August 4 - More prep

I had other things to do today, workout, phone calls, roofer and a couple other things that interrupted my focus. I did manage to get some fabrics washed and ironed. They are now gracing the guest bed. Sure nice to have that space.

I also practiced some of the skills in the new book. It took a couple of tries, but I was getting the hang of it. I like this much better than just cutting the threads off, as they can start to unravel. A couple of other skills for tomorrow, maybe. 

 I have a couple of places to hang fabric out of the dryer so they don't wrinkle before they get ironed. 

This fusable has to be preshrunk, so it is now drying in the guest room. I hope to make a collar tomorrow and then see how it behaves being washed and dried.

August 1 - Fabric Roses

My own personal National Sewing Month has begun. One thing to look forward to at this time of year (the dog days of summer, which Texas is happily sharing with the rest of the nation) is to STAY IN and SEW! Moms and Dads are getting the kiddos organized for school, shopping and running off on last minute vacations. Work folks are gearing up for a busy fall. Football is on the minds of many, and I am sure stores are rummaging around in back for their Christmas trees. But for me . . . . SEWING! 

First, I did have to get the back to school box sent off to the grand children with some back to school cookies. This is one of my favorite designs, a sand dollar. I also packed some for my brother, some for a new neighbor, some for a friend and some for my oldest who is coming to visit tomorrow. That took a while. Then there was laundry, clearing out stuff we didn't want any more, errands, grocery and reading a book from the library to get done before it is due. 

Cookies ready to pack up.

 But I did get some sewing done. 

 I figured out how to get the dent out of my fascinator base. 

 I also decided what I might want to do with 

the beautiful purple linen I got at the ASG conference.

 First I practiced with paper. 

Then I practiced with fabric. 

Turned out pretty well. I think I will use the design on the front of the book as well, and fabricate some leaves. Not sure how I will apply them to the dress, but I do know they will trail down and be different sizes. For now I will need to pre-wash the fabric, make a few and applique them on. Wash them to see how they will hold up and pick buttons! 

Didn't get much done, but at least got started on my personal August Sewing Retreat. 

Tomorrow it is Gare Bear Day! Fun for Grandmother and Grandfather.  I am sure I will get something done in the sewing room at some point. We'll see. Wouldn't miss our time with the G-man for anything. Growing like a weed!

Father and Son and more fabric!

My son-in-law is an artistic type and appreciates some of his clothing to be more colorful and interesting than is generally available at most stores. Nice, as I like to sew interesting, colorful clothing. So I am always on the lookout for fabrics that will make a nice shirt for his birthday or Christmas. This I found in Indianapolis last fall. Since then, he has acquired a son through adoption! So instead of focusing on getting the front and pockets to match perfectly, I instead, worked to squeeze out a "son" outfit. Since his little man is still on the small side, I pulled it off. They will look quite sweet this summer in their matching outfits. They sure look like they could be related!

And the more fabric . . . . 

Couldn't resist the beautiful blue for a shirt waist, and the cameras, well, my big bro is a photographer and is the only bro without a sister shirt. Hopefully I will be able to make him one soon. 

The Big Fall Trip 2014

Starting with hubbies 40th college reunion, we built a trip to include family and friends that we simply do NOT see often enough. With mom to visit and grandkids, plus other trips that come along, these extras are so special, and this one was packed with seldom seen and very much missed family and friends. 

We started at my brother and sister-in-law in AK, and true to form, my brother knocked it out of the park by building me some sewing tools that will make certain processes so much easier. A steam stick and a shoulder steamer/shaper. I will be using them very soon. 

My sister in law is also involved in theater and wants a May West style dress for a function next year. So that is on my list of projects. I have already found a Simplicity pattern #1778 that I think will be perfect, so once that is on sale, I will purchase and make a muslin based on her measurements. They will visit at Thanksgiving, we can shop for the fabric she wants, and that will give me plenty of time to get it done over the holidays. After Thanksgiving, it will be pretty quiet around here, and we need a bit of "home time" and rest. 

Thankfully, there was time for Dominos, love my game time. Love my AR brother and sister-in-law. Their home is in a completely different environment than ours, so always an opportunity for a completely different lifestyle experience. 

Then off to Terre Haute for the 40th. So much fun. We had to contend with driving along the lead end of a cold front, but that just kept us from being bored on our long drive. A quiet dinner at the hotel and we were ready for a rest. 

Lots of old friends were there, and several from hubby's group that rented a house together for senior year. We even drove by to give it a check. Sad looking house with lots of fun memories attached. 

We walked around campus in the morning landing at the frat house for lunch, and there were the fellows that shared the house. Great stories and so fun to hang out. 40 years sure can seem like yesterday!  

We did a quick trip to a locally owned fabric store and I found some lovely cottons for myself for a shirt waist and another piece for son-in-law.

Then to Indy for Polka Boy/Octoberfest, cousins, brothers, and COLD. By the end of our very early evening, our legs were numb up to our knees, even with the dancing to stay warm. So fun to see cousins I rarely get to see, grand nephews I rarely see, and so fun to hear a great band, and watch brother T let loose! Whoop! 

During the next few days in Indy we had breakfast with oldest bro M and wife O, visited Uncle V and Aunt P who I very rarely see. They looked GREAT and it was so fun to get Uncle V to talk about his career. He started washing bottles at a pharmaceutical company. Learned some new information about a very precious Uncle. 

We also were able to attend a Colts game and tailgated before thanks to brother T snagging us a party to attend. Colts won, good game. 

It started out a bit slow for us eager beavers. We'd been to a Chief's game last year and they start the party about three hours before kick-off. Not so much in Indy. 

Me waiting for the party to start. 

Besides those highlights, we had two FABULOUS dinners with Bro T and his wife S. We celebrated T's birthday at an incredible steak place, including some lovely appetizers and then a dessert! The piano player even played Happy Birthday for him. What a pleasure to sit, talk and share for hours. We also had a FUN evening with them at a local Pub. We had the best waitress and laughed and drank and ate. Just doesn't get much better than sitting around a table with folks you love. We so rarely get time with these two. Blessings. After dinner, we had time to walk around downtown Indy, been a while since I have done that!

I had the bonus of hanging out for several hours at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. I had not been there in 43 years, and remember it having a huge impact on me. Robert Indiana, one of my favorite artists has several pieces there. He was and is an inspiration. It was so nice to just walk around with bro T. No pressure, just pleasure. They have some pretty great stuff there, and it's FREE!  Go figure. I will be back. 

Hubby and I spent a little time driving around my "old stomping grounds" after our visit with my Uncle since we were on that side of town. Two surprises. 

This is the church that hubby and I were married in 40 years ago. Not quite the same as we remember. Good thing the marriage is holding up better than the church! 

This is the house that I lived in from second grade until we got married. It was on the market and so I got to have a virtual tour online. Quite different from when I lived there, but that a fun surprise! 

Another little fabric store find was in Indy. Two pieces of shirting for the boys and a lovely lightweight navy with white polka dot for a suit for me. 

Our next leg took us to Springfield where we spent time with hubbies best bud from long ago. Food, drink and part of two games (just never quite seemed to get those finished, but fun none-the-less) occupied our time there. Plus a trip to the Lincoln museum. I had never been there and was again, quite impressed with the presentation. So glad we got to see that. Love old friends. 

Heading further west we head into Kansas City just in time for playoffs. There was baseball watching and cheering, as the Royals took the first two games! Lots of excited Kansas City family to celebrate with. Love those grand nephews who are growing like weeds, and one is even driving! Yikes. The youngest was up for WAR and several rounds of a Snoopy Game that we played, other than a game of Fish with L, that was it for games in KC. Lots of food and a little shopping (got the cutest tea strainer ever!) and some polka music at a local winery and a trip to a local micro brewery completed our KC time. 

My personal highlight in KS was an evening around a little pit fire in their back yard making smores. Most were there (one of the big boys has a girlfriend, amazing how that is so important at 15) and we just talked and laughed and spent that time together. The coolish air, the smoke occasionally blowing in your face, the crackle, the dark, the memories.  Miss them already, what fun folks. 

My only regret, I forgot to take pictures in KC, I was having too much fun! Augh!! Next time. We'll be back for sure. 

Then we "wrecked the bed" in AR on our way back home to Texas, just a short evening with bro D and sis, a quick cup of coffee in the morning and then headed back to TEXAS and home. 

One of my favorite trips. The weather kept the drive from being boring, as driving in the wind and rain can be very exciting, and it happened more than once! We listened to books, talked and remembered, and planned and dreamed. We even got a glimpse of fall colors, although definitely NOT at their peak. Road trips with hubby are fun, regardless, and the stops along the way were just the best. I love seeing family and friends. Nothing better than time together. Hey, gonna have to remember that one. For SURE!

Fabric

Looking forward to making a couple of lovely men's shirts.

These both washed like a dream.

Preview to the next two suits!

When we were at "the store" this past weekend, I brought my list of what I needed for my next two suits. I wanted an idea of the price and then see if they were in the budget. I have two planned, one for a Gala we attend each January that supports foster children and I want a new Easter suit, something fun, bright, colorful. Hubby ends up in his suit most Sundays (the only guy in church in a suit 99.99% of the time). Well, hubby wasn't gonna stand for that. Just looking? Nope. He encouraged me to jump in and make the purchase. I will give more details about the fabric and the trims, linings and buttons later, as I make the suits, but wanted to give a little preview of what is to come. 

 This is a silk Chanel tweed. I am over the moon! 

This will be a more formal suit of wool, but will have some sparkle! 

FABRICS

Hubby took me shopping to the BEST store for me. The fabric store! AND I get a great discount cause I am a member of the American Sewing Guild!  So this is what I can look forward to.

Four T-shirts for hubby

Surprise shirt for bro who shovels snow

Dress for me and skirts for grand girls

T-shirts for me, and grand girls plus skirt for youngest

Jammies for younger grand girl

Aprons for church auction, with fun trim colors.

LET'S GET STARTED!

Learning a lot about KNITS

Knits come in such a variety, it is quite a challenge to learn how each behave and perform in different garments. Stretch, finish (slick or soft), weight, and content all impact how a finished garment looks. I am learning a LOT. I have made several undershirts for myself, a couple of T-shirts and some shells to wear under a suit or jacket.  I happen to be wearing the polka dot T right now! That fabric was on sale for around 7 a yard, so I got two shirts, a T and a shell for $14. Worth the experimenting. 

Most have been a great success, but I made one T-shirt that had to be redone into a cardigan because the stretch was not sufficient as a T, but perfect as a cardigan. With each garment, I learn more and am so happy at how wonderfully most of the knits perform and travel, like in "pack up and go see the grands". I have found some online resources and can evaluate what I find in the stores with more experience now, just by the feel of the fabric and looking at the content.  

 A red T, a white T, and three white undershirts, one a tank the other two more fitted. 

An undershirt, a shell and two T's. 

I am enjoying working with the knits now that I have the proper tools, my serger and coverlock. They are also very versatile and "every day" clothing, and of coarse, every day is how we live! 

August 2

Yesterday was an interesting and full day, but I still managed to get at least a little sewing room time. I started out with my little class manager job and workout. Nice routine, keeps me honest. I then ran home and got dressed up to help my 93 year old buddy celebrate her birthday. It was a lovely luncheon at her daughter's home with lots of loving friends. She was still going strong after 5 (yes FIVE!) hours. Always enjoy my time with her.

Then I headed over to my local super store to pick up school supplies for my babies. It had been over 14 years since I last did this, it was kinda fun, but then it was just me and I found everything I needed super easy and was quickly on my way. Even popped something in for the youngest foster, and threw a surprise bag of lifesavers in there. I mean really, who gets truly excited about school starting? I know I always did, but I really liked school, even high school. What was wrong with me?  They are packed up and will be mailed off today after breakfast with a buddy. 

 What a lovely bunch of school supplies. 

Fresh new and ready to go!

So then . . . it was nearly 5:30, and it is Thursday!  Not much time to sew before the Runway show starts, and I never miss the Runway show!  DRAMA and incredible ideas and inspiration. But I headed into the sewing room for a couple of hours. After all, who needs dinner? And hubby was eating out. 

This is going to get me started. A tried and true pattern with a slight adjustment through the bust and maybe an embellishment or two. I have some light blue fabric and an idea of how to use it and also played around with some stitches on the Pfaff and some embroydery thread that my mom passed on to me. It is metallic, so a special needle and slow careful sewing. One of the stitched broke the thread, so won't be doing that one. I like the X stitch the best of these and will use it sparingly. Just a little touch here and there. Not sure how, but I like it. 

I got much of it cut out and the pieces ready to do the tricot interfacing. I like using tricot for the front facings, collar and back facing. I have learned to apply the tricot BEFORE I cut out the pieces. I love my serger, as I serge the edges and everything just stays so nice and neat. 

Another project that I am totally intrigued with. A retro pattern that I want to try with black and polka dot. Got the fabric washed and pressed and ready to go. I purchased black bias binding already and will be adding this to my August projects. 

The last bit I did was also prep work. The red to make a little cotton shirt to go with a red, white and blue shell that I made earlier this year. The shell was from leftover material. I did it for fit and practice, but want to enjoy it, it is very cute, so figured a cute red shirt will be perfect. I am not sure which shirt pattern I will use. I have three to try, so will be sorting that out in the next day or two as well. I will most likely do that with a muslin. I made a shirt earlier out of leftover fabric (picture below) and it ended up looking pretty bad. The proportion was WAY off for me. 

My red cotton for a shirt.

 The shell that will go with the red shirt. 

I think I made a shirt waist for oldest with this. 

This shirt looks horribly boxy on me. A good practice piece with leftover material. 

So now, why am I still sitting here? Get into that sewing room girl!  

August 1

This month, I have decided to focus on sewing for me. I haven't really done much for myself this year. I did one dress for a wedding that I attended, and some experimental tops, to see how to work with specific fabrics and new patterns. I do have to concentrate on fitting issues, since my figure has changed since I last sewed much for myself. I love sewing for my family and friends, but have done enough of that lately. I know it will start up again in the fall as I do holiday gifts, with jammies, turtlenecks and men's shirts, but just for the next 31 days (ooo I get a bonus day!) I will focus on me.

So, I hope to turn this pile of fabrics, muslin and patterns into something FABULOUS!  We'll see!

But first, I have to wrap up July. I didn't finish this in time to get it into the blog before August actually started, but here is my last project for a loved one until September. I do plan on blogging every day, even if I only do one stitch, but hopefully there will be plenty to report each day. 

This is hubby's "resort wear" that he will be wearing to a cruise wedding this fall. I have the same fabric (yes we dress like Twinkies) and that will be one of the projects I will be working on. 

A T for me!

Actually more than just a T. 

My son designed this fabric and I finally got around to making a T-shirt and a camp shirt out of the fabric. The T is a nice cotton knit, the camp shirt is Kona Cotton. The shift (which I may leave with my mom) is a stretch denim.  If it doesn't fit her, I will make some minor adjustments and keep it. She took her pattern home with her, so had to guess. 

I will be making more of the T's and camp shirts. I need to make at least three for the women at hubby's office. Work shirts with the logo of their project. I also want to make a shirt waist dress for me out of the fabric. We ordered 25 yards of the Kona Cotton and three of the knit. It makes me want to design ALL my fabric in the future! But I would need my son's help, he was SO sweet to help with this first effort. 

Saved me MONEY!

I just got back from my local fabric store and took advantage of one of the best sales they have ever had! Their snugly flannel, that I use for winter jammies, was 60% off. Then they had a coupon for 25% your total purchase. I decided that was too good to pass up, so went in and spent just a few minutes at the cutting table. I don't make jammies for the big kids every year, but some will get them next winter. I have specific people in mind for many of these, and will store them in a bench I have that is currently empty. Something fun and easy to look forward to. Love sewing and praying for all my family.

By the way, I SAVED $243.33!  Whoohooo!

The Three Muskateers

After quite a bit of time, planning, researching, designing, consulting (it takes a village) and gathering pertinent information on sizes, etc. and sewing, the guys have their shirts. They were surprised, so glad for that. What a trio! I made all three in a day and a half. Intense, but worth it. 

Custom Fabric

Thanks to a very talented son we have some custom fabric at our house, with hubby's logo on the fabric. Logo also thanks to very talented son. 

 This is the full roll of 20 yards that we ordered. It was fun getting it home in the Smart. It would NOT have been a problem if my mom had not been with me. Just lay down the right hand seat and lay it front to back. But alas, mom WAS with. So she had a rather uncomfortable ride home with the end of a large box in her face. We were going to run an errand on the way home, but we skipped that one. This was my first experience doing something like this. I had seen them design fabric on Project Runway, but never dreamed that this is something I might be involved in. So glad to have a very talented son. I may give this a try on my own sometime. Truly custom clothing!

Close up of Logo. 

A slight pause for fabric

This past week I got to see four really special people . . . TWICE. We visited a museum and gardens together then celebrated anniversaries at a lovely restaurant, what a treat. Then before the week was out, we got together again for a shopping trip to my favorite store so they could choose their own fabrics. We enhanced that visit with a simple lunch and then on to an afternoon baseball game. This was one happy mom! Love my kids and getting to see them twice within a week and get to have such a lovely time together, priceless. I am so very fortunate to have some of my kids in town, such a gift. My folks have always had to deal with me being pretty far away, sometimes REALLY far away, and there was no e-mail and skype back then, and phone calls were pretty pricey, especially from overseas. Thankfully love knows no bounds and I enjoyed writing letters.

These two piles of fabric, buttons and thread will create 10 shirts, 2 dresses, 2 pillow cases and 1 jammie. I think SIL#1 was particularly excited to design his own shirts. The cat fabric is his and he asked "do the buttons have to match?" . . . of coarse not! But please let folks know YOU designed the shirt please. He also chose the planets and would love a shirt with chess pieces. Will have to look into that.

So this will keep me off the streets for a few weeks AND I will be able to fine tune my shirt making skills using all these new tricks and techniques I am learning.