Scenic Route

Fall has most definitely arrived in Colorado, ready or not.  I'm sure the dazzling fall days with mild temps that I so love are just around the corner, but in the meantime summer was blown out to be  replaced by cold and rain. While I'm now sewing for fall (like in a hurry), here is my last make of summer:  Butterick 6101 made up in a stretch linen which is almost too sheer for this pattern.  But when it's hot, it works ;-)    I made this in a small, though I typically make a medium at least on the sides.  The arm holes were not too low, but the neck was super wide--a design feature I think.  I actually took it in with tucks a placed small pewter buttons over the tucks.  Also, I didn't make the binding as wide as provided, rather doing my usual binding width.   The little artsy pockets grew on me.  I think it's important that the fabric be fluid enough that these don't poke out weirdly. And here's my little arsty ...

I sewed a lot  of white this summer.  After wearing sooo much black  for years, I can't get enough white.  This shirt got tons of   wear this summer.   The following goofy expressions of me trying very hard to play photographer are for free. McCalls 7387 in a light and airy cotton shirting.  So light and airy I have to wear a bit underneath which is not always the most light and airy thing to do.  I made up a medium, which was roomy to a degree I'm fine with.  However, next time I might make a small through neck and shoulders as collar seems a bit big.  Also, the sleeve band was too wide I thought.  I ended up folding it back.  Again, fine.  I liked the back detail, too; though a fabric with more body would probably stick out. I wore it today to my friend DeLois' quilt guild meeting.  They are also holding an exhibit in the same building:  the Blair Caldwell African American Research Library ...

In late spring I made yet another version of the Silhouette #600, The Classic Blouse, to take on a trip Randy & I made to San Antonio & Corpus Christi --SO sad at the epic flooding they're enduring :-(.   I have to say I really like the overall fit of this blouse pattern and I just make a tweak here and there each time I sew it--I think this is #5for me.  Next time I think I'll narrow the collar a bit. I seem to be collecting patterns that come with cup sizing.  Just one less thing to hassle with, right?  I wanted a tunic-length shirt that was cool to wear in heat & humidity and I had been holding onto this fun cotton shirting from Colorado Fabrics for a while. I think I finally got sleeveless cut just right this time I have no idea why I ended up in the bathroom that has with yellow/green paint for these 2 pics.  ???  The toilet paper is a nice touch, too.  I   I really like this shirt and have worn it lots an...

A few weeks before my hand surgery a made a repeat of Butterick 5924 from a pink and white all-cotton shirting from Fabric Mart.  I wanted a longer version to wear with stretch ankle pants, etc.  I made a sleeveless version of this shirt a few years ago from a lovely periwinkle linen.  I love that shirt.  This one is OK and I'm sure I'll wear it a lot, but despite a pattern that includes cup sizes, I'm not super thrilled with the fit.  --and the cotton was a bit challenging to work with; so surprising for 100% cotton.  It's just not a soft cotton and I should have known, but I forged ahead.   Not sure this is "styling," but this is how I wore it out and about that day.   I had my hand and elbow surgery last Friday and so far so good!!  I mean, no more numbness and pain which is huge.   However, I am still on restricted activity.  My dear Randy has been my hero as usual. We took a road trip two days after th...

Alrighty! It's been about a year since I posted--one very consuming year in which I did lots of therapy sewing while totally enjoying reading other sewing bloggers. ...but now I'm ready to jump back in. ...and! I'm planning on opening a small-scale sewing school--too excited for words about that. So, the blog design will probably get a redesign and I'm working on a logo, etc. I also realize I'm not a great photographer. I decided that none of that is going to hold me back; I'm just going to jump in. However. I had carpel tunnel and ulnar nerve surgery on my right hand/elbow. Today. Sigh. Sidelined for a bit. At least the productivity--but not the planning. Here I am pecking away at the blog, surprising even myself. Amazing at what I can do with left hand only. I suggested having this done in Bangkok and convalescing at the Movenpick on Puckett Island. Randy wasn't keen on that. Sigh. My latest make is M7516, a badly needed new robe. The two s...

...and a birthday library tote.   Tomorrow, God willing and United flies...I'll be in Honolulu with 3 of my Munchkins!  Cannot wait. I wanted a few new things so I drove over to Colorado Fabrics and picked up some rayon knits--all the flat folds were 50% off.  This happens twice a year and is a major score.  Worth the drive. So, I made up all 3 in Maria of Denmark's Kimono T.  This is my all-time favorite go-to T.   Perfect with my Magic Pencil skirts in stretch denim and twill. Hmm...I pretty sure I put this on the dress form backwards... Then, Kelby's mom said he could really use a new library tote--they  pretty much go every week :-) I used outdoor fabric--50% off at Joannes and scored a piece of bright orange (his favorite color) on the 50%-off remnant pile. another pocket on the back Inside pocket for library card I'm pretty pleased with this project :) Aloha!

Busy but good week--AND got quite a bit of sewing done!  I had a cutting-out marathon last Sunday so was fun to sit down and just sew the rest of the week.   First out was this whacky number that I plan to sleep in with a pair of Jailie pj shorts I made to go with a sister top from the same pattern that I made last year in an equally crazy print that I feel ridiculous wearing out.  But it's been great to sleep in on hot nights!  Hey look how that big motif ended up in a perfect spot top center front.  Total accident, there! This was made from a cotton voile from Butterick 6215.  Last make for it I think.  The pockets are cute but take longer than the whole rest of the shirt.  I slit the sleeves just because. Also,  I started sewing in the mornings instead of waiting until afternoons after  everything else is done.  There is just something about afternoons--they tend to unravel.  And change with every phone ca...