I have had absolutely no desire to sew lately...and I'm not upset about it. I think I'm in that no man's land between summer and early fall sewing. I've made quite a few summer garments and I'm not feeling the pressure to finish much more especially since my list is always greater than my ability to sew...
The new September magazines are on the newsstands...that means that they will soon be dropping into my mailbox or onto my iPad. As my subscriptions are starting to expire I've been switching them to my iPad which I find I'm actually liking alot even tho' I was worried that I wouldn't. Even though I now get Bazaar magazine on my iPad, I still bought a printed version from the newsstand because I have to be able to pull inspiration pictures from the magazine! *LOL* I also lugged home the 10lb September Issue of Vogue.
I'm sitting here waiting for the border print knit to finish its cycle through the dryer and then I will be off to work on the twinset. The twinset will take some manuevering to get it to work since the border print is in panels or 1/3rds of the fabric...but I think it will be awesome when finished. A last bit of color before the bleakness of winter sets in because it is getting cold here in the Mid-Atlantic states. I've turned my heat on in the evenings...40 degrees is just 8 degrees above freezing as my daughter likes to remind me!
So a few comments and I'm off to sew...
Several of you wondered in the last post when I sleep.
I think that's funny because I love to sleep but mostly do it on the weekends! I get between 5 and 6 hours a night...any more than that and I'm groggy in the mornings which won't do because I'm moving when I finally drag myself out of bed. The better question might have been, what time do you go to bed? I try to go between 11:30 and midnight. Sometimes I'm tired and fall asleep about 10:30 but if that's the case then I only have 2 maybe 2.5 hours from the time I get home to get things done. I've learned to get as much as I can done in 4 hours but sometimes I'm pushing it...and normally I don't sew when I get home during the week...the doll's outfit was an exception.
NancyK asked if I would post a picture of my niece and her doll...
Well my sister promised to send me one after the fashion show this afternoon. I'm not attending...the thought of having to sit through a show of 9-10 year olds and their dolls was a little much for me...especially since that is a totally been there, done that kinda thing. But my niece and sister were thrilled with the outfit and that's what matters most. I will post the picture as soon as I get it.
All of the fabric that arrived this week has been put away.
The closet is overflowing as is the bin in the bedroom so I need to start working my way through it. I have a few ideas and I will share the fruits of my labors soon. Also, thank you to everyone who added a comment understanding my obsession with fabric...it's good to know that there are quite a few of you out there with the same condition! ;)
Pattern Giveaway
If you participated in the pattern giveaway from last weekend, the patterns have been mailed. Look for it to show up in your mailbox this week! I will definitely be doing at least one more of these as I work my way through the clean-up of my bedroom.
My sewing studio/bedroom remodel
Decisions have been made on the rug (well I've had it for some time now. You've seen it rolled up and modeling in some of my pics!) and fabric for the curtains. Here is the combo, we're working with below:
Okay I just heard the dryer buzzer so I'm off...
...as always, more later!
As evidenced by Saturday's post, I spent a considerable amount of time going through the stuff in my Sewing Studio/Bedroom this weekend. I'm doing it section by section so that the task doesn't overwhelm me. Because of that, I didn't start to work on Dress Number 42 until late last night.
Here I am wearing it at work:
And here is a close-up of the neckline view:
Of course you'd like some info on the dress, right?
Fabric:
2 yards of a midwt tropical plaid embroidered wool from Emmaonesock
1/2 yard of black wool crepe from Fabric Mart
(both of these pieces were from the collection)
Notions:
3 - 1" floral mother of pearl buttons from the collection
22" black invisible zipper
3 yards black rayon hem tape
Construction:
1. The dress is unlined. I hemmed and hawwed about that and finally decided that the dress did not need a lining...wearing the dress with a slip would be fine, so that's what I did.
2. The dress' neckline is faced with the same bands on the front of the dress. I just cut a second set from the wool crepe, machine stitched them on and then hand stitched down the edges inside the dress.
3. The sleeves are cut with a center seam. Then machine stitched leaving a 2" opening to allow the band to be sewn on.
4. The band is comprised of two pieces. Stitched together at the hem and around the curves, leaving the top open. Then the top is stitched to the bottom of the sleeve and the seam allowance is hand stitched down enclosing the seam. Finally the button is attached and I added a few hand stitches to the back side of the band so that it would lie flat.
Comments:
It wasn't a difficult dress to construct. The base fabric plus the black wool crepe and the flower buttons is what makes the dress sing. I think those details are what I appreciate most about the dress and the fact that the plaids match everywhere...even at the sleeve and bodice join. It was so worth the extra time spent cutting it out to get that plaid match to work.
I didn't finish the dress until early this morning. I just couldn't get motivated to sew. I'm sure it has to do with the remodel, my mind is so focused on that and its process. Also since it isn't that chilly outside, I don't feel the need to sew. I have plenty of pretty dresses (an understatement right?!) to wear that I'm good for now.
One last shot:
Next up is the suit for the AG doll. My sister and niece finally picked a piece of fabric yesterday afternoon. So I will work on that a little tonight before Dancing with the Stars!
...as always, more later!
