Aloha

Last Monday I gave you a glimpse of my latest project: a new skirt (yes, another one) made from Butterick4519. The fabric is from my stash, and I know I got it at JoAnn's last year. It has a nice texture, but is a bit of a mystery as far as fiber content. I'm really trying to break out of my rut and make some different skirts, but it's hard to leave the tried-and-true behind and venture into the unknown!

If anyone has a favorite skirt pattern to recommend, please do!

This is View D minus the silly bows at the pleats. It went together very easily, aside from the waistband. I ran into this same problem with another Butterick pattern: They expect quite a bit of easing when you fit the waistband on, and I'm just not that comfortable with it. No matter what I did, I ended up about a half inch short, so I cheated and shaved a half inch from the side seam so the waistband would fit. This means the whole skirt is assymmetrical by that half inch, but who would know?

The obligatory facing shot for the finishing fans! Speaking of finishing, someone asked about my "fancy hemming." For the record, I don't always hand sew a blind hem. I will take the time if it works best with the fabric and the style of the garment, but I use the double-fold-and-machine-sew method as well. Here's a tutorial I found at Craftzine for hand sewing a blind hem, which looks pretty close to what I do, minus the hem tape. I just like the hem tape for finishing the raw edge, because it's a little touch you don't find on ready to wear very often.

Don't forget--You can enter my giveaway until July 1st! All you need to do is answer a sewing question. I'll share my answer and announce a winner on Thursday.

A Poll and A Giveaway!

You know that question about which you would choose if you could have either a personal chef, a masseuse on call, or a driver? Here's a variation on that.

For those of you who sew, if you could have someone swoop in and take over for one part of the process, which would you choose:

• Someone to trace the pattern. (Not that I've done much of this. I tend to just cut and buy a new pattern if I need a different size. I would like to do some Burda magazine patterns, though, but I'm intimidated by the tracing.)
• Someone to lay out and cut the pattern.
• Someone to transfer all the pattern markings.
• Someone to sew zippers.
• Someone to make buttonholes.
• Someone to deal with interfacing.
• Someone to set in sleeves.
• Someone to do the hems.
• Someone to fill bobbins.
• Someone to iron seams.
• Someone to rip out mistakes.
• Someone to sew on hooks or buttons.
• Someone to turn straps and things right side out.
• Someone to babysit (babies, cats, etc.).
• None of the above! I love everything about sewing.
• All of the above. I can't get the hang of sewing.
• Other. Please specify!
  

I really want to hear what you think, so I'm going to entice you with presents. I will choose one comment on July 1st as a winner. As the winner, you may choose either a knitting surprise package, a sewing surprise package, or this bag!

Hemming

So I've been sewing. After spending so much time on the dress, I thought I'd bang out a skirt in an hour or two just for some near-instant gratification. Of course, it's never that easy. I had a project all ready to go and then --screech of brakes-- no! I changed my mind.

After replaying that scenario, oh, about four more times, I finally settled on a project. Two, as a matter of fact. And they're both almost done, but not quite. My photographer, you see, was away for a few days, so I wasn't feeling compelled to actually finish them. Hey, if I can't post a picture on the blog, does the skirt really exist?

Tonight I took my stuff outside to catch a little sunshine (haven't seen much of that around here lately) while I started my hem. Now that the photographer is on his way back home, I better get busy.

Wanty

I'm been feeling wanty. Time to get it out of my system.
Cute anchor skirt from LL Bean. I can make something similar. Not going to pay $49. Besides, what would I wear it with?


What I wouldn't give for a pair of espadrilles with a lower heel (and, oh, I love that peep toe) ...like these only not so flowery and bow-bedecked. If these came in a solid color, I'd snap 'em up, even at $67.85.

And finally, the Charlie and Lola tomato mug. I'm with ya, Lola.

The Dress, It is Done

The buttonholes are done; the hem is sewn; and the belt is made. Simplicity 2923 is officially finished!




















As I mentioned before, this project was a little intimidating! There were more choices than I'm used to, more pattern pieces, and more steps to complete. I'm used to popping out a skirt in an afternoon, so this forced me to be patient with the process.

Aside from the buttonholes (I had a problem with my machine), this went together very smoothly. Everything matched up the way it said it would and the instructions were clear. The nature of the pattern, with its collar, sleeve, and skirt choices, makes for a little hide and seek on the direction sheets, but that's easy to remedy by marking the relevant directions ahead of time. I only made one small change to the dress, and that was to add two inches to the length of the bodice.

A few of the reviewers on Pattern Review mention the way the pattern gives a separate yardage for each design element. Instead of giving a yardage for an overall look, the pattern breaks it down into sections such as "Bodice with Stand Collar" and "Slim Skirt." In my case, the envelope said I should have had four yards to complete this project. I was using stash fabric and had three and a half yards, but I ignored their cutting layouts and had no trouble working with less fabric.

Overall, I am pleased with how this turned out! If you're hesitant to try a Project Runway pattern, or any pattern that is a little more involved than you're used to, GO FOR IT!

The Fur Person

In one of my previous book posts, I mentioned a book that deserved its own post. The book? The Fur Person by May Sarton. My plan was to share a few passages with you, so I reread the book, looking for the quotes I wanted to use. It didn't take me long to realize I was marking almost every page. Oops. I decided to share a passage from the end of the book. Isabella agreed to do a little interpretation of her own.

It is all in the name "Fur Person," he decided then--not really a name at all, but a way of describing the relationship between a Gentle Cat and his true friends among the human people. For a Fur Person, he saw in his state of extreme concentration, is not just an ordinary cat. He is a cat who is also a person.

For a Fur Person is a cat whom human beings love in the right way, allowing him to keep his dignity, his reserve, and his freedom.

And a Fur Person is a cat who has come to love one or, in very exceptional cases, two human beings, and who has decided to stay with them as long as he lives.

This can only happen if the human being has imagined part of himself into a cat . . . just as the cat has imagined part of himself into a human being. It is a mutual exchange.

I love my Fur Person.

One of Those Book Posts

My book posts don't generate a lot of comment, so I sometimes wonder if anyone actually reads them. Hmm. Here's a hint: I usually include cover pictures of the ones I liked best!


In Like Flynn by Rhys Bowen: Number four in the Molly Murphy series. Another solid story from Bowen. She's not running out of ideas, but I'm running out of nice things to say about her books!









The Secret Between Us by Barbara Delinsky: I always thought Barbara Delinsky was a really "romancey" kind of writer. Not sure why--I might have even had her confused with someone else. I'm glad I tried this book, despite my preconceptions, because it was a good story about a mom covering for her daughter when she has a car accident. Yes, there is some romance, but just a light touch.

Escape by Carolyn Jessop: This is some weird stuff. The true story of Jessop's escape from a polygamous marriage and the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints. A little tedious, but a real eye opener.




An Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner's Semester at America's Holiest University by Kevin Roose: Roose, a student at ultra-liberal Brown University, decided to see how the other half lives...by spending a semester at Liberty University, the school founded by Jerry Falwell. This is NOT 300+ pages of Roose ridiculing the religious kids. I loved this book. I can't do it justice. Try it.









Cold Truth, Hard Truth, and Dark Truth by Mariah Stewart: Whew! Three in a row! I just went to Mariah Stewart's website, and I had to laugh. There's a quote from Library Journal at the top of the page: "[Stewart has a] singular knack for keeping readers up at night." Um...yes, I agree. I grabbed the first in the series one night right before bed, and I not only stayed up, but also woke up early to read more. Sure, it isn't Tolstoy, but it's great for unwinding!

My Mercedes is Not for Sale: From Amsterdam to Uagadougou...an Auto Misadventure Across the Sahara by Jeroen Van Bergeijk: Apparently a car that's reached the end of its usefulness in Europe is still much in demand in Africa. All you have to do is get it there. Driving across the Sahara may not be the easiest way to do this, but it sounds like it could be a lot of fun! Check out the pictures from his trip at the book's website. (This sounds like something my brother would do. I'm debating whether or not to give him the book.)

CSA News

A few people have emailed and asked what's going on regarding our participation in Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) this summer. If you haven't made it over there, my other blog chronicled our first summer participating in the Myerov Farm CSA.

We had a great time with the CSA, trying new things, seeing exactly where our food was grown, and enjoying the freshest produce imaginable. Unfortunately, we had to admit that the CSA was not going to work for us this summer. Gerry has taken on some additional duties at work, which resulted in schedule changes and a bit of unpredictability. And if you're familiar with my skill level in the kitchen...well, let's just say Snoopy and I have a lot in common.

That is not to say we are going to pass up the opportunity to enjoy fresh fruits and veg as much as we can. We'll be visiting some very local farms to scout out our favorites. So we'll still be supporting local agriculture--it'll just be a bit more low key. I promise we'll still share any new recipe discoveries...and I'll still take zucchini muffins into work at least a few times this summer!


Here's where the new header came from! I'm not sure I like it, but Ger keeps asking, "When're ya puttin' the new header up?" so I thought I'd try it out. Thoughts?

Status Report

I don't have much of anything creative to show right now, because I spent a few days cleaning. Anyone who knows me well, is either laughing or looking for a defibrillator right about now, because that doesn't happen very often. We don't even have company coming, so I'm not sure what got into me. Maybe the full moon?

All the curtains came down. I washed windows and wiped off every single leaf of the schefflera in the bathroom. I moved the couch and systematically vacuumed cat hair from every angle. My husband came home from work and asked if we were moving.

One tiny project snuck its way in. I made this little pillow cover from a Target dishtowel to coordinate with my summer quilt. Not rocket science, but a nice little project from 100% scavenged materials.


Now I'm working on Simplicity 2923, a Project Runway dress pattern. I'm making the shorter dress with the stand collar, flat sleeve, and slim skirt. So many decisions!

I cut this out weeks ago, but couldn't get motivated to start. So many pieces and so many directions! I made a bit of a start today, but there's still a long way to go.

I keep telling myself to be the turtle: slow and steady and one step at a time. If I slack off, I want you all to keep on me to finish this!

Chicken Feed

One of the (many) advantages of working at the library is that I don't have to be shy about asking for interlibrary loans. (Actually, you don't need to be either, but many people are.)

My latest request? Vintage Feed Sacks: Fabric from the Farm by Susan Miller.







Of course the first thing I did was flip through, oohing and aahing over all the designs.












Have I ever mentioned how much I love red?













Then I recognized one of the patterns! My mom gave me three pieces of this fabric she'd bought at a rummage sale, saying maybe I'd want to make dish towels out of it. Neither one of us recognized it as a feed sack!










Later in the book...another one! I bought the yellow version of this pussy willow print at the thrift shop for--I can hardly believe it--fifty cents.

I spread it my sacks out and tried to imagine a whole bunch of them, filled with chicken feed, all stacked up at the feed store. That must have been some sight!




The book also includes folksy stories about growing up on a farm and the history of printed feed sacks. It's interesting reading, but the photos are the star of the show!

Clearing the Air

I never really expected to find myself straddling the toilet in order to take a picture for my blog, but I wanted to share one of my little indulgences.

I also never expected to be discussing bathroom odors on my blog, but what the heck. It's a fact of life.

I learned about lighting a match to dispel bathroom odors from my Grandma. She had a little shell shaped ashtray on the back of her commode with a tiny gold box of matches nestled inside. That always seemed like a much more elegant solution than spraying some sort of cloying air freshener.

One Christmas, I was looking for stocking stuffers for my husband and came across incense matches. I found someone selling them on ebay for a reasonable price and ordered six different scents. Well, by the end of Christmas Day, I had to order more, because everyone who saw them wanted a pack.

Just in case you're thinking of trying them, my favorite scents are patchouli and French vanilla. Bayberry is pretty nice too. Sandalwood, rain, and frankincense didn't do it for me. I'm thinking I might try some berry scents in my next order.

Bargain!

A big THANK YOU to everyone who commented on the hedgehog tutorial! If anyone makes hedgies, I would love love love to see how they turn out! I went looking for more mitts at the Dollar Tree the other day, because I think Eftim and Eamon might need some girl hedgehogs to hang with.

It had been a while since I gave the merchandise in Dollar Tree a good look, so I started poking around. Years ago, I found some great Italian clothespins there, so you never know. I came across a huge bin of these Tidy Tote things, and my first thought was, "Yeah, I remember seeing those at WalMart. How dumb. No wonder they ended up here." Remember? They were in the automotive department, and they were geared towards moms keeping their minivans clean?

Then it hit me. They aren't dumb at all. I was the dumb one.

Ta Da! Four reusable, eco-friendly produce bags for one dollar! I actually made some of these last summer, but I was always sort of unhappy with them, because they weren't sheer enough. Now, as it turns out, I checked etsy, and I'm not the first person to think of this. But I won't charge you for the idea. --wink--

P.S. If there's anyone who can't find these and would like some, I would be happy to send some to you for just the $1.06 and the cost of shipping.

Too Small

To go along with the refashion of a skirt that was way too big, here's a refashion of a skirt that was way too small!

This skirt jumped out at me from the rack at a local thrift shop. The colors! Orange and brown seem to be my favorites lately. Unfortunately, it was not only way too small, but also had a broken zipper. The thrift shop ladies refused to give me a discount due to the broken zip, but I bought it anyway. ($3 for a skirt that needs repairs...kind of a lot, no?)



My original plan was to cut it up the back and turn it into an apron. Notice how often the words "original plan" come up in my posts? I thought I'd use the fabric from an old brown pillowcase to make the ties, maybe add a pocket, and trim it out with orange piping and bias tape.

But that sounded like a lot of work for something I'd never use. An apron? For what? I don't cook.




Instead, I embarked on another skirt project. First I used a piece from Favorite Things Cute Skirts (V023) to cut panels from both the skirt and the pillowcase. After piecing them together (with a little piping to set off the print), I added the strip along the bottom for length. Then I turned to my old friend, New Look 6843, to finish it off.

I've seen people wear aprons over top of skirts as a fashion statement. I'm not quite that brave yet, but this has sort of the same effect.






















The whole time I was working on this, I was thinking it needed some polka dots, so I bought the tiniest bit of fabric for the waistband! No one will ever see it, but it makes me happy just knowing it's there!

Gather Ye Rosebuds

Just pausing today to say thank you to everyone who visits my blog. Sharing things here has become one of the most rewarding things I've ever done, thanks to all of you. I wish there was a way for every one of you to come gather around this rose bush with me to drink in the wonderful smell. Then we could all go fabric shopping and hit a few thrift shops on the way home! Bring your fabric scraps...we'll trade!

The little buds are my favorite.

My Dirty Little Secret

Most of the blogs I read, even if they're primarily sewing or craft blogs, have an occasional food post. Someone is enjoying the first strawberries of the season or trying a new Thai recipe or baking their own hamburger buns.

You won't see much of that here.

What you will see is a snapshot of the most delicious pancakes I've had in ages. No, they weren't organic or made from the milk of a goat I keep in the backyard. They were made from a shake and pour mix. Aren't they gorgeous?