Yea, today is the day Michelle and I fly out to NYC for her job interviews. Naturally I didn't sleep well last night and I was already so tired.
I'm excited and scared, and I know she feels that way times 100. Once we get there we can relax a bit, and once the interviews are over (tomorrow) we can have some fun.
I have a list of fabric stores printed out, LindseyT's list on googlemaps. I have no specific buying plans, just see what tickle my fancy. I will either come home with nothing from being totally overwhelmed, or have to pay for extra luggage, and we already have to pay just to check the first bag these days.
We don't have too many specific plans, hit a couple museums, things she studied in school, and luckily I have a friend who will help us out. No plans for a show or anything like that. We just want to have fun and not worry about getting it all in.
Obviously we all are wishing Michelle the best of luck and in our hearts know she will end up in NYC where she wants to be and then I can visit regularly.
Till next week....
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Odds and Ends
Someone asked about nail polish and chipping. Honestly, I just think some chip more than others. Also, making sure the nail is totally dry and clean helps the polish to stick better.
Lots of little things are happening here. I try not to talk too much about my weight issues here, but I'm about to start a new program. I'm working with someone online, someone who's information and knowledge I like and respect. Her work speaks to me and her programs seem doable. I have a bunch of photos that need taking (ugh) and fitness testing to do, and stuff to write up, so I hope to get that done today. So yes, you might be hearing me talking about what's going on in that area.
Also, my oldest daughter Michelle, the one who's a textile major at the University of Kansas is having her first interview shortly, in NYC. AAAAGGGHHHH!!!! neither of us have ever been there, so it's going to be a small vacation. I'm scared out of my mind.
But guess what, I can go fabric shopping, which I think is cool.
On the sewing front, I wore the green t-shirt I made out dancing on St. Paddy's day. It was fine, the dart a bit too high. I washed the shirt and it shrunk and now the dart was even higher. I do think I had forgotten to prewash as the fabric had been in my stash for a year+. I will start washing knits 2x.
But, all that aside, the pattern is working out pretty well, I still need to work on that dart placement though.
Lots of little things are happening here. I try not to talk too much about my weight issues here, but I'm about to start a new program. I'm working with someone online, someone who's information and knowledge I like and respect. Her work speaks to me and her programs seem doable. I have a bunch of photos that need taking (ugh) and fitness testing to do, and stuff to write up, so I hope to get that done today. So yes, you might be hearing me talking about what's going on in that area.
Also, my oldest daughter Michelle, the one who's a textile major at the University of Kansas is having her first interview shortly, in NYC. AAAAGGGHHHH!!!! neither of us have ever been there, so it's going to be a small vacation. I'm scared out of my mind.
But guess what, I can go fabric shopping, which I think is cool.
On the sewing front, I wore the green t-shirt I made out dancing on St. Paddy's day. It was fine, the dart a bit too high. I washed the shirt and it shrunk and now the dart was even higher. I do think I had forgotten to prewash as the fabric had been in my stash for a year+. I will start washing knits 2x.
But, all that aside, the pattern is working out pretty well, I still need to work on that dart placement though.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Warm Fuzzies
It's evening....I had a massage appointment earlier this evening (I have a bad neck that needs to be kept in check.)
Dinner was yummy, stir-fry that was made to perfection. Now I'm having some wine, watching LOST, and thinking I need to share a bit of stuff with the few that actually read my comments.
I had three positive remarks on my nail polish today. I decided enough-is-enough and I'm going to get these darn nails to grow again. I KNOW how to do it, lots and lots of cremes and oils, and keeping them painted.
I bought 3 new colors the other day, and I've now worn a new OPI Jade is the new Black for 2 days. Since it's fairly greenish I will do a coat of a green glitter on top for St. Patricks Day tomorrow.
Here's how it looks right now, you can already see the grow out starting and my cuticles are looking so much better with tender care:
Yes, I'm sewing. Right now I'm trying to get a green t-shirt constructed to wear dancing on Friday night (green theme) and maybe I'll wear it tomorrow. No details to share yet.
I have 3 pairs of pants to hem also.
I've bought lots of patterns lately, but I have no plan.
Dinner was yummy, stir-fry that was made to perfection. Now I'm having some wine, watching LOST, and thinking I need to share a bit of stuff with the few that actually read my comments.
I had three positive remarks on my nail polish today. I decided enough-is-enough and I'm going to get these darn nails to grow again. I KNOW how to do it, lots and lots of cremes and oils, and keeping them painted.
I bought 3 new colors the other day, and I've now worn a new OPI Jade is the new Black for 2 days. Since it's fairly greenish I will do a coat of a green glitter on top for St. Patricks Day tomorrow.
Here's how it looks right now, you can already see the grow out starting and my cuticles are looking so much better with tender care:
Yes, I'm sewing. Right now I'm trying to get a green t-shirt constructed to wear dancing on Friday night (green theme) and maybe I'll wear it tomorrow. No details to share yet.
I have 3 pairs of pants to hem also.
I've bought lots of patterns lately, but I have no plan.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Wearing my clothes
I'm happy to say I wore a pair of slacks I made, as well as a top and a jacket out to dinner last night. Hey, I think that's an accomplishment.
I do have a few things that still need reviewing, I'm just not in the mood yet.
I downloaded the Jalie t-shirt 2005 today and spent the day taping it together. Hmmm...not sure if all that work is worth the money. We'll see what happens with the shirt. It's an out of print pattern, here's the photo:
I'll be working on it tomorrow. Yup, I had to tape together 72 sheets of paper....like I said, not sure if it's worth it.
Nails, ugh is all I can say. They still refuse to grow, but I have so many pretty colors so I put on OPI's My Big Break:
Oh, yes. I've been working on my contoured waistband. I finally just did up a taped up version of my own waist. Here's a comparison to a patten I've been working on. As you can see, I'm far less curved. It was an easy technique for making my own waistband.
I do have a few things that still need reviewing, I'm just not in the mood yet.
I downloaded the Jalie t-shirt 2005 today and spent the day taping it together. Hmmm...not sure if all that work is worth the money. We'll see what happens with the shirt. It's an out of print pattern, here's the photo:
I'll be working on it tomorrow. Yup, I had to tape together 72 sheets of paper....like I said, not sure if it's worth it.
Nails, ugh is all I can say. They still refuse to grow, but I have so many pretty colors so I put on OPI's My Big Break:
Oh, yes. I've been working on my contoured waistband. I finally just did up a taped up version of my own waist. Here's a comparison to a patten I've been working on. As you can see, I'm far less curved. It was an easy technique for making my own waistband.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
I want to do something interesting
I wore the pair of pants I finished, but I'm still not happy with the waistband. I complained a bit about waistbands on PR, so I'm not getting into it again. Needless to say, my waist is not shaped quite as I'd prefer.
I do feel a contoured waistband is a better option than a straight one, but I'm more curved in the back than the front, and though the waistbands are also curved that way, I still need to adjust for myself. I'm going to make my own somehow, maybe just tape myself up with painter's tape or something and mark the level right at my belly button...something like that.
So I was feeling the need to complete something and I've been wanting a new top for dancing. I did the Jalie 2682 that I've done a couple times. I used a bamboo cotton and added lots of crystals. It danced well for me, seemed to grow a bit as I wore it, but loose is better than tight. If a top clings to my bust, it will ride up when my arms are lifted.
I have that "what do I want to sew" thingy going on right now. I have some stretch denim and can continue to work on jeans. I still want to do more slacks. I really need shirts, but maybe not always knit. Jackets are fun as they are a bit of a challenge.
Ugh.....so many ideas, no clue.
I do feel a contoured waistband is a better option than a straight one, but I'm more curved in the back than the front, and though the waistbands are also curved that way, I still need to adjust for myself. I'm going to make my own somehow, maybe just tape myself up with painter's tape or something and mark the level right at my belly button...something like that.
So I was feeling the need to complete something and I've been wanting a new top for dancing. I did the Jalie 2682 that I've done a couple times. I used a bamboo cotton and added lots of crystals. It danced well for me, seemed to grow a bit as I wore it, but loose is better than tight. If a top clings to my bust, it will ride up when my arms are lifted.
I have that "what do I want to sew" thingy going on right now. I have some stretch denim and can continue to work on jeans. I still want to do more slacks. I really need shirts, but maybe not always knit. Jackets are fun as they are a bit of a challenge.
Ugh.....so many ideas, no clue.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
A new iron, yet again
Yup, I've been sewing, just not writing about it as it seems so dull.
I did get myself a new gravity feed iron yesterday at the Missouri Sewing Company here in KC. It's a Pacific Steam PSI-5E and so far, after one afternoon of using it, I'm very happy.
After the problems with the crappy Rowenta steam generator, it was time to start something different.
Here's a photo of the set-up:
Right now I'm working on pants. I seem to have the problem of them coming out too big or too small. I think I change by 2 sizes in the day. And yes....I'm serious. I'm working on a Vogue pattern, a Claire Shaeffer design, the one with the pair of pants in red on the envelope. I'm too lazy to look it up right now.
The fit is going very well, the crotch curve is perfect and the wider leg keeps me from having drag lines. It's just getting the right fit/height of the waistband that is causing some issues. I should be done with that today and ready to try another pair.
I got a funky magazine the other day. Seriously, as I was browsing through the magazine I couldn't help but wonder what it was. Talk about eclectic, clothes and dodads for the house. It kind of reminds me a bit of Steinmart, but still different. I did find a few outfits I liked though, and just now went online to get a photo. I actually like the garments more online and will add it to my snoop shopping list. Some of the jeans are great for ideas, and lots of long skirts that I like.
Here's a photo of the dress that caught my attention:
Oh, and here's a link to the website, Midnight Velvet.
I did get myself a new gravity feed iron yesterday at the Missouri Sewing Company here in KC. It's a Pacific Steam PSI-5E and so far, after one afternoon of using it, I'm very happy.
After the problems with the crappy Rowenta steam generator, it was time to start something different.
Here's a photo of the set-up:
Right now I'm working on pants. I seem to have the problem of them coming out too big or too small. I think I change by 2 sizes in the day. And yes....I'm serious. I'm working on a Vogue pattern, a Claire Shaeffer design, the one with the pair of pants in red on the envelope. I'm too lazy to look it up right now.
The fit is going very well, the crotch curve is perfect and the wider leg keeps me from having drag lines. It's just getting the right fit/height of the waistband that is causing some issues. I should be done with that today and ready to try another pair.
I got a funky magazine the other day. Seriously, as I was browsing through the magazine I couldn't help but wonder what it was. Talk about eclectic, clothes and dodads for the house. It kind of reminds me a bit of Steinmart, but still different. I did find a few outfits I liked though, and just now went online to get a photo. I actually like the garments more online and will add it to my snoop shopping list. Some of the jeans are great for ideas, and lots of long skirts that I like.
Here's a photo of the dress that caught my attention:
Oh, and here's a link to the website, Midnight Velvet.
Friday, February 19, 2010
A bit discouraged
I know this happens to each of us, but it's amazing how it can kind of just bring the sewing desire down.
Jennifer, aka Okie2thdoc, gave me a really luscious piece of teal bamboo knit. I made a practice top using Kwik Sew 3756.
I was making a top, but I used the dress pattern and shortened the sleeves.
My muslin came out too bit with armholes too low. Easy enough, calculate the size issues, and retrace and I should be fine. Nope, now it's too tight all over and the armholes are still too low. I did a small in the upper chest.
I don't think I've ever had luck with a KwikSew pattern. Looking back at a bunch of top patterns I bought, I had the same issue with low armholes.
I'm kind of wondering if others have the same issue.
I did like the pattern for the panties.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I went to Hancock Fabrics yesterday and got some good deals on fabrics to use for muslins. All the value fabrics were an additional $1 off, and since I just want the correct weight and preferably a light ugly color, I hit the jackpot. I got two different woven weights, one a light broadcloth weight and one a pants weight, and the same for knits, one a lighter stretchier one and then a heavier one.
I also got stocked up on needles and found buttons to put on my jeans.
Today it's raining, a good day to sew. I stayed out of the sewing room yesterday. Oh, and I'm not tossing the flopped top. I might have enough to piece a new front and use the back as the back of a new top. Sleeves can be recut....we'll see what happens.
Jennifer, aka Okie2thdoc, gave me a really luscious piece of teal bamboo knit. I made a practice top using Kwik Sew 3756.
I was making a top, but I used the dress pattern and shortened the sleeves.
My muslin came out too bit with armholes too low. Easy enough, calculate the size issues, and retrace and I should be fine. Nope, now it's too tight all over and the armholes are still too low. I did a small in the upper chest.
I don't think I've ever had luck with a KwikSew pattern. Looking back at a bunch of top patterns I bought, I had the same issue with low armholes.
I'm kind of wondering if others have the same issue.
I did like the pattern for the panties.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I went to Hancock Fabrics yesterday and got some good deals on fabrics to use for muslins. All the value fabrics were an additional $1 off, and since I just want the correct weight and preferably a light ugly color, I hit the jackpot. I got two different woven weights, one a light broadcloth weight and one a pants weight, and the same for knits, one a lighter stretchier one and then a heavier one.
I also got stocked up on needles and found buttons to put on my jeans.
Today it's raining, a good day to sew. I stayed out of the sewing room yesterday. Oh, and I'm not tossing the flopped top. I might have enough to piece a new front and use the back as the back of a new top. Sleeves can be recut....we'll see what happens.
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