Skip to main content

TNTs!

Here and there, in between journeys to Mongolia, Beijing and back to Mongolia, I've been sewing.  Especially therapeutic during the weeks after the girls left and I found myself having to re-establish activities and relationships due to the constant flux of life here in UB.  This makes me appreciate long-standing relationships so much more than I would have if I would have never left the US 8 years ago.  

Mr. M has spent this entire Sunday afternoon working on this baby:

I bought her, reconditioned, on the spot when I picked up my daughter's serger from the repair shop back home.  Mr. M insisted on taking it back to Mongolia with him--as carry on.  Is this love or what?  I got a real deal on her and she has worked like a charm.  Until today.  Granted,  we took a chance as  I didn't even plug her in before moving her across the world.  --but Mr. M was leaving for Mongolia the next day.  Early.  Besides, what could go wrong?   Stay tuned.

 Those who know him, know that he can fix ANYTHING.  Seriously.

Before things went pear shaped with the serger, I managed to finish the following--all now Tried & True's--TNTs!   AND!  The really fun and gratifying thing is I'm wearing these things.  A lot.  Pat on back.

 I keep finding great fabrics at my UB shop--I wish I would have brought more patterns!  I've tried to download a few--does anyone else have problems with getting PrintSew to actually print???

 Anyway....bear with the self-pics taken with a timer...

 Am loving this sweater!  I found a gorgeous, fairly stable ribbed knit here (no labels, here) that sewed up beautifully.  August has been cool and rainy so I wear this a lot and it has not pilled a bit.  Looks great with skirts or whatever.  Will make more.

From McCalls 6408. I wasn't at all sure this would look good on me--but I think the ties coming in from the waist are really flattering.  


Next, a wearable muslin (that I wear constantly!) from Simplicity 9158, (OOP)
I ran out of main fabric (a nice soft cotton), so used coordinating fabric for the facing.  I think I should have done the collar in the pink, too.  Oh well. I really like the fit--and how the arm syncs are not huge and revealing that Over 50 Underarm Stuff!  I did a FBA and did a 10 through the neck and shoulders and a 12 on the sides.  I have a black one planned next.
Next, I made Kwik Sew 3478 out of a nice drape-y fabric I found here.  I'm guessing it has some rayon in it.  All that's left is sewing on the covered buttons.

Last for this post:
Simplicity 5259, also OOP
I made the one without the front slit (though tempting! ;) Just a basic skirt with a back center zip.  I narrowed it at the bottom hem and found that more flattering with my bird legs :)

I used a fun grosgrain ribbon for the waist facing and am so pleased with it!  Worked great--lays nice and flat and stays put.  No bulk.  Hope never to do a facing again. 
I even found some grosgrain ribbon here!  Things are changing for sure.  For the better--from a sewist's perspective.

Here's the skirt in a rather ditzy photo.  I made it from a white twill lined with a poly/cotton batiste.

 I actually have more to share.  !  Amazing.  I think garment sewing is to me right now what quilting was when I first started--lots of challenge.  Learning new things.  Resulting in something to use and enjoy.
I leave off with a picture out my sewing room--some of the Tuul River is disappearing from my view with every floor they add.  Life is full of change, hmm?

Comments

Nikki Schreiner said…
Great, great job!!!! Everything looks amazing!! Love that black sweater, I've been working on cardigans too. I'm ready for Fall, I think :) Love you!
August 28, 2012 at 11:13 PM
Mary M said…
I think that you can pull off that slit :)
August 29, 2012 at 9:19 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Much Needed New Winter Robe - Vogue 9232

Last spring I chucked my 20-year-old bathrobe, giving me no choice but to replace it come winter.  Granted, I never took it to Mongolia, so it only got worn when I was home in the US.  But still.  For summer I made several light weight robes, but I knew I liked the style of my old RTW one.   When I saw reviews for Vogue 9232--on PR (all 3 of them), I knew I'd found my pattern.  Interestingly enough, the pattern is actually for a caftan-type dress; but all 3 reviews were done up as a robe.       Sham's review   in particular had great tips.   On a trip to Colorado Fabrics  in early summer I spotted a beeeuuutiful pink sweatshirt type fabric.  The outside is more like a thick knit and inside is dreamy soft.  And it's baby pink!  Which is hard to tell in the pics as we in Colorado have had lots of rain and no sunshine. And OK, I'm no photographer.  But seriously, this is like stepping into a pink cloud. ...
2 comments
Read more

St. Patty's Day UB Style

I know this is a few days late, but we've been out of power for about 48 hours . Another story, another time. Anyway, holidays as we know them are a real challenge here. We did manage to go over to the Grand Khaan Irish Pub (remember, I do not make this stuff up) for a pint of Guinness (OK, it's watery Guinness out of China, but the sentiment is there as you can see :) and some Chinese stir fry. You see, their power was out, too, so the the grill was down but the wok was up. The place was packed and when the power did flash back on now and then, the Irish Rovers were a playin '. My first response to the 2nd picture was " Agghh ! I look 110 years old!" Randy reminded me that he took this on his cell phone. Hmm ... The 1st picture is of my first homemade corned beef!!! My dear friend, Beverly, shared her recipe (and her corned beef!) with my Bible study group 2 years ago. It turned out stellar! I have a handful of ladies of a Certain Age that inspire me and...
2 comments
Read more

Jesus, Me, and Yoga

Almost a month ago I signed up for a 3-month membership at a local Dahn yoga center--and I have to say it has been life changing! Seeking to conquer my constant heart palpitations and gain lots more flexibility in ever creakier joints and muscles, I am constantly surprised--and delighted--to find it a profoundly spiritual experience. Not in a zen way, no Hindu gods invoked--but lots & lots of Jesus. I have found this stage of life to be an intersection where my spiritual life & emotions collided head on with my body. Things that for years I could sweep under the rug or just push through (ok, and blame others, hold grudges, lash out, etc., etc., yuk & yikes); well, my body would no longer tolerate it. Results: constant heart palpitations, sleep issues, anger/depression, etc. God used the hormonal stew of this life stage to bring me to a Ground Zero of sorts--what a journey it has been! My trip to Cambodia was the beginning of Change; it rebooted my decision-making p...
2 comments
Read more