Sewing Etc.

Yes, We Do Have Hurricanes

It was the week before Christmas, when outside the house,
A storm was brewing, and woke us all up.

Poor Bandit was jumpy, and pacing the floor,
I was tossing and turning, wishing to sleep more.

At 3:30 am I just gave up, and was on my way to the kitchen,
When the power went out leaving everything dark.
What was that sound? I stopped to give a listen,
It sounded like a freight train speeding through the park!

Next, there was a crash, and then another and another,
I raced to the window, to count the stately cottonwoods,
When another HUGE crash had me running to the back window.
All I could see was branches and branches:
Our huge back yard spruce was suspended between the houses!

Well, that doesn’t rhyme very well, but you get the idea! Not the Christmas present we had been wishing for, but we were very fortunate. Just the corner of the house was damaged, and it was mostly the soffit that was damaged. Thankfully, the neighbor’s house was unscathed. The wind was clocked at 120 mph, and there was a lot of damage on our street, about a dozen large trees down.

We are still waiting for bids, but hope to have this fixed before we get any big storms.

Amazingly, we got a crew in (Mexican loggers) and they had that tree cleaned up and hauled away in 45 minutes flat! They were amazing, and we were thankful to find them.

SAL Update – January 18

Welcome back to the SAL updates. We took a little time off during the holidays, so I am pleased to show you my progress!

Something that doesn’t show in my work is my reorganization of my DMC floss. I got some new floss bags for Christmas, and have now got only one color of thread in a bag, and a new larger container for them. I don’t know why I waited so long!

I have made decent progress during the last six weeks. I stitched quite regularly until the New Year, and have been sharing evening time with knitting since then, but now I am ready to be more exclusive with this piece.

Here’s where I was:

Here’s where I am now:

I am excited to see everyone’s progress after the break; won’t you join me?

Avis, Claire, Kathy, Margaret, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, MaryMargaret, Cindy, Helen

Evie’s Recital

December started out crazy, but by Christmas week things were calm and restful. The crazy was caused by six recitals in one week; the first being Evie’s senior recital, moved to December because the family is heading to Taiwan this week, becoming missionaries.

Evie has been my student since 1st grade, so this was a very special event. She played a wide variety of music, from modern to classics and did a fabulous job.

Her dad published the recital to YouTube so you can enjoy it too!

Her program:

The Limpid Stream by Friedrich Burgmüller

Sandpainting No. 3, Eastern Lightning by Connor Chee

Waltz in A Minor by Frederic Chopin

Spanish Dance No. 5 (Andaluza) by Enrique Granados

Liz on Top of the World by Dario Marianelli (from the Pride & Prejudice soundtrack)

Concerto No. 21 in C Major, Andante and Allegro by Wolfgang Mozart

HQAL Update – December 14

I finally began quilting the table topper I am making as a house warming gift for my sister. It took some time to decide what to do, but now I have a plan for the blocks, and will decide on the border over the Christmas break from teaching. It has been a crazy week, but things are winding down now. More on that later.

Here’s my progress:

We will be taking a break of the Christmas holidays, so our next post will be January 25. If you have a project to work on in the New Year, consider joining us!

Now to check what my friends are working on:

Kathy, Deb, Sharon, Karrin, and Daisy

This Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piecers to share and motivate one another. We post every three weeks, to show our progress and encourage one another. If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join our group contact Kathy at the link above.

SAL Update December 7

Already a week into December! These colder temperatures do encourage hand stitching, so I have spent most evenings doing a bit on my latest pillow cover.

Here’s where I was:

Here’s where I am now:

I think I am close to half way now. I am going to finish the blue flowers on the left, then work on the right side for a while I was missing a yellow and had to wait until I got to Hobby Lobby. I have more time to stitch this year, because I am not making everyone’s Christmas gift. There are some things that are needed, so we are adding to the funds for those this year. Makes life very simple!

Now I’m off to visit the others; I hope you will join me!

Avis, Claire, Kathy, Margaret, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, MaryMargaret, Cindy, Helen

I will wish the group a Blessed Christmas since we won’t be posting until the New Year. Enjoy your time with family and store up some special memories.

HQAL – November 23

Happy Dance time! I finished the little quilt while talking with my sis, and now I am back to her house warming table topper. Hoping that next update I’ll have a good start on it.

Now I’m off to visit the other members of our group. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in the US!

Kathy, Deb, Sharon, Karrin, and Daisy

SAL Update – November 15

I continue to make progress on my latest pillow cover. I am glad there is no back stitching or half crosses involved because the mixed threads are quite enough challenge!

Here’s where I was last time:

Here’s where I am this morning:

Comparing the photos, I have made more progress than I thought; that’s encouraging!

Now I’m off to visit the others in this group. Everyone works on their own projects, so I hope you’ll join me and be inspired by the variety!

Avis, Claire, Kathy, Margaret, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, MaryMargaret, Cindy, Helen

Endless Combinations K + L

I went back to scraps for Piece K, using up the left over micro fleece from DH base layers, to construct a tank top using a vintage pattern, McCall’s 6069. It is a great pattern with several options that lend themselves to trims, color blocking and scrap use, in addition to a more detailed tank.

The extra bands allowed me to eke out the top. This will work for layering if necessary, but its primary use is to be a base layer.

I ended my Endless Combinations adventure with a classic 49’er jacket, using the left over Pendleton wool flannel from my SIL’s shacket. I am not normally a red person, but this just seemed perfect for fall and Christmas, so I couldn’t resist.

I am fortunate to have the original pattern, printed in the 50’s (McCall’s 3242). The only thing missing are the shell buttons that Pendleton had manufactured specifically for the 49’er. Maybe I’ll find some someday!

Reviews here:
McCall’s 6069
McCall’s 3242

So here’s the recap of all the combinations:

I didn’t win with my entry, but I was happy to receive a goodly amount of votes and some very nice comments, and best of all, I have a whole new wardrobe that fits in well with what is already hanging in my closet!

Endless Combinations I + J

Of course the skirt had to come next, to go with that blouse! I had a basic A-line skirt in my stash that I had never cut, McCall’s 4167, so decided to try and get a skirt out of my left overs. The plaid was nearly even, only a small change in the width of two stripes, so I was able to make it fit by cutting the back upside down from the front. The misalignment of the plaid is so tiny, it doesn’t show unless you look VERY closely.

The skirt itself is a simple make, and a rummage through my remnants allowed me to use the lining from my wedding dress to line the skirt. It isn’t quite perfect, but it will do nicely. The big trick was to get that hem somewhat even with the floor in spite of my crooked pelvis. DH came to the rescue and tried to pin things for me. I’m not sure they really are straight yet, but they are pretty close.

My J piece was a bouclé jacket, in a simplified Chanel style, using every bit of the 1 1/8 yards of wool. To make it work, I cut shortened sleeves on the cross grain, and added a gathered band at the base. I used Butterick 4692 for this make, mostly because it allowed me to fit the pattern to the fabric. To do so, I removed the self lapel, making the front straight, and lengthened it by two inches. I was debating about lining, when I found the bag with leftovers from my MOB dress, and amazingly, had just enough to line the jacket!. I am hoping to come across some trim at some point, but for now it is just plain.

I went with the gathered sleeves, hoping that they would look good with the Lyrical shirt, and they do!

Full Reviews:
McCall’s 4167
Butterick 4692

Endless Combinations G + H

Next up was a pair of trousers made of a light wool flannel. I used a previously used pattern, Simplicity 1696, and made some modifications. I used a full trouser back pocket instead of the welts, and changed the length to above the ankle.

This pattern also includes a one inch seam allowance, and a four piece waist band, which allows for easy alterations. It has a nicer fly than 9471, making it easier to do a really nice finish inside. I decided to line these pants as well, using a piece of moire satin that I picked up at MIWW. (It was the lining to be used with some periwinkle flannel, that I made into a robe, so it has sat in the drawer for several years.)

I enjoyed adding the more high end details to this pair of pants, and they feel so wonderful on!

Next up was something unusual for me…a very gathered romantic style shirt, the Lyrical from a new to me company, Pattern Emporium. I made this shirt from another three season wool that I had initially thought might be a great dress. I never could settle on a pattern, and gray seemed so plain. When I saw this pattern I though I might be able to squeak out a skirt as well, and the top would make a nice statement piece.

The instructions on this were very well done, a beginner could do it! The extra and statement sleeves help the gray to not look quite so boring, and I will be able to use this as a recital top. In fact, I wore it Friday with black pants while accompanying kids at the middle school band contest!

Reviews here:
Simplicity 1696
Pattern Emporium Lyrical

And a peak at how the combinations are building…