lots of serious health issues over her lifetime, but is so upbeat, hardworking and happy.

Anyhow, Eve is quite a seamstress. She has owned her own Couture business in years past and studied in France when she and husband were living there with his work. She (and hubby) have raised seven (I think 7--I'm ashamed I can't remember for sure). She continues to sew for them and her grandchildren AND her great grandchildren.

She doesn't drive so relies on hubby and friends to get her to fabric places, etc. Since she sews for so many, she can go through lots of fabric in a short time. Yesterday, we hit the Dallas Harry Hines "garment district" stores. We found some wonderful fabric. Yes, even tho I don't sew as fast as she does, I had to buy some too. She got some lovely silk, great cottons, notions, trims, etc, etc.

I got a lovely pirce of silk that I plan to use for a dress. She made me promise I would get to that one real soon. (She is a good cheerleader for me.) She is also cheering (nagging--her word) me on in my crochet dress project. No more done on that as I I've been gone most of Monday and Tuesday of this week. I hope to work on it at least an hour today.

It was a good, fun day yesterday. Until later......

Slow and Steady.....

Isn't that what they say about winning a race? Well, for me--I'm hoping that slow and steady will get me to the end of the crochet dress. Here is it so far:



Looks a bit like a bra, huh? I'm getting a bit confused with some of the instructions, so I hope I'm on track.

I did take a break from it yesterday to crochet a "chemo hat." This month our ASG community service project will be chemo caps. We will have a sew day to sew some knit ones, but I enjoy doing a few crochet or knitted ones to add to our donation.

I used this pattern. It's really cute and easy. My version:



I'm going to try to get a couple more done for this month.

Nothing to report from the sewing room. Been sitting in the "crochet chair" lately.

Crochet dress - On its way

Well, I found some thread for the crochet dress that has been on my mind. I came home yesterday with several balls and had to order the remaining 5 that I needed. I hope the dye lots are not too far off.

Anxious to get started, I just dove in this afternoon. I'm using DMC Senso microfiber cotton/acrylic, color; lagoon blue. It feels nice. I hope I don't get bored with it--I hope I get it finished in a reasonable timeframe.

Some sewing and some surgery

Onyx came through her surgery just fine. Dropped her off about 9:30 a.m. and picked her up about 4:30. She was subdued last night (which was a bit refreshing). She just wanted to "sleep it off" and so she did. She is pretty much her wild self this morning. Here is she "resting" last evening.

and Bumper checking on her at one point.



I was able to sew a bit in the afternoon. Made an outfit for my friend's GD from that old pattern I love so much. The pink fabric has white hearts (not dots) on it. That may be hard to see in the pic. Anyhow, the buttons make it don't you think? The buttons came from the Walmart markdown bin when they were getting rid of their sewing department.





Today is grocery shopping and errands so probably not much time in the sewing room. I've still got that crochet dress on my mind. I may go by Hobby Lobby or Michaels and see what crochet thread selections they have. I'll let you know if I find anything.

Successful Trip

Well, it was only 5 of us ASG ladies on the fabric shopping trip yesterday. Several of our group were on vacation. We, as usual, had a great time. We hit Grapevine Collections first and I got some lovely rayon batik. I had bought the 24 gore skirt pattern at the Dallas Quilt show, and this will be perfect for that skirt.

Then we headed to Pursley's in Duncanville, and there was lots of new fabric out there and all fabric was 20% to 30% off. I got some linen and linen blend for two dresses for my sister, some pink gingham seersucker for a romper for my friend's GD. He told us he had just gotten back earlier in the day with a new truckload. All those goodies will be out next week (but I don't think I can afford to go back).

What a fun day. I'll get pics up later today. This morning I need to get going to Curves and then I must get Onyx to the Vet for her operation today. She couldn't eat this morning, and she doesn't understand why. Poor dear.

Later..................