I am sewing even though it doesn't seem so

I have almost finished HP Geisha Girl Jacket, adding the elastic to the sleeves. After so many disappointments lately with fit, I went with something that is not really fitted, relaxed fit, actually. I picked a sportwear twill-like animal print I got last year at Hancocks that has a mild stretch. So far, so good, but ran out of thread so I only got to topstitch the front/neck facings. The bottom hem will be handstitched. I even finished the facings with bias tape. I have been sporadically working on it since I cut it out on Saturday, and was not home Sunday, so three days is pretty good progress for me.

Halloween came off well. We had a puppy dog, Spiderman, a cowboy and SpongeBob, I made the puppy hat and decorated the shirt and made SpongeBob.

Citrus Paisley top

Yeah, I did not want to take a photo of myself, too hard. It is resting on my desk chair. In the second you can see the added embellishments to utilize the puffs on the neck binding. For the record, this is my TNT, B3070, from the 1980's, traced and redrafted to fit me. I used two layers of mesh, which made it puff a bit in the front armpit area. This does not happen with regular knits, which makes me think it is the mesh and the two layers. I sewed them together and the neck and cap sleeve hems, left the sides free and hems are free and two lengths so the underlayer peeks out at the lower hem, both ruffle edged with zig zag.

Giveaway

Lots of them out there, here's one. http://seemommysew.wordpress.com/2009/10/21/as-promised/#comment-1086

Also checked out a coop for quilting fabrics: http://www.fabfanatic.com

Check them out if you want.

Working on SpongeBob costume today...

My sewing time today was

none, except for cutting out a jumper for the oldest and a dress for the baby. The jumper is a vintage size 8, she is really a 10 now. I took a 10 bodice and transferred the details to the 8 jumper bodice, made the skirt two pieces instead of 6 gore since I am using a red and black check, to cut down on seam matching. I also cut out the broadcloth lining. I added 2.5" to the skirt length to be sure I cut enough. The old jumper, out of denim is in last fall's posts, and barely fits her, cannot zip it up, so hopefully going to the size 10 should be enough. I can also use less SA and lessen the darts. The baby's is an OOP McCalls in the check also with black collar, two pleats in the front and back and ends about midway with bows on the front where the pleats end. I picked this one based on a Patrones dress from an issue I got from Paco (thanks!). The pattern is about identical, so hopefully it works for her. I am venturing into toddler sizes now for her. A new experience. If it doesn't fit, I have 2 yards left of the fabric and try another size. I got the fabric from Trendy Fabrics for $1/yd and the broadcloth from Hancocks at $1.99/yd. How economical is that!

Vogue 1136

Ok, made a bodice muslin of the dress in a 16, grading to 18 for waist area, no way this will look good on me anytime soon, not to mention the shoulders fall back, which feels weird. Moving on to another...

Hancocks and Hobby Lobby

Need I say more??? Patterns on sale, fabric on sale, extra 10% off total before 10 am, I was at Hancocks by 9:30 and that's a feat, since it is an hour away and the last kid leaves for preschool after 8 am. But I made it without mishap. Bought some great patterns I have been eyeing, Vogue, McCalls and Simplicity, including the famous cardiwrap, reviewed by Ann, Christina, and others. I also got the newest Vintage Vogue, the red sheath and blue jacket/dress on the envelope. Sorry I am a little pressed for time, so I don't have the numbers readily available. I passed on several, did not want to blow my budget. At Hobby Lobby, got Spiderman cake supplies for P-man's 5th birthday this weekend, cowboy hats for Western Days this weekend and more Halloween supplies for costumes. Also odds and ends on clearance, buttons, elastic, etc. And I was home by 12:30. amazing how fast you can go without kids!

Shopping today

Went to town and bought a tux for Mike as he is in the K of C's and needed one for upcoming events. Also stopped in Hobby Lobby for more Steam a Seam and found a yellow fleece remnant for the baby's Halloween costume of Sponge Bob. The rest I will decide later. Right now, I had a whim and have been sewing up charms for 2 baby receiving blankets to be backed with flannel. May list them on etsy.

Another item finished. A reverse appliqued HM shirt for the oldest. I bought her a HM shirt sometime back on clearance but it was way too big. Now being trendy, the fad may outgrow itself before she reaches that size, so I used the print and reverse appliqued it onto a standard Walmart tshirt. Needs a bit more trimming around the shape, but basically ready. Also got the patterns reorganized and pulled out what may be suitable for fall.

Cleanup long overdue

I won't even post a photo of the sewing/dining room. It's too messy. Suffice to say I need to clean up and it's too much to do at once. Yesterday I refolded some yardage and put them in the cupboards. Today I am refiling patterns, I have lots pulled out as potentials and never got to them, so I might as well refile. I have 2+ plastic drawers of childrens current and vintage plus about 4 of women's current and vintage. So there's lots to be refiled. I semi-cleared the cutting table, too. Maybe by the weekend I will be done...

UFO #3, Third time a charm!

A third UFO out of the way, S4138 skirt, in a brick red crepey rayon blend from Hancock's. Laugh all you want, this one lacked pulling the finishing threads! Put it aside & forgot. I will try to wear it tomorrow to church.

Another UFO down

This summer I bought a bit of Citrus Paisley Mesh from Ann (Gorgeous Fabrics) and cut out my B3070 TNT top, two layers as she recommends. Then I sewed the neckline and slightly stretched it out (oops!). I put it aside. It sat. Tonight with Mike & the oldest at the local football game, I worked on it again. I put a binding strip from the fabric. It puffed. I looked at it again. I am leaving the puffiness. Instead I will work with it and add some embellishments there to utilize the puffs. Tomorrow I will get batteries for the camera and take some pictures. BTW, that mesh is so pretty, the paisley in lime green and yellow. I know it's summery, but we live in So Texas, it's usually warm here.

Another one bites the dust

A UFO that is! This one I started months back, a Jalie Criss Cross in size 8 for my daughter. My camera has no batteries, so I will describe it instead. It is from a poly lycra remnant from the bin at Walmart, under $1 for the remnant. I zigzagged-topstitched the criss cross hems and bottom hem. Used the flutter sleeves. It is dark purple. She should love it, hope it still fits.

This pattern is wonderful for kids and women. It has a maternity/nursing option, too.

A little patchwork going on here

This week, as I said earlier, has been a getting back to normal week, slowly. I feel a bit under the weather and have a few kids with minimal symptoms as well. I did do some patchwork on some charms that I have in stash and had started months ago. I am the queen of UFO's, by the way. I did a block yesterday, they would not line up, so I gave up for the day. Today I did about 5 blocks and had to redo a few. I may try some more this weekend. I also have clothing UFO's for days, a sewing area in shambles. I hope I wake up feeling better tomorrow.

Trying to get back to normal

Well, the funeral was yesterday, the church festival this weekend, tomorrow is Joseph's birthday/death date. Hopefully, life will return to normal soon.

En route to Houston, the car was shimmying a bit, more so after the burial on the way to the reception. Luckily, we pulled into a Walmart and had a tire replaced due to tread separating and the tires are only 2 years old. Thank God, it happened while the kids were at my in-laws. We pulled in to our driveway about midnight, so I am feeling it now.

The kids are all bathed and watching tv, so they will go to bed soon and so will we...

RIP Grandma Susie

circa 1968, with me

Grandma Susie passed away last night while we were attending the rosary for a lady who passed away this weekend who went to church with us. She had her four children in attendance and some of the grandchildren. She was 90 years old. The last of our grandparents on my side and Mike's have now all passed. It is the passing of that generation, the toughest generation, those that survived the real Great Depression, who knew how to make do or do without, make something from practically nothing. Real ingenuity and tough spirits.

Not been in the mood to post much lately

even though I have been trying to sew. I am working on some things for the church auction next weekend, as well as clothes for the kids and me. Just can't get anything finished, some stumbling block or error pops up in the way and can't get past them. Also, been pensive because this is the 7th anniversary/birthday/death day of our first son coming up on Sept 16. He was born very prematurely, I probably posted it last year, and as that day approaches, I always get blue. It gets better each year, but it's still there... Also oldest son's birthday is Sept 12. I had him prematurely a year after Joseph, two months before he should have been born. I also lost another pregnancy in September a few years ago. September is not a good month for us. Another reason for the disordered mind is my grandmother's dying. We are basically gearing up for the inevitable, she is in hospice, failing a bit more every day. She has lived a long life, seen great-great grandchildren born, something not many get to see. So, I am a bit absent-minded and not motivated at times. I do have to finish the church items asap, so hopefully there will be some photos soon.

Saturday post

School supplies, including a Spiderman backpack for the youngest son, are bought. Still need a kindermat, but WM was out of the requested size. Next week are clothes as Texas has tax-free weekend. The requisite t-shirts, shorts and pants, underwear, sock and shoes, Spiderman again for the youngest son, will be bought. I did finish a decorated t-shirt for the oldest, using house on high hill's tutorial. I used a turquoise print to match a pair of capris made for her earlier. She will wear it to church tomorrow and hopefully photograph it. I hope the capris still fit her.

Otherwise, a lazy, do little day.

School Supply shopping today

Going to Walmart today to buy school supplies, 10 more days to the end of this long, hot summer. I am so ready to have some "me" time back... Maybe I can sew again... In anticipation, I ordered for the first time from Gorgeous Fabrics, since she has an awesome sale on right now. I am trying the citrus mesh she used recently. I am planning on making my normal B3070 blouse from it. I also got some tricot lining in case it's needed. I need to see it in person to see how see-through it is.

A little finishing work and that's about it

I am trying to steal a minute here and there to finish some outfits for the baby before she starts preschool. One dress/panty set is from a 1960-ish Butterick. I decided to finish the armholes with bias strips. I am convinced to always make kids clothes flat. It was hell to sew in those strips on the machine. And that was the attaching seam. I plan on folding under and finishing by hand, but on a little size, no way I am doing that again. A lesson learned...

I also have more of the tie shoulder dresses to finish, one in pink camo and one in pink swirl. Plus some items for school for the oldest and oldest boy...

Is it oppressive?

Not much sewing going on here, but I have been cruising the internet more than usual and was not feeling well today. I came across a post on a blog today (Gertie) about whether vintage clothes are oppressive, going backwards. I do not think this at all, I think it is individuality, flattering and enhancing the feminine look, wishing for simpler life and times, and probably other ideas out there. I also believe men and women are different, but capable of being equals in various ways, but there are things that are inherently male and female. Different but equal. And have no problem with dressing up the physical to be attractive. Not to the extreme, but to look neat, appropriately dressed, made-up. I am not a feminist in the traditional sense, I am a stay at home mom with kids. I believe the differences are good. Now, I do believe in equal pay for equal work, but does that mean I want to do the heavy industrial physical work? No, but I know some women will and can. If they are capable, sure, they should be paid the same. Office and professional work, absolutely should be paid the same at the level of compentency/seniority. But that's another topic...

My question, and would love some input from those who admire the vintage fashions/sewing, is do you think our love of vintage fashion is oppressive? I mean, we are seeing all decades' fashions coming back almost like we as a society are craving that sense of security. Tell me what you think...