Sew Stash, Wazzup?

Getting Back in Gear

2010-08-26T09:32:00.000-07:00

I have not posted because I have not been very "cheery". You know me! I like to be cheery. I just had my 3 month check up though and my CT scan and blood work say I am CANCER FREE!! Yay!! YIPPEE SKIPPEE!!! THAT is a reason to celebrate for sure.

Now a little whining...... I have been (and still am to some extent) dealing with a damaged intercostal nerve which has delayed my happy dance. It has been 5 months and I am still not pain free and am told there is no guarantee that the pain will ever be completely gone. I have had nerve blocks, radio frequency ablation several times, Lidocaine patches (which help) and tons of pills, many of which do no good. The ones I am on now slow down my brain and cause my wires to cross. I call them my "stupid" pills. Aaaarrrgh!! During one of the treatments my lung collapsed and they sent me off to the hospital in an ambulance, complete with sirens. So embarrassing. They put a chest tube in which was in for 4 days and did not inflate my lung so I spent 3 days in the hospital hooked up to some sort of pump gizmo. In addition, starting last Fall, my hair has been falling out and I have lost half of my hair volume and it continues to fall out. Nothing to do with the cancer or treatment. Apparently I am the first person in my family to go bald??? hehehe So, there you have it.

Gradually, my pain situation has improved and at least I can smile on occasion ;-)and some of my mojo is returning. ;-) I have a wonderful doctor at the pain clinic. He has a plan and I am trying to find the $$ ;-) BTW, if you do not have supplemental insurance to augment your Medicare, PLEASE GET IT. You would think I would have known that??? Nope!?

In the meantime, I am going out and about now and organizing my sewing space. Two 13 gallon bags of fabric went to the Salvation Army. Janis from SG helped me move my portable shelves from my bedroom into the sewing room and now much of my stash is stacked by type and function in an orderly way. There is more fabric stashed in the cedar chest and in the sewing room closet. But, there is a big improvement!

Here is a picture, courtesy of Janis, of us on her porch after a session with the tape measures. I am in RTW and she is in Marcy Tilton interpreted by Janis. I tried on some Marcy Tilton and can see where some of her things would work for me. ;-)

I also rejoined ASG and attended a meeting of fashion sewists. It was so much fun. They actually know who Marcy Tilton, LaFred, Louise Cutting etc are. How kewl is that??!! It is so enjoyable to be around women who use independent pattern designers as well as the big Four. There is show and tell and help with sewing problems if needed.

Matilda is on hold. I had to buy a smaller size and am waiting for help with the cover fitting. Janis from SG bought one too and we are going to help each other fit our covers when she gets back from her vacation. So, there is now a Matilda Sr and a Matilda Jr in my sewing room. There really isn't enough space for that so will sell my new Matilda Sr. She was never used. I do not want to ship her so hope somebody around here wants to buy her at a very reduced price.;-)

The roses made it through the rainy Spring/early Summer and occasional hot spells with no help from me. This Fall I will properly prune and do whatever to get them in shape for next year. ;-)

It is wonderful reconnecting again and getting the bug to sew. I doubt I will do any more sewing for KK. She starts kindergarten this year and her Mom prefers things from the store. So, except for some totes and/or accessories for gifts, from now on, I will be sewing for me. It is about time! ;-)

My progress will be slow no doubt, but I will keep blogging to keep in touch. I have missed everybody greatly.

Love and Cheer to all!!

Stash

Dressing for the Linear Accelerator

2010-05-03T17:32:00.000-07:00

One of you kind people told me I should "dress like you mean it" when you go for your treatments. Well, let's just say, my glamor days are so OVER. Like about 10 years ago? Also, I do not have exactly the ahem.."foundation" at the moment to properly wear anything drapey or lighter colored than navy blue? This shirt is extremely old and I can see by the photo, that although I pulled it clean out of my drawer, it has seen better days. I cannot part with my Mariners shirt anymore than I could part with my UW Husky socks. Well, friends. What you see is what you get! Comfort all the way!

The people at the radiology center are SO NICE. This treatment is very easy so far and they took 3 treatments off my total last week so I only have 3 weeks left. I feel lucky. Today, the woman right before me got her "3 Bells" rung and certificate of completion and I can hardly wait for mine so this can all be behind me.

KK and I sewed this week and there will be more posts about sewing soon! I promise!

Happy Birthday to KK the Sew Girl

2010-04-20T19:43:00.000-07:00

My little KK turned 5 Saturday. She loves her new machine. I made her machine a little cover.

We all had a wonderful time at her party. She is getting to be such a big girl. I can't believe it.

Bunny Fun, the liberation of Matilda and Rose View Manor

2010-04-04T16:58:00.000-07:00

What a great day! The guys came over, dug up the back yard, added mulch and some other things roses love and planted the last three. I hope they make it. They are a little crowded and the soil is bad so we shall see? There are two more bushes across the lawn at the neighbor's because I just didn't have the room. I am keeping my fingers crossed for blooms galore out the door and on my table this summer from these 7 new bushes.

This is how it looked when they were done. They also brought me potting soil for my pots. If the weather would cooperate, I would fill those up with Spring flowers asap.

Then off to a wonderful meal at Meriwether's over in Portland. The food was fantastic and the view out the window just lovely. No sun, but lots of greenery and beauty..

My bunny girl and boy had fun and true to form, were very well behaved. And, without any planning at all, one DDIL and DD each wore their Jalie shirts that I made them for Christmas. Kewl!

It was very comforting to me to have everybody there this year. I am not embarrassed to admit it either.

I am doing great and have much to be thankful for and am not complaining at all when I mention that I found out today that I am to have a little radiation. They will tell me the end of the week when I am to start it and how long it will last etc. Just a little insurance policy. I didn't have the energy to post to my family blog too so posted these pictures here. But, am anxious to start posting about sewing again.

Well, at last!! Matilda has been liberated from her box! Yay! Yippee Skippee! Not sure when I will fit the cover but soon. Just a little more healing to do first. I have so much nice fabric to sew some pretty things for Summer and Fall. I totally have the bug...just need a little more mojo.

No Fat Lady Singing Here!

2010-03-29T19:24:00.000-07:00

I did indeed live through my surgery. In fact, due to the superior talents of my surgeon and the wonderful staff at the hospital, I would say I am doing extremely well. There is nothing like a video assisted surgery, with its smaller incisions and less manipulation of your poor little body, to do the trick! My "ahem" problem was removed and further treatment is still up in the air, pending final pathology reports. It is not curable but can be managed for years, if I am lucky. I will be having a few more tests and it is possible I could be in for some additional treatment, if not now, likely down the road a bit. But, all in all, it could have been worse. I mean?? I just had a box delivered from Fabric Mart today that I ordered before I went to the hospital. And, a very sweet friend gave me a gift certificate to order even MORE!!

Besides, my KK is getting her new sewing machine for her BD in a couple of weeks. I am so excited to see her face.

Thank you to all who asked how I am doing and sent me well wishes. It was very much appreciated during what has been a rather tough time. Hugs to all of you!

Cheers, Stash

The Importance of Cheer/Wish Me Luck!

2010-03-13T13:12:00.000-08:00

Lately, I have noticed how peoples' attitudes effect me. Personally, I like to feel cheerful and to cheer others as well. Many times I will sign off an email with "Cheers" and try to maintain a cheerful attitude. Maybe that is why I love the Christmas season so much? It's all that Christmas cheer?? The Merry part...;-) Sometimes it's hard though. If you are having "issues" to deal with, you can't always be your best, bubbly self. At least, I can't. But, I have noticed what a tonic some people are as I have been grappling with a health issue and a less than stellar health insurance situation. Some people would call it "being positive" but I like the word "cheerful" better. Nothing Pollyanna..I am a total realist. You can be negative around me, as long as you are cheerful about it...hehehehe I had to explain to my 40 year old son what a "crepe hanger" was. He had never heard the expression and that led to a big discussion about how language is passed down from one generation to the next. My children use expressions that I remember my grandparents using....passed down to them from yours truly, no doubt. I remember my grandmother using the term "crepe hanger."

One of the cheery things I did today was buy some roses. Three are expensive ones in pots and the other four are bare root. I live in THE rose zone. Across the river in Oregon, the city, Portland, OR is known as the Rose City and their summer celebration is called the Rose Festival. I used to have a rose garden when I lived east of the mountains and it was not easy, let me tell you! The climate was inhospitable for roses and in spite of the cattle guards, a stray steer or two would tromp around there. The deer sampled various plants in my garden too. So, I am thrilled to have a little spot to plant some roses that I can see from my sliding glass door. I do have my favorites, one of which is Tropicana, and I was lucky to find one today. Looks like I have some work to do too. The landlord loaned me a shovel and so far, I have one hole dug....slow...;-) The drainage is terrible and I don't understand how roses a mere 75' from my back door do so well but my little plot of land has really poor soil and doesn't drain. Roses do NOT like wet feet. Un petit problème?

I really wanted this blog to be just about sewing..nothing extraneous. But, life got in the way? I am scheduled for surgery on March 23rd. Please wish me luck. I have a wonderful surgeon who is one of those tonic people and is optimistic that nothing serious will be found.

I was hoping to get Matilda fit before March 23rd but it looks like she will have to wait because the friend who is helping can't come right now. She is still in her box, waiting to get out, fit for draping and pinning. Spunky the Sewing Assistant is going to be really bummed when Matilda is standing tall and the box is thrown away. That's ok...He will have plenty to do.... rearranging pattern pieces as I pin, chewing up the tracing paper, unravelling thread spools, etc. You know how he is.....;-)

Cheers, Stash

I Love to Snipe!!.....Success for KK and Me/My eyelet came....

2010-02-11T16:14:00.000-08:00

I sniped KK's birthday present from Ebay and think I got a good deal. The person who listed it did it for a friend and I am not sure he realized what he was selling. The price didn't go up til the last minute because of the description. It is a Janome Jem Platinum 760 with all the accessories and extras too. For you non Janome people, it is a ¾ size machine with 60 stitches and very popular for classes as it only weighs about 12-14 pounds. Just right for a little girl to learn on and great for Gabba to take to classes. It will be her machine but will stay here as DD does not sew.

Then today, I sniped the Burda WOF May 2004. A sewing buddy was kind enough to loan me hers (check out the multi talented Sham's blog, Communing with Fabric) and it really has some cute patterns for me and also for the girls in the family.

I received the eyelet I have been wanting for SO LONG from Gorgeous Fabrics and it did not disappoint. Very delicate though so my blouse pattern has to be just right. Am thinking it over. ;-) Will post photo soon.

On a personal note....I have been dealing with a health issue lately and am mentioning since I have been absent from SG and not sewing like I planned. By the end of next week, I hope to be well on my way to feeling like my old (yikes, did I say old?) self. And, thank you....you know who you are.

The Laundry is Back in Business.....Yay!

2010-02-06T20:55:00.000-08:00

CocomoJoe brought Sam and KK over this morning and we went out to breakfast. Sam slept through most of it. Then we hit the hardware store to find the proper connector to hook up the drain hose to my washer. Joe fixed it and there is no water on the floor. It sure makes a funny sound when it spins though.

There is nothing like washing stash to remind you of what is in the closet. There are quite a few pieces that I cannot remember fiber content and am not washing until I burn test. And, a few UGLY pieces too. Whatever was I thinking?? ;-)

I am Washing my Sheets in my Own Apt!!

2010-01-30T16:27:00.000-08:00

The boys came and installed my washer and dryer today. I am having so much fun! Load #2 is in the washer and I am waiting for my sheets to dry so I can make up the bed. I LOVE this.

edit a few hours later:

OH CARUMBA!!! The drain hose fell off the back of the washer and I am still mopping up my apt. The water went all the way to the living room and luckily, I was able to move the boxes of photos out of the way. They were stored where the hook ups are so had to move them out and I put them on the floor in the dining area, which also flooded. All my KK and now Sam photos are in there plus some weddings etc.

Sunshine on the Cloth

2010-01-26T13:51:00.000-08:00

The sun is peeking through the blinds and shining on my fabric. I received my last box today and Spunky is happy because it is a box and not a sack. The red and turquoise are RPL as is the pale mint. The pale mint is so lightweight that it is going to have to be a nightgown for summer. This online shopping is hit or miss. This "Vera Wang Designer Woven Jacquard Circles Navy" looks nothing like the picture at Fabric dot com either. The little thumbnail is what was on the site but it looks very black in person even though I can see the navy along the selvedge.

Yesterday I received a trial swatch packet from Vogue Fabrics online and I loved some of the swatches. I did join FabricMart swatch club for a year so will be looking forward to that. Since I have forgotten so much about fabric and there is so much new, I thought that the swatch clubs would not only prevent big surprises, but they describe the fabric content and label the fabrics so I can learn from that too. The little swatches can be kept forever and I can refer to them if I can't remember what a twill or a jacquard or an RPL is. There is a cherry colored wool twill at Vogue fabrics that is TDF. I need a slap long side the head.

Will be preparing fabric all Sunday and Monday, I hope. My new washer and dryer will be installed. Yay!!

Fabric and Books

2010-01-25T13:54:00.000-08:00

Another bag of fabric came from Fabric dot com. They used to send everything in a box but the last 2 shipments have come in sacks. They arrived safely so no harm but my sewing assistant Spunky is miffed since he prefers boxes. First of all, on recommendation of that Sewing Fanatic Carolyn, I bought some designer stretch wool that is TDF. I ordered black and navy but they ran out of the navy. Carolyn is so right. It is beautiful. Then, curiosity got the best of me and I ordered 3 lengths of slinky. I mean, what is slinky?? It's sort of shimmery on one side. Actually, it looks like lingerie fabric to me and I've heard it can be difficult to sew. Why did I need 3 lengths of this stuff to find that out?? Oy...

Since the navy stretch wool was sold out, I bought some cotton/rayon faille from the Vera Wang collection in navy and it is very pretty. It has a "crispy" hand, for an unlined jacket or maybe pants? I will be curious to know what it feels like after I pretreat it..... which will be after I find out how to do that? That gold hammered silk is from a different order. I love the colors of these fabrics and am getting anxious to sew. I think of all the fabrics, faille is my favorite. When I was a little girl, I had a peach colored faille dress with hand embroidered tiny flowers (think heirloom roses) at the neckline for dress up that I loved. When it was handed down to my younger sister, I remember being so sad because it was too small for me. I LOVED that dress. I wonder if it was rayon? We are talking ca 1950?? Did they have rayon in 1950? I know nothing about synthetic textiles.

In addition to fabrics, I bought another book....Power Sewing by Sandra Betzina. I am hoping it will help me remember some prior skills and add some new ones.

Soon there will be projects to look at. My plans for Matilda were put on hold this weekend, but soon she will have her cover. And, I will be sewing up several pairs of pants. I also plan to alter my old TNT pants pattern because it is so fast to stitch up and I like the shape. There is another Burda pants pattern I want to use from the January 2010 issue too. Now that Marla has shown me what to do, I think my pants will fit from now on....famous last words.

Cheers............Sew Happy!!

Pants Fitting Class with Marla Kazell

2010-01-22T11:43:00.000-08:00

Wednesday evening I went to my pant fitting class (otherwise known as "bottom half Reality Check) at Josephine's Dry Goods. (photo from website)

Marla's website:

http://marlakazell.com/

The only request Marla made was that we bring a Burda pattern. It was OK to trace one out of our magazine, so that is what I did, with my sewing assistant's help. (see below)

First, she took our measurements. Then, we compared those measurements to our pattern. I used a size 40 pattern and because I have never used a Burda pattern and have not sewn for myself for many years, I had no idea really if I had chosen the right size. It turns out I did. All my life I have had a short rise so I was very surprised when we had to lengthen the crotch on this pattern by 1&5/8", or about 7/8" on front and back pieces. I think it is because of my shape which now has an out of proportion tummy.

Then we strengthened the crotch curve on our patterns with tape along the stitching lines. We pinned in the darts to the outside and pinned the leg seams together and tried on our patterns.

Marla fit each of us in turn. As you can see by these photos, we made several adjustments to my pattern in addition to lengthening the crotch. The first thing we did was raise the knee point. I don't remember seeing a pattern that marks where the knee should be. Wow! What a great reference point.

Then, Marla pointed out to us the shape of the center back seam on our pattern piece. Mine was very slanted but my body is not....so she straightened out that back seam from the point where the crotch curve ends to the waist. The dart in the back waist was OK so she left that. But, she added to the waist by straightening out the center back seam and also at the side seams. The red dotted lines are the stitching lines. Then, in the back, she folded out about an inch at the center back crotch, gradually diminishing to nothing at the side seam. So, this removed the amount I had lengthened the crotch on the back piece. I still have a flat bottom even though my crotch had to be lengthened overall due to my tummy.

On both the front and back pieces, we had to straighten out the hip curve and take the pants in there by quite a bit but then kept the line straight, which increased the waistline by almost the same amount. Whatever curves I used to have on the sides are gone. Oh well. As long as I am comfortable and my pants are attractive and fit well...that's ok. (sniffle sniffle)

My pants have pockets, so when we lengthened the crotch on the front piece, we had to do it in 2 separate places so the pocket wouldn't be effected. You can see the zig zaggy cuts in the pattern. Then, she figured out total length. My inseam has always been 30". Oops....On these pants it is 29" and I am thinking I have shrunk. Eeeeeekk!!

Marla is a wonderful teacher and I am looking forward to trying out this pattern. The other 2 women in the class were nice and it was an altogether enjoyable experience. I have some nice white rayon/poly gabardine to use for a wearable (I hope) muslin. If you are in the Portland area, I heartily recommend this teacher. I have taken 2 classes from her so far and have been very satisfied and had fun too. Do go to her website. Woo Hoo!!!!!

Over the Hump Tracing Burda

2010-01-15T18:43:00.000-08:00

I am finally over the hump tracing Burda patterns out of the magazine. The avoidance behavior, in which I have been engaging for more than a year, is OVER. I spread this out Monday, and there it sat until yesterday. One look at the criss crossing lines about did me in. Eeeeeeek!!! But, I perservered and have now actually traced a pattern, with more to follow. Spunky the Sewing Assistant is keeping me at it. hehehe

Yippee Skippee!! The Better to Sew With....

2010-01-09T15:10:00.000-08:00

Yay! I bought a new (to me) washer and dryer today, which KK is showing off. It is SO HARD to sew when you have to cart your fabrics out in the weather to the laundry room or to the laundromat. And, you don't want to share a washer & dryer with people who might be putting who knows what in the machines you are using. DSx2 will come and install in 2 weeks since DS#2 will be out of town next weekend.

I am so thrilled about this. ;-)

Happy New Year 2010!

2010-01-01T11:15:00.000-08:00

It's goodbye to 2009, which is fine with me. It wasn't all bad though. Our precious Sam came in 2009, almost 40 years to the day after his Daddy came. AND, I got a sewing room. And, my New Years resolution for 2009 was actually accomplished....to get rid of 30 pounds. But, I am really looking forward to 2010. My projects are on hold because I have a cold so am going to sit back and watch the Rose Bowl today and cheer for Oregon. Go Ducks!!

I hope everybody has a wonderful 2010 and that whatever goals you have for this year will come to pass. And most of all, Good Health.

My Jalie Patterns Came Today

2009-12-29T20:10:00.000-08:00

The two newest Jalie patterns I ordered came from PR today. I really like them both and think there might be some fabric in my stash to try them out. One of my DDILs wears about the same size pattern as me so if it doesn't look good on me, she can wear it. They are both in style and young enough looking that she will like them. She has a lovely figure and I have a grandmotherly one but in some things, like knits, we can use the same pattern. One is that new scarf collar top and one is a cardi with little pin tuck looking pleats down the front. Very cute. I also have some other fabric to make some cardi or vest tops out of woven fabric....some pretty georgette and some loose weave zig zaggy woven that has a Missoni look to it. One of the things I do not understand is why you have to have 4 way stretch to make my new patterns. If they stretch going around, why do you need stretch up and down? Obviously, there is something I am missing??

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T19:14:00.001-08:00

We had a wonderful day at DS#2 house. DS#1 called 4 times from Switzerland but nobody heard DS#2 cell phone ringing so we did not get to talk to him. By the time we discovered it, it was about 1 in the morning where he is so we didn't try to call back. Here are the girls in their new shirts and baby Sam in his Santa suit, held by his Daddy. Great dinner and fun under the tree. Now tomorrow, I need to start cleaning up around here so I can start in again. I still have 2 projects to finish. Then, it's time to start sewing for me again. Yay!

It's Christmas Eve (long and chatty)

2009-12-24T22:02:00.001-08:00

It's Christmas Eve and I am about ready to turn in. In the morning I need to get up early, toilette self, make a salad, clean kitchen, load car and take off for DS#2 house. This year I did not get all my sewing done and for some reason, I am fairly exhausted. It is a good thing I do not have to do Christmas this year. I offered and thank heavens nobody took me up on it.

Jalie 2804 has been retired! At least for a few months. I finished DDIL shirt and hope it fits. I love the print. It is a Pucci looking print RPL from Lucy's with a flat finish and really nice hand. It came out of the dryer feeling so soft. I ordered 2 more Jalie patterns and can hardly wait to try them. I still have at least two more things to sew that I did not get done for Christmas and then, I am going to start making myself a new wardrobe.

Yay! 30 pounds gone this year. I started last February and took it slow. Unfortunately, most of my old wardrobe still does not fit. I weigh the same as when I bought the clothes...but alas...things have dropped and bulged. Very sad.....Many new fitting problems now. But, on the bright side, I have Matilda. Yippee Skippee!! Somebody from SG is going to help me fit the cover. I am so excited and can hardly wait to get started. In January, I am taking a pants fitting class over at Josephines. I have already taken one class from the instructor and really like her. That's important when you are going to be parading around in your undies, don't you think? ;-)

The fabric I am using for my pants is a wool/rayon twill with a smidge of silk (5%) in it. It was advertised as chartreuse but when it came, it looked "mustard" to me. I would never buy that color if I saw it first but it is growing on me and the fabric is really nice. Very soft but weighty enough for pants. I hope I can find something nice to line them with...I may have to go for a silk print because I don't think there is much of a chance of matching the color.

Oh, I get to see my little KK and little Sam tomorrow. It is Sam's first Christmas. I made him this little bib to wear tomorrow. KK will be wearing her Christmas dress too. I put her old Christmas bib in with my packages. She thinks she is far too old to wear a bib but maybe she would if it was only for 15 or 20 minutes. I don't want to insult her but don't want food on her taffeta Christmas dress either??? I just put my camera in my purse so I won't forget it in the morning.

Usually I am not anxious to turn another year. I have no wish for my life to pass any faster. But, I will not be sorry to see the end of 2009 and I have heard so many other people express the same thought lately. Maybe it is the economy? The war? Maybe it is the constant bombardment of bad news on the radio and television? It could be because so many people, like me, got notified that their credit card interest rate has just almost doubled in addition to home foreclosures and lost jobs? Who knows? But, I hope 2010 is better.

I have several goals for 2010 but prefer, at this point, to keep them to myself until my ideas are worked out more clearly.

I hope everybody has a very Merry Christmas and that 2010 is healthy and happy. ;-)

New Jalie for DD...This One Fits

2009-12-11T23:26:00.000-08:00

This fabric is prettier in person than in the photo. The red is actually a deep, blue red. DD picked out this fabric when I sent her some links. I can't remember if I bought it at Gorgeous Fabrics or Fabric.com.

I know this fits because I basted and tried it on her before I sewed it up. It ruined the surprise but it's better than making another one that doesn't fit. I had some black PL stretch in my stash but it was so stretchy that I am a little worried that the wrap in the front is going to ride up in the center.

One more of these to finish for Christmas. Then I will be glad to switch to something more interesting. It's just that the girls like this pattern.

My Little Christmas Cherubs

2009-12-01T10:34:00.000-08:00

The little cousins....How cute is that???

KK Christmas dress WIP

2009-11-12T16:34:00.000-08:00

Here is the beading, both as WIP and finished. With no pattern and no way to mark on the taffeta, I think it turned out pretty well. I hope the beads don't fall off. The lining will go over the stitching on the back so if threads break, I won't be able to get into the back to fix it. I had my fingers crossed for the entire process. It only has to survive through a photo session and Christmas day.

DDIL and KK's dress

2009-11-11T21:27:00.000-08:00

DS sent this photo of Pam this morning. Cute! Glad the Jalie shirt is not going to waste.

Have worked a little on KK dress today. Can't get the neckline corners the way I want...nice and flat. I have to get them right before I can put the beads on. At the tearing hair out stage so I put it away for the night. It is clipped all the way to the corners.

Beading on the Fly

2009-11-09T23:09:00.000-08:00

I thought maybe a little snowflake would look nice on the little scalloped neckline. These simple little ideas don't always work out so simply for me? Especially when I'm in a hurry. I remember my SIL picking up beads with her needle from little dishes on the table beside her chair. She was so fast and did such beautiful beading. I wish I had paid more attention when I had the chance.

KK dress...I don't know what I'm doing?

2009-11-09T22:30:00.000-08:00

This is the pattern I am using for KK dress, view A. I am making it out of taffeta. We are going to have an overskirt which will tie on. She doesn't like scratchy fabric so I decided to do it that way. I also bought some silver bugle beads to put some little doo dads around the neckline. Honestly, I hope this project is not a disaster. I basically don't know how to handle this fabric at all. I can't decide whether to use a rolled hem on the overskirt or to just hem with a ¼" hem. Also, I have no clue what to do with the beads or how wide to make the ties or the waistband...a learning experience on a deadline. My favorite! Yeah...

Shirt Update/Classes/Catching Up

2009-11-04T15:14:00.000-08:00

Welllll....... The shirt was too small in the shoulders and too short through the bodice for DD. That is because she is so thin that in order to get something to fit around, it can be too short. Without being able to try things on, it did not fit. It DID fit DDIL#2 though, so at least somebody will get good use out of it. DD liked the fabric but I don't have enough to cut her another shirt exactly like it. But, maybe that is a good thing as she and DDIL#2 would probably rather not show up wearing the same shirt. I will cut DD one out of the contrast print and her contrast will be the plain color.

I signed up for 2 classes at Josephine's today. It has been 30 years since I put in an invisible zipper so I signed up for a zipper class. The other class is a pants fitting class in January of 2010. I am thinking by then I should be ready to fit pants...assuming my plans work out. I hope they have another jacket class in the near future. One of the SG women took that class and made a really pretty LH bolero jacket. It has been 30 years since I made/tailored a lined jacket too! I do not remember anything about "sleeve heads." Huh?

I went to the Quilt Expo over in Portland last month and saw some beautiful quilts. I still do not want to do quilting but I can appreciate what other people can do. This horse one, named Vision of Horses, by June Jaeger was my favorite. It was gorgeous. It received a Judges Choice award and well deserved, I thought.

Adele P. Margolis passed away at the age of 100 yesterday. Carolyn had a nice tribute on her blog (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) which prompted me to buy 2 of her books, including her tailoring book. I think I had that in my original sewing room?

I finally did 2 sensor buttonholes on my Janome 6600 today. This was after I realized that DS had moved my thread guide and that's why it wasn't working correctly. Oh, Geez...

DD Birthday shirt...Retro fabric from the 70's

2009-10-27T07:29:00.000-07:00

Yippee Skippee! I finally finished Jalie 2804 shirt for DD birthday in spite of machine problems. (A different post) Yikes! This fabric is really awful to sew on. It is single knit poly and slippery. I bought it from an estate sale and am almost sure it is from the 70's. Actually, it is a pretty color and the stripe that coordinates with it is cute. DD saw this fabric in my stash and liked it. I hope it fits her. If she were any thinner, she would disappear. I cut 4 sizes smaller than for DDIL. So, this is a bit of a test shirt and that is why I didn't want to use good fabric until I know it fits her. I have other Jalie patterns and fabric to use for DD but haven't been able to fit her lately. I keep going down a size but she is smaller than Small...as in too small. This is size "S" I was afraid if I made it any smaller, it would be too short and the seam connecting the lower bodice to the top would hit her across her bust instead of under bust. But, she is not available to try things on and this is supposed to be a present anyway. We shall see. We are celebrating her BD on Sunday so I will have her try it on.

Small project for Myself

2009-10-18T09:56:00.000-07:00

I just finished this hoody jacket to replace the one that was stolen out of my car. I should have straightened it on my shoulders before the picture was taken. I still have more weight to lose before I start sewing for myself but this didn't take any fitting. Matilda, my new dress form is waiting to be fit too.

Knitting Tote for Lunch Buddy

2009-08-03T10:20:00.000-07:00

I made a needle wrap for my Lunch Buddy to carry her knitting needles in for Valentine's Day. Her birthday is next week so I made her a knitting tote bag to carry her needles and yarn. She loves poodles. She will be 9 years old.

Introducing........

2009-07-02T14:37:00.000-07:00

Samuel Joseph, born July 1, 2009.

I am so happy and proud of my new grandson.

A Good Start...

2009-06-29T14:21:00.000-07:00

I have not had a sewing room for years. Finally, I have a good start in my new apartment. No decor yet. Also my computer is still out in the living room. It will be moved into the sewing room soon and I plan to hang a small TV on the wall so I can play sewing DVD's etc. My coverhem is stashed in the sewing cabinet and my embroidery machine is in the closet. This room is small but even after the computer is in here, I think I will be able to extend the table for cutting. I don't think I will be able to have the table extended and the ironing board up at the same time. Still, so much better than my old apartment. Yay!

A Little Change in Plans

2009-06-05T19:32:00.000-07:00

I haven't been tracing many patterns lately. I moved! It seemed like the right time. Anyway, it certainly interrupted my sewing plans. But, even though I am not completely settled in, I did manage to prepare the bassinet for the new grandson coming in July. I am very excited and happy about it.

The bassinet just needed a new liner and new ribbons. When DGD was born 4 years ago, I completely refurbished it. I slept in this.

These roses are from my back yard. Aren't they beautiful?

Tracing Patterns, Again..........Ugh!!

2009-02-28T18:32:00.000-08:00

I spent the afternoon tracing patterns for tops for DDIL. Tomorrow I will spend the day making maternity patterns out of them. I don't remember all this work just to get a pattern to test? I hope this will be a happy experiment?

DD Needs Window Treatments

2009-02-14T17:52:00.000-08:00

DD and I need to shop for fabric for her windows. We went through my Singer "Window Treatments" book and she decided she liked the "Mock Cornice" with valence skirt look. I agreed with her choice. I did make some drapes many years ago and was not happy with the results. We went to the fabric store and she really liked several prints that were in the quilting department. She liked the idea of using fusible fleece on the mock cornice. She wants a stripe on the cornice and coordinating print on the skirt. In the living room area, we are just going to use the cornice idea and skip the skirt. I am keeping my fingers crossed as I have never done anything like this before.

Does this make me look more productive?

2009-02-14T17:49:00.000-08:00

No More Vintage Patterns for Me...

2009-02-14T17:41:00.000-08:00

I just finished tracing this vintage Vogue jacket pattern from 1954. It was so fragile I had to carry it loosely folded on a cookie sheet. This was after carefully pressing each piece and taping torn places and pieces together that had been cut. Next time, I will get a modern pattern and adapt it, using the design features of the vintage pattern.