Carmel. Loes, and Sewing

We are here--seminar begins soon but first a day in Monterey.  I hope to at least share some photos of garments in Loes's boutique if not some sewn-by-me garments.  I made a tank, swing skirt, and lace Perfect T for a wedding last weekend.  Talk about a quick solution to a sewing quandary.  TNT patterns, fabric from stash, and an elegant outfit for the event.  Best part is the pieces are wearable for much more casual events when worn with different partners.

Off to walk the beach trail in Asilomar and Monterey...thinking about sewing while I walk.

Vogue 7975 FINALLY !!!

Here's the final product!  Lots of time and effort, but a real feeling of accomplishment!

I have been sewing, but mostly t shirts and simple Style Arc pants.  I'm looking forward to my annual trek to Carmel later in the month.  I hope to have some fun items following that seminar with Loes Hinse.  Always a good time 😃

Summer stuff

Random post of stuff I did this summer:

1.  Got a new dog after we lost our dear 14 YO Brandy.  Bear is a delight, but also a lot of work.  He's a year old and full of energy.

2.  Fell and tore medial meniscus in left knee.  Surgery being scheduled

3.  Went whale watching and saw 5 blue whales VERY close to our boat.  Magnificent!

4.  Volunteered every Wednesday (almost) at The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach

5.  Visited the Natural History Museum in LA. New exhibits are fabulous, especially the interactive nature center for children.

6.  Visited four dentists to treat my tooth and gum. Ended up with wan extraction and am recovering. Implant and crown to come.

7.  Shopped at Mood Fabrics in LA. Fun!

8.  Sewed with friends at a 5 day couture sewing event with Susan Khalje.  Very intense.  My jacket is about 3/4 done

9.  Listened to most of Team of Rivals--book about Lincoln by Doris K Goodwin.  Still listening

10.  Hosted DS#2 and the three grands for 10 days--Disney, Aquarium, beach, American Girl store, La Brea Tar Pitts, pool, etc. Busy and fun!

11.  Took eldest DGD to visit UCSB campus--our alma mater. She is a senior at an IB HS in NV, so UC schools are very spendy.

12.  Went to see The Butler.  Interesting juxtaposition to the Lincoln book.  So slow to make progress. I enjoyed the film. Very poignant and informative.  Made me remember driving through Selma in the spring of 1970 with my mom.  Eerie even then.

13.  Had several chances to get together with my sister and her kids' families.  Always fun!

14.  Lunched with HS girlfriends.  A stellar group of accomplished women.  Always a good time!

15.  Not much sewing, eh?  The dental issues apparently caused a low grade infection for weeks.  Just wore me out.  Half way through another course of antibiotics.  Ugh.

16.   Lucky to spend the days with my best friend.  Only a few weeks until our 45th wedding anniversary.  Amazing!

17.  Packing to go home to LV in a couple of days.  Yippee!

Trims and buttons and bags, oh my!

DH and I went up to LA today to seek out trim for my jacket.  Had a slight detour with oral surgery yesterday so I'm not on task to sew the finishing touches right at the moment.  Better to search for those detail elements so I am ready when I'm feeling myself again.

So, off to Mood Fabrics and then to F and

S.  I got buttons and some Petersham ribbon for waistband facings while at Mood.  F & S had trim!  I got some wonderful cotton Lycra shirting from Theory at the latter as well.  All good!

Works in Progress...Vogue 7975

Photos are of the shell and lining of a jacket I recently constructed (or at least got much of it constructed) during a 5 day workshop with Susan Khalje.  Amazing lady!  The muslin to jacket process takes days, but the fit and learning curve are worth it!  I WILL finish this jacket in the next week or two and will post photos of the final garment.  I need to make a quick (?) trip to Mood LA to see if I can find the right trim. 

I was amazed at the amount of fabric Susan took out of the front side panel of the jacket above the bust curve...about 1.5 inches at the widest part near the shoulder seam.  Yikes.  What a difference it makes!

So, just to prove that the summer wasn't a total waste sewing wise, here is the proof of my work in progress.  Fabric from my stash--unknown origin, but it is a lovely wool/silk blend and the colors are great for my coloring and my other wardrobe pieces!  These are phone photos, but the jacket and lining are visible! 

Not Much Going On...

I haven't been doing a lot of sewing--transition from desert to beach, visits from kids and grands, and a new dog have kept me busy!  We always escape the desert heat for the summer, and we always have wonderful time with the kids, but a new dog has been a wonderful responsibility that does require time and patience.

We lost our precious Brandy on May 26 and decided to wait a while before getting another pet.  We are mostly retired and do a good deal of traveling and running around.  BUT, the emptiness of the house when we came home to no furry friend was really difficult and we found our little Bear via Craigslist of all places.  He was in need of a new home--his family was moving out of state and was not allowed to bring pets to their new home.  Sad for all.  He is a year old mostly poodle mix.  When we got him he was a matted mess.  He was scared to death and DH was ready to give him back after the first day.  We didn't.  He got his shots updated, a very close grooming, and lots of time and attention. 

So, I am now, a month later, looking at possible sewing projects!  Bear is asleep in his bed and adjusting to be a happy little dog.  He has begun obedience training and we are all learning!  Now I have some free time to sew up some easy shirts and a few DGD items.

"I'll be back..."

JCrew Rayon Lycra Fabric

In case some of the coop members are on the fence about this fabric, I love this fabric!  I have been able to purchase this from a coop to which I belong.  The fabric is soft but not "wimpy" and the shirts I have made are still in great condition! The lycra does not make them too stretchy, just enough to maintain their shape and not stretch out. So, here are a few of the past projects.

I made two like the top photo--basic white long sleeve tee shirts from the Loes Hinse Perfect Tee pattern.  For me, this is the perfect pattern.  It fits and I do not need to alter anything.  Whooppee. I also made this same pattern in a burgandy and also a medium brow
n colorway.  I wear these all the time with a jacket or cardigan or just a stand alone.  Very versatile and they fill in well in my lifestyle.

The bottom one is a color block tee made from same pattern with white top and black lower 2/3.  Again, this fabric sewed together effortlessly and behaves well when worn even after many washings.

I am ordering more of the same fabric in a few select colors.  It is a staple for me.  I probably need to go back and review the colors I did order.  LOL! 

Final photo is a camouflaged black tee from same pattern and fabric.  I made a couple of scarves to wear during the cooler weather and they coordinate well with this stuff too.

Just my opinion, but I am always happy to see this fabric when it is for sale!

ETA--I also made a turtleneck from an Ottobre pattern for my 10 YO granddaughter.  Wears well for kids' clothing too.