ABO Italian linen shirt

Finally finished! I used my arsenal of machines yesterday to finish the details of my linen shirt.

My newly aquired Singer 201A made some awesome buttonholes.

My Babylock Ellisimo made sewing on buttons a breeze.

I used my Bernina 1130 to finish stitching down the back facing.

This piece is an adaptation that Louise shared at the ASG convention. It makes the collar insertion so much easier and the wide facing allows for a label or even embroidered personalization. Louise also said it mimics RTW trends. Anyway, it is a clean finish and easier to do. That's a winner in my book!

DH chose the buttons and I like his choice! 

Now on to make some coordinating pants from some lovely brown linen I also got from Louise at ASG.

Sad

My dad has been on hospice care for over two years. Today he passed away. My dad was 95 last June. He was an electrical engineer, graduate of UC Berkeley in 1938. He was a Professional Engineer, PE, and worked in the aerospace industry. He was born and raised in Anaheim, CA. He and his brother were avid bodysurfers, favoring Corona del Mar and San Clemente. He married my mom in 1943 in Cambridge, MA while attending Harvard for Army Air Corps training in radar technology. He later served in England and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. He had a successful career and retired in 1974. Travel and community activities kept him busy. He had declined markedly in the past few years and was not able to participate in his life. He hated that. We'll miss you, Dad.

UFOs Finished--Buttonholes Complete

I bought a Singer 201 to use as a buttonholer.  I love it!  I finished two garments I made over the summer in CA but brought home to finish using this machine.  First is the ABO jacket I basically made at the ASG convention in a fabulous class with Louise Cutting.  I am very pleased with the finished product and will wear it with many other items already in my wardrobe.  I also have some black fabric I purchased from LC destined to be a pair of pants.

Next is a Loes Hinse Tuscan Shirt.  I have had this pattern for years and never really warmed up to it.  On Stutchers Guild, Tonia made several in a weekend wardrobe sewing frenzy and I really liked the ones she made.  So, fast forward to my summer sewing and voila a Tuscan Shirt for me.  I made a small from the envelope and love the fit.  For this one I chose not to put the button/buttonhole at the cuff as I think I'll wear it open over a t shirt, more of a lightweight jacket.  I'm really liking this pattern.  The construction was easy and fast too! Sorry about the wonky angle on the photo--the breeze is coming up and I just took a quick shot!

I also finished this Discover Something Novel vest--just to have it finished!  I'm not sure vests are for me, and I do not like the pants I made to go with it.  Maybe wrong size (huge) and maybe wrong style for me?  I wear them when we drive back and forth to the beach.  They feel like jammies and don't feel too stylish on my short body.  Anyway, I have no more coordinating pant fabric so I'm not sure about this one.  But, I wanted it finished even if I donate it.  Interesting construction and fabulous directions as always with Louise Cutting patterns!

Now, between swimming with the grands and straightening up the house, maybe I can make a quick run to get some buttons for the remaining ABO shirt!  Whew--it feels good to get these items off of the sewing table and into the closet (or donation bag!).

Photo of latest O'S Pants

Yikes! Long time since I posted anything. I've done some sewing, but I'm also working and don't seem to have the energy required to sew at night. I'm a retired school admin and am subbing as a principal for a few weeks. I forget how physically and emotionally draining this job is. Won't be sorry to turn in my keys (again) in a couple of weeks!

I hope I can attach a photo DH took this AM with my iPhone. I wore this to work today--ABO jacket and OS pants. The pants are from a drapey textured fabric I bought from Sharon at Casual Elegance. Easy and comfortable to wear. This time I made a small+ with no alterations. I'll wear them for a day to see if the fit seems right...(Since I had to play with the photo--I'll add that by the end of the day I kind of had "droopy drawers."  Not sure what to do about this...)

I have another ABO almost finished. This one is from Italian linen and will function as a shirt.