Studio Makeover was an on-line workshop about setting up your sewing space loosely based on my book of the same name (SUYSP). In-between writing the book and teaching the workshop, my approach to studio design changed significantly to include more of the emotional content as well as the organizational. It was a wonderful class to teach. One of the things the students and I would talk about was unfinished projects, commonly referred to as UFOs.
In my early twenties, while slowly disappearing under a mountain of unfinished and not likely to be finished projects, I made the decision to only work on one thing at a time in each medium. That was over twenty-five years ago. Since then, I will have one sewing and one knitting project on the go but not ten sewing and ten knitting projects. The decision was made because I was tired of the waste of cutting out projects that sat there uncreated in colors or styles or sizes or seasons that no longer worked for me. Surprisingly, there were unexpected benefits far beyond that.
Unfinished work has a certain pressure and a subtle hint of failure about it as do supplies we no longer want or need. It's about waste and in particular about the waste of time, money, and energy. We're a success oriented society. Because of that, we will typically stop working on a project when we don't know what to do, when we don't know how to do what we want to do, or when we're bored. Somehow stopping is more successful than pushing ahead. However, if that's the stage we stop at, that's also the stage we return to, which is why it's more common for unfinished projects to stay unfinished than it is for them to be completed. Unfinished, they sit there sending their subtle message of failure and waste. It's more subconscious than conscious.
My decision taught me that pushing through and staying with the project right to the end maintained the creative flow of a piece particularly with my textile paintings although I'm seeing tremendous benefits in this process now that I've returned to fashion sewing. What happens is that my artist and I are both on the same page, thinking and resolving questions. When there's no escape to a new project, your mind is more likely to dig in and do and come up with answers that work. By exploring those tickling what if thoughts over the years, I developed a stronger skill set, an ongoing trust relationship with my artist, and a greater sense of confidence in my abilities.
There are time when I honestly don't know what to do with a piece. After this much time, they are rare however, when that happens, I will set the project aside and start the next one and when that second one is complete, I'll return to the first one and finish it. If I still don't have the answer, I repeat the process. This doesn't happen very often anymore. Usually my subconscious comes up with an answer while I'm working on that other project.
One of the overwhelming things for many of my students was a studio stuffed with supplies that they no longer wanted or needed. There might be basket making and scrap booking and jewelry making and other supplies stacked around the studio that they had tried only to discover that they didn't like basket making, scrap booking, or jewelry making. It's okay to try new mediums, to see if they interest and excite us, and to move on if they don't. What's not nearly as productive is to keep those supplies when they're not needed allowing them to send a "you failed, you wasted time, money, and energy" message to us while stealing our valuable creative space and zapping our artistic energy. Again, it's all quite subconscious. My students would be amazed at how much lighter they felt not only by organizing the studio but by removing those unnecessary objects.
If a project isn't working and I stay with it and push through, I'll get to a place of success. Success is not creating a masterpiece. It is finishing. In the process of finishing comes learning and that learning goes forward to the next and the next piece along with a sense of accomplishment and confidence. However... there are times when a textile piece or a knitting project or a sewing one just is not and is not going to work. That's when I decided to be finished with it.
Being finished with a project means taking apart the supplies that can be used and returning them to inventory for a future project. Those that can't be used are disposed of. Depending on what I'm looking at, a supply or a specific object, I might chose to sell it, give it away, or throw it away. Whatever returns a feeling of creative possibility and eliminates negative energy from the studio.
Tomorrow is a new year. Although I've been following this policy for many MANY years, it's rare for the calendar to roll over with no UFO's in my studio. Yesterday, I finished the blue sweater. It's hanging upstairs in my closet. I also cut the two black t-shirts apart and sewed the good halves together to make a new piece. Everything in the studio is done. It's wonderful.
The new year feels wide open and full of amazing potential. Considering that 2009 has been yet, still, another year of high stress, I'm thankful for that. Today, I'm giving thought to my resolution for next year. I've been thinking about it quite a bit this week and I'm pretty sure of how I'm going to phrase it but not quite there yet. I know that my word is connect. I'll share more on that tomorrow.... hopefully after I've slept in.
SE Studio was a follow up workshop to Self Expressions, a workshop on creating independent art. It focused on following the creative path, pushing creative boundaries, and setting attainable goals. I'm somewhat unusual in that I absolutely love goal setting and enjoyed teaching about how to set goals that work. They're not nearly the prisons they're made out to be - in fact, they're quite freeing. I miss teaching It was so wonderful to help my students succeed. That's probably why I'm still occasionally doing it on the blog - like today.
Do you chose a word each year? Do you set a resolution? Is it clearly defined, measurable, and achievable? Please share. HAPPY NEW YEAR - Myrna
Grateful - new beginnings
Thursday 31 December 2009
Wednesday 30 December 2009
Repurposing & A Mess of Thread Tails
Tuesday morning, I woke up crabby, crabby, crabby and my mood seemed to get worse as the day went on. I'm sure most of it was due to lack of sleep with a few passive aggressive moments threwn in for good measure. You know how it is that you can let some things roll off of you and roll off of you and then bang... they hit... and you're totally ticked right off. Yup - one of those kinds of days. In order to save mankind, I stayed in my studio and sewed. Luckily, the sewing co-operated.
See that mess of thread tails? I was nearing the end of re-making this skirt and still didn't want to cut any of them off just in case something had to be adjusted again. There were eight seams, each with a tail for the stitching line and two tails for the serged finish - read LOTS of scraggly ends. That's enough to drive you crazy even when you aren't crabby. My preference is for neat, clean sewing. I like to stitch and trim as I go. I really admire Amanda's work at Amanda's Adventures in Sewing. She does amazing seam finishes that make the inside of her garments as gorgeous as the outside - a very talented and inspiring seamstress.
Repurposing an older garment is a lot of fun when I'm sewing it into something entirely different however, when all I'm doing is making it smaller, it's not nearly as wonderful. It was worth the work though since I absolutely love the fabric I used to sew this Burda 8213 skirt a few years ago and wanted to keep it. I started by taking everything apart except for the center back seam. It didn't make sense to re-do the zipper. Once the original skirt was back in pieces, I pin fit, adjusted, and stitched the seams. It would have been easier, a lot less messy, and much quicker to start from scratch but not possible. Oh well!
In total, the seams were taken in 4 1/2" from hip to hem and 9" at the waist graduated out to the hip. That sounds like a lot but when I tried the skirt on with pantyhose to make sure the waist wouldn't be big and baggy when I wore it, that's how much was needed to keep it snug against the body. My waist to hip difference is substantial. Next time, I'll use a longer zipper to make it easier to get in and out of. Right now, I have to ease it up gently.
The original skirt was fully lined. I debated leaving it out this time but the fabric is slightly scratchy and somewhat see through and what would I do with a used lining anyway? May as well re-purpose it too.
The lining had a serged bottom edge made by my previous serger. My new one does a much nicer job. I'm glad I was able to buy it earlier this year. This time - after adjusting all the seams to match the skirt - I sewed lingerie lace around the bottom. It looks pretty and more finished.
The waistband is made from stretch lace just like the one on my Christmas skirt was. I cut a 2 1/2" strip, folded it wrong sides together, stitched it to the skirt/lining with a 3/8" seam, turned it over the seam allowance to the inside, and edge stitched it in place creating a nice soft finish. I can see myself using this method quite often.
Typically, I don't wear shirts tucked in but - since she has a little black dress on all the time - I put the New Look 6735 t-shirt from Monday on Millicent (my dressform) to add some contrast so that you could actually see the skirt and then...
... while I was dressing her anyway, I added this belt that's been lying around in the studio. I planned to either make it smaller or repurpose it into a bag buckle. Maybe I'll wear it although...
... I think the buckle might be too big on me except that it looks good on Millicent and she looks a lot like me - VBG - so I'll give it a try when I wear the outfit. Probably on Sunday. I have some boots that will look great with the skirt.
Talk soon - Myrna
Grateful - a new serger
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Personal Growth - I spent a lot of time thinking about those verses from yesterday, especially the part about comparing myself to others. I've been doing that far more than I thought. Since it's natural and sometimes necessary, there must be a positive way of comparing that is evaluation rather than criticism. Still thinking...
See that mess of thread tails? I was nearing the end of re-making this skirt and still didn't want to cut any of them off just in case something had to be adjusted again. There were eight seams, each with a tail for the stitching line and two tails for the serged finish - read LOTS of scraggly ends. That's enough to drive you crazy even when you aren't crabby. My preference is for neat, clean sewing. I like to stitch and trim as I go. I really admire Amanda's work at Amanda's Adventures in Sewing. She does amazing seam finishes that make the inside of her garments as gorgeous as the outside - a very talented and inspiring seamstress.
Repurposing an older garment is a lot of fun when I'm sewing it into something entirely different however, when all I'm doing is making it smaller, it's not nearly as wonderful. It was worth the work though since I absolutely love the fabric I used to sew this Burda 8213 skirt a few years ago and wanted to keep it. I started by taking everything apart except for the center back seam. It didn't make sense to re-do the zipper. Once the original skirt was back in pieces, I pin fit, adjusted, and stitched the seams. It would have been easier, a lot less messy, and much quicker to start from scratch but not possible. Oh well!
In total, the seams were taken in 4 1/2" from hip to hem and 9" at the waist graduated out to the hip. That sounds like a lot but when I tried the skirt on with pantyhose to make sure the waist wouldn't be big and baggy when I wore it, that's how much was needed to keep it snug against the body. My waist to hip difference is substantial. Next time, I'll use a longer zipper to make it easier to get in and out of. Right now, I have to ease it up gently.
The original skirt was fully lined. I debated leaving it out this time but the fabric is slightly scratchy and somewhat see through and what would I do with a used lining anyway? May as well re-purpose it too.
The lining had a serged bottom edge made by my previous serger. My new one does a much nicer job. I'm glad I was able to buy it earlier this year. This time - after adjusting all the seams to match the skirt - I sewed lingerie lace around the bottom. It looks pretty and more finished.
The waistband is made from stretch lace just like the one on my Christmas skirt was. I cut a 2 1/2" strip, folded it wrong sides together, stitched it to the skirt/lining with a 3/8" seam, turned it over the seam allowance to the inside, and edge stitched it in place creating a nice soft finish. I can see myself using this method quite often.
Typically, I don't wear shirts tucked in but - since she has a little black dress on all the time - I put the New Look 6735 t-shirt from Monday on Millicent (my dressform) to add some contrast so that you could actually see the skirt and then...
... while I was dressing her anyway, I added this belt that's been lying around in the studio. I planned to either make it smaller or repurpose it into a bag buckle. Maybe I'll wear it although...
... I think the buckle might be too big on me except that it looks good on Millicent and she looks a lot like me - VBG - so I'll give it a try when I wear the outfit. Probably on Sunday. I have some boots that will look great with the skirt.
Talk soon - Myrna
Grateful - a new serger
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Personal Growth - I spent a lot of time thinking about those verses from yesterday, especially the part about comparing myself to others. I've been doing that far more than I thought. Since it's natural and sometimes necessary, there must be a positive way of comparing that is evaluation rather than criticism. Still thinking...
Tuesday 29 December 2009
Persevering or New Knitting
In 2008, I returned to knitting after a long - over twenty years - break. Throughout 2009, it has been a wonderful outlet both for creativity and for socialization. The two groups I've joined have gotten me out of the studio and have inspired and challenged me to try new things. It's been a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to more in 2010.
My process versus product driven approach to creating textile art made the transfer to knitting as did my adventurous "what if" attitude with trying things. I've noticed that with fashion sewing as well. I guess twenty years in the arts has to rub off in some way. I'm not the same person I was when I knit and sewed before even if my attitude toward tools is the same.
I dislike a lot of gadgets and prefer a few quality tools that will do the job, take up limited space in the studio, and work for their "room & board". Howard gave me this KnitPicks binder for Christmas. I was like a kid playing with my toy, sorting, organizing, and filling the pages.
There are pages with three pockets that hold the different needle sets I own as well as pages with one or two pockets that hold cables and other supplies. This one binder is already full to overflowing. I'd like one for commonly used sizes and tools and another for less frequently used ones. That way, I would be even better organized. Either way, this is a fabulous tool.
My favourite project of 2009 is this Shawl Collar Jacket from the latest Debbie Bliss magazine. By the time I knit it, I'd reached a stage where I could analyze and make changes to the pattern based on my body type. The only difficult part was the collar which is - IMHO - designed quite badly. I redid it in a different way. This jacket gets a lot of compliments. The yarn was a retirement present from a friend. It was so nice, I'd like to get more in a different color.
The most frustrating project of 2009 was this cardigan. The hand dyed bamboo yarn is the most expensive yarn I've every bought. I've knit it twice. The first time as a summer sweater only there were bust darts in the pattern that ended up about 2" below my bust. Apparently bamboo stretches.
The second time the differences in dyeing became more apparent. Previously, I must have used one ball for the front and another for the back but - as you can see in this image - the coloring between skeins is quite different although they were dyed together. I think more pink was poured into one area. I tried to shuffle the balls so it would be less obvious but it looks patchy and that bugged me so much that the yarn is back in balls again. I've learned that I dislike variegated yarn.
Since it was so expensive, I don't want to just throw it away. I'm debating either separating out the brighter yarn from the duller stuff and making two child sized projects or knitting it all up on my knitting mill and over-dyeing it. Time will tell. Right now, it is neither a project in progress nor a UFO so I'm not dragging it into 2010 with me.
This yarn has a similar story and the balls are at the same (unknit) stage however, they are weighing much heavier on my mind. I feel like I should - which IMHO means I shouldn't - knit them up before I do anything else only I've knit them three times already. This is the second most expensive yarn I've ever bought. Obviously, I should avoid expensive yarn - LOL.
My most technically "perfect" project for 2009 is this cardigan. The tension is even and the seams are almost invisible. It's the best work I've knit except... it's a UFO... and the only one in the studio at the moment. In this image, there is a button band done in seed stitch however, it pulled up unevenly so I took it off planning to reknit it right away only I was tired of the project. It had already been knit twice. The first time, the back, two fronts, and one and a half sleeves were done when I realized it was going to be too small. I took those apart, knit them bigger, sewed them back together, and promptly lost more weight so now it's "roomy". I am definitely not knitting it again. It needs to be finished.
The band is off. The new one will be a 1 x 1 rib using eight stitches - two for edge stitches, two for buttonholes, and two each side. Since it will be sewn on after it's knit, I can knit and measure against the edge as I go until it's exactly the right length. There will be five buttons. Tonight is knit night. I'm taking this along. Hopefully in three hours I can make some major progress. If I can get this done in the next few days, I'll enter 2010 with absolute no UFOs and perhaps one sewing project in progress. YES YES! That feels good.
After that, I'm torn between persevering or new knitting. Part of me would like to knit up that "should" pink yarn and get it over with but that's not exactly the most enthusiastic way to approach a project. More likely, I'll start something new and when it's finished debate going back to the pink. If I'm still not enthusiastic, it can sit in stash a bit longer otherwise whatever I knit will be horrible.
Talk soon - Myrna
Grateful - perseverance and discipline - VBG!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Personal Growth - Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived. Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. - Galatians 6: 1-5
There is a space I refer to as the vacuum of the unknown, that space between what was and what will be. I have in the past and am again experiencing it myself and I have seen it with my creativity students. Yesterday, while talking to my cousin, I called it fallowing as a field does when it's left to rest and restore before its next planting. I know who I am. I know what my skills and passions are. I know that a door has been closed and that I am waiting for a new one to open. I know that there are plenty of reasons for me to be slow and deliberate and careful and patient in that waiting. It cannot be rushed. Waiting patiently is so much easier said than done.
My process versus product driven approach to creating textile art made the transfer to knitting as did my adventurous "what if" attitude with trying things. I've noticed that with fashion sewing as well. I guess twenty years in the arts has to rub off in some way. I'm not the same person I was when I knit and sewed before even if my attitude toward tools is the same.
I dislike a lot of gadgets and prefer a few quality tools that will do the job, take up limited space in the studio, and work for their "room & board". Howard gave me this KnitPicks binder for Christmas. I was like a kid playing with my toy, sorting, organizing, and filling the pages.
There are pages with three pockets that hold the different needle sets I own as well as pages with one or two pockets that hold cables and other supplies. This one binder is already full to overflowing. I'd like one for commonly used sizes and tools and another for less frequently used ones. That way, I would be even better organized. Either way, this is a fabulous tool.
My favourite project of 2009 is this Shawl Collar Jacket from the latest Debbie Bliss magazine. By the time I knit it, I'd reached a stage where I could analyze and make changes to the pattern based on my body type. The only difficult part was the collar which is - IMHO - designed quite badly. I redid it in a different way. This jacket gets a lot of compliments. The yarn was a retirement present from a friend. It was so nice, I'd like to get more in a different color.
The most frustrating project of 2009 was this cardigan. The hand dyed bamboo yarn is the most expensive yarn I've every bought. I've knit it twice. The first time as a summer sweater only there were bust darts in the pattern that ended up about 2" below my bust. Apparently bamboo stretches.
The second time the differences in dyeing became more apparent. Previously, I must have used one ball for the front and another for the back but - as you can see in this image - the coloring between skeins is quite different although they were dyed together. I think more pink was poured into one area. I tried to shuffle the balls so it would be less obvious but it looks patchy and that bugged me so much that the yarn is back in balls again. I've learned that I dislike variegated yarn.
Since it was so expensive, I don't want to just throw it away. I'm debating either separating out the brighter yarn from the duller stuff and making two child sized projects or knitting it all up on my knitting mill and over-dyeing it. Time will tell. Right now, it is neither a project in progress nor a UFO so I'm not dragging it into 2010 with me.
This yarn has a similar story and the balls are at the same (unknit) stage however, they are weighing much heavier on my mind. I feel like I should - which IMHO means I shouldn't - knit them up before I do anything else only I've knit them three times already. This is the second most expensive yarn I've ever bought. Obviously, I should avoid expensive yarn - LOL.
My most technically "perfect" project for 2009 is this cardigan. The tension is even and the seams are almost invisible. It's the best work I've knit except... it's a UFO... and the only one in the studio at the moment. In this image, there is a button band done in seed stitch however, it pulled up unevenly so I took it off planning to reknit it right away only I was tired of the project. It had already been knit twice. The first time, the back, two fronts, and one and a half sleeves were done when I realized it was going to be too small. I took those apart, knit them bigger, sewed them back together, and promptly lost more weight so now it's "roomy". I am definitely not knitting it again. It needs to be finished.
The band is off. The new one will be a 1 x 1 rib using eight stitches - two for edge stitches, two for buttonholes, and two each side. Since it will be sewn on after it's knit, I can knit and measure against the edge as I go until it's exactly the right length. There will be five buttons. Tonight is knit night. I'm taking this along. Hopefully in three hours I can make some major progress. If I can get this done in the next few days, I'll enter 2010 with absolute no UFOs and perhaps one sewing project in progress. YES YES! That feels good.
After that, I'm torn between persevering or new knitting. Part of me would like to knit up that "should" pink yarn and get it over with but that's not exactly the most enthusiastic way to approach a project. More likely, I'll start something new and when it's finished debate going back to the pink. If I'm still not enthusiastic, it can sit in stash a bit longer otherwise whatever I knit will be horrible.
Talk soon - Myrna
Grateful - perseverance and discipline - VBG!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Personal Growth - Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived. Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. - Galatians 6: 1-5
There is a space I refer to as the vacuum of the unknown, that space between what was and what will be. I have in the past and am again experiencing it myself and I have seen it with my creativity students. Yesterday, while talking to my cousin, I called it fallowing as a field does when it's left to rest and restore before its next planting. I know who I am. I know what my skills and passions are. I know that a door has been closed and that I am waiting for a new one to open. I know that there are plenty of reasons for me to be slow and deliberate and careful and patient in that waiting. It cannot be rushed. Waiting patiently is so much easier said than done.
Monday 28 December 2009
And Sew It Begins
When I was younger and my grandparents would say something corny like all I want for Christmas is to see you, I'd roll my eyes and think... really... NOT... only now that I'm mid-way through life, it makes total sense. The real gift is maintaining the relationship, connecting, spending time together, celebrating each other's uniqueness, saying I see you, I appreciate you, I love you. Relationships are what life is all about.
There are two gifts that I receive each Christmas and value tremendously. The first is time together as a family with nothing to interfere and nothing else to do but move slow, relax, and have fun. The more that I've simplified Christmas, the more wonderful the day has become. This year would have been absolutely perfect if our daughter and son-in-law had been there as well. Thankfully, we were able to talk to them several times during the day. The phone is a marvelous thing. It brought us together.
This gift of together time is especially meaningful to me because my primary love language is quality time and Christmas is doubly wonderful because my secondary language is gifts. Now isn't that the perfect mix - LOL. If you don't know what I mean by love language, you might be interested in The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. It's an eye opening read.
The second gift is time alone, all by myself, with no one else around. That might seem contrary and rather strange since I spend a lot of time alone each week but it's different. It's time alone without responsibilities. At some point during the holiday, my husband takes the kids to his parents for an overnight while I stay home, sleep in, eat when and what I want, and do whatever I want. It's a HUGE gift to have space in which to just be and not think about anyone but myself - made more wonderful by when they return.
This year, I SWAP-ped (sewing with a plan) - or at least I started swapping first by cleaning up the fabric closet and pulling out a variety of knits and second by cutting out another version of the New Look 6735 t-shirt in the same flocked knit from last week. This time, I drafted it with long sleeves and a v-neck. Since it was the same fabric and the same pattern, you can imagine my surprise when I tried it on and the hem was SNUG SNUG SNUG. I'm pretty sure I didn't get that stuffed over Christmas - VBG.
It turns out that the interfacing I bought is different. It only stretches in one direction and will be perfect for woven garments but not at all useful for hems on knits. It over stabilizes them to the point of no stretch. Darn - LOL - there's a trip to Fabricland in my future! Maybe even today. Luckily, I like the bottom half of last week's t-shirt and the top half of this week's one. I'm debating how to cut them both off in the middle and join them together, perhaps with a plain black flange in-between.
While I was thinking about that, I cut out and stitched the t-shirt in this blue/grey/black knit. Sewing this t-shirt is quick and easy; it takes a couple hours. Luckily, there were some strips of the previous interfacing left to use for the hem and it fits nicely. With this version, I extended center back by 1 1/2". When a top follows the curve of my back, the hemline is pulled up by my high hips. The extension allows the back hem to pull up even with the front hem. The side seams are the same length and 1 1/2" is added to center back with a curved hemline to blend in the difference. It works like a charm.
This Burda 8213 skirt is one of my favourite patterns. If there's a style that I'm drawn to far more than any other, it's a trumpet skirt which thankfully is very flattering on my figure type.
A few years ago, I sewed this pattern using an black linen embellished with raw edged, bias cut strips roughly stitched in rose shapes. When I cut out the skirt, I deliberately staggered the design for an impression of roughness rather than roses. I love this skirt only...
... it's now way too big in the hips. After I finished the t-shirt, I started taking apart the skirt. It's now ready to be re-done in a smaller size. That's what I'm working on today. And sew it begins... swapping!!!!!
Talk soon - Myrna
Grateful - that I used the same fabric and the same pattern to make that t-shirt and realized it was the interfacing that was the issue. Otherwise, I may have gone around in circles thinking it was something entirely different.
There are two gifts that I receive each Christmas and value tremendously. The first is time together as a family with nothing to interfere and nothing else to do but move slow, relax, and have fun. The more that I've simplified Christmas, the more wonderful the day has become. This year would have been absolutely perfect if our daughter and son-in-law had been there as well. Thankfully, we were able to talk to them several times during the day. The phone is a marvelous thing. It brought us together.
This gift of together time is especially meaningful to me because my primary love language is quality time and Christmas is doubly wonderful because my secondary language is gifts. Now isn't that the perfect mix - LOL. If you don't know what I mean by love language, you might be interested in The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. It's an eye opening read.
The second gift is time alone, all by myself, with no one else around. That might seem contrary and rather strange since I spend a lot of time alone each week but it's different. It's time alone without responsibilities. At some point during the holiday, my husband takes the kids to his parents for an overnight while I stay home, sleep in, eat when and what I want, and do whatever I want. It's a HUGE gift to have space in which to just be and not think about anyone but myself - made more wonderful by when they return.
This year, I SWAP-ped (sewing with a plan) - or at least I started swapping first by cleaning up the fabric closet and pulling out a variety of knits and second by cutting out another version of the New Look 6735 t-shirt in the same flocked knit from last week. This time, I drafted it with long sleeves and a v-neck. Since it was the same fabric and the same pattern, you can imagine my surprise when I tried it on and the hem was SNUG SNUG SNUG. I'm pretty sure I didn't get that stuffed over Christmas - VBG.
It turns out that the interfacing I bought is different. It only stretches in one direction and will be perfect for woven garments but not at all useful for hems on knits. It over stabilizes them to the point of no stretch. Darn - LOL - there's a trip to Fabricland in my future! Maybe even today. Luckily, I like the bottom half of last week's t-shirt and the top half of this week's one. I'm debating how to cut them both off in the middle and join them together, perhaps with a plain black flange in-between.
While I was thinking about that, I cut out and stitched the t-shirt in this blue/grey/black knit. Sewing this t-shirt is quick and easy; it takes a couple hours. Luckily, there were some strips of the previous interfacing left to use for the hem and it fits nicely. With this version, I extended center back by 1 1/2". When a top follows the curve of my back, the hemline is pulled up by my high hips. The extension allows the back hem to pull up even with the front hem. The side seams are the same length and 1 1/2" is added to center back with a curved hemline to blend in the difference. It works like a charm.
This Burda 8213 skirt is one of my favourite patterns. If there's a style that I'm drawn to far more than any other, it's a trumpet skirt which thankfully is very flattering on my figure type.
A few years ago, I sewed this pattern using an black linen embellished with raw edged, bias cut strips roughly stitched in rose shapes. When I cut out the skirt, I deliberately staggered the design for an impression of roughness rather than roses. I love this skirt only...
... it's now way too big in the hips. After I finished the t-shirt, I started taking apart the skirt. It's now ready to be re-done in a smaller size. That's what I'm working on today. And sew it begins... swapping!!!!!
Talk soon - Myrna
Grateful - that I used the same fabric and the same pattern to make that t-shirt and realized it was the interfacing that was the issue. Otherwise, I may have gone around in circles thinking it was something entirely different.
Thursday 24 December 2009
The Reason...
This is how much God loved the world; He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why; so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world to right again. - John 3:16
It's not the parties or the presents, the pretty dresses or the food. It's not even the time spent with family and friends as wonderful as that may be. It's not about good works or being kind or generous - at least not to others. The reason for the season is God's gift to us.
Merry CHRISTmas - Myrna
Grateful: a reason with depth and meaning far beyond the shallowness of shopping and gift getting
It's not the parties or the presents, the pretty dresses or the food. It's not even the time spent with family and friends as wonderful as that may be. It's not about good works or being kind or generous - at least not to others. The reason for the season is God's gift to us.
Merry CHRISTmas - Myrna
Grateful: a reason with depth and meaning far beyond the shallowness of shopping and gift getting
Wednesday 23 December 2009
Keep Christmas Simple
Yesterday, I spent a lot more time in the curl up chair knitting and then, for a change of pace, in the evening I went over to the yarn store and knit with Brenda. I finished one sleeve and most of the ribbing (5") on the second one.
There were two smaller balls of yarn left for the second sleeve - not enough - so I wound this last skein into a ball ready to use. I didn't mind using it since I've already bought it HOWEVER... I mind that this is a sixteen dollar ball of....
... hand dyed, variegated, bamboo yarn and I really do NOT like the way it knit up. It feels wonderful but look at the color pooling. With variegated yarn, you get what you get and with hand dyed yarn, you get what you get and what I'm getting is the distinct impression that there are no hand dyed, variegated yarns in my future. I prefer a solid with texture in the yarn or knit into the pattern. Good learning.
There is half a sleeve to go before I can block and sew the sweater together. This is my only project in progress and I have one UFO to re-do the neckband on. My goal is to finish both of those by the end of the year and enter 2010 with a cleared studio. I may have started the SWAP by then but that will be a project in progress. It's UFO's I don't want.
The boys jammies are finished. I was able to stitch in the elastic yesterday morning. Normally I make a tag out of the same fabric by serging the edges. This time, I used bits of a lime ribbon with pink dots. LOL - they should be easy to find. The tags mark the back. The jammies are now out of the studio and...
... all wrapped up with the other presents. YEARS ago, I decided not to put presents under the tree until Christmas Eve after the kids went to bed. I didn't want the focus of the season to be on "what did I get" which of course is exactly what it's on if there are unwrapped presents anywhere within sight - for children and for parents. Doing it this way, my kids were never overly hyper which I really appreciated.
This week, I've learned that I do Christmas substantially different than a lot of people. One of the threads I've been reading has been about hating Christmas. For some, it's about loss and loneliness however, for most, it's been about the work load. Reading the postings made me sad because these people are doing it to themselves and it could be so much different. We have choices.
I've seen and lived through exhausting Christmasses that weren't pretty and when I established my own home, I realized that while the woman will always do more of the work, I was not willing to be responsible for all of the work. The only thing I do by myself is put away the decorations otherwise, if this is a family event, it's going to be done by the whole family. My take on an activity is that if they don't want "it" bad enough to do the work with me then perhaps it doesn't need to be done...
... except cooking and cleaning. These do need to be done. I delegate both cooking and cleaning to my husband, children living at home, visiting children, in-law children, and even guests. If we're all making the mess, we can all clean it up. Some people gasp when I say I make guests work but I've found that they especially like to be useful. They know there's work involved in having them visit.
I'll continue to delegate in this way because otherwise I would start to resent having my "holiday" turn into a pile of work. Even with all the delegating I do do, I've had that feeling occasionally and it doesn't have to happen because as long as I have the bits and pieces organized, most people are more than willing to help. IMHO that's fabulous and the way it should be. If they're not, they can be trained or perhaps I don't want them to visit - VBG.
We limit presents to three and set a budget - a low one. We only buy gifts for immediate family - each other and our kids. Howard and I go out for breakfast, make notes, and Christmas shop in November to avoid the crowds and the stress. We both buy the presents and have a date day.
We all decorate the house together on December 1st and that's when we have eggnog and butter tarts for the first time. I bake once and only butter tarts. Obviously - since we need them for the 1st - I bake at the end of November. This year, I made tarts twice due to a special request from Howard's co-workers. Because I'm organized, I had time to bake them. I would bake shortbread if anyone asked for it but they don't like it enough for me (or them) to bother. We buy Christmas cake and Nanaimo bars. We bake or buy just enough that by the time Christmas is over, it's all gone.
We have a tree decorating party on the second Sunday before Christmas with either a candlelight dinner afterward or appetizers and finger foods during. We all cook. We all clean. For almost fifteen years, we invited an elderly couple with no grandchildren to join us. They are too old to come now and we still miss them. In the future, when there are no children living at home, I can see us inviting friends.
Howard and I wrap all the presents together. We play music, drink eggnog, I wrap, and he tapes and writes the cards. We eat normal food in normal amounts that doesn't take all day to cook and provides enough left overs for Boxing Day and January 1st. We have turkey another time. This Christmas Eve, we're having spaghetti with chicken wings, garlic bread, and salad. Tomorrow morning, I'll precook the sauce and noodles. The sauce will go in the crockpot to stay warm and I'll write notes on how to heat up the noodles and cook the chicken wings. When Howard and I get home from doing the second service (worship team), the boys will have everything ready for a late dinner.
Christmas morning, we'll have yummy gooey cinnamon buns (purchased) with oranges and eggnog. This year, I'll have a warm GF coffee cake. For dinner on Christmas Day, we're having slow cooked ribs, scalloped potatoes, baked vegetables, and salad. And on New Year's Eve, we're having corn chowder with buns. AND... with everything ... butter tarts.
Today is two day's before Christmas. There is nothing that has to be done. I could spend almost all of today and tomorrow and most of the holidays knitting or sewing in the studio. Any work to be done is a normal amount (meals, towels, bathrooms, vacuuming) and we'll do it together. I aim to keep Christmas simple and fun for everyone, me included.
I hope that telling you about how I do Christmas offers a different perspective on the holidays. Perhaps one that would be more fun and manageable for any of you who find it overwhelming. Simplifying, planning, and doing things in advance can make a HUGE difference and focus Christmas on fun, family, friends, and Christ's birth.
Talk tomorrow - Myrna
Grateful - a slower pace, less stress
There were two smaller balls of yarn left for the second sleeve - not enough - so I wound this last skein into a ball ready to use. I didn't mind using it since I've already bought it HOWEVER... I mind that this is a sixteen dollar ball of....
... hand dyed, variegated, bamboo yarn and I really do NOT like the way it knit up. It feels wonderful but look at the color pooling. With variegated yarn, you get what you get and with hand dyed yarn, you get what you get and what I'm getting is the distinct impression that there are no hand dyed, variegated yarns in my future. I prefer a solid with texture in the yarn or knit into the pattern. Good learning.
There is half a sleeve to go before I can block and sew the sweater together. This is my only project in progress and I have one UFO to re-do the neckband on. My goal is to finish both of those by the end of the year and enter 2010 with a cleared studio. I may have started the SWAP by then but that will be a project in progress. It's UFO's I don't want.
The boys jammies are finished. I was able to stitch in the elastic yesterday morning. Normally I make a tag out of the same fabric by serging the edges. This time, I used bits of a lime ribbon with pink dots. LOL - they should be easy to find. The tags mark the back. The jammies are now out of the studio and...
... all wrapped up with the other presents. YEARS ago, I decided not to put presents under the tree until Christmas Eve after the kids went to bed. I didn't want the focus of the season to be on "what did I get" which of course is exactly what it's on if there are unwrapped presents anywhere within sight - for children and for parents. Doing it this way, my kids were never overly hyper which I really appreciated.
This week, I've learned that I do Christmas substantially different than a lot of people. One of the threads I've been reading has been about hating Christmas. For some, it's about loss and loneliness however, for most, it's been about the work load. Reading the postings made me sad because these people are doing it to themselves and it could be so much different. We have choices.
I've seen and lived through exhausting Christmasses that weren't pretty and when I established my own home, I realized that while the woman will always do more of the work, I was not willing to be responsible for all of the work. The only thing I do by myself is put away the decorations otherwise, if this is a family event, it's going to be done by the whole family. My take on an activity is that if they don't want "it" bad enough to do the work with me then perhaps it doesn't need to be done...
... except cooking and cleaning. These do need to be done. I delegate both cooking and cleaning to my husband, children living at home, visiting children, in-law children, and even guests. If we're all making the mess, we can all clean it up. Some people gasp when I say I make guests work but I've found that they especially like to be useful. They know there's work involved in having them visit.
I'll continue to delegate in this way because otherwise I would start to resent having my "holiday" turn into a pile of work. Even with all the delegating I do do, I've had that feeling occasionally and it doesn't have to happen because as long as I have the bits and pieces organized, most people are more than willing to help. IMHO that's fabulous and the way it should be. If they're not, they can be trained or perhaps I don't want them to visit - VBG.
We limit presents to three and set a budget - a low one. We only buy gifts for immediate family - each other and our kids. Howard and I go out for breakfast, make notes, and Christmas shop in November to avoid the crowds and the stress. We both buy the presents and have a date day.
We all decorate the house together on December 1st and that's when we have eggnog and butter tarts for the first time. I bake once and only butter tarts. Obviously - since we need them for the 1st - I bake at the end of November. This year, I made tarts twice due to a special request from Howard's co-workers. Because I'm organized, I had time to bake them. I would bake shortbread if anyone asked for it but they don't like it enough for me (or them) to bother. We buy Christmas cake and Nanaimo bars. We bake or buy just enough that by the time Christmas is over, it's all gone.
We have a tree decorating party on the second Sunday before Christmas with either a candlelight dinner afterward or appetizers and finger foods during. We all cook. We all clean. For almost fifteen years, we invited an elderly couple with no grandchildren to join us. They are too old to come now and we still miss them. In the future, when there are no children living at home, I can see us inviting friends.
Howard and I wrap all the presents together. We play music, drink eggnog, I wrap, and he tapes and writes the cards. We eat normal food in normal amounts that doesn't take all day to cook and provides enough left overs for Boxing Day and January 1st. We have turkey another time. This Christmas Eve, we're having spaghetti with chicken wings, garlic bread, and salad. Tomorrow morning, I'll precook the sauce and noodles. The sauce will go in the crockpot to stay warm and I'll write notes on how to heat up the noodles and cook the chicken wings. When Howard and I get home from doing the second service (worship team), the boys will have everything ready for a late dinner.
Christmas morning, we'll have yummy gooey cinnamon buns (purchased) with oranges and eggnog. This year, I'll have a warm GF coffee cake. For dinner on Christmas Day, we're having slow cooked ribs, scalloped potatoes, baked vegetables, and salad. And on New Year's Eve, we're having corn chowder with buns. AND... with everything ... butter tarts.
Today is two day's before Christmas. There is nothing that has to be done. I could spend almost all of today and tomorrow and most of the holidays knitting or sewing in the studio. Any work to be done is a normal amount (meals, towels, bathrooms, vacuuming) and we'll do it together. I aim to keep Christmas simple and fun for everyone, me included.
I hope that telling you about how I do Christmas offers a different perspective on the holidays. Perhaps one that would be more fun and manageable for any of you who find it overwhelming. Simplifying, planning, and doing things in advance can make a HUGE difference and focus Christmas on fun, family, friends, and Christ's birth.
Talk tomorrow - Myrna
Grateful - a slower pace, less stress
Tuesday 22 December 2009
Assorted Projects
Off and on - whenever they're both out - I've been working on the boy's jammie pants. They're all done except for the waist elastic which will hopefully happen this morning while they're sleeping. That was my plan on Sunday too and then one got up early and one came home from church feeling sick BUT... they should sleep for another two and a half hours today. It should work.
I was so tired Sunday after not sleeping the night before that all I did was sit in my curl up chair and knit. This sweater is pretty basic. It's done in stocking stitch. Knit a row, purl a row, I could handle. The back was already done and that afternoon I finished the two fronts and then shuffled them around until last night. My mind just wasn't on picking up stitches so finally I went over to the yarn store and asked Brenda to do it which she very nicely did. This morning, it's ready for the neckband. I'd like to get the two sleeves knit and the sweater sewn together before our next meeting on the 29th - LOL - maybe.
To avoid picking up stitches, I did something I rarely do - started a second project. I am yet, still, again, knitting a cape out of the recycled Stampata yarn only this start doesn't measure out right so I may have to do some fudging. If it's too much, I'll pick a different project however....
... if I can work it out, I'd like to make this free pattern called Charming from the Vogue Knitting 25th anniversary celebration Fall 2007 issue. The pieces are curved to accommodate the shoulders so the cape should - ideally - hang straight. First, I'll see if I can fudge the gauge. Then, I'll knit. And then... if it doesn't hang straight... three tries are enough. I'll quit.
I've been thinking about the SWAP and about grouping the projects. My mind immediately made the leap to the "group of seven". Since there are seven days in a week and I'm trying to make a complete wardrobe, I'm debating sewing seven of each garment such as seven t-shirts followed by seven pairs of pants followed by seven skirts and so on. Might be boring. I'm not sure. Could also be quite stretching creatively to work in series starting with a T & T pattern and adapting it in different directions. I'll give it more thought. I can always start and if it's no fun, do something else. Right now - the elastic.
Talk soon -Myrna
Grateful - helping hands
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Personal Growth - Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don't drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular check-ups. - - We don't just put up with our limitations, we celebrate them, and then go on to celebrate every strength, every triumph of the truth in you. We pray hard that it will all come together in your lives. - - The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you. - 2 Corinthians 13
Working on myself, looking for the best in others, supporting and encouraging them, being held and holding accountable, celebrating God's amazing goodness. Yesterday, I had breakfast with a friend who completely understands what we're dealing with right now. She's been there, done that. She also believes as I believe so we can talk about personal growth, learning, doubts and worries, and about leaning on God's strength. It always comes back to God's amazing goodness. What a gift - His goodness, her friendship. I want to make sure that I'm doing my regular check-ups.
I was so tired Sunday after not sleeping the night before that all I did was sit in my curl up chair and knit. This sweater is pretty basic. It's done in stocking stitch. Knit a row, purl a row, I could handle. The back was already done and that afternoon I finished the two fronts and then shuffled them around until last night. My mind just wasn't on picking up stitches so finally I went over to the yarn store and asked Brenda to do it which she very nicely did. This morning, it's ready for the neckband. I'd like to get the two sleeves knit and the sweater sewn together before our next meeting on the 29th - LOL - maybe.
To avoid picking up stitches, I did something I rarely do - started a second project. I am yet, still, again, knitting a cape out of the recycled Stampata yarn only this start doesn't measure out right so I may have to do some fudging. If it's too much, I'll pick a different project however....
... if I can work it out, I'd like to make this free pattern called Charming from the Vogue Knitting 25th anniversary celebration Fall 2007 issue. The pieces are curved to accommodate the shoulders so the cape should - ideally - hang straight. First, I'll see if I can fudge the gauge. Then, I'll knit. And then... if it doesn't hang straight... three tries are enough. I'll quit.
I've been thinking about the SWAP and about grouping the projects. My mind immediately made the leap to the "group of seven". Since there are seven days in a week and I'm trying to make a complete wardrobe, I'm debating sewing seven of each garment such as seven t-shirts followed by seven pairs of pants followed by seven skirts and so on. Might be boring. I'm not sure. Could also be quite stretching creatively to work in series starting with a T & T pattern and adapting it in different directions. I'll give it more thought. I can always start and if it's no fun, do something else. Right now - the elastic.
Talk soon -Myrna
Grateful - helping hands
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Personal Growth - Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don't drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular check-ups. - - We don't just put up with our limitations, we celebrate them, and then go on to celebrate every strength, every triumph of the truth in you. We pray hard that it will all come together in your lives. - - The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you. - 2 Corinthians 13
Working on myself, looking for the best in others, supporting and encouraging them, being held and holding accountable, celebrating God's amazing goodness. Yesterday, I had breakfast with a friend who completely understands what we're dealing with right now. She's been there, done that. She also believes as I believe so we can talk about personal growth, learning, doubts and worries, and about leaning on God's strength. It always comes back to God's amazing goodness. What a gift - His goodness, her friendship. I want to make sure that I'm doing my regular check-ups.
Monday 21 December 2009
Unevenly Distributed
Today is my gorgeous daughter Jessica's birthday. She's our best Christmas gift ever. Happy Birthday sweetie. Enjoy Snow White! Wish I was there to help you celebrate. XOXOXOXO !
On Friday, I sewed a second Christmas top using this flocked knit. Having learned my lesson, I did NOT attempt to fluff it up in the washer afterward - LOL!
Getting dressed Saturday night, I decided it didn't go with the skirt. Either it was visually too heavy or proportionally too long or maybe too simple - possibly boring - of a style but it and the skirt didn't feel right together so I wore a top from at least ten years ago, which is one of the very few aged garments I own. It has a similar, off the shoulder look, to the shrunken one.
My glasses were black with rhinestones in the corners. They're part of the collection I ordered from zennioptical.com with 15 different prescription pairs for just over $200.00. Since I wear glasses all the time - and am having trouble wearing contacts now - it's nice to have options HOWEVER... I need to remember to take them off for pictures to avoid the glare.
I wore the "new" top with jeans on Sunday afternoon. With this second one, I left the front the same as the first version and scooped the back to just above my bra strap. Even though this didn't make the neckline wider, it felt a LOT wider. I wore a scarf yesterday to keep my neck warm and...
... sampled tying it down the back to see how that looked. Hmmm... maybe not! Years ago, I had a wonderful sundress that was scooped in the back to just above the waist. If I'd already owned the right undergarment, I might have tried that however, with the way I'm changing sizes right now, I wasn't going to spend that kind of money on a one occasion piece. LOL - it would have been fun though. Maybe I'll make another sundress like that this summer.
The great thing about sewing a pattern twice in fairly close succession is the learning. I can actually remember what happened last time and include how the t-shirt feels when wearing it for a full day. I knew that I was unevenly distributed front to back and even so, making the changes to the pattern was an eye opener.
The first t-shirt was uncomfortable through the underarm. It's like the armpit is eating up the fabric pulling it through to the back and creating a twisted and tight feeling at the front. This same type of eating up happens with crotch seams when the back crotch isn't extended far enough forward. It was my own fault. When I cut out the pattern the first time, I wanted to test it "as is" and didn't alter the under arm side seam. Typically, I widen the back and narrow the front by one inch right at the point where the underarm turns to go down the side seam.
Last time, with the pink one, the front was narrowed by an inch each side at the hem while leaving the back intact. Altering the pattern to accommodate the underarm adjustment AND that previous hem adjustment showed me that I can cut out a size fourteen through the center front, neck, shoulders, and armhole front and back and then begin the underarm seam for the front at a size ten (two sizes down) and for the back at a size eighteen (two sizes up) AND...
... the bonus is that it's less awkward. Above, I traced the front side seam down to the hip by graduating from a 10 to a 12 to a 14 and on the back by simply following the size 18. As you can see in the image, these were much smoother lines to draw and sew together and create a flatter side which mimics my body more closely. I wore it all day yesterday and it was REALLY comfortable which - of course - has me thinking about pants.
Remember when I made these purple pants? I took this picture to show how much I'd narrow the front by next time. Well guess what... that would be the exact same discovery. Once again, I'd cut out a smaller front than back size and the amount of difference is about the width of the front dart because that's how much I'd narrow them. By cutting the smaller size for the front and then eliminating the dart, the waist would remain the same size and the front width would be narrowed and more flattering. Can't wait to try that on my next pair of pants for the SWAP. I'll sew this pant pattern again.
This morning, I'm off to breakfast with a friend and then I plan to do some paperwork both personal and business. This is the last official quarter of my business even though I've been doing no work since the end of August. As of December 31st, it is legally closed in terms of deductions, year ends, taxes, and so on. I want to get that out of the way so that come December 26th, I'm totally free to work on the SWAP (sewing with a plan). LOL - I want to but I also want to finish knitting that sweater I spent a lot of time on yesterday so we'll see what really happens. Sweaters most likely call louder than paperwork.
Talk soon - Myrna
Grateful - for Jessica
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Personal Growth - Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! - Proverbs 3
At the party Saturday night, it was obvious that Howard was in a lot of pain. We didn't stay nearly as late nor dance nearly as much as we normally would have. That night, I barely slept. Both my conscious and subconscious wouldn't let go of the possibilities. He will get some more test results tomorrow afternoon. I'm hopeful that some of them will be definitive. Either way, I want to trust God to lead and guide and I want that peace that passes understanding. We've been down this road before. It's unwelcomingly familiar. I want to be strong. I don't want to fall apart before, during, or after.
On Friday, I sewed a second Christmas top using this flocked knit. Having learned my lesson, I did NOT attempt to fluff it up in the washer afterward - LOL!
Getting dressed Saturday night, I decided it didn't go with the skirt. Either it was visually too heavy or proportionally too long or maybe too simple - possibly boring - of a style but it and the skirt didn't feel right together so I wore a top from at least ten years ago, which is one of the very few aged garments I own. It has a similar, off the shoulder look, to the shrunken one.
My glasses were black with rhinestones in the corners. They're part of the collection I ordered from zennioptical.com with 15 different prescription pairs for just over $200.00. Since I wear glasses all the time - and am having trouble wearing contacts now - it's nice to have options HOWEVER... I need to remember to take them off for pictures to avoid the glare.
I wore the "new" top with jeans on Sunday afternoon. With this second one, I left the front the same as the first version and scooped the back to just above my bra strap. Even though this didn't make the neckline wider, it felt a LOT wider. I wore a scarf yesterday to keep my neck warm and...
... sampled tying it down the back to see how that looked. Hmmm... maybe not! Years ago, I had a wonderful sundress that was scooped in the back to just above the waist. If I'd already owned the right undergarment, I might have tried that however, with the way I'm changing sizes right now, I wasn't going to spend that kind of money on a one occasion piece. LOL - it would have been fun though. Maybe I'll make another sundress like that this summer.
The great thing about sewing a pattern twice in fairly close succession is the learning. I can actually remember what happened last time and include how the t-shirt feels when wearing it for a full day. I knew that I was unevenly distributed front to back and even so, making the changes to the pattern was an eye opener.
The first t-shirt was uncomfortable through the underarm. It's like the armpit is eating up the fabric pulling it through to the back and creating a twisted and tight feeling at the front. This same type of eating up happens with crotch seams when the back crotch isn't extended far enough forward. It was my own fault. When I cut out the pattern the first time, I wanted to test it "as is" and didn't alter the under arm side seam. Typically, I widen the back and narrow the front by one inch right at the point where the underarm turns to go down the side seam.
Last time, with the pink one, the front was narrowed by an inch each side at the hem while leaving the back intact. Altering the pattern to accommodate the underarm adjustment AND that previous hem adjustment showed me that I can cut out a size fourteen through the center front, neck, shoulders, and armhole front and back and then begin the underarm seam for the front at a size ten (two sizes down) and for the back at a size eighteen (two sizes up) AND...
... the bonus is that it's less awkward. Above, I traced the front side seam down to the hip by graduating from a 10 to a 12 to a 14 and on the back by simply following the size 18. As you can see in the image, these were much smoother lines to draw and sew together and create a flatter side which mimics my body more closely. I wore it all day yesterday and it was REALLY comfortable which - of course - has me thinking about pants.
Remember when I made these purple pants? I took this picture to show how much I'd narrow the front by next time. Well guess what... that would be the exact same discovery. Once again, I'd cut out a smaller front than back size and the amount of difference is about the width of the front dart because that's how much I'd narrow them. By cutting the smaller size for the front and then eliminating the dart, the waist would remain the same size and the front width would be narrowed and more flattering. Can't wait to try that on my next pair of pants for the SWAP. I'll sew this pant pattern again.
This morning, I'm off to breakfast with a friend and then I plan to do some paperwork both personal and business. This is the last official quarter of my business even though I've been doing no work since the end of August. As of December 31st, it is legally closed in terms of deductions, year ends, taxes, and so on. I want to get that out of the way so that come December 26th, I'm totally free to work on the SWAP (sewing with a plan). LOL - I want to but I also want to finish knitting that sweater I spent a lot of time on yesterday so we'll see what really happens. Sweaters most likely call louder than paperwork.
Talk soon - Myrna
Grateful - for Jessica
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Personal Growth - Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! - Proverbs 3
At the party Saturday night, it was obvious that Howard was in a lot of pain. We didn't stay nearly as late nor dance nearly as much as we normally would have. That night, I barely slept. Both my conscious and subconscious wouldn't let go of the possibilities. He will get some more test results tomorrow afternoon. I'm hopeful that some of them will be definitive. Either way, I want to trust God to lead and guide and I want that peace that passes understanding. We've been down this road before. It's unwelcomingly familiar. I want to be strong. I don't want to fall apart before, during, or after.
Friday 18 December 2009
On The Way To The Party
For every grocery item I buy, I have to make at least six decisions - which one, where in the cart, where on the checkout counter, where back in the cart, where in the trunk of the car, where on the kitchen counter, and then where in the cupboard. What a lot of decision making that is. It's exhausting, especially when you haven't done a big shop in months. The cart was FULL and the pantry is stocked up now. I told Carol , the checkout at my fruits & vegetables store, that I plan NOT to see her again until the New Year. If we need something, someone else can get it - LOL.
I grocery shopped and then I finished up the top. Here it is on my dress form. I took Millicent's little black dress off to get more contrast. The front....
... and the back. When I tried it on, it fit wonderfully and was soft and cozy feeling. Exactly what I wanted. I LOVED it and then - on the way to the party...
... I washed it to fluff up the nap and it fluffed and it shrank. When I pulled it out of the washer, it was shorter than it was wide and no amount of stretching and pulling and hanging to dry was going to change things. See how the sleeves are even with the hem in the above picture. Now, they're elbow length. It's almost funny - almost - definitely frustrating. I seem to be having a run of bad fabric luck.
Earlier, I prewashed the silk dupioni the way I always prewash silk dupioni and the color faded. That had never happened before. With this knit, I prewashed the way I always prewash - a hot wash followed by a hot dryer - and then it shrank again in a cold wash. That's NEVER happened before. It's weird and it leaves me without a top to wear to the party tomorrow night.
Today is house cleaning. It has to be done. After that, I promised to make butter tarts and deliver them to my husband's work as well as to some friends. By late afternoon, I should be able to sew. Remember this New Look 6735 t-shirt that I made a few weeks ago? The pattern is tested already so...
... I'm going to use this flocked knit to make a second top. Last night, I washed the fabric again in hot water and a hot dryer and then again in cold water and a hot dryer. Hopefully, it's as shrunk as it's going to get.
Here's how the t-shirt looked. I'm debating changes like a V front and back or a higher front and a scooped back or a collar rounded at the front and forming a V at the back or a higher front with a mandarin collar that ties around at the neck over a low cut back.
I tried versions of all those ideas on last night when I went snoop shopping at the mall. Starting with a pattern that I know fits, it should be relatively quick to make something new. Luckily, there's a seam center back on this pattern so I can insert the rhinestone zipper again if it looks suitable.
Once a pattern has been traced and perfected, a t-shirt typically doesn't take more than a couple hours even with additions. The party is not until tomorrow so I have until 6:00 Saturday night to finish and... if that doesn't work... I do have two tops in my closet that would. It's just that I've worn them to one of these staff parties before and would rather have something new made by me. I will be dressed. This is good - VBG.
Have a great weekend - Myrna
Grateful - no more grocery shopping until January
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Personal Growth - So how does it happen that the more I love you, the less I'm loved? 2 Corinthians 12
Yesterday at breakfast, Francine and I were talking about friendship which is something that I strongly value. I believe that life is about relationships and that much of the rest is just "stuff". I'm a Corelle kind of friend, there through thick and thin and hot and cold.
Over the years, I've discovered that most people view friendship from a Chinette perspective. It's pretty and useful when it works for you and disposable when you don't want it any more. That puts me in a bit of a position. When I'm a friend, I'm very committed. I support and encourage through highs and lows and I want the same in return. I'm not willing to be treated as convenient or disposable. It has an overtone of being used.
As I mentioned before, this has been a year in terms of relationships. With each ending, my attitude toward friendship and my willingness to risk has taken a beating. I feel like the verse says - that the more I love, the less I am loved. It's changing a part of me that was good. I'm working on not becoming cynical, hard, remote, and walled off.
I grocery shopped and then I finished up the top. Here it is on my dress form. I took Millicent's little black dress off to get more contrast. The front....
... and the back. When I tried it on, it fit wonderfully and was soft and cozy feeling. Exactly what I wanted. I LOVED it and then - on the way to the party...
... I washed it to fluff up the nap and it fluffed and it shrank. When I pulled it out of the washer, it was shorter than it was wide and no amount of stretching and pulling and hanging to dry was going to change things. See how the sleeves are even with the hem in the above picture. Now, they're elbow length. It's almost funny - almost - definitely frustrating. I seem to be having a run of bad fabric luck.
Earlier, I prewashed the silk dupioni the way I always prewash silk dupioni and the color faded. That had never happened before. With this knit, I prewashed the way I always prewash - a hot wash followed by a hot dryer - and then it shrank again in a cold wash. That's NEVER happened before. It's weird and it leaves me without a top to wear to the party tomorrow night.
Today is house cleaning. It has to be done. After that, I promised to make butter tarts and deliver them to my husband's work as well as to some friends. By late afternoon, I should be able to sew. Remember this New Look 6735 t-shirt that I made a few weeks ago? The pattern is tested already so...
... I'm going to use this flocked knit to make a second top. Last night, I washed the fabric again in hot water and a hot dryer and then again in cold water and a hot dryer. Hopefully, it's as shrunk as it's going to get.
Here's how the t-shirt looked. I'm debating changes like a V front and back or a higher front and a scooped back or a collar rounded at the front and forming a V at the back or a higher front with a mandarin collar that ties around at the neck over a low cut back.
I tried versions of all those ideas on last night when I went snoop shopping at the mall. Starting with a pattern that I know fits, it should be relatively quick to make something new. Luckily, there's a seam center back on this pattern so I can insert the rhinestone zipper again if it looks suitable.
Once a pattern has been traced and perfected, a t-shirt typically doesn't take more than a couple hours even with additions. The party is not until tomorrow so I have until 6:00 Saturday night to finish and... if that doesn't work... I do have two tops in my closet that would. It's just that I've worn them to one of these staff parties before and would rather have something new made by me. I will be dressed. This is good - VBG.
Have a great weekend - Myrna
Grateful - no more grocery shopping until January
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Personal Growth - So how does it happen that the more I love you, the less I'm loved? 2 Corinthians 12
Yesterday at breakfast, Francine and I were talking about friendship which is something that I strongly value. I believe that life is about relationships and that much of the rest is just "stuff". I'm a Corelle kind of friend, there through thick and thin and hot and cold.
Over the years, I've discovered that most people view friendship from a Chinette perspective. It's pretty and useful when it works for you and disposable when you don't want it any more. That puts me in a bit of a position. When I'm a friend, I'm very committed. I support and encourage through highs and lows and I want the same in return. I'm not willing to be treated as convenient or disposable. It has an overtone of being used.
As I mentioned before, this has been a year in terms of relationships. With each ending, my attitude toward friendship and my willingness to risk has taken a beating. I feel like the verse says - that the more I love, the less I am loved. It's changing a part of me that was good. I'm working on not becoming cynical, hard, remote, and walled off.
Thursday 17 December 2009
I Really Strongly Dislike Plaid
The meeting with Craig went great. He was in and out in quite quickly and thought the way that I'd put my part of the show together looked great. It's always a surprise to curators to meet an (overly) organized artist. We're not the norm but we are a lot less stressful.
I hemmed the top and tacked the facings to the back of the zipper. Both were done by hand which took a lot longer. I'm not sure about the hem. It shows even though I only caught a little tiny thread. I may do that by machine in the end. Last night, I finished the buttonholes and I've sewn on three of the eight buttons. When those are finished, so is the top.
I'm sure I would have been done if I hadn't spent almost three hours matching plaids and cutting out pajama pants. Did I mention that I really strongly dislike plaid? Mainly just the matching part. The two on the left with turquoise in them are for Aryck and the two on the right with red in them are for Kyle. I doubt I'll get to stitching them until tomorrow.
This morning, Kyle has a party at school. He needs to take a secret Santa gift and pick up donuts which means I'm driving him and picking up and paying for (LOL) the donuts. After dropping him off, I'll meet my friend Francine for our gift exchange breakfast and after that Aryck has agreed to come grocery shopping with me which is perfect. He can push the cart through the snow to the car.
This will be my Christmas shop so inbetween I need to go over the list and make sure I have or get everything we need. The closer to Christmas, the less I want to go near the stores. I'd prefer to get it over with now. AND THEN... there's a basketball game and after that dinner and after that the buttons - hopefully. I'd like to show you a done photo tomorrow.
Talk soon - Myrna
Grateful - strong sons willing to push carts and be seen in public with their mother
I hemmed the top and tacked the facings to the back of the zipper. Both were done by hand which took a lot longer. I'm not sure about the hem. It shows even though I only caught a little tiny thread. I may do that by machine in the end. Last night, I finished the buttonholes and I've sewn on three of the eight buttons. When those are finished, so is the top.
I'm sure I would have been done if I hadn't spent almost three hours matching plaids and cutting out pajama pants. Did I mention that I really strongly dislike plaid? Mainly just the matching part. The two on the left with turquoise in them are for Aryck and the two on the right with red in them are for Kyle. I doubt I'll get to stitching them until tomorrow.
This morning, Kyle has a party at school. He needs to take a secret Santa gift and pick up donuts which means I'm driving him and picking up and paying for (LOL) the donuts. After dropping him off, I'll meet my friend Francine for our gift exchange breakfast and after that Aryck has agreed to come grocery shopping with me which is perfect. He can push the cart through the snow to the car.
This will be my Christmas shop so inbetween I need to go over the list and make sure I have or get everything we need. The closer to Christmas, the less I want to go near the stores. I'd prefer to get it over with now. AND THEN... there's a basketball game and after that dinner and after that the buttons - hopefully. I'd like to show you a done photo tomorrow.
Talk soon - Myrna
Grateful - strong sons willing to push carts and be seen in public with their mother
Wednesday 16 December 2009
Getting There
The rhinestone zipper only comes in two lengths - at least here in town it does. One was about 2" too long and the other was about 2" too short which meant shortening a separating zipper. It was fiddly but not all that difficult - at least not for me. Howard helped. He did the grunt work. I directed. We ended up "stealing" the zipper stops from another metal zipper and placing them at the correct position above the crystals. That took two tries. The first time, I was four crystals off because...
... I just pinned and sewed the zipper to the opening not thinking about the fact that a knit might stretch even though I'd interfaced it for strength and stability. The second time, we shortened the zipper to the length of the pattern piece minus hems and seam allowances and then fit the opening to the zipper. That worked better. LOVE basting tape. I used a dissolving one this time. When I wash the top to fluff up the nap, it'll disappear.
The zipper is closed in this detail shot. In this position, the stops are completely covered by the tab. That's good. They're silver and it doesn't look the best when you can see them. A little black paint should take care of that.
Since the top has an opening on both sides, it is made with a left and a right section as opposed to a front and a back. That's a little weird. Now that the zipper is in, I can pin the front opening closed and test the fit of the seams. If they're good, all that's left to do is the bottom hem, the buttons and buttonholes, and a fluff up for the nap. I'm getting there and pleased so far. I love the soft feel of the knit. When my friend Wendy was over last night, she couldn't believe I was using the wrong side. She - like me - thought it was nicer than the right side.
This is a detail of the RTW comfort jeans I buy at Reitmans. It occurred to me yesterday that I could measure the contour waist front and back and use that information to adjust patterns. The fabric in these jeans has a slight bit of stretch and they stick with me all day through waist fluctuations. The sizing will be good information. This pattern from yesterday should be perfect for trying it out.
This morning, I need to tidy up the studio and bring in the exhibit pieces. Craig is coming at ten to see them. I am and I'm not a bit nervous. While I'd like him to like the pieces, I'm realistic enough to know that curators don't always like the art of the artist and that part of their job is to make the exhibit work no matter what. Either way, there are nine pieces ready. They were developed around a solid and agreed upon theme and... IMHO, are really well done. That's good and enough.
Right now, I am in no state of mind for creating anything new especially on a tight deadline over holidays. These pieces need to be delivered to the gallery on January 12th and they already have an interview scheduled for the 14th so... bottom line... Craig will have to take or leave these ones and find a way to make them work with whatever Megs has created. Neither of us has seen the other's finished products. It'll be fun to see them shown together.
I haven't made a piece of textile art since the end of August. That's almost four months not doing something that I spent twenty years doing daily. It's hard to imagine. The break has been fabulous for me. People are constantly asking me if that's it, if I've quit forever. No. I've quit for a while and most likely I've quit professionally BUT... I don't really know and even so... I have an idea tickling for a 5' square piece for my living room and I know my daughter wants a piece for her home.
Tickling is all it's doing though. I'm not ready to work on these pieces just yet because I've - finally - spent four months getting back into sewing fashions which is something that I spent twenty years not doing and missing. It feels wonderful and healing and inspiring and creative and I'm really enjoying myself. I'm very much looking forward to the SWAP. After that, we'll see what happens.
Once Craig leaves, I plan to finish this top and then cut out the pajama pants for the boys. There's a couple hours in the afternoon when neither of them is home. That might be enough to cut them out and make a start. All four pairs can be sewn with black thread so it'll be a production line start to finish.
Talk soon - Myrna
Grateful - that I have become strong enough over the years to put my need for peace and healing ahead of other's expectations and demands.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Personal Growth - But we have no intention of moving in on what other's have done and taking credit for it. If you want to claim credit, claim it for God. What you say about yourself means nothing in God's work. It's what God says about you that makes a difference. - 2 Corinthians 10
Recently, I met a man who rubs me completely the wrong way. He walks into a situation and automatically takes over and seems to assume that his answer is the right answer without ever giving anyone else a chance to contribute. Putting aside my awareness that I'm becoming invisible with age, I recognize that characteristic. I've been working on it for years.
As I mentioned in a previous posting, I've learned that when something about another person irritates me, there is always a lesson in there for myself. God tells us ask for wisdom and it will be given unto you. I've asked and while I believe I've received SOME wisdom, it's an ongoing accumulation. It's God's wisdom and not my own, a gift. I would be foolish indeed to think that I am THE wise one, arrived rather than in the process.
Tuesday 15 December 2009
From Princess to Practical
A few weeks ago, Vogue patterns were on sale for a fabulous price. Since I'm a member of the BMV Club, I constantly receive email offers and I mostly ignore them only $3.82 was quite irresistible especially considering some Vogue patterns are over $30.00 regularly. Here's what I ordered.
Vogue 8465 - Both the white and the red views of this coat appealed to me probably because they are totally impractical, somewhat romantic, and not at all something that I'd purchase if buying a coat. I'd certainly try it on and pat it longingly but I wouldn't buy it. EXCEPT - it's so me and this style would be ultra flattering. Maybe when coating comes on sale in the spring, if there's something equally fanciful like that gorgeous fuchsia colored boiled wool that I've been eyeing up, this might be doable.
Vogue 8536 - from princess to practical. This is a basic, all purpose t-shirt that has the potential to be an adaptable T & T. Do you see how that view top right could...
... easily become a knock off of this ModCloth Reporting For Duty t-shirt. Not that I'd need to knock it off at that reasonable price - $29.99. It's more the challenge of being able to do it and all those fabulous buttons.
Vogue 7963 - I've had a few RTW garments with this off the shoulder and/or shawl collar look. The purple sweater I knit recently is very similar. I thought this pattern could be dressed up with fancier fabrics or down with something more casual. I'll probably try it in denim.
Vogue 8511 - This pattern looks like a warm and comfy winter dress. The empire waistline makes it easier to fit. Recently, I bought a soft baby cord in purple with a paisley print. I think it and the pattern would work well together. This one is a strong contender for the "one garment of your choice" criteria for the SWAP.
Vogue 8469 - this won't get sewn until spring at the earliest. In terms of fitting, the waistband makes things a LOT easier.
SDBev wrote - Love your solution for the pant and skirt waist fitting (see yesterday). I find that my waistline can vary greatly through out the day and am struggling for an answer for me. I too don't really want to put elastic in every waistband. Draw strings do not work for me.
I know EXACTLY what you mean. A pair of pants or a skirt can fit smooth and lovely one day, be falling off the next morning, and be back to bumpy and bulky by noon depending on what I'm eating, drinking, or doing. This is so IRRITATING especially as I have a waist and a figure and I'd like to show them off just not in a lumpy, bumpy, gathered, old lady, kind of way. We'll get there. Here are some pant patterns I'm going to use on my journey to discovery.
Vogue 7881 - these are (yawn, yawn) boring pants and because of it, ultra practical. The yoke is again a great fitting tool as is the center back seam and the darting for additional shape. You can see these more clearly in the technical drawing.
Vogue 1035 - These pants have similar fitting aspects to the yawn, yawn boring ones with the addition of the front pockets. What a tiny technical drawing. Sorry. I'm eyeing this pattern up as a possibility for jeans. On my Christmas wish list is Ron Collins & Sandra Betzina's DVD on making jeans. That's a wanna do on my goal list for next year. If I don't get the DVD, I am taking a workshop with them in April so I'll learn then. If I do get it, jeans might be part of my SWAP.
Vogue 1063 - I bought this pattern for the pants - also potential jeans. They have lines similar to my favourite pair of comfort waist jeans from Reitmans. The RTW ones use stretch fabric, a mock fly, and a closed waistband. There are no lumps and bumps to ruin the line of your clothing. I hope to successfully re-create them at some point.
Vogue 2976 - bought for the pants, the jacket, and the tank top. Doesn't that cover photo look just blah? Without the technical drawing, I never would have looked at this pattern twice however...
... in it, you can see that everything has clean, basic lines that provide a good base for practical wardrobe building garments. I like the simplicity of the jacket. I'm very drawn to princess seams in upper garments possibly because they look good on me or maybe just because I like their shaping. Either way, I prefer fitted clothing that gives me shape and princess seams work well.
Vogue 1062 - This coat would give me absolutely NO shape but the skirt is fabulous. It's similar to the McCall's one that I made a few weeks ago. I like the simple front and feminine flippy back. There are several patterns like this one in my stash. LOL - they look good with the shawl collar tops and jackets.
The SWAP (sewing with a plan) starts on December 26th. According to the rules, we are allowed to chose and fit patterns and cut them out in advance. There are eleven garments in total. I prefer to work on one at a time so I have no intention of cutting things out in mass and stacking them up in the studio. However, some of the patterns I've made over the last few weeks will get used so they're tested and fitted and ready to go. Between now and then, there is my Christmas top and four pairs of pajama pants to finish. That's enough.
Howard is taking the boys to his parents on either the 26th or 27th. While they are gone, I will sort through my fabric, edit what doesn't need to be there, make some choices for the SWAP, and get started. FUN FUN!
Have a great day - Myrna
Grateful - a space heater in my studio. It is absolutely FREEZING out. Yesterday was -27C and Kamloops is in a warm part of Western Canada. Brr...
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Personal Growth - I want you to have all the time you need to make this offering in your own way. I don't want anything forced or hurried at the last minute. Remember: a stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving. - 2 Corinthians 9
Each year, when we fund raise for diabetes with our son, we're amazed at the anger and rudeness of homeowners toward those raising money for common causes such as diabetes, cancer, and heart & stroke. These issues do not pick and choose. They can visit anyone.
It has also been an interesting observation that the most generous people do not live in the fanciest houses. In fact, just the opposite seems to be true. I'm very lucky to have the lifestyle that I have. That's not something I want to forget. I want to be generous and give wisely. Giving is a category in our budget. Planning for it makes it happen. Before we planned, it didn't happen.
As the verses advise, deciding in advance provides a plan of action that protects us from sob stories and arm-twisting. We know who to and how much we are able to give. We know when we can be part of a new opportunity like this year when Howard and I adopted two children in Guatemala. He's going to visit them in February. It's wonderful to know our little bit is making a big difference to them. It's only two take-out pizza's a month's worth to us and so much more to them.
I believe it's so important to give and even so, there are times when I'd really like to keep that money. I need to remind myself of my choices and their impact. I believe that what goes around comes around. I want generosity to come to my life when I need it.
LOL - the VERY first kettle I see out at Christmas for the Salvation Army gets a donation. That way, I can pass all the other kettles by with a greeting and a smile of encouragement knowing that I've done my part. I'm so thankful for fundraisers. They do all of us a wonderful service. They deserve respect, kindness, consideration, and NOT rudeness.
Vogue 8465 - Both the white and the red views of this coat appealed to me probably because they are totally impractical, somewhat romantic, and not at all something that I'd purchase if buying a coat. I'd certainly try it on and pat it longingly but I wouldn't buy it. EXCEPT - it's so me and this style would be ultra flattering. Maybe when coating comes on sale in the spring, if there's something equally fanciful like that gorgeous fuchsia colored boiled wool that I've been eyeing up, this might be doable.
Vogue 8536 - from princess to practical. This is a basic, all purpose t-shirt that has the potential to be an adaptable T & T. Do you see how that view top right could...
... easily become a knock off of this ModCloth Reporting For Duty t-shirt. Not that I'd need to knock it off at that reasonable price - $29.99. It's more the challenge of being able to do it and all those fabulous buttons.
Vogue 7963 - I've had a few RTW garments with this off the shoulder and/or shawl collar look. The purple sweater I knit recently is very similar. I thought this pattern could be dressed up with fancier fabrics or down with something more casual. I'll probably try it in denim.
Vogue 8511 - This pattern looks like a warm and comfy winter dress. The empire waistline makes it easier to fit. Recently, I bought a soft baby cord in purple with a paisley print. I think it and the pattern would work well together. This one is a strong contender for the "one garment of your choice" criteria for the SWAP.
Vogue 8469 - this won't get sewn until spring at the earliest. In terms of fitting, the waistband makes things a LOT easier.
SDBev wrote - Love your solution for the pant and skirt waist fitting (see yesterday). I find that my waistline can vary greatly through out the day and am struggling for an answer for me. I too don't really want to put elastic in every waistband. Draw strings do not work for me.
I know EXACTLY what you mean. A pair of pants or a skirt can fit smooth and lovely one day, be falling off the next morning, and be back to bumpy and bulky by noon depending on what I'm eating, drinking, or doing. This is so IRRITATING especially as I have a waist and a figure and I'd like to show them off just not in a lumpy, bumpy, gathered, old lady, kind of way. We'll get there. Here are some pant patterns I'm going to use on my journey to discovery.
Vogue 7881 - these are (yawn, yawn) boring pants and because of it, ultra practical. The yoke is again a great fitting tool as is the center back seam and the darting for additional shape. You can see these more clearly in the technical drawing.
Vogue 1035 - These pants have similar fitting aspects to the yawn, yawn boring ones with the addition of the front pockets. What a tiny technical drawing. Sorry. I'm eyeing this pattern up as a possibility for jeans. On my Christmas wish list is Ron Collins & Sandra Betzina's DVD on making jeans. That's a wanna do on my goal list for next year. If I don't get the DVD, I am taking a workshop with them in April so I'll learn then. If I do get it, jeans might be part of my SWAP.
Vogue 1063 - I bought this pattern for the pants - also potential jeans. They have lines similar to my favourite pair of comfort waist jeans from Reitmans. The RTW ones use stretch fabric, a mock fly, and a closed waistband. There are no lumps and bumps to ruin the line of your clothing. I hope to successfully re-create them at some point.
Vogue 2976 - bought for the pants, the jacket, and the tank top. Doesn't that cover photo look just blah? Without the technical drawing, I never would have looked at this pattern twice however...
... in it, you can see that everything has clean, basic lines that provide a good base for practical wardrobe building garments. I like the simplicity of the jacket. I'm very drawn to princess seams in upper garments possibly because they look good on me or maybe just because I like their shaping. Either way, I prefer fitted clothing that gives me shape and princess seams work well.
Vogue 1062 - This coat would give me absolutely NO shape but the skirt is fabulous. It's similar to the McCall's one that I made a few weeks ago. I like the simple front and feminine flippy back. There are several patterns like this one in my stash. LOL - they look good with the shawl collar tops and jackets.
The SWAP (sewing with a plan) starts on December 26th. According to the rules, we are allowed to chose and fit patterns and cut them out in advance. There are eleven garments in total. I prefer to work on one at a time so I have no intention of cutting things out in mass and stacking them up in the studio. However, some of the patterns I've made over the last few weeks will get used so they're tested and fitted and ready to go. Between now and then, there is my Christmas top and four pairs of pajama pants to finish. That's enough.
Howard is taking the boys to his parents on either the 26th or 27th. While they are gone, I will sort through my fabric, edit what doesn't need to be there, make some choices for the SWAP, and get started. FUN FUN!
Have a great day - Myrna
Grateful - a space heater in my studio. It is absolutely FREEZING out. Yesterday was -27C and Kamloops is in a warm part of Western Canada. Brr...
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Personal Growth - I want you to have all the time you need to make this offering in your own way. I don't want anything forced or hurried at the last minute. Remember: a stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving. - 2 Corinthians 9
Each year, when we fund raise for diabetes with our son, we're amazed at the anger and rudeness of homeowners toward those raising money for common causes such as diabetes, cancer, and heart & stroke. These issues do not pick and choose. They can visit anyone.
It has also been an interesting observation that the most generous people do not live in the fanciest houses. In fact, just the opposite seems to be true. I'm very lucky to have the lifestyle that I have. That's not something I want to forget. I want to be generous and give wisely. Giving is a category in our budget. Planning for it makes it happen. Before we planned, it didn't happen.
As the verses advise, deciding in advance provides a plan of action that protects us from sob stories and arm-twisting. We know who to and how much we are able to give. We know when we can be part of a new opportunity like this year when Howard and I adopted two children in Guatemala. He's going to visit them in February. It's wonderful to know our little bit is making a big difference to them. It's only two take-out pizza's a month's worth to us and so much more to them.
I believe it's so important to give and even so, there are times when I'd really like to keep that money. I need to remind myself of my choices and their impact. I believe that what goes around comes around. I want generosity to come to my life when I need it.
LOL - the VERY first kettle I see out at Christmas for the Salvation Army gets a donation. That way, I can pass all the other kettles by with a greeting and a smile of encouragement knowing that I've done my part. I'm so thankful for fundraisers. They do all of us a wonderful service. They deserve respect, kindness, consideration, and NOT rudeness.
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