New McCall's & Kwik Sew Patterns....

I just noticed that McCall's and Kwik Sew have some new patterns up.  They may have been up for a while. I have been too busy to notice this past month.  This McCall's pattern caught my attention:

This is M7020 - Misses Tops and Tunics.  It is described as being over sized which I would take as meaning huge but I like the look of the belted tunic.  There are a couple of variations.  Here's the line drawings:

There were a few other things with interesting seaming but not anything I'm interested in.  The next item is from Kwik Sew:

This is a great pattern for the men in your life.  Here's the line drawing:

This would be a great pattern for my guys.  I promised the skinny, tall teen that I would make him some new sleep pants.  This would be a perfect pattern for that.  I just need to make sure that there isn't something already in the pattern collection that will work.  How is the fit of the Kwik Sew patterns since McCall's took over?  I would love to hear.

Happy Stitching!

It's Fall Ya'll..

My time flies when you're having fun!  We've been busy finishing up gardening stuff.  Some things will stay till the bitter end - lettuce and other greens.  We still need to replant some spinach in the garden for spring and lettuce in the green house but it will get done.

How are you fall projects going?  I've been working hard on the baby quilt.  The piecing and quilting are all finished.  I just need to finish up the binding and wash it.  Then, I can send it off to the sweet little girl it is intended for.  After it arrives at her location, I will post pictures.

I need to decide on my next projects.  I thinking that I should make some quick items for myself.  Tops would be good.  I have several knits and some sweater knits that are all begging to be made up into something nice.  I just need to figure out a pattern.  I have the new fall Silhouette patterns coming soon.  Hopefully, at least one of those will get used.  Our first monthly get together is coming soon and I'm planning on a mantle cover for the holidays.  I need to finish getting everything ordered or there will not be much sewing going on.  So, here's my short little list:

1.  a couple of knit tops for me
2.  two vest for me
3.  holiday mantle cover
4.  coat

Looks like I need to get hopping on this stuff.  Maybe I will get a couple of knits in the washer tonight.  That will get me going.

I also need to figure out a knitting project that I can take to the monthly knitting group.  It will be nice if it could be a gift item but that may not be the case.  It just needs to be something that I can easily pick up and put down.  I don't think my sweaters fit in this category.  Speaking of sweaters, I really need to get going on the two I have planned or winter will be over before I get a chance to wear them.

Happy Stitching!

Wardrobe Considerations...

The planned sewing hasn't occurred yet.  However, I have found a couple more items.  This time it was Christopher & Banks.  I was surprised when I went in over the weekend with the color range.  There was a lot in the black, gray, rose/fuchsia, and teal colors.  Here's my additions:

This is the Modern Downtown Pant is charcoal. They are made in ponte and I hoping that it is a nice fabric.

The second item was a shirt:

Yep, it is a teal and grey shirt.  I was happy to find this as I seem to be lacking in tops right now.

I have also found two additional skirts similar to this:

One is black and the other is charcoal grey.  Both skirts are from previous seasons.

The two vests that I had intended to make I had originally thought that the fabric was black and charcoal grey but upon further examination of the fabric they are both dark blue.  Yes, the dark blue will still work with the charcoal grey just fine and it maybe with the black with the right top but now they are just extras.  I will still make them because I think will need them this winter but I may have to add another vest but how many vests do you need?

Happy Stitching (or Shopping,lol)!

Gardening...The August Totals

Whew!  The garden was busy in August.  I realized today that I missed recording stuff from 8/29 to 8/31.  I know I was busy picking stuff, I just don't know what.  Here are the totals:

1.  lettuce - 4 lbs 8 oz
2.  peas - 3 5/8oz
3.  cilantro - 1 1/8oz
4.  basil, fresh - 1 3/4 oz
5.  oregano, fresh - 1/4oz
6.  swiss chard - 1 lb 4 3/8oz
7.  broccoli - 1 lb 15 3/8oz
8.  parsley, fresh - 5/8oz
9.  beans - 12 lbs 3 1/4oz
10.  squash - 3 lbs 6 7/8oz
11.  hot banana peppers - 4 lbs 6 1/4oz
12.  jalapeno peppers- 2 lbs 4 5/8oz
13.  wax beans - 1 lb 1oz
14.  tomatoes - 82 lbs 14 3/4oz
15.  carrots - 2 lbs 3oz
16.  beets & greens - 2 lbs 6 3/4oz
17.  spaghetti squash - 16 lbs 6 1/2oz
18.  tomatillos - 4 lbs 8 3/4oz

That feels like a lot.  Many of the peppers, tomatoes, beans and tomatillos were canned.  Some were given away.  The rest we ate.  My husband also requested that I can additional quantities of the Amish Hot Mustard.  He has taken a liking to it and so has one of my neighbors.

Sorry, no garden pictures this month but we have been having fun with the outdoor camera.  Even though I live in the suburbs, there is a lot of wildlife.  There was even a few surprises. Cats and raccoons were the main items that triggered the camera.  The raccoon was big enough that I wouldn't want to meet/surprise him in the dark.  I know he is the animal that takes swipes at the tomatoes.  The surprise was the hen turkeys that were roaming in the backyard and the little boys getting into my garden.  I wish they weren't in there pulling on the plants but it does explain the branches of items laying on the ground.  Of course, there are pictures of the deer helping themselves over the fence but they don't eat too much of the tomato plants.

In addition to the garden, I have been working in a quilt.  The top is all finished.  I just need to work out how I'm going to piece the back and then attempt to quilt it. Yes, I'm going to quilt it myself.  Wish me luck.

Happy Stitching (or gardening)!