December Wrap Up

Yes, I'm still here and finally coming up for some air now that the holidays are almost over. I've been crazy busy at work since a lot of people took time off between Christmas and New Year's. Reminder to self: be one of those people in 2012!!

I haven't been a total drone, oh no. DH and I escaped to Las Vegas last weekend for dining and a show, specifically "Jersey Boys" at the Palazzo. It's a fun musical biography of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Do go see it if you can, especially if you like 1960s rock and roll. Amazingly enough, the trip was less expensive than a trip to Santa Fe--yes, including air fare. The hotels have crazy deals at Christmas--we stayed at the Mirage and the room cost $65 Friday night, and $85 Saturday. Plus resort fee of course, but that's still quite a deal!

My big splurge over the weekend was a new iPhone, purchased at the Fashion Show Mall, which has every major department store from Dillard's and Macy's to Saks, Nieman's, and Nordstrom. Amazing place. We even saw a Christmas floor show pageant, complete with Santa and his very svelte showgirl elves. Anyway, I'm all set up with the new 4S. Siri and I are trying to reach an accommodation; the girl has attitude.

And of course, I managed some sewing between the last post and this one.

Like many others, I made Shams' famous TableCloth skirt. However, I ended up making some alterations to it after its first wearing. I have hips about 3-4" below my waist and carry most of my (excess) weight there as well. So for me, the original pattern just had too much fabric in that area, and I felt very wide. I ended up taking off the waistband and making darts at each corner of the original square to eliminate some of the volume. I think it helps but I have to confess that I've had the revised version on around the house but haven't actually "worn" it yet. I hope it works out in a real wearing, as I really like the fabric and the asymmetrical hem. If I like the revised skirt and want to make another one, I'll convert the square into 4 trapezoid-like pieces rather than making darts. It's worth playing around with, and a warm-weather version would be nice to have.

I also made yet another Loes Hinse Cowl Top, finishing it up last night. I love this pattern--it goes together so quickly and is comfortable and flattering to wear in both the short and tunic lengths. This version is an acrylic blend sweater knit that I ran across at Hancock's Fabrics last fall. This is a revival of the same fabric as the vintage cardigan that I made from stashed sweater knit. It's very soft and feels very much like real wool. I think I'll wear it a lot this winter, with jeans and more dressed up clothes. I have another piece of it in the Sewing Cave, so I may make another version soon.

I'm not big on year end wrap ups for myself nor lots of resolutions. I've tried both in past years and I'm just kind of "meh" about doing it again. 2011 was a mixed year for me, but I'm hoping (as always) that 2012 will be better.

As far as sewing goes, I want to continue to make it a priority, but I think I'll lay off the sewalongs in 2012. I did garment-a-month and jacket-a-month this year and was relatively successful. I made at least one garment every month in 2011 and ended up with 8 jackets. I think challenges and sewalongs can be helpful in kickstarting sewing mojo, but they can also become production for production's sake.  I'm planning to continue to sew down my stash  in 2012, but with a few well chosen fabric acquisitions too. I want to keep sewing fun. For me, new fabric is part of my sewing enjoyment so I don't see myself stopping the acquisitions altogether.

Have a joyous and safe New Year!!  See you in 2012!

Jewelry Exchange 2: Another Sackful

My church is still raising money for the new wing. Since we enjoyed the last one so much and still have that pesky debt to repay, we held another Jewelry Exchange last night. I took another bag of jewelry in and carried out some more treasures:

Most of these will be staying with me, but I've set aside a few pieces for a friend at work who couldn't come last night. Once again some real silver, as well as Native American pieces. I'll be remodeling some of the pieces too, like the gold chains in the second picture. I wasn't a big fan of the pendants on either one, but the chains are nice and always come in handy for something.

Everyone had an opportunity to take whatever they wanted, and there was plenty to share. I left a generous donation again this time as did the other attendees. Best of all, everyone seemed to have a good time visiting and playing with the baubles.

Stella is Done!

I love this top! It was a lot of fun to make, I solved the dye issue, and I've got something new to wear for the holidays. I'm even looking forward to making more.

I did make a couple of changes from the pattern--not that there's anything wrong with the pattern. These were just modifications that suit my own personal preferences. I narrowed the sleeves to a smaller circumference, better with a knit and my small wrists. I also shortened the top 2", a better length for my short-waisted self.

The dye issue appears to have been solved with a wash in Synthrapol followed by another complete wash cycle in plain water after that. No dye on my hands during the final stages of sewing, hooray!! Now I can wear it without worrying about turning my skin a different color.

A couple of other things-- the sleeves appear to be bracelet length on the pattern illustration, but they're full length on me. And that's fine. Just something to remember if you're a shorter person (I'm 5'4"). I also cut out the cowl on grain since I used a knit, and I increased the depth of the neck's facing/hem. I would have cut it double but didn't have enough fabric. I think Terri K. was the one who made both of these changes on a knit dress she made from this pattern, but darned if I can find the post!

I can easily see making this again. It's a great top, but it would also be great as a tunic to wear with leggings or as a dress.

A Work In Progress and a Recent Completion

Thanks everybody--I appreciate all the lovely comments on the Fail. I got back on the horse today, so to speak, and started another garment I traced and cut out at Material Girls last Sunday.

This one is another Sewing Workshop pattern called the Stella Top, the one on the left below.

I believe it's the newest of the printed patterns in this line, and it's a re-do of one of a circa 80s pattern. It's been resized and there's another cowl pattern in the envelope as well called the Luna Top, the yellow one on the right.

Another stash project because I used some stretch velvet that I've had for about a decade. The base fabric is black, then it was embellished with what appears to be gold spray paint. I got pretty far with it this morning. All that's left to do in the Sewing Cave is attach the sleeves, sew the side seams, and hem. Then I'm planning a wash in Synthrapol to (hopefully) pull off the excess dye. It's been staining my fingers as I work with the fabric but washes off easily. No crocking onto anything else, a good sign (I think). I just pinned the sides to the dress form to give some idea of what Stella looks like. So don't judge the final fit by this.

I also wanted to share a recently completed project. Yes, it's the Smudge Vest! This one I made of some white faux fur that I got for free from an ASG giveaway.

The pattern I used was Butterick 3257, circa 2001. I made View C:

This pattern is out of print, but I think it's one of those BMV patterns that returns from time to time with different envelope art, company, and number. I know there was a Vogue version of this as well.

The lining came from Gorgeous Fabrics, a really pretty poly charmeuse.

I love the colors and print; the tropical design is a perfect counterpoint to the faux fur. I couldn't get a really good picture of it even without flash, as the charmeuse is very shiny.  I used a gray zipper mostly because of the gray markings on Smudge's head; also, it just looked better than cream or white.

Disappointment

This pile of nothing is the wool and rayon jersey that I paid too much money for in Santa Fe. I'm done with it, enough is enough.

I washed it in preparation for cutting...and the grain got wonky.

And yet, I soldiered on. I decided it was too thin for my original project. OK, fine. And I picked an alternate pattern.

...which took just a wee bit more fabric than I had. But still, I kept going and made it work.

Then I sat down at the serger and could not thread the lower looper. The BabyLock air-jet threading had gone kaput at that setting...

Yet I still kept going, and figured out an alternate way to thread it (note to self, remember to always check the accessory pack for your machine). That long wire with the loop on the end? Guess what that's for!

I'm at the machine, making samples. So far so good, they look great. I pick up the front pattern piece to start sewing...

And discover 2 holes at the center front of the top. I considered mending them for about 30 seconds before giving up.

Enough is enough. I'm done. This fabric is beautiful but cursed, and I will not waste any more of my time with it.

I know there are those of you out there who'll try to come up with ways for me to salvage this project. I appreciate it, but please don't. I will not feel comfortable wearing this garment given the condition of the fabric, so I'll trash it and move on. After all, it's not like I don't have other fabrics to work with. And I have 2 other projects cut out and ready to go, courtesy of last Sunday's Material Girls gathering.

Live and learn...