Loes Hinse Cruise Pants

This is my first go at this pattern, but it fits very similar to the view B European pants I just made. This is a wearable muslin--used some stash fabric. I like them and will wear them. The fabric is wool or a wool blend, so not the wisest choice for spring and summer here in the desert! I do like the inseam pocket and am pleased with the look. It does not "pooch" out at the hipline. I followed the pattern directions and did the topstitching on the side seam. I often skip this step when making European or Oxford pants, but thought I'd make my first pair just as directed. I like the detail on this fabric. On a more drapey fabric I would not do the side seam stitching.

I'll do the pattern piece comparison later--too much on my plate today!

Short Vacation to Charleston

DH and I are just home from a quick 8 days to Charleston and Savannah. Great food, good weather, beautiful scenery, and good friends. Perfect trip. We got home on Weds night and I worked Thurs and Fri. Today we'll have DS and his family for dinner. Pretty nice week. Sewing still on the back burner for a little while.

Seems Like Nobody's Home...

I have been MIA from the blog---just working and life have taken up my days! I am enjoying my gig as an elementary principal and will finish out the year in the position. I do find tha dental appointments, phys therapy, etc. AFTER work make for some very long days!!!

Cheers to all of you sewists who work, sew, take care of families, volunteer, etc. I have put sewing on the back burner, but am working on some LH basic pleat plants without the pleats. They are cut out, serged edges, and will put together a little at a time as my life permits.

I have been looking at everyone else's creations and am sewing in my mind! There will be time again soon.

Burda Chanel-Type Jacket

Not finished! But the jacket is basically put together and the lining is too. Now I need to put them together! I do have it together enough to fit it on the form I made in October. Seems to be OK fit wise. DH asked why it has taken me so long to make this jacket, and I didn't have a great response other than it's a Burda Style pattern--had to trace and decipher the instructions without any illustrations. I've not made this exact kind of jacket before so I'm a little less confident than when I remake one or make something similar to previous garments. Learning new things is good for the brain, eh?

A work in progress: the fabric is a wool/rayon blend from Melody at Fashionista Fabrics. I have ribbon and braid to put around the sleeves and down the front edges. That will be the finishing touch done by hand so it can be removed if my taste changes...

Some Sewing for Me!

I made a quick jacket and pants combo for me! Jacket is Loes Hinse Paris (seminar pattern) and pants are LH Cruise pants. The pants are my first go at this pattern--not bad right from the envelope. The jacket is slightly restyled by Loes from last fall's version. The fabrics were both in my stash--the Gray Lady for the jacket from Nancy Erickson and only aged a couple of months. The pants fabric is of unknown origin and a rayon/poly/lycra mix. Both sewed up quite easily and I am looking forward to having a few new pieces for work next week. I guess it's only for me as this will be a new staff and thus everything is "new" so to speak!

The wind is howling here--we kept our middle DGS last night and he ended up in our bed, afraid of the noises in the house caused by the wind.

I hope to make a few more things this week--maybe I will even finish the Chanel type jacket I put away last month! Or not, we'll see how my patience and enthusiasm match :>)

Vacation and Then Work

I've been pondering this, and decided I'd take this position for the rest of the school year. Our state is in dire straights financially and our local school district must tighten the budget even more. So, where there was no funding, there is now negative funding. There are administrative positions that will not be filled, so schools go without a principal? I can step in and fill the position for a couple of months. The pay is NOT great and there are no benefits, but I earned a nice living working here and I can give some time back.

So, I better sew like a mad woman the next few days :>) I made 2 t shirts today and will finish up the 3rd pair of L Hinse pants too. I don't really need any clothes, but they are fun to make! The new Burda has several tempting items and I hope to trace those items and maybe cut them out as well.

DH and I are going out for a frozen yogurt. Have a nice evening!

Quick Ottobre Project

I know I haven't done much posting or sewing--went to CA for a week to enjoy the weather, visit my dad, and volunteer at the Aquarium of the Pacific. All wonderful ways to spend some time! I did cut out a skirt (Ottobre 1/2010 style #20 Garden Flower skirt) for DGD before we left and sewed it in little spurts while at the condo. I also cut out some of the hearts in the skirt fabric and did a "quick and dirty" application on a purchased t shirt. No changes to the skirt during construction. After it was finished I realized that there was a good chance that the skirt would be too big around for DGD so I made a self casing on the inside waist and put buttonhole elastic through the casing and attached it to two buttons I placed on the interior of the skirt. It will be a cute school outfit. I want to do some sewing this week--might be going back to work again next week. I'm still thinking about it.