It's been a long haul

What you ask? My road to retirement. This coming Wednesday will be my last day at the office. I am SOOOOO excited! I have worked for the Federal Government for 32 years and have now become eligible to retire. I have only one workday left. With Monday being the New Years holiday and Tuesday being the National Day of Mourning for President Ford, I just have Wednesday to go.

I have so many projects dancing in my head. There will be household cleanup and organization (I'm talking MAJOR); some house remodeling; yard and garden cleanup; a spring vegetable garden; and lots of sewing. I'll probably have to live to be 104 to get my "to do list" done.

My ASG friends and I are looking forward to spending more "quality" time together, attending sewing workshops, etc.

I leave behind at the office some dear friends, but I plan to keep in touch with with those closest ones. I also plan to renew some older friendships that have languished due to "life getting in the way." I already have some out-of-town day trips planned.

I'm not sure if I will be doing any "football" sewing today, or will just be watching football. Lots of good games this afternoon.

I Spy Quilts Have New Homes

The two quilts are now residing with their new owners--each of the new owners is about 18 months old.

Here's the one that went to the little girl, Abigail.





Here's the one that went to little boy DJ.





I'm not sure what is next for me in the sewing room. Today may just be a rest and veg day. I haven't decided yet.

Merry Christmas

We've always wanted our own Reindeer! Meet Jac (Jacque Pierre). He is such a pet. He humored me by wearing the antler headband and posing for a pic. My other horse wanted nothing to do with it. Oh well, his loss....

It's Christmas eve and I have to finish the last (of this year) 'I Spy' quilt. (It's almost done.) and one 'Spider Man' pillow case. So that's my afternoon 'football sewing.'

I have two cream pies to make for tomorrow's family gathering at my cousin's home. Not sure if I will make them this evening or get up early in the morning. Whatever, they WILL get made.

To everyone reading, I wish you joy, health, happiness and some uninterrupted sewing time in the near future!

PJ Pics (Finally)

When DGD was here over the Thanksgiving holiday, I asked her if she needed any new flannels. I've been making flannel pjs for her since she was about 5 years old--she's 20 now and a 2nd year college student. "Yes, Gram" was her answer and she followed that up with "I want *girlie* fabric." With no girlie fabric in the stash, I looked at Joanns and Hancocks and didn't find anything I deemed appropriate--thus, on to the Internet and a stop at Fabric.Com I ordered 4 yards, not really knowing what pattern I would use.

The fabric arrived in quick time and I decided that Burda one seams were the ticket for the bottoms. Then I found this old Simplicity.



I knew I didn't have enough fabric for the top with the placket, so I deleted the placket and cut the front on the fold. I had some Wrights "fleece bias tape" that I purchased for a different project that has yet to materialize so that would be perfect to finish the neckline. Then when it came time to cut the sleeves.... Oops *really* not enough fabric now--time to improvise. The sleeves had to be pieced. What to "cover" the pieced seam? Well, still thinking "girlie" I thought--I must have some lace here. If found some Wrights hemming lace in white and blue. The blue almost perfectly matched. How strange--I've had that package for years--the price on it was $.89--go figure. One sleeve top could be cut on the straight of grain and one had to be cut on the cross grain. Believe me--there is almost NO fabric scrap to be seen at this point.

Anyhow, here they are. I added some white lace to the one seams to add a bit more "girlie" to them and to try to "tie in the lace" that I'd had to use on the sleeves.

Quick Update

Just taking a minute to say that I finished DGD's flannel PJs. I'll try to get pics posted this afternoon. She wanted "girlie" flannel so I broke my "pledge" to buy new fabric and ordered from Fabric.com. I ran short of fabric, so when I post pics I'll tell of my "design opportunities."

Beth H. asked about my Minnot books. They have both arrived and I haven't been able to spend much time really reading them. I browsed thru and really like the concept. I plan to spend time after the first of the year getting to know that method and trying it out.

DH and I met my blind friend and his wife for dinner last night and had a grand time. His guide dog which I wrote about in a previous post was a perfect gentleman (except for the moment he reached up to help himself to a chip that came along with the crab dip). Folks at the table next to us had a good laugh. He is so fast! It happened before any of us knew what was happening!

Until later.....

Sewing Guild Party Yesterday

We had our guild Christmas luncheon yesterday. Lots of food and lots of fun. For our "show and tell" I managed to take the finished I Spy quilt tops. One of our ladies made the most beautiful Christening gown for her friend's newest arrival. I wish I had had my camera with me. The pintucking, the embroidery--absolutely lovely!

My ASG friends are so fun to be around. With family issues and life in general we have laughed and cried together. I don't know what I'd do without them!

I hope to get some sewing done this coming weekend. I didn't get to the machine this past weekend. Too much "life" getting in the way!

Typical Texas Weather

The infamous saying here in Texas, "If you don't like the weather, just wait a minute." Yesterday, it was 80 degrees, and I was driving home from work with the A/C blasting in my face. About midnight the "norther" blew in, and this morning I'm driving into the office with sleet and 32 degrees. Temps are supposed to continue to drop so the powers that be *may* let us leave the office early today if the precip keeps coming. Us Texans don't drive well on ice because we so seldom get "any practice."

Flights at DFW are being cancelled and delayed. I'm glad I'm not trying to travel today via air!

(P.S. I'd really rather be home in my sewing room today!)

Recovering

The girls made it down and back to St. Louis safely. They were able to spend 2 full days with us arriving on Wednesday and leaving on Saturday. It was so good to have them home.

DGD had 2 pair of jeans and 1 top for "Gram" to "fix," and DD's throw pillow was ready to go home with her. She had sent fabric about a month ago for me to make into a pillow.

I was pooped and still haven't recovered, but am making some progress. I did sit down to the sewing machine late yesterday afternoon to work on the "little girl" I Spy quilt. I didn't have to do much thinking, and I found the time to be relaxing after a busy few days.

Now that the kids are gone, I guess I can "mess up" the sewing room again!

It's Aways Something (especially around the holidays)

It's always something; Gilda Radner used to say. I haven't posted recently due to work and Thanksgiving preparations for DD and DGD's arrival (DSIL will stay behind due to work).

So, I take off from work yesterday to clean the house and do some last minute things. And what happens to interrupt my schedule???? The gray water line from the washing machine breaks and floods a section of the back yard. It took DH and I a while to determine the problem. At least it wasn't leaking in the house. Neither of us remembered that the gray water line came out at that point (the house was built in 1985), but I dug down in the mud til I reached the pipe and thus, mystery solved. (DH is disabled, thus I dig and he supervises.)

Call the plumber, and don't wash anymore--at least 'til the flood subsides! Lucky for me, the plumber makes it out before lunch. By 2 p.m. the leak is repaired and I'm back to my scheduled "duties." Needless to say, all I had intended to do didn't get done, but things could defintely have been worse.

Holidays and house or pet troubles seem to happen all too often. There was 1990 (when the temp is in the teens--hardly ever gets that cold in Texas!) when on Christmas eve's eve the propane pipe sprung a leak, and the propane had to be cut off; thus no heat in the house until after Christmas. Thank goodness for kerosene heaters and two fireplaces. (BUT no hot water except for what could be heated on the electic stove.) Kept the house "warm enough." DH had to rent a jack hammer (when the rental place reopened after the holiday) to bust up concrete where the pipe went into the sidewalk--then the propane folks could fix the pipe. That year we put off the Christmas celebration until the following weekend (New Years).

Memorial Day 1987, the kids are on their way for a week visit scheduled to arrive in just a few hours with the then new DGD. The washing machine goes caput. Luckily the local appliance store was able to get a new washer installed before their arrival several hours later.

The day before Memorial Day, 1999, I was getting ready for our family reunion that was to be held at our house. One of my horses suffered a stroke and had to be euthanized and buried. So rather than cooking that day (as planned), I was dealing with the Vet and the backhoe man. Luckily my sister was able to come in and help with the cooking.

November 15, 2001, my Mother passed away, and DD had to handle the Thanksgiving dinner at our house. Then my Sister and I "cancelled" holiday shopping that year except for the kids. Christmas was very low key that year as we just didn't want to deal with everything. My cousin invited us over for Christmas day, and that made it a bit easier for us.

Then comes 2004. December 20, I'm finishing a quilt that will be a Christmas present. I make the last stitch around 3 p.m. I hear a crash. DH, who suffers from neuthopathy in his legs has fallen in the kitchen and suffered a double compound fracture just above the left ankle. By 6 p.m., he's in surgery getting pins and plates. Around noon on Christmas eve, he is released from the hospital. Christmas day that year was spent giving pain pills every 6 hours and trying to deal with a wheel chair in the house. He was finally able to ditch the wheel chair in March of 2005, and life went back to some semblance of "normal."

I'm beginning to dread the holidays!!!!!!

Congratulations!!!!!!

Em - Mitt; Em - Mitt; EM - MITT

What an entertainer; What a smile; What a guy!

Emmitt and Cheryl - great job!

Recent Threads Jacket Article (and go Emmitt)

I had a chance to sit down with the most recent Threads magazine again last night for a few minutes. I'm intrigued with the "couture jacket" article. If you haven't seen it, the author (I'm sorry, I don't remember the name and I don't have the magazine with me now) explains how to make a Chanel type jacket with little hand sewing. She has been able to reduce several hours of sewing time with this method. I'd like to try it sometime. Maybe that "sometime" will be in the spring.

By the way, I'm anxious to watch Dancing with the Stars tonight. As you might guess, I'm pulling for Emmitt. I hadn't watched the show much in the previous seasons, but I've loved watching my Cowboy Superbowl fella!

Kwik Sew 3434 Done

It's done. I like it. (sorry I'm not smiling in the pic--I'm getting the hang of the timer on my camera...)

This was pretty quick. After church and lunch, I escaped to the sewing room to cut out this top. The fabric was in the stash. I think it came from Pursley's in Duncanville, Texas. This was a shopping trip with my ASG group about 2 years ago. I guess it's poly--a lacy with the most stretch across the grain. I cut it on the cross for the most stretch as required by the pattern. The pattern went together quickly and all the pieces were neat fits which made for easy serging and sewing. I serged most of it with 4 threads.


(and yes, I picked up the sewing room so I the kids still have a place to sleep)

Sunday Football Sewing

This may be my Sunday football game project:Kwik Sew 3434, View A.

If I'm successful, I'll post pic. The time has come for the lacy knit I found in my stash. Stay tuned....

Finally Ready for Guests!

This was a multi-day project, but at last the kids have a place to sleep at Thanksgiving!

After:












Before:

Emotional Day

One my dear friends (actually I claim him as a brother)is blind and has a guide dog. Actually, he has had 4 over the years (this current one being #4). I wasn't blessed to know the first two. However, I knew #3, Landy, a golden retriever/yellow lab mix. My friend had to retire Landy in February of this year. We gave Landy a retirement party at the office, I had tears streaming. I was crying for myself and for my friend having to give up such a true partner. But it was the best for everyone, yet it was still sad for all of us.

My friend went back to Guidedogs for the Blind as he had done three times before and came back about a month later with a beautiful golden retriever, Pascal. Pascal is a wonderful dog and companion for my firend, and we are growing to love him as we did Landy.

But, what got me to this post: Landy came to visit us at the office. Landy has a WONDERFUL retirement home in the Texas Hill country. His new owner was a college friend of my friend. She was on her way to visit her parents in Little Rock, Arkansas and stopped by to have lunch with us. Landy remembered us and, of course remembered his long time companion. We can tell Landy is happy and loves his new Mom. He has put on a few pounds but looks so good. Bitter sweet for all of us at the office.

I'm sure when the time comes to retire Pascal, it will be just as hard for all of us. My friend feels so blessed to have guidedogs. They have given him the independence and confidence he might not otherwise have had. Truly one of God's blessings.

Red T finished

Today was my ASG neighborhood group meeting. We had community service sew day. Some of us were making childrens clothes for our local foster shelter. It's called the Rainbow Room. I think that is a neat name. Others were making the muslin medical dolls for the hospitals--the ones the doctors use to mark on and explain surgeries or medical conditions to children. It was a very productive day, and I always enjoy my ASG friends. There were 7 of us there today.

When I got home and "unpacked the car" I decided to finish up the red T before I got sidetracked with other things at the house.

Here it is:



The detail of the "crinkle" doesn't show well in the photo. Here's a close-up that better reflects the crinkle factor. The fabric is really "red" not orange.

Searching the stash

I took the "pledge" to sew from my stash. Yesterday, sidetracked from the projects that need to be started or completed, I wanted to make up a "nice T-shirt" to wear with slacks to work. I need some with 3/4 length sleeves. In looking for a burgandy velour that I was sure I purchased at the end of last season, I found things I didn't remember--dark turquoise sweater knit, purple (I love purple) soft knit, dark wine stretch velvet, and red 'crinkle' knit that was "crinkled and fused" to a interlock type backing. So, shopping the stash was both surprising and profitable!

I pulled out the Today's fit Vogue (is the number 8051?). Two T-s on that one, the crossover (which I made several months ago) and the "regular" T. I chose the regular T for the red crinkle. Only change in the (size D) pattern was to lower bust point 1" and add an additional 5/8" at the hip area. Got it serged up in no time. I like the way it fits. I didn't set up cover stitch machine last evening so it still needs sleeve hems and final hemming. I'll get a pic up when it is really finished.

I like this pattern, I think I will be using it often.

Fun Project from Threads Magazine

The latest Threads magazine arrived this week, and I couldn't wait to try the magic flower/bow. The hard part was finding the netting and organza I had saved from last Christmas. Finally found them. This is offwhite netting with red poinsettias (SP?)and green leaves. I like it. May use these as bows on packages this year.

These are really an easy, fun project.

Making some headway

I took the day off from work yesterday. The horseshoer was coming out, so I decided to take the rest of the day and do some things at home. He was gone by 9:30, and I had the rest of the day.

What to do next? I was motivated to straighten and declutter the sewing room (AKA guest room). The kids are coming Thanksgiving, and even though I won't keep it completely decluttered (as I still have sewing to do), I felt I could "stay ahead of it" once the clutter was under control. You may remember from a previous post, the bed was COVERED in fabric. It's all clear now with fabric in bins in the garage or in a spot in the closet. Yea!!!!

Then I took a break, went "to town" and voted (early voting began Monday); then on to the Dollar store for batteries for the TV remote and a few other items.

Back home, load of wash started and thought, I think I will cut out the WWII dress I've been talking about since I started this blog. But first, I wanted to see how the copper colored silk would look as an underskirt for the lacy fabric I bought recently (pictured in an earlier posting).

See what you think....I like it.


On to the WWII dress. Panic! I couldn't remember where I put the pattern after I made the "muslin." Not in the bin with the dress patterns.........Yikes! Then I remembered that I have been keeping my vintage patterns that I've recently been purchasing in a drawer in one of the wooden chests. Thank goodness I found it before I tore the whole room up.

I knew right where the black/white checked fabric was--afterall, I had just earlier that day placed it in the bin of "fabrics to keep close at hand, plan to use soon." I then realized, as I lay it out on the cutting table, that it has a touch of lycra. I hope this doesn't cause a problem in the sewing. Sometimes lycra and I have a difficult time together. Anyway, I proceed. See the pattern markings? Punched holes; not alot of detail. The instruction sheet tells you where the grainlines are on each piece.


The dress is completely cut out. I hope I make time to sew it soon!

Hmm.........

Yesterday was kinda "blaa." I couldn't get motivated to cut out anything nor to work on anything that required much brain power. I began another "I Spy" quilt. This one is for a little girl. This top is about 1/2 complete. I need to locate some more "girly" prints to finish it up.

I picked up the sewing room a bit; I had fabric bits strewn all over. Now all my leftover "I Spy" fabrics are back in their plastic storage bin in the garage. Now to do something with all the other fabric (fashion and otherwise) in that room. It must be ready for guests Thanksgiving as the kids are coming home. They expect to share a room with sewing machines, but not wall to wall fabric.

I've been reading with interest some of the threads on the various sewing lists about new sewing cabinets, buying or making your own. I really want to do some remodeling/rearranging in the spring, but I can't really make up my mind what I want to do. And since I don't know what I want; how will I know when I get it?????

Oh well, enough rambling. I hope all of you are having super sewing days.

Vintage 1930's

This e-bay purchase arrived this week. There is no date on the pattern that I can find, but it definitely looks 1930's to me.

I hit the Joann's madness sale on Friday and bought 2 Vogues and 2 Buttericks.

DD has asked me to make a pillow for her. She recovered a chair and want's a matching throw pillow from the extra fabric.

Too many projects on my list and in my head! (And the pattern collection as well as the fabric collection keeps growing!)

Books on the Way

I ordered two Jan Minott books published in the 70's. As so many of us are on that "quest for for the perfect fit," I decided to treat myself to a couple of her books and see how they compare to other methods of fitting (and the other books I have in my my "library"). Purchased them from Amazon. I didn't pay for "expedited shipping" so I guess I'll be waiting 10 days to two weeks for delivery.

There ones I ordered are:

Coordinated pattern fit;: A manual of instruction for making personal basic patterns, introducing a new method of commercial pattern adjustment by Jan Minott


Fitting commercial patterns: The Minott method by Jan Minott (Unknown Binding - 1978)

Stay tuned on those.

Hope to get back into the sewing room this weekend.

Quilt Top Finished

The quilt top is completed. I'm pretty happy with it. I just hope little "DJ" likes this one as much as his older brother Vaughn likes his. This will be DJ's Christmas present.

My Experiment with Trial Software

Well, I finally got back in the sewing room today. We had a family reunion at my Sis's Saturday, and I was busy with those preparations last week. I was beat yesterday and napped off and on during the football games. Today is a holiday, Columbus Day, and I was soooo happy I had a day to "putter" and sew a bit.

I cut out and sewed up the fitting top and pants from Patternmaker. The top feels good and looks pretty good to me.









The pants--feel funny--as I'm no used to wearing pants at my "natural waist." When I folded the waistband down over itself, I liked them better. They feel comfortable when I sit (no pulling down at center back) and walk (no thigh pulling).





I'm glad I got to take time for this "experiment" today. I think I may sew the princess bodice and see how it looks.

I wasn't really in the mood to get heavily involved in anything today. I think I'm still recovering from the weekend. Ever have those days?

Shucks, I lost out

I really wanted to make this dress, but when the bidding got beyond $50, I just couldn't cost justify it. It is 1930's and was uncut. I'm sure a real deal for the lucky winner; just wish I could have been the lucky one!

Time (and energy) ran out yesterday

I downloaded the trial of

Pattern Maker

and I had great intentions of getting the sloper top and sloper pants made to test the fit. Between washing clothes and stripping beds, I got the measurements taken and input into the program. I printed out both the top and the pants, and taped the patterns together. They look pretty good as patterns go. By that time, I didn't have the energy left to clean off my cutting table (it still has quilt stuff on it) and cut out my new patterns.

I'm really exited to try them out, but as you have read before, I generally don't sew in the evenings...plus I'm trying to help my Sis get ready for a family reunion at her place this coming Saturday. We will see........

QIP

(Quilt in Progress) Here's a blurry pic (I can't seem to get the hang of my new camera) of the "I Spy" quilt I'm working on. It is for the #2 GS of a cousin. I had made his #1 GS one two years ago and his Mom tells me that #1 GS won't go anywhere without his quilt. How's that for making a quilt maker feel great? It's not close to being finished. The sections are just layed out on the bed in this photo.

Sewing Deadlines, Slumps, Apathy, and sew on

I stopped by sewingfantaticdiary this morning and completely understand CMarie's dilemma. I've never been able to sew something in the evening afterwork. I'm just too spent! By the time I get up before 5 a.m., get home around 5:30 p.m., get the kitchen cleaned up (DH ususally cooks), and get my critters fed (2 horses, 3 dogs and 5 cats), I just don't have what it takes. The few times I've tried - well, it hasn't been pretty, I just can't do it without mistakes galore and it's just not worth it to me. I will take a day off work occasionally to sew. That way, I am able to start fresh and rested. It makes all the difference with me.

With that said, several recently have shared concerns about "sewing slumps." Recently I have had "mental blocks" about starting OR finishing items. I really want to get my WWII dress done, but it's not cut out. I have a beautiful Pink Linen dress all done but adding the ruffle at the hem (which was necessitated because I misjudged and cut the dress too short). I have a rayon knit that needs neck facing/binding and hemming at sleeves and hem. Get the picture?

So yesterday, during the football games (yes, I watch even tho the Cowboys didn't have a game yesterday) I worked on the "I Spy" quilt that needs to be completed by Christmas for my cousin's second GS. I really enjoyed working on it, and, hopefully, I can finish the top and ready it for quilting at one more good sewing "sitting."

Will I ever get the things done on my "to do list?" Surely I will EVENTUALLY!

I think I may have a new sewing companion....

If you recall from an earlier entry, I lost my precious Rottweiler sewing buddy, Tatum, to cancer. The little girl you see in the photo showed up at the house (which often happens when one lives in the country--often a place where *&%**#@@ folks "dump" animals). She had several cuts and scrapes and ribs showing, but wanted a good meal and to be loved.

You are viewing the "guest bed" in the "sewing room" piled high with "some" of the newest fabric acquisitions. She decided it was a good place to "be in the middle of."

I do have to watch her as she is less than a year old according to the Vet and she still is a chewer and most inquisitive. She's happy to have a home. She is helping me get past the loss of Tatum, and I think she loves fabric which is not a bad thing at all!

Another Book Excerpt: Fitting

Fitting

Fitting is largely a question of proportion. An authority on the subject described it as follows:

A good fitter so proportions the garment that every figure defect is minimized. A woman’s shoulder may be one-half inch lower than normal on the right side and three-quarters of an inch lower on the left side; yet if the shoulders are altered and the underarm of both the sleeve and the dress shortened too, her clothes will look exactly balanced, and she will be beautifully dressed.

Another famous designer said, “Half an inch to the right or the left, higher or lower here, under the bust, can make a woman look ten years younger than she is.”

Ten years younger, ya think??????

Excerpts from "The Complete Book of Sewing"

As promised in a previous post, below are some excepts that I thought you might enjoy from The Complete Book of Sewing by Contance Talbot, copyright 1943, revised 1949.

Enjoy.............

Points to Remember About Afternoon Dresses and Formals

The street-length dress in black or a becoming color can be made in simple or deceptively subtle styles. The two look very much alike to the untrained eye, and many home sewers confuse them. When you choose a pattern for an afternoon dress, keep in mind that there are three different kinds: (1) the simple soft dress, easy to make; (2) the soft trimmed dress, easy to make; and (3) the subtle sophisticated dress which requires knowledge and painstaking detail. Beginners should not attempt the subtle dress, but they can make a simple dress very successfully. As you look over patterns. Watch for the placing of the lines. In easy-to-make models, softness is introduced on the shoulders, below the yokes in skirt and waist---in either gathers or tucks.

Dresses which depend upon subtle line and details must be finished so that no finishing line shows---no outside stitching. The handwork makes these dresses very expensive to buy ready-made. You can duplicate $40 to $65 dresses at about a third of the price if you learn to do this kind of handwork yourself.


Repairing Girdles

At the first sign of a rip or tear, mend your girdle promptly. Catch the end of each rubber thread and tie it with cotton thread so it will hold. Then darn these threads down into the seam or whatever part of the girdle ripped. Be careful not to put a needle through the rubber threads. If the tear is on a seam, rebind it with tape or a satin ribbon after mending. If the garter rips on a seam, use an overcasting stitch; it holds better and has some give.

Yet one more Vintage

One of my lastest. No, I still haven't completed the first one--and the collection continues to grow!

My newest E-bay acquisition

A 1949 (c) 1943 Sewing Book called The Complete Book of Sewing printed by the Greystone Press of New York. It has over 750 explanatory pictures and over 2000 different items!

I purchased this book from E-bay and it arrived yesterday. I had more fun browsing last night. It has some great quotes. (I'll share some with you later.) It speaks to "recycling" making a new dress out of tired curtains (remnents of Scarlett and the green drapes????) and saving trims, buttons, etc. for a stash that should be kept close at hand (remnants of the depression days?)

I think this one is a keeper!

The WWII Trial Dress Has a Sleeve

Not a great photo, but I managed to get a sleeve into the WWII dress today. I was having trouble understanding the scant directions, and I now realize I sewed it not as the directions called for, BUT I get it now and will sew it correctly in the "real" version. I need to work on those shoulder wrinkles--maybe they won't be as pronounced with the other sleeve sewn in. Think???

And Yet more fabric...................

And here's more.......This is from a different Perth Street area store. Check out the multi lace ($7/yd) I see a gypsy type skirt and/or a loose jacket/wrap of some sort and the black (also $7/yd)--the white is all embroidery. I see a jacket.

Now, can someone add some days to the week or hours to the day?

Fabric....And More Fabric...........

Somebody stop me! If you are not familiar at all with the Dallas "Perth Street Fabric District area," it is a section of Dallas not far from downtown that gets fabrics from those same places or types of places that the NY garment district gets (only on a much smaller scale I'm guessing). I've purchased fabrics here that I've seen at Louise Cutting and some of the higher dollar local fabric shops. Some of the things the higher dollar fabric shops sell for $10 and up per yard, I've gotten here at $2-5/yd. So that gives you an idea. Of course, you can go there several times and not find anything you are interested in and then go and "hit the jackpot." If you see it and want it, you'd better buy it--it won't be there when you come back.

Check out the $1/yd fabrics I got this week: These are all 100% cotton and oh so soft. The black/white check may become my WWII dress. (I never ordered the aqua dots/solid from fabric.com) I'm thinking now to use the small check with the midsection of the dress cut on the bias. This will be good for fall here in Texas. Most of the time we wear short sleeves well into November. (we are getting a cool front this week- only mid 90s during the day--yea!!)

The fruit fabric will be used in some of my "I-spy" quilts. The other multi color on the left has dogs on it and will be used for scrubs for one of my vet office friends. The pink and white--those are not dots, but tiny hearts. That may be perfect for one of the many vintage dress patterns that I'm now addicted to collecting. All of these were $1/yd - quality of $8 and up retail.

I can't help myself!!!!

I've really gotten into the vintage pattern thing. I monitor e-bay every day. Here's a new one that arrived a week or so ago. I've received 2 this week, have 2 on the way and I'm bidding on 2 more. I think I have an addiction; I can't stop myself!

Aren't they cute?

AND, I've been back over to the garment district area of Dallas and bought more fabric. More on that later.

Somebody STOP me!!!

What about this fabric?

In looking for fabric for my WWII dress, I ran across these on fabric.com . What do you think? I'm thinking of using the dots for the skirt and main bodice and the solid as the midriff section. Think that would be good?

The blue linen dress - wrinkles and all

Man, the blue linen really looks slept in after wearing to work and driving home the 37 miles. BUT, it sure was cool and comfy and I did get several compliments. It doesn't look so hot in the photo--it seamed to look better in the mirrors at home and at work. Whatever, it is serving my purpose--cool!

Well, the blue linen dress is finished

I haven't worked on my WWII dress. Next weekend I will--I've promised myself.....and I plan to shop for fabric this week.

The blue linen is finished, and I'm wearing it as I type. I'll try to get a photo up soon. This was one of my "side-track" projects due to the oppressive heat here in the metroplex area of Texas. We are hoping for "just double digits -- as in 99 degrees" tomorrow. Today, we are to expect another over 100 degree day. Ugh!!!

Anyhow, the story on the blue linen. Got the linen for $6 a yard earlier this summer. Then I found a Butterick pattern at a thrift store for twenty five cents. It's basically a shift pattern with pockets. When I saw the pattern (and what a deal) I immediately thought of the blue linen and "cool." So, I sewed most of yesterday afternoon while washing clothes.

I'm happy with the results of this "side track project" and I think I'm going to really enjoy it for the rest of the summer--and summer here can last through the end of October!

P.S. I am looking at vintage patterns again on E-bay and have a couple of bids going on some other WWII patterns!

The dress without sleeves

Sorry it took so long for me to get a photo up. I have't worked on my WWII dress since last Sunday when I got it to this stage. Life seemed to take over this past week and sewing wasn't the priority. In between washing clothes today, I managed to cut out a linen dress, but that's the extent of my "sewing activities."

I hope by next weekend, I will have more to report and more photos to post!

Moving Slow

Well, I finally took some time yesterday to cut out my "WWII" dress. The pattern has very few markings, but I was able to look back at the instruction sheet to decipher "all the coded dots." I cut 1 inch seams and sewed it up (minus the sleeves) yesterday afternoon. By the time I got to the sleeves, the instuctions were "running together" and I just didn't have enough brain power to attack them.

Generally, the dress (minus the sleeves) fit well. I am going to have to let out the hip area about an inch (.5 inch on each side seam).

One reason I'm moving slow is the fact that on Thursday I lost my 11 year old sewing companion Rottweiler, Tatum, to cancer. It was a bit unexpected and that made me very sad. Then on Sunday morning, my 16 year old Blue Heeler, Fiesta has a stroke and had to be rushed to the Vet. Losing two pets in 3 days is very tough. Our pets are part of our family as I'm sure many of you understand.

Anyhow, back to the dress. There is a photo in my digital that I hope to get loaded tonight.
I have yet to decide on my fabric for the "real" dress.

Successful Scan!

Here's the dress.

My First Time to Blog.....

Welcome. This is a first for me. I had hoped to start by sharing a photo of the pattern that I plan to tackle. It is a 1930's or 1940's Hollywood pattern. It reminds me of the dresses I see my Mother wearing in pictures during World War II. My Dad was serving in the South Pacific on a Destroyer and she moved from small town Texas to San Diego, CA so that she could see him whenever the ship was able to dock at his Naval homebase. It was not often, but a few times were better than no times.

Anyhow, Mom made all of her clothes on her mother's Singer treadle machine as she was raised during the depression and her family had very little money (as was the way of life for most everyone in those days).

Both Mom and Dad are not with us today, and I tend to "bond" to things of their lifetimes. The old photo albums have become most precious. My Dad's love for country music and old favorites of Patsy Cline and Bob Wills have new meaning for me. I listen ,and it somehow makes me feel better knowing he enjoyed it so much.

I guess the same is for this dress. I want to make it and wear it; it will remind me of those pictures of Mom when she was just a very young newlywed. It will be my WWII dress. Wish me luck! (And I'll keep you posted!)