Quilting Sundays...

I usually spend a good portion of Sunday with my parents in the burbs. Often times, quilting happens on these days. My mother quilts, she always has some project on the go, either ones I get roped into doing/finishing, or ones that inspire me to start my own. (Plus, she's got the quilting stash. Grin.)

Today, I'd brought a project to finish up, a UFO that's been on the to-do list for over 4 years. (Sigh.) All I needed to do with it was attach 2 rows - precisely 15 minutes of work.



The pattern is Shakespeare in the Park, by Judy Martin. (Click on the Shakespeare in the Park link to see viewer photos of this quilt made up, they are absolutely amazing.) This obviously dates back to times when I made complicated quilts - I'm too lazy to ever attempt to recreate something like this nowadays.

To be honest, the only reason this project was brought out is that my parents are going to India. My mom is taking a bunch of quilt tops to be quilted in India. She knows a guy who charges about $20 to do a king size, which is amazingly inexpensive. The work isn't fancy, but I loathe quilting, and am happy to avoid it at all costs.

So, I finished it up and added it to her suitcase. She now has 8(!) quilt tops that she's taking to be quilted, including this baby quilt, this other baby quilt (bottom of post) and this scrap quilt.

What else got done today? Well, fabric was bought. When did I promise to fabric fast till? I seem to recall end of November? So, fabric fast was ended 7 days early. Lunch and dinner, both excellent got eaten, a refrigerator got cleaned out, and laundry got done.

No sewing though. Tomorrow,I need to buy a zipper to finish up a skirt. I should finish it up tomorrow night, though I've a class that might delay it.

Endless Combinations - piece 1

I'm entering the Endless Combinations contest at Pattern Review. (I need winter clothes!)

The first piece - Simplicity 2938 - view B.




I used a blue and cream cotton that was a remnant I bought a few months ago. I actually really wanted to use the remnant to make this pattern, and I've only gotten around to it 6 months later - that's not terrible!

I cut this out last night, finished it this evening. I'm on fire!

I've made the dress version of this pattern, so this top went together incredibly easily. I didn't read the instructions at all. I made a size 10 at the top, widening to a 12 at waist and hip. Took 2 inches off the torso, so the waist hits at my natural waist - which I have to do on all big 4 patterns.

And yay! I love this top! It fits, looks good, and I can use it in many combinations. I'm all excited now.

Pattern Review - McCalls 5466, view C

I was burrowing through my stash on Saturday, and pulled this brown fabric out. I'd bought it around 2 years ago, at Joann, without being sure what to do with it...

I've also wanted to make McCall 5466, view C for a while.

So, here it is.



I modified the pattern - didn't cut the skirt on the bias. (Not enough fabric.) Also, omitted the facings, and used bias strips to finish the neck edge. Apart from that, took 2 inches off the torso, 2 inches off the hem.

I messed up too - I forgot to cut the bodice on the fold. So, my bodice has a seam in it. (Plus, there isn't enough flowers in the bodice, which isn't too horribly visible, but still visible.)

All in all, this isn't my favorite dress, but it works. We'll call it a wearable muslin.

Boring details - I made a size 10 on top, size 12 at the bottom.

(And here's a slightly better shot, but without my head.)



Bonus cat shot - awww! Biscuit likes her ball of wool.

Pattern Review - BWOF 08-2008-119

This is the disaster I was referring to in my last post. BWOF 08-2008-119. Ok, I guess it isn't that bad. But I do feel like I look dowdy. Not a good look for me.

The instructions are slightly confusing for this one around the collar construction. Debra H's review at Pattern Review was incredibly helpful. Also helpful was looking at the picture - the shawl collar actually folds back (which seems obvious now, but not so obvious when I was sewing.)

Fabric - I used some of rust colored cotton jersey that's been sitting in my stash since August 2007. Yay! I still have enough fabric to make a dress, so I'll pull it out again, but to make something slightly more fitted.



I guess I can wear this out, but this feels sweat-shirt like. Ah well, I do need something to wear grocery shopping, I guess.

However, BWOFs have mostly worked for me, so I shouldn't complain too much.

(View from the side.)



(The sleeves are pretty wide.)

And now, back to sewing...

I made this quilt top last weekend, when at my parents. (Another present for another baby, my mom owes me! But she did send me back home with a ton of food, so, I guess I'm ok.)

This was actually really simple to do, but I do love the interplay of colors. I've been told I need to make a bigger one for my parents.

I also made this shawl-collar jacket thing from a BWOF. It was a disaster - I look ridiculously dowdy. Pictures will follow to confirm (the batteries are charging now...)

There's going to be more time for sewing, now that the 4(!) hours a day I used to spend watching/reading election coverage have freed up. More frequent blog updates will follow, I promise.

I saw history being made last night....

and I'm still in awe.

Sewing review - Simplicity 3751

Continuing the trend of sewing from stash, I made Simplicity 3751 from a piece of fabric that's been sitting in my stash for over a year. (I have a bad habit of buying remnants at fabric stores, attracted by their deeply discounted prices, and ending up with not enough fabric to make what I want. This shirt for example - I wanted sleeves, and didn't have enough fabric to make it work.)

I was fairly conflicted about this shirt before making it - it is fairly shapeless, which can either look easy and relaxed, or just shapeless. I've decided my top looks easy and relaxed, but I'd be avoiding it if I put on a few pounds - it can easily tip over into 'pregnant lady look'...

But I think I like it.



This picture shows how I'll likely be wearing it in fall. With a cardigan and jeans - easy-peasy weekend dressing.

Pattern mods - I started with a size 12 pattern, since for some reason, I'd bought a size 12-14-16-18 vs. something smaller. I'm a size 10 top in most big 4 patterns, so I knew I'd have some adjusting to do. To make it smaller, I (unscientifically took off 1" off the center seam - so, 4 inches off the entire top. And its still too wide - wow. I'd have been swimming in the 12.

Also, I took 2 inches off the length - my usual petite sizing. Also, I didn't really read the instructions, this is not a complicated shirt to make.

So, I think I finally have a sewing story that is successful, even if it is a mild success. Woo hoo!

End notes - I spent the day at my parents, much of it spent at my mom's sewing machine. She snapped this picture of me, hard at work.



I was making this quilt top, which, once finished, my mom is going to give to a friend of hers who had a new baby. (Well, actually, the baby's 6 months old. What can I say? I'm behind.) I'm quite pleased about sewing opportunities like this - it gives me a chance to sew down some stash, which means, I have room to buy more fabric. :)



Oh, and that fabric diet I put myself on? Still on it, if only because I haven't stepped into a fabric store since July, I think. November is looking very do-able.

I'm feeling a bit jinxed...

That Butterick dress? Well, its going to the back of the sewing closet. (Where wadders live.) Why? See below picture - and notice the serious bunching at waist. (Especially on the side where the zipper is attached, that's pretty yuck.) Big 4 patterns have been running large at size 12, so I bravely cut a 10. Yeah, I'm not a 10. Also, I can't sew a bias skirt or attach a zipper to one without causing serious stretching out of shape (note to self, stabilize next time.) Plus, I don't like the fabric (ah well, it was cheap.)



I might finish this if I lose 10 pounds and inches off my hip (also known as, when pigs fly.)

What else is jinxed? Hmm. Roll call - my TV died, my camera cable died, my computer is threatening to... Excuse me, I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself. It'll pass. My life is good.

Also, woo hoo to me!

I got a blog award! Kristy nominated me for a couple, actually, which is perfectly awesome! She makes the most amazing clothes - and looks really polished and professional in all of them. I'm very honored to be picked by her!





So the rules for these awards are:

1. Select 6 bloggers to whom you would like to give this award
I'm going to break the first rule! I read and enjoy entirely too many blogs to be able to narrow it down to 6. But, thank you, everyone who blogs. You are all such an inspiration, and sewing motivation.

2. Put the award on your blog and indicate who gave it to you by identifying her/his blog - okay!

3. Paste these rules on your blog - okay!

4. Write 6 of your most important values and 6 negative points you condemn.

Ah, we have an election round the corner (both in Canada and the US) so, important values/beliefs that's on my mind - personal choice, freedom of speech, separation of church and state. Other things - I like honesty, politeness to waiters and not taking yourself too seriously.

Things I'm not a fan of: People telling me what to do, small-mindedness, waste, lack of curiosity, especially about the world... maybe just those 4? There's a lot more that irritates me, but those are the biggies, atleast for the moment.

5. Inform the 6 recipients by leaving a comment on their blog - see 1, above!

Why I haven't been posting...

I've been cooking

Indian-style tomato gravy, used for curries. I'm going to freeze this batch, and then pull it out as needed when I'm being lazy (most weekdays.)



How to make? Heat oil, add cumin seeds, chopped onion, garlic and grated ginger, saute till it turns brown. Add chili powder, 1/2 tsp turmeric and salt and any other dry masala (I used 2-3 tsp of Shan's meat and curry masala) , fry for 1 minute . Add chopped tomatoes. Simmer, about 30 minutes.

I've been preserving and freezing

Ontario cauliflowers were on sale here a week ago (for 99c a head), so I bought a bunch of them, and froze. Again, this is excellent for weekday meals. Instructions here.



Also, did the same for green peppers.



I also made dill pickles, but those are at my parents, where they are sealing. I'm a bit nervous about these, but we'll see!

I've been making a zillion bags

For my nephew's birthday. My cousin is going to put the kids' giveaway stuff in these bags. (18 bags... an excellent opportunity to sew down the stash!)



I've been listening to amazing music!

I saw Delerium and Vieux Farka Toure in concert last week. Social life overload! The Vieux Farka Toure concert, in particular, just blew me away. (Also, umm, how should I put it? The boy's remarkably easy on the eye. What a hottie!)

Here's a YouTube video of my favorite song on his debut album.

But the most important reason?

I've had a new addition to the household



Awwwwwww - what a cutie! She's my foster cat (I've never owned a pet before, so I thought this would be the responsible thing to do.) Cleaning out the litter box is not, by any means, my favorite chore, but she's so much fun! Such a sweetie... Her official name, according to the foster people, is Star. I decided that Star's a pretty boring name, so I've renamed her - her new, better name is Biscuit.

I do have a current sewing project.



I'm making Butterick 5212. Its slow going, for all the above reasons... Plus, I need to go get a zipper. I honestly am not sure why I'm making this, I need fall clothes far more than another dress. However, I only have a few hours of work left on it, so maybe the next thing will actually be useful.

Sewing review - McCalls 5039

The back story - at the start of spring, I fell in love with the whole ethnic trend. Cidell made this green dress and this maxi dress. Then, Christina made this amazing Patrones dress.

So, when I saw this fabric at Value Village, for ~$2, I pounced. And then it sat in the stash as spring, then summer passed by.

Ok, so now its the start of fall, which we'll assume is the perfect time to be making summer dresses. Sigh.

The pattern - it actually doesn't get much easier. I read somewhere that this pattern runs large - I agree. I made a size 10, and I left out the zipper - didn't need it. For context, I generally make a size 10 top, with a size 12 skirt.

There are around 4? pattern pieces on this one. Easy! The bodice is gathered, for the top, the fabric is folded on itself to make a tube, and then elastic is inserted into it. Again, easy!

The fabric - apart from the incredible African vibe of this dress, what drew me to it were the two borders on either side of the fabric. The borders ran across the width, so I had to cut them out, and then stitch on where I needed them. (One border at the waist, and the other at the hem.)

This is some kind of synthetic, I think. For all I know, it might even be silk? (I didn't do a burn test.) It ironed well though, and had a relatively high heat tolerance for a synthetic.

It also frayed like the devil, and so I made French seams throughout. What a pain! Still, without them, the dress would have lasted 4 wears. (As it is, I doubt if I'll get many wears - the fabric looks like it might fall apart... it feels very fragile.)

And the verdict? I love this dress. Its fun and funky and interesting.


Miscellaneous ramblings

Most of my family hated the border at the hem - they would have preferred I left it out. I, on the other hand, really thought the border lent the dress extra interest, and sewed it on.

Other things - my brother thought it made me look thinner - always good.

This dress sat on my cutting mat, half cut out, for more than two weeks. I sewed it up in 2 evenings. Again, sigh.

Finally, all of my family expressed surprise that it was fairly well sewn. Sigh. With friends like these...

I still hate the timer option to take photos, by the way. I'm just saying...

Sewing review - McCalls 4826

Would you believe, I finished this more than a month back? I've been waiting for someone to come take a picture - I'm tired of the ones I take myself.


(I need to comb my hair.)

In my stash, I had the perfect fabric for this pattern. This pink & white striped seersucker just screamed Swiss Milkmaid! Summer! And so, I started making this dress.

I couldn't find a review that said this, but I must have a faulty pattern or something. The back skirt pattern piece was twice as wide as the front. When gathering the skirt to attach onto the bodice, it looked like I was wearing a bustle. And I have hips. Not a good look for me.

So, I ripped. (Of course.) Adjusted both the midriff piece to be shorter, and the skirt to be way less full. (If I make it again, I think I'll just use the front skirt pattern piece for both front and back.) Finished the dress, still wasn't loving it. Put it away. Tried it on a few weeks later, and loved it. Which is actually quite reassuring - since it means some of my UFOs might actually be worth finishing.

I didn't really look too much at the instructions, but I wish I had. The bodice is lined, and I should have made it so my zipper was enclosed between lining and bodice, versus right now, where its stitched on on top. Also different for me, this project - I didn't have an invisible zipper handy, so I used a regular zipper. It lies more or less flat, but it isn't perfect. Ah well.

But the dress is pretty. Toronto's rapidly transitioning to fall, so I won't get much (or any) use out of it this year. But I certainly have a jump on next summer!

Let me see - boring details - I made a size 10. To adjust for the petite thing, I just took off 2 inches at the midriff piece, didn't touch the bodice. (Except for putting the buttons in the halter where it fit me, not at the marked point.) And I shortened the skirt to just around knee-length, which is about the length I like.

Would I make this again? Probably not - my sewing list is large, and I need to go find a bra that will work with a halter top. However, I would recommend it, with the above caveat about the back skirt piece.

Running way behind schedule - BWOF 07-2008-108

This is my July BWOF project of the month. Given its September, its safe to say I'm running way behind schedule. (I did buy the August issue, but haven't bought September yet. And, I have no plans for the weekend, so maybe some sewing?)

Back to the blouse. This blouse really caught my eye, and the added bonus? 4 pattern pieces - incredibly minimal tracing.

Sizing: I made a size 38. I removed an inch off the length between my bust and my waist, and took at-least 2 inches off the length at the bottom, since I wanted it to hit precisely at my hip.

Fabric: Ah, the pleasures of sewing from the stash. This was a remnant off some other project from at-least a year ago. I didn't have very much of it, so my inside back yoke is actually a different fabric. But hidden, so it doesn't matter. Also, some kind of synthetic, with a tiny bit of stretch to it.

Instructions: Can't tell you, since I didn't really look at them. There isn't really that much to this. (Join front yoke to front, back yoke to back, sides to sides, and use the inside yokes as facings to finish the neck edge.) A plus - the curved yoke sewed with minimal fuss and wrinkling, perhaps partly because my fabric has a bit of stretch in it, but also because I was determined that I'd do it over if need be to get it to lie flat. (I only had to rip out an inch or so, so I'm considering that incredibly easy.)

I left off the pockets, since I was looking for instant gratification. I should have made French seams, since this fabric frays really badly, but again, the instant gratification desire ruled. Finally, I left off the back zipper - since my blouse slid over my head without requiring it.

The end result: You tell me - hospital scrubs or beachy, breezy top? I love the pattern though, I'm already plotting to make the dress version, as well as a couple of other tops.

Finally, some sewing.

I decided I don't care that my apartment is a mess, that I have boxes to unpack, and no room to sew (except the dining table, which is now the dining/sewing/laptop/all purpose table.) But it had been a long time with no sewing, and it was starting to be annoying.

My first vintage dress had been such a success that I wanted to keep at it. So, I pulled out Simplicity 5056 from the stash (I found it at a Value Village...) and got sewing.


Isn't this beautiful? I loved the back view with the belt and the buttons.


My fabric is a cotton navy blue & white mini-houndstooth, almost. It had been sitting in the stash for a few months, and this dress seemed a good way to use it.

And here is the dress. It went together easily, nothing really complex here at all. The belt is sewn into the side seams, and buttons at the back.



Is it just me, or are there mistakes I keep making over and over? In this case, I know, with every fiber of my being, that I am not a size 8. Did I grade up? Umm, no. I hoped the pattern ease would take care of it.

Umm, no. Let's just say that for these photos, I'm really, really sucking in my stomach. I will wear this dress out if I stay away from beer + go to the gym everyday + go back on Dr. Joshi + lose 10 lbs. Until then, it can hang in my closet, looking pretty.

The back photographed way wonkier than it actually is. In person, I think its fine.


Also worthy of comment - I can't topstitch worth a damn. Look at how wonky the bodice is! I need a topstitching foot, patience, and proper thread. Bleah.



Despite the moaning above, I actually really like this dress. I'd love to make it again, this time in the right size, and with the right tools.

Final comment - wow, it is HARD to photograph oneself! My mom and brother have been serving as my photographers, but neither was around today. Next time, I'll wait for them.

Little bits of nothing...

I'm in the middle of a major sewing stop. All I've done in the month of July is unpack boxes in my new apartment. Yet, as I type this, I'm still surrounded by chaos, so I'm not convinced I'm doing anything... I've invited people over on Thursday, thereby setting myself a deadline. Nothing like people coming over to force you to clean your house.

I had a little shock when I unpacked my fabric boxes and found tons of fabric! Ok, I'm now officially drowning in fabric, and I will make the big resolution. NO FABRIC (NEW, THRIFT, ANYTHING) UNTIL NOVEMBER. Three months is a good first step, I think.

Sigh. I really want to sew! Cleaning sucks.

June BWOF of the month - BWOF 06-2008-103

Copying Christina - I've decided I need to sew up at least one project from BWOF each month. Else, I refuse to allow myself to buy it. At $10+ a pop, its pretty expensive eye-candy.



Which brings me to this month's project - BWOF 06-2008-103. The instant I saw these shorts, I knew I wanted to make them. The project was marked 2 dots - so, theoretically, I could sew it, and the shorts just looked so summery, I was sold.



There's a lot of pattern pieces to this one - 7, to be exact. Also, some details that are, in my opinion, definitely not 2-dot - for example, the zippered welt pockets, which I decided I would not freak out about, and simply try (worked well, I highly recommend diving in, what's the worst that could happen, anyway?). My pockets aren't perfect, but they look ok, and are functional. (Kathleen Fasanella's zippered welt pocket tutorial is pretty useful reading - I recommend it highly.)



I made my usual BWOF size - 40, taking a few inches off around mid-thigh for the petite-length adjustment. The shorts fit well, but are a tiny, tiny bit loose. I think I'm probably a 39 in BWOF, but am FAR too lazy to bother tracing both the 38 and the 40, and adjusting.



Other things? I ignored the fly front instructions totally, and used Sandra Betzina's tutorial instead. That probably saved me a few moments of swearing. Also, I had a RTW pair of cuffed pants as a reference in front of me when I was doing the cuffs. I'm sure BWOF's instructions were fine for the cuff, I just didn't look.

Finally, the original shorts come with a tie around the cuffs that you thread through eyelets. I was dubious about both eyelet as well as the tie, so left them out totally.

But apart from all of that, I found BWOF's instructions fairly clear and logical. Hmmm. I'm not sure if they are getting better, or I'm learning technique that I can apply to my sewing.

Twin disasters!

I went out last night to listen to a Cajun band. Wore my red dress - and promptly proceeded to spill a glass of red wine over it. Sigh. This is why I drink beer.

So, dress is in sink right now, with milk poured over the stain. (Internet advice for how to get out a red wine stain yielded a ton of suggestions - I'm working my way through them sequentially.)

Sigh. I loved this dress so much!

Other disaster - I've been sewing McCall 4826 in a pink striped seersucker that's been lying around in my stash for a few months. Like a complete idiot, I forgot to adjust for my short torso. I attached the painstakingly ruffled skirt yesterday afternoon, and UGGGHHHH!!!! I haven't had a sewing yuck moment in a while, but this one was it. The ruffles started at my hip, leading to an overwhelming resemblance to a whale!

So now, I have to rip out the skirt stitching, cut an inch or two of the front center waistband, and reattach. I might also have to take out 4-5 inches of fullness on the back skirt - its huge! I don't need 7 feet of fabric bunched up at my waist. Insane!

Bah. Not fun. I'm cranky.

Waiting to get sewing... wanting to get sewing...

I've no time though! A 2.5 hour commute is taking up every available hour, and when I return home, I'm just too exhausted to sew. (July 1st - hopefully, new apartment - will solve this.)

As a result, all I've managed to do in two weeks is make one dress. I used my yellow, grey and white knit to make Simplicity 4074. I was going to make a BWOF, but got too lazy to trace. Plus, I'd made Simplicity 4074 before, and it was all cut out and ready to go.

Again, I like but don't love this dress, and since I've felt like this twice, its the pattern. It might look better with a belt, though.



Question - can I wear this to work? I work in a business casual office. Could I get away with this on a Friday? Please weigh in... (Also, if it doesn't fit, looks strange, etc, please weigh in...)

Getting to know me better...

So, I started a new job Friday. Which means dramatic lowering of sewing output. (Otherwise a good thing, though, I'm really enjoying myself.)

Since I haven't been sewing, I'll do my meme instead. Lilia and Christina both tagged me - so here goes!

1) What was I doing 10 years ago?
Working as a software engineer, living in Cleveland, getting over a boy...

2.) What are 5 things on my to-do list for today (not in any particular order):
I had a lot of work related things, which aren't interesting, and are probably fairly confidential. Other than that...
- I cut out Simplicity 4074 last night, and I'd like to start sewing it.
- Go to sleep early tonight, I'd like to actually catch the train on time tomorrow morning.

3) Snacks I enjoy:
Hmm. I actually don't like a lot of packaged snacks. However, I can eat my body weight in cheese, most veggie appetizers, bread. I love chocolate, though! No chocolate is safe from me.

4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
- Buy a house. I'd buy an old house - I love old houses.
- Buy a vacation house. Somewhere on a beach.
- Oh, since I'm dreaming, I'd like a plane to fly me to my vacation house.
- I'd do nice stuff for my parents and siblings, of course - house, vacation house, plane, that kind of stuff.
- Have I burned through a billion yet? No? Well, I'd invest in companies that promote alternative sources of energy, organizations that promote education in the Third World, Planned Parenthood and the ACLU.

Although all of these sound pretty fun, and its great to dream, I have to provide context here. I'm mostly truly contented with my life. I have a pretty good life.

5) Places I have lived:
In chronological order - Madras (Chennai), India; Cleveland, OH; Boston, MA (actually, Cambridge); Ann Arbor, MI and now, Mississauga (Toronto), ON.

6) Jobs I have had:
In chronological order - Software intern, Coffee shop girl, software engineer, technology consultant, museum gift shop attendant, management consultant and now, manager (I work in the corporate office of a retailer.)

I'm going to do my usual thing on tagging - if you want to play, please do. I'd love to know more about all of you!

Now, off to tackle the to-do list. Sewing, yay!

And, I give up!

In case anyone's wondering what happened to my mini-wardrobe for the mini-wardrobe contest, this photo was taken 3 minutes ago.



And a close-up of the raw edge.



I suck at finishing armholes, so I want to take my time and not rush it. Plus, finish armhole - write 4 reviews - take photos - enter contest - I couldn't do all of that in 20 minutes. Even I knew that. (I inherit a streak of craziness from BOTH my parents that often makes me think I can do way more than I actually can. Then, I'll run around like a chicken with its head cut off.)

So, I give up. This is shaping up to be a super-nice top, and I'll finish it tomorrow.