Glaringly Tedious

THE cold hasn't decided whether to show up fully or not... yet. It's still tickling my throat and nose and ears and making me somewhat uncomfortable but not totally miserable... yet. It's looking more and more like I've simply delayed the inevitable in which case, I'd prefer to get it over with. Since no one asked me, there's no choice but to wait and see what happens. You know how it goes.




I recently bought Vogue 1208, a Tom and Linda Platt dress pattern. It's deceptively simple and doesn't appear to have more than two pattern pieces although there must be four since it's lined. Bias cut dresses do not typically look good on my figure type. They cling and we're too curvy, lumpy, bumpy especially below the waist. Oh well. I love that flip at the bottom of the skirt and the shape of the neckline. I can try it and see. A little daring wouldn't hurt me.

Yesterday, I was determined to keep my butt in the seat until I finished these twelve pairs of panties. The advantages of assembly line sewing are obvious; the disadvantages are glaringly tedious. I sewed the crotch seams with the serger pressing them outward. This is how my RTW ones were sewn. It's less bulky than an enclosed seam. I sampled that earlier. The leg elastic was sewn in place, turned to the back, and double top stitched on each side - 48 rows in total. The waist is stretch lace. Soft. The side seams were sewn on the regular machine. The serger wouldn't travel nicely over the elastic and I wasn't willing to settle for a mess. This is something to figure out in the future.

Why sew twelve pairs of panties, especially in boring black? The first answer would be I needed them. The second would be because I couldn't find any in town that I liked and was willing to pay the price for, everything was between $12 and $18 a pair which equals between $144 and $216 plus taxes... for underwear... basic underwear... nothing fun or flashy. The cost of the fabric was $6.00 a meter on sale and each meter made 4 1/2 pairs which is $1.33 a pair plus thread, elastic, and lace which was also bought on sale. I doubt they even cost $2.00 each. And the third reason? It kept me entertained.

I'd intended for January to be lingerie month but I've begun to rethink that idea. It's fun to sew a bra and panty set here and there. It's boring to make them one after the other. I have a turquoise set to finish for myself and another sample bra to make and mail to my daughter and then I think I'll take a break. A friend has started a private once a month sew-a-long. That seems like a better idea.




The picture above was taken almost two years ago at my retirement party. I wanted to celebrate my twenty year career in quilting and textile art and my decision to bring it to an end and move in new directions. I'd like to say the party was a new beginning and in a way it was except that it was the beginning of a long stretch of greyness during which I have been unsure about what I should be doing, what direction God wants me to move in. He's neither opening nor closing doors. It's frustrating. The endless unknowing is a bit difficult at times. I wish he'd just speak louder into the mike - LOL!

I know I need to value this gift of creative time. At some point, it will be gone. That thought tickles and it's filled with pressure. My low productivity has begun to irritate me. At one time, I sewed a queen size quilt, start to finish, in a week while writing a manuscript, teaching several classes, and running a home. Now, I'm having trouble finishing even the simplest of projects and - IMHO - have not enough to show for my time. When I see how much some other women are producing while working full time and raising a family, my slowness makes no sense except that it makes complete sense when you have no deadlines. Meaningless meandering is a common condition of the underemployed. As I soon as I get over this sort of cold, I need to change that.

Talk soon - Myrna

Grateful - the panties are finished