Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Sewing, Remodeling, Dentists...

Just a few of the activities occupying my time at present.  I made a pair of LH European pants from some of the Casual Elegance linen-look fabric recently posted.  I like them, don't love them.  They may need to spend some "time out" time in the closet before I make a final decision.  I also made a Perfect Tee from a coordinating fabric and LOVE it.  I always know the PT will fit so there is no guess work on this one!  Made a third top from a well-aged Burda Petite magazine.  It is OK.  I was trying out a new style and I'm not sure it's for me.  I'll post photos when I get the camera recharged.

We remodeled our kitchen over the past month--new countertops, a redesign on the previous eating bar, and new fireplace surround and hearth.  Makes the place look updated and that's a good thing!  I am allergic to dust, however, so it has been a bit of a trial for the past few weeks.  DH did the tear down with a crowbar in one hand and a shop vac hose in the other.  Much better than the "pros" would have done.  The granite is gleaming, the new backsplash makes me smile, and it was all worth the confusion.  DH sent me some photos he took of this project, so I will share those soon too.

Finally, I visit the dentist 4 x a year for routine cleaning, etc. and still have constant challenges with my dental care.  Ugh.  I had a crown prep today and will get the permanent one in a couple of weeks.  I have many others to keep this one company, so nothing new.  Just sort of slows me down for a while.

Just checking in to remind myself of the projects I've sewn.  No new jacket this month, but I'll catch up soon!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

One Jacket Done--Sort of!

I have had so much difficulty in finishing this jacket that I'm not going to worry about trying to fix these photos too.  The jacket is finished, but not the closures.  Tried to make buttonholes on 2 layers of scrap fabric and neither of my machines can handle the thickness.  So, I am rethinking the way I want to secure the front of the jacket.  It is 82 here today, so I'm not in dire need of a jacket.  I needed to finish this to get it off my list of to do items.
Things I liked about the jacket!  Topstitching!  If you click on the photo you can see the stitching in an enlarged photo.  I also liked the lycra binding trim for pockets and the hem.  I would have preferred a matching color, but black is OK with me.  I think the jacket will be cute with jeans, dress pants, etc.  Any ideas for the clusures?  I'm thinking snaps, but maybe there is another option???

Next on the list is the dress/shorts pattern for DGD.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

3 Projects in Progress, None Finished!

Project Number One--Trudi Jansen pattern #301--Boiled Wool Jacket

  I am making this from fulled wool I bought from Fabric Mart--sort of a sage green.  I love the pattern and the fabric, just not the fit.  I used pattern measurements and cut a size 12.  It is huge.  I am trying to scale it down, but may just finish it and donate the jacket.  We'll see.  I put it aside for a little while to let it kind of settle down!

Project Number Two--Skirt from Simplicity 2605 View F

This is a very simple straight skirt with a yoke waist finish.  I'm making it from some lime green linen to match a muslin jacket I made last fall of a Loes Hinse seminar pattern.  I like the jacket and thought a spring suit might be nice to have in the rotation.  Pattern is cut, marked and edges serged.  I washed the skirt fabric and it really raveled in spite of serging the ends.  I will need to dry clean the suit!  Should finish this one this afternoon.

Project Number Three--Summer dress for DGD from Simplicity 2677
I tried to copy and paste the image from the Simplicity site, but I guess I can't do that. 
I'm making this from some coordinating quilting cottons.  Think I'll make dress view A and shorts view F for modesty on the playground.  Pattern and fabric waiting on the cutting table.

Between some family issues and ongoing sciatica, I think my life and my sewing are a little disorganized these days.  But, I keep coming back to the sewing room for my escape.  Good place to have ;-)