Monday, June 30, 2008

Yard Work

is mostly what I've been doing the last several days. I got some tree trimming done and some plants that had been in pots waaayyyy too long in the ground.

I'm also fostering 6 kittens right now. I took in the Momma from my sewing buddy. As usual, momma cat just showed up at her house (perhaps dumped) and she produced 6 kittens. She and her husband couldn't keep them. We had to trap them and fortunately were successful after a couple of weeks. I've had Momma spayed now and she is actually taming up nicely. I'll keep her, and after I tame up the kittens more, I'll take them to the animal hospital where I volunteer and hopefully they will all be adopted. They have been taking quite a bit of my time. Nothing cuter than a litter of kittens--so entertaining!

I'm revamping the sewing room. This has been planned for some time, but things are finally falling into place. I have given away the double bed (this past weekend) so I'll have more room. The girls will have either a sofa bed, day bed or air mattress to sleep on when they visit now. I plan to take up the carpet up (then paint) and put down the wood laminate flooring. This will not be a quick project as I still have some sewing I want to do before I clear the room. At least the process has begun and I hope to get it all done within 5-6 months. I'll be doing most of it myself, and you know how life always manages to 'get in the way.'

I'm going to try to squeeze in some sewing this afternoon.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Top finished

I managed to get into the sewing room this afternoon and tackled finishing Sis's linen blend top. She already has a skirt from the same fabric from my "go to" 4 gore burda skirt pattern. Note that it is on my dress form and we are not the same size--so you can't judge the fit from this photo.



The buttons are from my stash and I think came from Hancocks a few years back. I picked up several cards when they had a clearance. I think the cards were $.10/each. I don't know if the computer screen will show, but they have a bit of "marble sparkley" to them.



The pattern is from Computer Program Pattern Maker Women's Volume 1 Collection I just make a top from the princess style dress. I had downloaded the free basic sloper patterns a year or so ago and was happy with the fit for both of us.

I'll get it to her tomorrow when we head to Curves exercise. I doubt I'll get to work on her dress today. But I feel good that at least this one is done!

Not Much Going On

Slow sewing lately. I did work on Sis's linen blend blouse. I just need to pick out buttons and do the buttonholes and sew the buttons. Dress is still awaiting completion.

I've been doing yard work trying to catch up after our latest rain. The grass/weeds had gotten soooo very tall! I plan for more outside work today before the thermometer hits 100. Then, if I'm not too drained, I'll try to get to the sewing room!

Friday, June 20, 2008

Martha Pullen Market

Well, I enjoyed my day at Martha Pullen. I didn't buy much, but there was plenty of eye candy!

I purchased two Peggy Sagers Silhouette patterns. I'll post pics of them later. Got to visit with Peggy a few minutes with no one else in her booth. She is so cute and so knowledgeable.

I also had the chance to visit with Louise Cutting. She had some to die for fabrics, but I didn't bring any home to add to the stash, but boy was it tempting. She has some great new patterns coming out. I posted some pics of her booth and samples of the new patterns at Artisans Square in the Patterns discussions. Attended one of Louise's seminars, and I always learn new tips and tidbits from her.

It was a good day!

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

It could have gone smoother

I couldn't help myself. I had to get started on my Louise Cutting Farewell to Arms pattern BEFORE I finished sister's things. I wanted to wear it with my black one seam capris tomorrow to the Martha Pullen market.

I decided the sewing gods were not with me with this project (probably because I didn't finish DS things). First off, I wanted to modify the pattern to have it open all the way down the front. I cut the top portion longer, but not long enough. I was tight on the pink linen fabric so I had to cut the "extension" on the cross grain.

Then, I sewed one of the sleeve buttonholes in the wrong spot and didn't realize it until I had already cut it open. Oops--so I just satin stitched it closed. (See, I should have been working on DS stuff!) OK, I can make this work, I said to myself.

Also, the buttons "had to do" as these were the only ones that I had in two sizes (small for the sleeves and larger for the front). I need to remember to look for two size matching buttons when I go back to the button place.

I had been thinking from the beginning of this project that I would use some tone on tone embroidery. Not exact placements, but it's wearable.

Next time I'll try to do better.











Emboidery designs are from one of my older Janome 9000 memory cards - the Australian card. The shiny stuff on the embroidery is the solvy that hadn't come off yet. It should be off now as I put it through the wash.

I promise to finish Sis's things before I do anything else for me (and hopefully, make the sewing gods happy again!).

Saturday, June 14, 2008

More Buttons

My sewing buddy and I went to the "button place" last Thursday. I came away with 100 buttons for under $9.00. The armadillos were the most expensive at $.50 each. I would have gotten more, but only three were left.

A sampling of the buttons:





I also brought home some fabric (three pieces), but I didn't photograph as it was in the washer at the time. I've got to add it to my fabric tracking.........later.

At home the postlady had left these:



I have to quit browsing E-bay!

No sewing since my last post. I did cut out a blouse from the Louise Cutting Farewell to Arms. I am using the blouse with a modification. I lengthened the front opening and will leave off the bottom piece so it will open all the way down the front. I'm using pink linen and thinking of embroidering some tone on tone design on one side of the front. But, I need to finish Sis's two things before I begin sewing this blouse.

Martha Pullen Market is this coming week in Arlington, Texas. Will be going on Thursday and anxious to see all the vendors and attend some of the classes.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Beginnings

I have the beginnings of a couple of things for Sis. This is the trial (hopefully a wearable muslin) of the "my favorite summer dress" from the Burda pattern. I have some nice blue rayon that will become the "real dress" if this one works out. This is a piece of polyester crepe that has been in the stash a couple of years. I think I originally bought it to make a skirt.



Close up of the "sailing motif."



I'll get her to try it on tomorrow when we get back from Curves.

I also have a sleeveless princess line linen top ready for a fitting. I'll post a photo of that when it's done. It matches a 4 gore skirt I made her earlier.

I've also been pondering what to do with the raglan sleeve vintage shift. I found this alteration in The Perfect Fit , a Singer book. I may get a chance tomorrow to try out that alteration. Photos are from the book.





I've also been making some cool collars for friends. They really come in handy when doing yard work or anything else out in the hot weather. I can usually get 6 collars from one bath towel. I've gotten a couple of suitable striped towels from the Dollar Store for $3.20.

Nothing to report on the coat sew-a-long. I'm still pondering a pattern.

Saturday, June 07, 2008

An answer

for mssewcrazy. Just a short note this a.m. to answer a question. I put up the squash in pint jars at 10# pressure for 25 minutes.

Also, thanks for the wonderful comments about my dress. It is so cool and soft!

Off to my animal hospital job this a.m.

Friday, June 06, 2008

This 'n' that



Squash - from the garden - too much to eat even after giving some away - it will taste good this winter! This is part of what I did today. Pressure canned squash. I love my pressure cooker!

And this muslin:



from this vintage pattern:



I have been anxious to try this pattern since it arrived (from Ebay). It is a half size pattern. It worked pretty well. Modifications so far to this muslin: let out the back seam (I sewed the back seam and left the front seam partially open to get in and out of it since I wasn't going to sew in a zipper) 1/2 of the 5/8" seam to give more back shoulder room and I lowered the dart on my right side about 1". I'll make these changes to the pattern. I think I will take in a bit at the waist to show a bit more definition. The sleeves seem a little tight so I need to work on that issue (but not today). It's a simple little A-line, and I really like the french darts.

I'm not sure where the week went! I did get some yard work accomplished, some mowing, and gave the program at my neighborhood ASG meeting on Tuesday. A pretty full week with not much sewing. Maybe next week will be more "sewing productive."

as a p.s.



Me wearing the Burda dress. I LOVE IT!

Sunday, June 01, 2008

Unofficial Coat Sew Along

We so seldom have much real winter here that the idea of sewing a coat didn't really inspire me. Over the past year, however, I have collected quite a few vintage swing coat patterns (some reprints that I got on the 99 cent sales and some real vintage patterns). I thought making one of those short coats might be fun.

While perusing the FFC sale a few weeks ago, I saw this wool. I like the color very much and since it was on sale, I decided to go for it. The Coat Sew Along is officially closed, but I think I will try to keep with their schedule. I haven't decided on the pattern just yet. I need to get them out tomorrow and look them over again.

The fabric arrived last week.