Chanel #3 progress

I have had a few days with time to work on my jacket. Such a time sink, amazing. Most of the time is spent on things that won't ever show, basting and removing, linings, support, etc. You can see in the first picture the four layers of support. The second shows the inside on the hand bound button holes, just so the inside looks nice. Yup, time sink. But I sure enjoy it. 

Sewing the trim on the sleeves.

I found this simple trim at the local fabric shop. 

I also ordered, since it isn't locally available, silk buttonhole twist. I have been using cotton, but for my Chanel fabric, the next suit, I wanted to use silk. I may also purchase the silk thread for the quilting and sewing as well. Pretty cool. I have a sample book, so will always be able to pick just the right color. 

Chanel Jacket #3

Yes, I am calling it a Chanel jacket, but actually it is a couture cardigan jacket. But I will always think of them as my Chanel suits. I am actually going to get to meet Claire Shaeffer this summer. It is her books that I use for my couture sewing. She has a specific one that focuses only on this particular jacket. I will be taking an all day workshop on couture techniques at the American Sewing Guild conference this summer. This is the first time I will get to do something like this and I am very exited!

So this suit is made from fabric I purchased last fall on a road trip up north to see family and go to hubby's 40th college reunion. I like to check out fabric stores sometimes and we managed two. I like the independent ones. This one was in Indianapolis and I purchased a Tiny Dot on a twill wool blend. The base is navy. It was $18 a yard and I got 4.5, enough to make a jacket and skirt. I have a piece of off white silk that I got from my mom that I am using for the lining. I have almost used all the fabric that she had given me.

I started it last week. It took me a couple days to get into the swing of sewing again, it has been months since I have done much sewing. The other little things I did, I don't consider in the same category. They are fun, but simple. I guess I like a challenge. These couture jackets are a challenge. So are men's shirts and some of the other things I sew. Hopefully hats will soon be part of my challenges. We have had plenty of distractions around here, but today it was all and only about the jacket. I made a great deal of progress, in fact will be ready to quilt tomorrow after I purchase the thread I need.

This is the stay at the bust. I had already steamed shrank the fabric.

Another important bit that won't be seen. The front stay and button hole supports.

All the pieces are thread traced, details done and lining basted into place. The support pieces are also ready, at the hem of the jacket and sleeves, plus back neck. Ready to quilt and construct. 

I do not have a trim chosen yet. I may wait until the conference to see what is available. 

D's visit - TUESDAY

D,s mission on Tuesday was to get to that candy store he visited when he was three. THAT he remembered from the trip. So, to the mall we headed.  Unfortunately the candy store was no longer there, but we did eventually find some candy to buy. Meanwhile, we did have a little fun at the mall.

This made me laugh. My oldest is a new mom, hope she takes note! HA!

One of MY favorite things to do at the mall.

Thankfully D was also excited to ride the PIG, specifically. 

At this point we went to a park in near "downtown" that had a very simple maze. We enjoyed a walk through that, but D was focused on what was coming next. 

CANDY!!

Grandfather decided he could pick 5 different types. 

I never quite understand the workings of his thinking. 

FIVE?

REALLY???

But D was all for it. 

D chose, weighed, printed out the ticket and took care of all the details.

The kid knows his way around a store.

Great learning experience for D. 

Then we taught him how to gamble.

On our way to the second park of the day 

we decided to stop to see where Grandfather spends his day.

Park number 1

D climbs and hangs . . . again!

This was a bit trickier than some of the others. 

Moving parts. 

And of course, D handled it like a pro! 

Gobsmacked!!

One more round. 

This one was a three parter. 

There.

Back again. 

Then he kept going.

I believe it was 35 rungs without stopping.

REALLY gobsmacked!

D's dad had a slide like this at his elementary school. 

D was quite fascinated with the different feel of coming down this slide.

Spiderman!

Non-stoppable.

Over and over again.

Well, yes, once in a while you DO need to stop and eat.

We stopped at one of Grandfather's favorite lunch places. 

Cookie Bliss! 

We let D choose whether to go to a third park for the day.

He decided to spend his last couple hours back at the house. 

We played school some more and just enjoyed a few more minutes together. 

And then something magical happened . . . . .

We wore D out!

Heading to the airport. 

I 

love

D

Come back ANY time!!!!

D's visit -MONDAY

I am so happy I heard about a place near us, 7 Acre Wood. That was the destination and start to Monday. The perfect place for a little guy to explore, play and let loose.

A fun day with Grandfather

D had a boat in his backyard, but this one is bigger! 

Climbing and hanging, two things D does excel at.

Giant games!

Being silly with dad. 

In jail in the Old Western Town.

Some sort of spinning bar that D mastered. 

More climbing. 

Feeding the goats. 

Meeting the baby goats. SO much cuter when they are little. 

Tether ball with Grandfather.

Zip lining, kid size. 

Pogo sticking.

Basketballing.

Putt putting. 

Climbing again.

Grandfather as a girl! 

It was a fun place.

We then headed back to our neighborhood. I had been telling D about a trick our community tried to play on people. They got me with it when I first saw it, but D was not quite as gullible. He noticed right away it wasn't real. 

Watching the fish in the little river. 

Walking to the ice cream store. 

Gummy bears take a LONG time to chew when they are in ice cream. So cold, so chewy. 

D found out we had a 99 cent store in our area. 

He loves to shop there, so we ran by. 

He got pom poms. He is really interested in Cheerleading and will make a great one!

Some bike riding with Grandfather. 

Another park. 

More hanging. 

D discovered a bunny in the woods near the park. 

Another park, #3 for the day. 

A 4th park! 

D discovered a Bottle Brush Tree, he was fascinated. 

We fixed D's favorite dinner, chicken and sweet potato. 

Then out back for another marshmallow roast. 

Such a special day with Grandfather. 

I think D could do this day over and over.

I love D.

I am exhausted!