What a week....

I returned from Quilt Market late Sunday night exhausted but Quilt Market was exciting. Sorry, I didn't take any pictures at the market but I did bring back lots of goodies.

Fast forward to Tuesday evening, it is noted by us that my 18+ year old cat is not acting right. We help her to the water bowl, the kitty box, the food, and put her in her bed knowing that this will be the last time we do so. This morning, she had lost interest in all the things that she loves (particularly getting in the shower right after someone has taken a shower). I call the vet and explain what is going on. He tells me to bring her in as soon as I can. I called my husband because I did not want to face the vet and the decision that I knew was coming. So, I went home and gathered her up and talked to her. She is now in kitty heaven. I have spent the majority of the day crying. Why do we get so attached to little animals? I know that this is best. She had kidney disease and I have been giving her fluids daily for more than a year. My sweet little friend will be missed.

Fast forward to Wednesday evening, I get a phone call that my Dad has been taken to the hospital. My Mom thinks that he has had a stroke. So, here I am, hoping that my day doesn't continue to spiral downwards. Hoping that my mother is wrong about the stroke. Hoping that my Dad is OK. Wishing that I was in AR with my family instead of PA. Please pray.

Sorry for the sad post. Maybe I will go serge some fabric to keep busy while I wait.

One step closer to sewing....

The order arrived from Fabric.com but the excited ended when I found a large piece of bright green synthetic instead of the white cotton lawn that I had ordered. Sigh...that was the second order this past week that had something wrong with it. Both companies has resent the orders.

Today, I decided to go ahead and trace some patterns. The first one I traced was the Cool Cardigan - Draped Front. I followed her directions and selecting a size and was very surprised at the size. I going to go ahead and try the size because it's just fabric and can be replace. Then discovered that the directions in the pattern were for a different pattern. ARGH! I sent Pamela an email to see if I could get the instructions emailed. On to another pattern. Next I traced Amy's skirt pattern by Silhouettes. This went extremely well. I need to dig through the stash and see what I have that will work as a muslin. Instructions are minimal but it doesn't look like it will be difficult at all.

Happy Sewing!

Still dreamin' of sewin'

No sewing going on yet but I did get the lining fabric for both of my skirts orders - a white lawn. I hope I picked the right fabric. I also ordered fabric to try the Draped Cardigans - Draped Front from Pamela's Patterns. Both should be here by the end of the week. This gives me a total of 4 projects to complete -- two skirts and two tops. Let's see if I can get them done this year. I really wanted to have a couple of items made before I left on my next trip but .... I guess I need to have a little more confidence in myself.

Did anyone see the Threads article "Flatlock for Fashion" by Pamela Leggett. I loved what she did with the flatlocking on her skirt and t-shirt patterns. I started playing with this stitch a couple of years ago and ran out of steam. I did accomplish making a blanket-stitch on a fleece throw. I was happy. Now, I will like to give this a try on a t-shirt. Let's see if I can make time to do this in the near future. I will admit that I hesitate to use too much of a thread contrast but let's see what I can come up with.

I found another goodie in the mailbox today..... Inspirations #70. I love getting this magazine and actually have every issue. I have made a few things from the magazine but I mostly drool over the pictures and think about ordering kits. Ok, I've opened it and the front cover is wonderful. It is crewel work.

Happy Sewing! (or in my case dreaming)

It's a dreary day but the mail came...

We are having a very dreary day in Pittsburgh. When I got home from work, the mailbox was packed with goodies and most of them were for me. How could I not smile and be happy? I received my orders from Silhouette Patterns today in record time. One order was placed on Tuesday evening and the other on Wednesday morning. The fabric is beautiful and the patterns I hope work out. I'm ready to start except I still need to get lining for the skirts. What patterns did I get? Amy's skirt (#2750) and Nancy's blouse (#450). It was a special that included fabric.

I also received a DVD - Achieving Great Fit Through Muslins. I want to learn to use my French curve. Oh, I use it but I don't think that I use it exactly the way it's suppose to be used. This is one of the items that Peggy has been going over. I realize that she is an "expert" in her field but I think finally understand the use of the French curve around the armhole, neckline, and the waistline. I had a major AHA moment the other night when she would working with the skirt webcast. So, here I am with sewing stuff piled around and I'm happy.

I was looking at the pattern instructions for both the top and the skirt. Wow! they are really minimal. However, neither item is particularly difficult and really shouldn't be hard to do. I think the hardest part will be figuring out the sizing on the top. I think I should get some inexpensive muslin and see what I can come with.

Happy Stitching!

Anyone watching Peggy Sager's webcasts?

Has anyone been watching the Peggy Sager's webcasts? I've been watching these over the last few weeks. Sometimes, I there live and sometimes, I have to watch the replays. Let me tell you, she makes everything seem easy about sewing. When I was watching the skirts webcast last night, I had a major aha moment. People were asking questions about sway back, skirt backs being shorter than the front, etc, etc. She whipped out the curve ruler and was explaining how to use it to adjust the pattern to fit our body. She made a comment about people expecting patterns to fit them right out of the package and that it just wasn't really possible because of the curves of the pattern would not necessarily match the curves of our bodies. Then, she said nobody waist is straight and don't expect it to be. She makes me want to sew for myself, again.

Yes, I am sitting here with a beautiful piece of voile to make a skirt. I realized after I washed it that I'm going to need another piece of voile to either line or make a matching slip. So, back to the internet I go. Fabric.com does have white voile cotton available. Now, I need to figure out how much to purchase.

If you haven't watched any of the webcasts, schedule an hour and treat yourself. It will be well worth the time.

Happy Sewing!