Frantic February: Finish or Find New Home

I know that I said that I wasn't going to monthly reviews, but I just can't help myself. The end of a month and the beginning of a new one is a time to reflect and plan. February was hectic to say the least. I do tax returns and the month began without a computer able to download the tax program. Because my son was going to get and set up it, I started the process before Christmas. Really, I paid for his computer engineering degree and he was happy to help. Of course, he was busy and thinking that tax returns weren't due until April 15. Yea, sure. I seldom nag but I became a major nagging mom. That story ended well. He did an excellent job of buying, putting together, and installing my wonderful high speed, lots of memory computer. Of course, that process meant dragging out computer programs and related stuff. My sewing room also functions as a home office during the season so getting it organized was a must. What a mess!! My sewing gear does have a home that it doesn't see very often, sad to say. I got everything put in proper places. I even sorted the Burda patterns I have traced and neatly put them in envelopes. Wow! I impress myself. It will stay neat for the next couple of months. After that, I hope that I can remember how nice a neat sewing room really is.

Despite the time I spent catching up on returns, I managed to get some sewing done. Apparently, I do better when I'm really busy. (That's another one of those things I must remember!) I actually competed three garments, using 6 yards of fabric. I love all of them. I've posted already about the Jalie 2919 Cardigan and the KS 3740 Cowl Top. I did decide I liked the collar and kept it "creative turned around". Thanks you everyone who gave me feedback. The third garment was the Jalie 2788 Twist Top.

It was made from a polyester/lycra knit that I bought from Fabric.com. It went together easily and the fit is great, IMHO. I didn't make any fitting adjustments other than cutting the side seams one size larger, as usual. I love the tie and scooped back.I did not include a modesty panel and something is definitely needed before I wear it out of the house. I have a brown tank on the sewing table. It should be quick to make and will go well with the Jalie Cardigan. That should help with the snug fit of that cardigan.

In line with the finish-up theme of February, I made a comment on a blog stating that quilting makes me gruppy. Okay - If that's the case I need to find a new home for the quilt blocks that I have stored for years. I pulled out a set of blocks from the back of my embarrassing UFO shelf. A lot of hours went into making them. Plus, they were planned for a blank wall in my sewing room. Sooo.. I cut out sashing and border strips, laid out the quilt, and started sewing. After all, I need to finish them or give them away. I didn't get gruppy at all. In fact, I had most of it put together before I realized that I needed to get back to tax work. Here's the top half:

The bottom half needs two more pieces of sashing and it will be done.

I was amazed at the amount of details that I did. Naturally, I started thinking about the desire to add more of similar details to garments. My quilting projects are limited to "finish up" for the immediate future. Now that I don't have to spend as much time on fitting and basic sewing techniques, I 'm excited about the possibilities for garments. The applique and handwork don't show very well in the photos. I'm particularly excited about the hand silk ribbon embroidery that I did on the house block. I also need to apply my quilt planning and thinking about the end result to my wardrobe. I started thinking about my own personal style as a number of bloggers are doing now. Well, my style hit me: It's classic crazy with romantic touches. That's what I saw in the quilt and what, hopefully, will show more in my garment making. Of course, I don't want "wierd" and have to keep age appropriateness and my petite size in mind. I have some ideas which will be fun to do. I also have more direction in clearing out the UFO shelf and my closet!

It's time to get back to reducing taxes (legally, of course) and work on that brown tank - basics still have to be in classic crazy wardrobe.

The Marathon Record Setting Blouse

The Loes Hinse Bergman Blouse is as finished as it is going to get. The fit is not too bad, compared to my other attempts at fitting shoulder princess seams. There are a number of things that I know that I will fix the next time around. Yes, there will be another of this blouse - just not right away. Any constructive comments about the fit will be welcome! Part of the difficulty is the wool crepe fabric seemed to stretch as I fiddled with it. Once I feel more comfortable with the fit, wool crepe would be fine. My next go round probably will be in a polyester before using any nicer fabric. I made this blouse as a part of Sarah Veblen's "All about Set-in Sleeves and Armholes" class on Pattern Review. She helped a lot, but the class was just before the Christmas holidays. There was too much stuff going on. I didn't finish it before the end of the class. I sure wish I had as she is so helpful. Anyway, this blouse set a number of records for me.

1. The longest period of time I worked on 1 garment (4 months) without sending it to the UFO shelf or wadder file. I finished a number of other garments in the process, but kept coming back to the blouse. Wow! Most sewers finish a coat in less time!

2. The only time that I continued working on a project that I was sick of sewing. I love sewing - hope this is the first and only time. Yet, I know it may happen again as I take on new challenges.

3. The happiest I've ever been to finish a project.

4. The first time I've gotten a woven princess seam garment to actually look like a blouse.

5. The most muslins made (3 including many rips and resew). I should have made one more!

6. The most learning about reading a muslin. Now I can see things in a garment muslin (or finished project) and understand a lot more about what is happening in relation to my body.

Here are pictures of the blouse:

The pants that I'm wearing are V1051 made in cotton twill.

Closing Shot:

During my hectic month of March, I finished another quilt block: the last block for an applique wall hanging. I'd like to finish the quilt as there is a big, blank spot in sewing room. Every now and then I hear the wall crying to be covered!