Scenic Route

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...

What to do with 2ish yards of silk?  Make a kimono!  ...and I was so attracted to Simplicity 1381 out of all the kimono patterns available.  View C, the one being modeled, in particular.  The silk was purchased during a trip to Hong Kong --at the Western Market (insert long sigh of fond longing) and was gorgeous to work with.  I did have to purchase more silk here for the bands as I was short .     I flat felled the seams and turned and hand stitched the collar and wrist bands, which I regretted.  Big pain.     I really like this make and it feels so luxurious to wear.  The drape is really nice and I like the length, too--for either pants or skirts/dresses. I liked it so much I made another out of cotton gauze from Joannes, using leftover embroidered cotton batiste, also from Joannes.   umm...not sure I like it.  I have yet to wear it out even though I've put it on several times to do so.  I...

Shirt love. In my long blogging absence I have actually been doing a lot of sewing and just general living.  While still pursuing the Perfect Pant (and making progress!), I have veered off that road into Shirt Land.  After watching countless YouTubes done by Peggy Sagers of Silhouette Patterns, I finally ordered up her   #600, The Classic Blouse .  After sewing 40+ years, I have to say I've picked up many new ways of sewing--and thinking about sewing & fashion from Peggy.   Anyhoo...the pattern is amazing!!!!  Silhouette patterns come in cup sizes and while the C cup fits me perfectly right out of the envelope!  I tweaked the armhole for sleeveless and the coverage I like there but other than that:  perfection.  Love the collar/facing methods.  Love the length and gentle shirt tail hem.   I've been so excited I've made 4!  Skirts (Magic Pencil of course), tops and sandals are my uniform for summer so all are sleevel...