Pants Party

Well, the "party" for the past two weeks wasn't particularly exciting. I've been working on tax returns and the quest for finding reasonable health insurance. At least half of my time was spent waiting for the computer to locate tax info I needed and hanging on the phone to speak to someone about insurance (usually involves 20 or so options and talking to just about everyone in the particular company's office). I am atypically obsessive about both of these topics - gotta have the least, legal taxes possible and the lowest cost insurance with the most benefits for me. I have "almost finished" (two words you see a lot in this blog for various reasons) with the taxes - just waiting for info from one of my family darlings. I've made the decision about health insurance and just have one (I hope!) loose end to tie up on Monday. My sewing machine is next to my computer so while I was waiting on the computer or listening to telephone holding music, I sewed. Of course, the sewing had to be the kind that didn't require a lot of thought so I could stop and start. Sewing pants was my answer there.

The first pair was Vogue 1061 which are described as "fitted, pull-on pants, above the ankle have waistband and stitched hems". I would describe them more as Pajama Party Pants. I made them in a carmel RPL doubleknit. The fabric is the greatest thing about the pants: It is very comfortable. The fit was not very good. Of course, that could be corrected but, hey, I already have two TNT pull-on pants patterns that fit well. These were one-seam pants. I think I need two seams to adjust for fit. I dunno. I know a lot of people love one-seam pants. The above ankle length looked like my pants got caught in an over-heated dryer. The look was comical so I made them longer. Also, I couldn't quite wrap my head around putting a waistband on pull-on pants. I can pull them on all right, but elastic waists are more comfortable and less time-consuming to sew. The bottom line is I won't wear these p.j.-looking pants outside the house except, maybe, to go walking for excercise. Hey, the whole idea of this sewing gig is to have clothes that fit and look polished (that's the goal anyway). Here's a picture of the pants:

The other pants at my "party" are turning out much better. There's a lot to be said for TNT patterns. There is a brown twill pair from V1051 that is "almost finished" - just have to finish the waist band, sew on hooks & eyes, and hem it. I also worked on a couple of pull-on pants from Loes Hinse: a white pair and denim pair. I added back pockets to the denim pants and used a couple of decorative stitches from my machine. Here are the pockets before attaching:

Next up if my sewing goes close to as planned: the Vogue brown twill pants and the LH Bergman Blouse

The Sisterhood

I've felt a part of the blog sisterhood for several months now. Thanks so much to BackPorchBlessings and Jackie for recognizing me. I am amazed at the sense of community that is present throughout the blogs. I don't have a sister of my own although I do have 2 sisters-in-law who I love dearly. I now have many sewing and crafting sisters. This award means a lot. I love It!!!

The rules of the award:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!

3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.

4.Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received your award.

There are many, many blogs that meet the criteria of great "attitude and/or gratitude" and many, many bloggers with whom I feel a sense of sisterhood. Many of them are like big sisters because I learn from them and am inspired by them. Most of these big sisters already have received the award so I won't list them. They are listed in the sidebar link of blogs I read. My biggest concern in listing just 10 bloggers is the ommitting someone who deserves the award. My list includes sewers as well as other crafters whose blogs I enjoy.

Angelia at SewMuchtoSew

Shannon at Frogsinabucket

Alicia at AliciaJeanae

Becky at SewandSo

Julia at Julia'sSewingBlog

Michaela at TheCraftFarm

Amanda at Inexplicablecandor

Shawna at WhatwouldYouDowitha25HourDay?

Jennifer at FancyThat

Salinda at Salinda'sBlog

S2971: A Great Top!

I don't care much for the picture with my mouth opened - giving photography instructions to DH. I do love the blouse though. Saturday was a warm day so I had a chance to wear it. The top is cool and comfortable. The fabric is a RPL from Sewing Studio. I didn't make any pattern alterations which is unusual for me. Next time I make it I will shorten it a bit and take a little off the width off the band so that it will hang straighter. Actually, I don't have any real problem with it as is and received lots of compliments when I wore it. We went to my GS#1's basketball game and, then,out to dinner. I plan to make the version with longer sleeves next. Actually, this white blouse was a wearable muslin that I figured I could wear doing errands or around the house. I had no idea that I would be able to wear it so soon or would like it so much.

Well, this blouse is garment #4 for February. That's not bad for a short month with so many other things happening. It was one of those months where every time I started to do something I found a "worm". For example, I spent about 5 hours piecing together the cost of stocks I sold. I am quite organized with taxes and had all my costs and other stock info together in a file folder. Unfortunately, I kept them in a file cabinet in DH's office. One day he decided to get rid the file cabinet and pitched everything in it that HE didn't need. Fortunately, I caught him in the act and retrieved lots of critical stuff but missed the stock folder. That's the last time anything I really need goes anywhere close to his black hole of an office. I won't bore you with the other joys that I experienced, but trust me, I'm amazed that I actually got any sewing done.

March is a new month. Spring is acoming! Of course, there's frost on the ground here and lots of snow in the Northeast I hear. I still have tax returns to finish but, hopefully, I cleared out the problems last month. While I'm thinking of Spring, I am trying to use some discipline to complete my winter wardrobe plan. I'm working on a couple of pairs of slacks and trying to finish the Loes Hinse Bergman Blouse that I started in December. I have the left sleeve in with an acceptable fit. It's really become the blouse that won't get finished!

February Projects

I always like to see photos of garments photograped on a "real body" Here are photos of me wearing my recent projects.:

I still hope to finish at least one more top before the month is over.

Here's a picture of me with our dinner guests last week - Alice and Margaret. Alice is 98 years old and Margaret is 93 years old. Wow! They look good and sharp as a tack mentally!

Finishing is Fun!

After my poor garment completion rate last month, I finally focused on finishing some projects. It feels great. I'm proud of my discipline because I had a good case of Spring fever (still do, to tell you the truth). While I'm sewing on dark colors, I'm dreaming of white, brights, and light flowing fabric. The weather has been awesome - sunshine and not too hot. I did work in the yard Saturday and spent Sunday afternoon playing with grandchildren in the park. I still managed to get some garments finished. They are pretty much basic, wear-often type of clothes. Here are my results:

This skirt is Vogue 8455, View B, made from suede microfiber. The skirt is a mock wrap, straight skirt, mid-knee length. It was quick and easy to make. Actually, it would have been easier if I had used lighter weight fabric. I like the angled pleats but I eliminated them from the underskirt. This fabric was hard to press and the pleats on the underskirt would have been impossible - plus I don't need all that extra bulk in the tummy area. Hummm.....noticed looking at the photo that I still have some pressing to do at the waistband. (Photos can be helpful to show details that I miss!) The only other adjustment I made was to shorten the skirt 1 inch. While I like the skirt, I doubt that I'll make it again. I have a bunch of skirt patterns that I want to make.

This cardigan is V1058, view B, made from cotton sweater knit. This is my first attempt at sweater knit and found it, surprisely, easy to sew. The cardigan is another easy-to-sew pattern. I like the way the inside is finished. Actually, the only problem I had in construction was mixing up the right side and the wrong side. Before I sewed the side seam, they looked similar in the design and the fabric. Here's a picture of the wrong side:

While I definitely will wear the cardigan, I'm not crazy about it and doubt that I'll sew it again. I much prefer the standard classic cardigan sweater.

I think everyone who sews knits has made the Jalie 2806 top. My version is in cotton interlock with the gathered foldover neckline. I love everything about it and will make it many times with different sleeves. I also want to try the ruched front. I made this top in a couple of hours. (At my turtle pace sewing, that's a quick sew project.) I shortened the shoulders and reduced the length of the hem line and sleeves. Otherwise, I made it per the pattern. This is my first Jalie pattern. I found the instructions easy to follow and even brushed up on my French which is written next to the English.

Now, I want to spend all day in my sewing room. I sure wish that I had a house elf to do my chores!!

Working on the Basics

Time seems to move so slow in February and, then, it flies away. I can't believe how long it has been since I last posted. We've had company for several days and there were all these odd things that required attention. Anyway, I have been able to work in some sewing. I am really bored with my winter wardrobe, but I know much of that is just the time of year. It's been cold (in the twenties - really coooold for Florida) and dreary in the "Sunshine State". I keep wanting to start working on a new project - working on my piping skills, making a jacket, making a coat, making a pair of jeans. I know that I have to finish my basic wardrobe first even though discipline is not a lot of fun. I'm a "mood sewer" which means have a lot of projects going at once. I know that I have to stick with items in my plan regardless. Somehow, I have lost the instructions for the pair of pants that I have in process. I don't need them except for the fly zipper. I've made fly zippers a couple of times, but still have to follow the instructions step by step. I guess I'll have to use one of those sewing books in my library. *sigh* Right now, my sewing machine is at the Bernina Dealer for her annual maintenance (3 months late). I get so sad looking at my empty sewing table! I do have several garments close to finish and one that I actually completed.

Here's the one garment that I did finish in January:

The pattern is B4347 and the fabric is a polyester knit. I really like this blouse. It fits well, is very comfortable, and fairly easy to sew.

Well, that's my pitiful completion for January. February should be much more productive since there are a number of garments that I have started and several that are in that "almost done" stage. I just have to dig in my heals and get that basic wardrobe finished.

Awards

Thank you soooo much Angelia for nominating me for theKreativ Blogger award. The rules of this award are as follows:
1. Copy the award to your site.
2. Link to the person from whom you received the award.
3. Nominate 7 other bloggers.
4. Link to those on your blog.
5. Leave a message on the blogs you nominate.

I would like to pass this award to the following 7 other bloggers whose names I haven't seen listed yet and definitely deserve this award:

1. Gaylen at GMarie
2. Alicia at AliciaJeanae
3. Shawna at Whatwouldyoudowith25hourdays?
4. Shannon at FrogsinaBucket
5. Emily at ALittleSewingStudioonTrowbridgeSt
6. Marji at FiberArtsAfloat
7. Adrienne at RealLife:Live&Unscripted

There are many, many other excellent sewing blogs out there. Some of them I haven't discovered yet. I read the post from Carolyn who broke the rules of the Kreativ Blogger award and nominated everyone who read her blog and has their own blog. She said that we all could display the award and state that the nomination was from her. Carolyn really understands that feeling of anticipation as the awards are posted. So, I decided to create my own award. My award is the Hug Award. This award does not have anything to post on a blog because it is just a very special feeling that is sent through cyberspace. It can be passed on to someone else, but there is no rule that requires it. This award is not only for excellent blogging and excellent sewing skills. This award is for understanding and encouraging the newbies in blogging/sewing and making them feel special. So, Carolyn is the first recepient. Thanks for being there in blogland, Carolyn.