Record Turnaround?

I'm a stasher. I admit it. I like it. I have no plans to change. And it only occasionally bothers me to have stuff I'm not using. I love deciding that I want to sew, and after rummaging around a bit I can do it. And I tend to need let my fabric age a bit before I use. Usually. But I just couldn't wait to use one of the fabrics I bought last weekend. The border print on the end + 2 hours became this I used a bit of Steam a Seam on the hem to hold it while I hemmed it using a double needle. Then I double needled the elastic in the waist, folded it over and doubled needled it again. It was quick and easy and I have a new skirt for Monday. It's a very stretchy knit - quite a bit of Lycra in it. Some of the center dots are yellow. Now, for the rest of the fabric. What do you think? Yes or no? I can't decide if I like it or its just weird? What do you think? The pattern is a Jalie tee shirt, short sleeved.
And I finally finished the simple, grey wool skirt I started about 6 weeks (or so?) ago. I got a bit stalled out for no reason. It's all done and could be worn on Monday, ok Tuesday. But it's too small. I tried it on before adding the waist band and it was huge. I took it in some -obviously too much. I still forced myself to finish, I was only lacking the hem. I will be thin again. As God as my witness, I will wear this skirt. And others. Not part of the pattern, I lined the front over skirt - so it wouldn't stick to the skirt. Lining was from JoAnn's a couple of years ago.
So that's a wrap from a dreary, damp and chilly Maryland.

Missing information

I realized I left out my Jalie pattern number for the Tee I made. Not sure how old it is or where it came from, maybe from Movinon , I did buy a Jalie from her last year - just not sure if it was this one . I made view 2. In the very center of the picture. Next time around I will probably not do the boat neck - it's done well with the pattern, just not my favorite neckline. I will attempt to overcome my fear of V-necks, instead. And make the sleeves either long to the wrist or short, and add the 2" above the waist. But it's a well drafted pattern with good instructions. The things I don't like are personal preference or personal body shape.

I do see that this is an older and OOP pattern, but the link above takes you to a download for $8.99 if you just can't resist.

I've finished piecing my quilt from last post. The jelly roll (knockoff) didn't provide much yardage, so it will probably be a wall hanging. Ok with that. And I have some surprise fabric for the backing. Fun fabric that I actually hate to hide against the wall. But I don't have enough batting without piecing some and I don't want to do that. So quilting will take a trip to JA's or Hancock's at their next batting sale.

Sooo, since I couldn't resist on my last JA trip to find binding and backing fabrics, I now have another jelly roll thingy - the next size up. Don't know what that's called. In some blue and green batiks that is slated for the chopping block this afternoon. And maybe the next Jalie T (you know, the longer one with the V-neck in the brown/cream from JA's...)

Yes, it's my flex day again and going much better than the last one - so far.....

All over the place.

My pants are still in time out. Not sure if they can be revived, they may move to the trash chute. Soooo, I've moved on.

Before I left Detroit after Christmas I made a final trip to JoAnn's. I don't often purchase fabric at JA's but they had a few that I really liked. The two on the left are knits - thin but nice recovery. The floral is probably a rayon, maybe a summer weight dress? In fact, the blue has already become a Jalie tshirt. Overall, I like the shirt, but like the other Jalie I have it's too short. I need to add a couple inches to the torso to move the waist down. Oh, and I hate 3/4 length sleeves. I used knit stabilizer in the neck and hem. You can't tell from the (very goofy) picture, but it really helped the way it wears. I'll wear this and may use my other knit for another version - a longer version that is, I do like the boat neck. The brown knit reminds me very much of a fabric that I bought in NYC at Spandex House that met an unfortunate end with a BWOF shirt (RIP). And yes, I know I still haven't shown you that I own or wear shoes. Maybe next time. The scraps are cut into underpinnings, but I just can't get the elastic to sew at the edges of the fabric so they're hanging with the trousers in the time out cubby.

And, as long as I'm shopping at JA's.... I picked up my first Jelly Roll. Not a Moda roll - a cheap knockoff. Some of the strips weren't cut very straight. And because it was new I couldn't wait to play with it. A little searching on line and help from my friends at Pattern Review I cut and pieced on Sunday. The pattern is called French Braid and required minimal additional cutting. It isn't a blocked quilt, you just add the pieces to create the strip. I went back to JA's today and found a dark red to border it with. The backing is a giraffe print similar to one of the pieces. Oh, and bought another roll for another quilt. it's a bigger roll, what do they call them? Blue and green batik. Photos on another day. Suggestions for a pattern? Minimal additional cutting, remember.

And I'm still working on my son's scarf. I'm a very slow knitter. Good thing winter's are long in Detroit.

I've been quite busy.

I got up this morning and after walking the dog went to the grocery store and then Hancock's to pick up a few things needed for some planned and in progress projects. I decided against G Street for both time and money's sake.

I have finished my BWOF April 09 #101. I reviewed it over at PR already, so I probably won't do so again, though this one looks very different. Again I didn't put on the pockets. It just gives it a more casual look than I want. I may make it one more time (hey, it's already traced!) in a lightweight denim and do the pockets and top stitching. I DID make it 3 inches longer. I just like my skirts a little longer than this one was. For now, I bought this fabric at G Street earlier this spring from THE WALL (duh...) thinking shirt. But it wanted to be a skirt. Who am I to argue? It really is a much nicer piece of all cotton than I originally thought, but it really wants to hold both creases you don't want and pin holes. Hopefully they will wash out some. And it wrinkles like your granny. I made some piping and used it on the front between the yoke and front panel. I orginally thought to use it between the front and side panels, but decided it would be too much. So I have some piping left over for another project. Cool. The buttons I had in stash. I couldn't believe I had these! They were freakin' perfect. I think this is from the stash my MIL gave me over Christmas. Otherwise this skirt is really easy. Side zipper, no waist band. Ignore the BWOF directions for the yoke and you'll be done in a flash. I spent more time on the piping than anything. And you want to know something REALLY scary? I have some shoes that match the blue. Told you it was scary.


I also replaced the tie in my lounge pants with a ribbon - much easier and more comfortable. The bias tape was too heavy and the wrong fabric. And I have more of this, too. (from Hancock's today).

Up tomorrow will be a shirt to match the pants. I was going to put an embroidery on it, but couldn't find the right colors at Hancock's. Not sure if it was me or Hancock's. But I may do an applique before I'm done. I got it cut out this evening, I'll be using my Jalie pattern - with the waist lowered by 2". Pretty boring photo, I know. But I took it, I'll use it.

But before I do that tomorrow, I want to do some embroidery on some cotton I bought (yes, at Hancock's) for some new place mats. This will be my second attempt at embroidery and the first with a purpose. My machine is a little messed up, though. It's supposed to recognize the embroidery unit automatically, but it wasn't doing so. I finally pulled it off and found the connector wasn't stable and was pushed back into the machine. I pulled it out, connected it and am good to go. But I need to get that fixed. Maybe. Without the auto- detect it provides a wider and longer base for sewing/quilting. Hmmm. Anyway, I'm looking forward to playing with that tomorrow. I have 4 to do. Or maybe 8 if I make them reversible or maybe use a different embroidery on the flip side. Do I really have to go back to work on Monday? This is so much more fun.

Oh, and I also replaced a button on a pair of Target shorts. Sorry, no photo here. I know you're disappointed. You'll get over it.

I may cut out another pair of pants while I have my stuff out. I need pants badly. And hem the two pairs sitting on my shelf. That would help. So would loosing 10 pounts.

A while back I mentioned I found a new pin catcher at Jo Ann's while visiting my son. Since I've finally found my camera, here it is: isn't the cutest thing? I like the divider, my plan is to put metal only pins on one side and my plastic on the other side and use it at the ironing board. So I can easily accept iron friendly pins.

I know you were all glad I found my camera. But you should be careful of what you wish for. I spent a few minutes cleaning out the bobbin case. Yes, this is all from the bobbin case. Not the dryer. Apparently it isn't safe to leave me unattended for an entire weekend with a working camera and computer. I take pictures of lint and post them on the Internet.

I have something new in the works for (maybe) tomorrow. I worked on it a bit today, but it's a bigger project than I usually tackle (blog wise) where I just ramble and post pictures.

I've gone off the deepend.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I've fallen right of the edge and into the sludge at the bottom of the pit. I made a pair of underwear. Yep. I made panties - yeah, I don't really like that word. Don't know why, just don't. Going back to undies, yes that's better. I turned the bodice of the Simplicity dress into bottom covers. The whole idea just cracks me up. It was easy and as home sewn as they look (and no, you won't be seeing me model them - I promise!) they're better looking than the ones I sacrificed for the cause. I think I'll make a few more out of some cheap stuff and then break out some silk I have. I will need some nicer lace/elastic. The package from Hancock's just won't go for silk. But it did fine for a knit scrap.

And my Fabric.com order came yesterday, got washed yesterday and ironed today. I plan to start cutting quilt #2 tomorrow. I got a little distracted with the undies construction.

Yes, I've now gone places I never thought I'd go. And I like it in the strange dark place. It has pretty colors, no fitting issues and it's warm and soft. Maybe I'll buy the Jalie panty (ack! that word again!) pattern. I joined Friend of PR (finally) so I can get the discount and won't have to wait on customs and shipping. Oh, yeah. I'm going to need counseling.

And one more picture from Saturday. She got to touch the Capital Building. And don't you just LURVE the purse!? It's bigger than she is.

My first Award...

My BFF nominated me for the sisterhood award. Thank you! This is my first blog award and I really like this one. I'm happy to be part of a sisterhood, a group of (mostly) women who feel a common bond across oceans, continents, age, race and family situations. I will nominate the next 10 tomorrow. I'm tired tonight and want to nominate those who haven't already been tagged.
We drove up to Philly today and walked around the historic district. It was ok. The weather was great, though it's been so cold that all the sidewalks were damp with condensation, even dripping in places. We didn't stick around for the Liberty Hall tour - we couldn't get in until 4 and that would have made us too late getting home. Didn't want the dog to explode. My favorite was Ben Franklin's grave (yeah, I know that's weird) and steak sandwiches.
I made another Jalie T yesterday. Not so wild about this one. The fabric is a soft yellow - a little "little girlish" for my taste and my machine didn't gel with this fabric as much. It's a soft knit from (yes, you guessed it) G Street THE WALL. It wanted to stretch the fabric, so the neck and arm bindings kind of curled up and the seams aren't very straight. Too much pressure on the foot, I think. Don't get me wrong, I've purchased worse, but it's not as nice as the one last weekend. Oh, but I did solve the mystery of the neckband - I'd traced out the wrong piece. There are 3 views with 3 neck bands and I'd cut the one for the cami, duh, no wonder it was so large. That was a quick fix and start to finish was about 1.5 hours. This was some fabric from my stash and I still have a ton of it.
Speaking of having a ton of it, I'm thinking of getting rid of it. Any one interested for postage? (Sorry, US only) I'll put up a picture tomorrow. It would be nice for a little girl or baby, it's just not me and I think I have about another 2 yards or so. "What was I thinking"? I also have a lot of a mossy green knit purchased on the same shopping trip that, again, just isn't me. Again, I'll post some pictures either tomorrow or Monday. My son's still in town so I'm a little busy and don't want to drag the stuff out.

First Jalie

No, I didn't fall off the face of the earth, though spending a week in Boise feels like it may be right on the edge. I had a 3 day conference/training session at our former home office in Boise, ID. A day to get there and a day back and you've blown the week.

I won't bore you with the conference except for one "team building" exercise that was a ton o' fun. We did an (Yellow) Iron Chef competition. Yellow iron is construction speak for the equipment used. Four groups, 4 recipe: pork, chicken, tuna and beef. A secret ingredient: porcini mushrooms. Points for taste, presentation and creativity. They actually turned us loose in the cafeteria's kitchens with 3 of the chefs/cooks from the cafeteria. My group's recipe was chicken - we got to choose 2nd, and the beef was taken by the first choice team. Stayed away from the tuna - it's fast but hard to get right. 1/2 the group of 6 went to the kitchen and half set up the display table. I was part of the kitchen group that fried 48 (yes forty-eight) chicken breasts, added pasta (we got points for creativity on that part), wilted spinach, made sauce and sauteed mushrooms. The outside group borrowed a painting from another part of the building, added wine bottles and glasses, candles and designed the menu. And yes, WE WON! The golden spatula, LOL. Actually a wooden spoon with a gold ribbon. It was seriously fun and really hard work. And we had no blood or burns on any of the crew or contestants.

I have had no word back from Pfaff on my machine. I'm going to call them tomorrow, I just didn't have time last week. **sigh**

A few weeks ago I made a run to G Street and one of the items I bought was the Jalie tee shirt - the one with a tank top and cami options. I traced out the pattern for the tee yesterday afternoon. I cut it and sewed it up today. I was thrilled with how easily and fast it went together and how nice it fits! I put the sleeves in flat and then sewed up the side seams. I've wanted to try that method and since the Singer doesn't have a free arm this seemed like a good choice. The neck binding was off. It was too long, I'll have make sure I cut it right, not only did I not have to stretch it to fit, I cut off about 2 inches. It looks a little stretched, but better after I steamed the crap out of it, so after it's washed it may be fine. About 2 hours from laying out the fabric to wearing it. All in all, for a first try with a cheap knit from G Street's WALL of $2.97 fabrics, I'm way excited. I had only about a yard of fabric so this was a good match. I cut a size "V" and made no alterations (except the neck thing mentioned above). And I hadn't hemmed it yet in the picture. I see more of these in my future, maybe start haunting the XXL size teeshirts for the nice fabric

In other news, the green skirt is a wadder - it's HUGE to start and way too stretchy. Eh, no big loss, there was no passion for that project, it was a filler.

I also made (yet again) another pair of the infamous Marlene trousers. The flash washed it out, but you can see some detail with the lighter flash. Whew, they look great, they really do. But what a trial. I did everything backwards that I could think of: put the pockets in backward - twice; put the fusible interfacing on the wrong side of the fabric at the zipper (fixed with a Sharpie, LOL); made the pleat and dart the wrong way on one side; made one leg of the lining half backward (one seam right the other inside out). Surprised I didn't hem them folded out. I think because I was in a hurry, I wanted to take them with me. I made them from a beautiful black wool/camel blend from Fabric Mart. It's still only $7/yard and there's some left. It's really a nice trouser fabric - but very warm. I used the "other" side as the right side, so the basket weave doesn't really show. And lined it with the rest of the purple from the Burda skirt. I like the look and feel of the lining. I think the purple is a very rich look. I did the side pockets - the fabric side of the right pocket stayed backwards, it was too late to fix it when I noticed it - but no welt pocket yet. Hell, I'd've probably put it in with the pouch on the outside and in the center of my stomach on this pair. But I did finish, and I did take them them and wear them. I re-hemmed them today, they were a little too long. I won't get much more wear out them this year, though. They are definitely winter weight. But you should snag that fabric while it lasts. For $7/yard this is high end stuff.

Speaking of the Burda skirt, the March issue (I ordered my subscription last Saturday and my first issue came yesterday! That's some service, Pfaff should pay attention, here) has a dress with the same waist treatment. And it's their "special" pattern for the month that includes directions. NOW I know how to do the skirt. And I will likely make another one armed with that knowledge. And if you're looking at the skirt from January, get the directions out of March and you'll be done in a flash.

I want to RAVE about GLP. As mentioned, I got my first issue only a week after I placed my order. AND, I had asked to start with February, if possible. I received 2 emails apologizing for not being able to do this for me. The second one even provided local places where I might could find a copy (G Street included). This is, seriously, the best customer service I've had in, well, maybe ever. I responded to the second email telling them this. We all need a pat on the back now and then.

My son's birthday was last week. He's 21! Holy cow, how did that happen? He's coming to visit this week and over the weekend. I likely won't get much sewing done, but that's cool. I think we're going to drive up to Philly and see the historic district.