Finally, an update

It's been way too long since I've posted. It's just been crazy, I've had a number of travel obligations, in fact I'm in Detroit right now but my son ditched me so I have some down time, including Cleveland and Kingsport/Abingdon and Columbia, MD. My company landed a BIG new job that has entailed a lot of long hours and days away from the office and home.

First, I want to post a couple of pic's from Karen and Beth's Organizational frenzy. We reworked her sewing room while I was there. And yes, the organizer in me was truly in hog-heaven. So here are a few before & after: And 2 more:Just look at all the storage space we made!!! We took piles of stuff from chairs and old shelves and organized it so she can access it and keep the sun off the fabrics. And say "hi" to her Aunt there in front of the shelves. She hung out with us while we worked. Having seen pictures of her house, I'm sure she approved of our attempts, though, compared to her, we were a bit amateurish. Ah well, room for improvement.

I also finished the batik skirt. I LOVE this skirt. It's cute, fits well and is as easy to wear as a pair of shorts. Since I took this pic, I reworked the waist band - the pattern gave no lap at the waist so it tends to gape. I also lined it. And I had all kinds of fun with my twin needle and top stitching. I may top stitch everything now. Hmmmm.

I've tried, again, to make pants. Just a dismal failure. I don't know where to go with them other than the dumpster. They are just too long in the crotch. When I get back to DC, I may try undoing all my crotch seam adjustments and try taking them up from the waist band. That will leave an odd space for the front zip, so I may sew that up and make them side zip. *sigh** I like the fabric - a light grey stretch with just a tiny pinstripe picked up off the G Street $2.95 table on a trip with BFF in February. And I REALLY want to make pants for fall. I have a lot of fabric I've stashed with slacks in mind.

In other sewing news.... I've been on an EBay Spree. I am now the broad owner of more button holer templates (still missing some) and a BLIND HEMMER for my 201. I am in love and lust with the hemmer. It is just wonderful!!! I've never done well with my Pfaff on this (it doesn't like anything that has to be done with the fabric near an edge), but the pictures in the Singer book finally lifted the veil of confusion on how to fold the fabric. And it feeds so pretty and straight. I almost look forward to hemming. Almost.

I also thought I bought a zig-zagger, but it is actually another hemmer. A case of Caveat Emptor, I suppose. I didn't pay enough for it to be mad, just disappointed. A friend emailed me the ZZ manual, though, and it has all kinds of 50's Singer ideas for using the ZZ-er that I CAN use with the Pfaff's stitches. So not a total waste. I'll be deco stitching when I'm not twin needling.... Hmmm, no time for actual construction? After the last pants, that's not such a bad thing.

And I made my first purchase from Vogue fabrics. It came right before I left for Detroit, so I haven't had much time to pet the new fabric much. I do see a long sleeve tee out of one of the "eyelash" knits. Or bed sheets? Sure is soft, so I may just carry it around like a baby.

While here in Detroit, I wanted to deposit some checks that have piled up. I filled out deposit slip, endorsed the checks and dug my wallet out to get my ATM card so I'd be ready. No card. Nope, not in the slots, not in checkbook, not in the change holder, not in the bottom of the purse, not in the side pockets, not in the brief case. Damn-it. Just gone. Last time I used it was at Union Station, couple of weeks ago. The money was in my wallet, but no card. Dumped out everything. Pawed thru it. Swore at it. Realized that I could get a new one issued today at Kroger if I hustled. Kevin wanted to go, for groceries, so we piled in the car and took off. I started with the deposit and told the teller I'd lost my card. She updated my account with my Driver's License and went to call to cancel the card. I put my license back in wallet and shoved it back in my purse and up flipped my bank card. I yelled "HERE IT IS"!! She hung up, mid-sentence, on the home office. How close was that?

And, totally off topic. And for my guy lurkers (do I have any of those????) I hate to show you this, but felt you should know. There will be no more Rambo movies. He is buried in the same cemetery as my parents. May he RIP.