Sew Distracted

Sneak Peak

Here is a little peak at what is coming up in the sewing room:

These fabrics have all been washed although I am still in the process of pressing a few of them.

Today however, I think I shall spend what sewing time I find, perusing the new Vogue Patterns magazine and the new Fashion Sewing Group newsletter.

Kreativ Blogger

Oh My!

 

Pam who is the author of Off the Cuff Style, has awarded me the Kreativ Blogger award and I am completely thrilled and honored.  This seems especially amazing to me as I have felt lately that any creativity has been locked up in my head and I have not been the best blogger.  

I have been treading lightly around the cusp of creation lately and now I feel I must really allow myself to plunge right in.

Here are the rules:

1. Copy the award to your site.

2. Link to the person from you received the award.

3. Nominate 7 other bloggers.

4. Link to those on your blog.

5. Leave a message on the blogs you have nominated.

This award has been sweeping the sewing blogs the last couple of days, and I am a little late to the party.  There are so many blogs I enjoy that it is hard to choose just 7, and I shall try to choose 7 that have not been nominated multiple times, but then I am a little behind in my blog rounds as well. 

Shannon at Hungry Zombie Couture always has interesting things to say and inspires me to no end with the incredible number of marvelous things she turns out.  

Another blogger who completely awes me with the fabulous things she sews and knits, her amazing skills and her incredible generosity is Marji who writes the bog Fiber Arts Afloat, A Misnomer.  I still want to be able sew and knit like Marji when I grow up.

Or maybe I want to knit like May, over at May Studio.  I risk damaging my keyboard every time she posts a new creation because I can barely stop drooling.  She is a fabulous sewist also.

Continuing on with the knitting sewists, or is it sewing knitters? I only recently discovered Lisette's blog La Cubanita Cose.  Now I look forward to every new post and the wonderful things she creates for herself and her family.

Another new blog, to me at least, is Gry, whose blog, From The Stash, just blows me away with the marvelous things she creates.  She makes me look at the things I want to make in a different way.

Nancy creates beautiful quilts, sews fabulous bags, knits, and has a gorgeous garden among other things, which she shares in her blog Not So Fancy Nancy.  Her sense of color always thrills me and sometimes I go back and look at her posts over and over again.

And last, but by no means least is Sewing in the City, which always makes me smile. Fabulous clothes with a modern-retro sensibility and a talent for prints.  No wonder I keep coming back.  

There are all kinds of wonderful bloggers out there and I enjoy following so many.  I think we are all creative bloggers.

 

Please just finish something

Would that I had gotten my sewing room as organized as the sewing room closet, also known as home to the turtleneck collection, the sweater collection, and the boot collection as well as some fabric.   At some point during the summer I had shoved all the UFO's into that closet hoping to consolidate them and go through them, perhaps even finish a couple, but I haven't gotten to that yet. 

Now they are all on the cutting table, a mountain of reproach, a testament to dreams unrealized.  The weight of unfulfilled promise is crushing.

How can I begin something new when each new project gets started and abandoned, only adding to the pile of "could have beens". 

My short term goal is to finish a UFO (or more) a week.  And also to finish every new project I start.  I cannot add to the mountain of regret.

My determination has been strengthened by the completion of another project, albeit one that is non-sewing related with the exception of a few pattern drafting/alteration.  Who knew that pattern paper was so useful?

Presenting the new landing at the top of the basement stairs.  I take no responsibility for the landing, which was created by removing the door at the top of the stairs (edge by first blue step) and putting in a new door (out of sight at the bottom of the photograph). 

The floor however, is mine.

This is just a commercial-grade vinyl, left over from something else.  I had planned on glueing the vinyl down to an underlayment I asked the carpenter to intall after he ripped up the old carpet.

Somehow, in my distracted state  on Monday, with the carpenters, electrician, pest-control guy, and a very confused and unhappy Mr. Distracted, I managed to let the carpenter leave without putting down the 1/4" plywood.  He did trim the opening where the door had been very nicely with molding down to the yucky subfloor which was complete with a few holes.  Obviously it would not do.

After I got the DH calmed down from the hubub, and after dinner, I assessed the situation and realized that I could not put down the vinyl floor, that the stair-lift people were coming today to install the stair-lift, and I had a lot of work to do.

There was no way I would take up the molding, put in the floor and put the molding back, trimmed to size.  So I had to work around it.  Hence the table paper.  Since the landing wasn't square anyway, it proved handy.

I had feared that my skills with a saw and would not be adequate for cutting the plywood to the right size and shape. But I managed to get it in just perfectly,

I am most proud of those little notched corners around the opening to the once door.  Sometimes any finished project is a great boon to creativity, and there has been a severe shortage of completed projects, on any front -- home or personal -- the past few months.

Now to tackle those UFO's.  Well, perhaps I will sleep first.

State of the Projects

February is almost at an end and I seem to have made little progress in terms of fiberly ambitions.  I have done a great deal of thinking about what I wish to sew and knit and not enough actual sewing or knitting.  Well, there has been more knitting than sewing.

Still....
    The pile of UFO's remains constant.
    There is no evidence of stash reduction.

But I am having fun working on things.  Unfortunately no current project is near completion.

Here are a few peeks at what is currently in progress:

New Mail

Lots of new inspirations came in the mail:

This is more dream-mail than actual useful sewing information but that's fine by me.  We are actually out more than we are in this week and next so anything that fuels my virtual-sewing is loads of fun.

I do have a pattern pulled out (or three) and some fabric prepped and ready to go should any substantial piece of sewing time materialize.  In the meantime I have gotten the neckline finished on "Rage Management":

Now I just need to seam it up and re-block since I did a fair amount of ripping and re-knitting after the first blocking.  I had hoped to wear it tomorrow, but I think it will still be wet, especially as it is after noon and I haven't even started seaming and have no idea when I will be able to begin.

I also need to make some serious progress on deciding on my next project, making swatches and plans, and find something portable as there appears to be a fair amount of sitting-and-waiting time looming on the near horizon.

Bits, Pieces, and Unexpected Changes

Burda Tee: I am wearing the new tee today even though it would look much better with my gray pants.  Unfortunately both pairs of gray pants were at the cleaners and I did not think it appropriate to run there first and dress behind the press.  Also, I had to be out at 7:00 and my dry cleaner was not open at that hour.  So I wore black.  You don't get to see much of the tee:

When I attempted to take photos without the cardigan I ended up with a terrible chipmunk face so those photos have already been moved to the trash bin.  I don't know if I was shivering because I don't normally have that much of an overbite (it is cold and gray today) or it was just bad photographic karma. 

Anyway, you saw the detail photo yesterday.

I was dreaming about pattern alterations and this top last night and I came up with all kinds of simple and complicated schemes.  But when I woke up and looked at the top on me I realized that I messed up the top of the front sleeve piece, the one that forms the side piece along the shoulders.  I changed the angle of the sleeve cap where it meets the body of the shirt, I needed to change that to match the changes in the front pattern piece.  But I left the top of the sleeve the same so that the angle of the neckline relative to the sleeve was inadvertently changed.  When I changed the angle of one seam, I should have  changed the other one so that the relationship between the two seams was properly maintained.  Hopefully this is an easy fix.

I will be making more of this shirt, as I do like it, especially in its original shape, and it suits me right now to continue obsessing about a single pattern.  I am not usually this focused, once a pattern has been made once, I want to move on, but right now I like the familiarity of this pattern  and the idea of new tees.

Embroidered Tweed:  I decided that I am going to make the simple V-neck dress with the embroidery on the bottom.  I called Kashi today and he is sending some more fabric so that I will be certain to have enough, and more than likely, too much. But I have ideas about what to do with any excess as well.  You will have to wait until fall to find out what they may be.

Retirement:  Part of the reason that I am so content making one tee pattern over and over right now, and the reason that I find only a few minutes each day to sew, is that life has gone a little haywire on me of late.   Last Thursday G announced to the office that he was going to retire, effective the end of this week so I have lots and lots of work to do.  Although we stop doing our normal business this week, the office will be open for some time as I collect payments and close out the accounts receivable and so forth and so on.    I am already drowning in paper.  The staff will be working until mid April but that still leaves lots of work for me before and after they leave. Of course, eventually the books and the corporation will be closed and I will be unemployed retired as well.

Piles:  In anticipation of this retirement G has been cleaning out his office and has brought about 20 years worth of various financial and other records home for me to sort through as well as various other items he has saved up in the office over the years and we have piles of stuff everywhere.  Of course I have piles too.  I have the piles that constitute our income taxes which I am very late in doing this year (but which I must finish before the accountant comes on Thursday to discuss both our personal taxes and various corporate issues).  I also have the piles of shelving materials that arrived for me to set up my sewing room closet, and the pile which consists of paint which must be put on the wall before I build the shelving unit.  And there is all the piles of fabric that will occupy the sewing room closet when I am done.  They are currently in the guest room.  I expect guests on Monday.

The Unexpected:  This has all hit me at once because the unexpected occurred.  My darling G had his annual physical 2 weeks ago and learned he had a tumor in his lung.  The next week was filled with fear, trepidation, doctors visits, and eventually some relief, when we learned that the invader had not metastasized and there is hope for a surgical solution.  Now we are running around dealing with many tests and procedures in preparation (we hope) for surgery, for which no date has been settled.  What is settled is that something will happen, G will retire, and he can no longer keep it a secret from his family. 

I may be in and out of this blog, depending on my sewing, my general state of mind, and the time available.

need a new machine doctor

I finally took my Elna in to the shop today, although I am having qualms now that I have done so, and am wondering about the future.

When I first got the Elna, (and later my Baby Lock)long long ago, there was no local Elna dealer so I took it in to Crown Machine Service in NYC.  Usually, if it just needed cleaning or a minor adjustment I could drop it in the morning and they would have it back to me in the afternoon, providing me with an opportunity to shop or pursue other interests in NYC. 

Then we got  Amazing Threads, which sold yarn and  Elna Sewing Machines and they took very good care of my baby.  No more lugging the sewing machine on the train (I'm not complaining) and although I didn't get it back the same day, it was still pretty convenient.  But Amazing Threads was sold.  I had been informed that the same people were doing the machine service out of a fabric store on the far side of Kingston, so I took the machine there this morning.  Ends up they are just servicing the Elnas as a courtesy but don't really handle the machines.  Probably this is fine, it just needs a little cleaning and adjustment on the tension.  But I am feeling cautious -- I love this machine after all, even though I use the newer one more.  Well, let's see what happens and when I get it back, but in one mad moment of panic I almost ran back and snatched my machine.

Perhaps I will be hauling it down to NYC again, after all it is an easy subway ride from Crown Machine down to the garment district.

Of wrapping and cutting

I did finally finish cutting out the vest.  Despite my best intentions, and after announcing several times the night before that my first priority for the day was to do some cutting, I did not get started until 4:30.  I had hoped to cut before shoveling the snow, but various interruptions occurred and the day did not go as planned.

Well, what is new in that?  Nothing, nothing at all.

After the vest was cut and dinner was made, I was just too tired, and the back to sore to cut some more,  (that new cutting table is looking more and more attractive) and I have the vest and a sweater set cut so there is plenty to sew on right now.  Besides at the moment my sewing room is piled high with various Christmas gifts waiting to be wrapped (only a few more to ship), so sewing time may be limited to rather rare moments between holiday preparations.

I wrapped up the gifts for my nieces and their children so they can be shipped out on Monday:

The pot in the background is filled with vegetarian vegetable stock that I had just finished making.  This one was based on winter squash and leeks, along with miscellaneous vegetable trimmings and spices.  The Christmas preparations have begun, along with some menu planning and recipe alteration to accommodate the preferences of my vegan 2-step-granddaughter, who is expected to be joining us. (step-daughter's step-daughter).  There will be plenty of choices for the more carnivorous minded as well.  I have never been known for having a shortage of food on the table or in the pantry.

A few projects in the works

I've finally gotten a little bit of steam up on the sewing front and have to thank you for putting up with me through the sewing slump that has been going on here lately.

I managed to spend some of the weekend on future projects, no sewing yet, just pattern work and cutting out but that is always a significant part of every job.

I made some alterations to the Fashion Sewing Group 1960 sweater set, not much, a small alteration to the shoulder line, and lengthening the top and short cardigan by 2 inches.  I had notes written on the pattern, which I had used, making adjustments on the fly as I cut, but that is always a dangerous path.  The day will come when I will read the note to lengthen and cut three pieces correctly and one wrong.  New pattern pieces are such a joy.

Of course after I altered the pattern I cut some fabric to sew up, a periwinkle cotton knit, very finely ribbed.  This will actually replace the periwinkle sweater set I made in the spring for the cruise.  I love the set but it has not held up well, less well than the other garments made from that same batch of fabrics.  I am inclined to think this is due to the severe biasing that I found in the piece of periwinkle that I used for the sweater set.  I was able to grain it up, but both pieces have to be seriously re-blocked every time they are washed.  Somehow the fabric has not worn well, probably due to the harsh treatment it must be given to make it look good.  Anyway, I will be happy to have a replacement.

I also finally finished the pattern for George's vest.  Where I had left it off, I had fitted the last muslin and pinned a couple of small alterations, telling myself "this will be easy, I'll remember what these pins mean".  Of course that assumption was based on the thought that I would mark the patterns soon; it has been a month and I looked at that muslin and wondered what the hell I was doing. 

I had to have George try the muslin on again when all became quite clear.  I then had to cut apart the muslin, transfer the markings to the last pattern draft.  Redraft the pattern to include all the new alterations and then alter the lining pieces to match.  It doesn't sound like much but it took me a significant chunk of the day on Sunday.

I am ready to cut again, first George's vest, and then a skirt I want to just whip out.  Now the problem is finding the time.  My plans to squeeze in some cutting time today were sadly misguided as It is nearly 10 and I have not gotten nearly as much done as I planned.  I could try cutting tonight, but considering that I messed up a couple of rows of Tesla at knitting,  burnt the potatoes and forgot to open the wine so I could deglaze the pan for the sauce for the Tournedos until after they were cooked, and then spilled my glass of wine all over the table, I think it is better that I stay away from scissors and all projects that require thought and planning for the rest of the evening.

LOST

Look over there, see that flash of color moving at the speed of light?  See the whirlwind of flying debris?  Books, papers, yarn, fabric; it all goes flying, spinning, unleashed in a powerful storm.  Is it a whirling dervish invading our house?  No?  Hear the stream of invective, the mutters and curses and crazy conversations?  Is it the Madwoman of Chaillot?    Do you hear the banging and clanging as furniture is upended, objects are hurled, stamping feet pounding on the floor?  Is it an escaped herd of elephants?

No it is simply Mardel.  She has lost a piece of her pattern. 

This is not the first item lost in the last two days:

First it was the double pointed needle, the precious ebony one that was being used on Tesla.  Five were in formation, working away.  The phone rang, the knitting was laid down, and upon her return Mardel found the fifth needle had gone AWOL, escaping silently into the house unseen.  Where could it have gone... only 20 feet had been traversed.  The needle was no where in between.  Under the cushions, inside the knitting bag, on the table?  No needle. In the coffee canister?  The fact that on one opened the coffee canister is irrelevant – we know the ways of missing knitting needles – anything is possible.  Despair...and then --Triumph.  Lost needle found, right in the middle of the floor, taunting its half-crazed mistress.

Next it was the coffee cup, freshly filled with steaming hot coffee.  How can anyone lose a coffee cup?  It’s not small like a double-pointed needle and yet lost it was.   A good half-hour was lost searching all the possible locales.  Bedroom, bath, office, desk, ironing board, washing machine, bookcase?  Where oh where could the coffee cup be?  On the table at the Husband’s spot.  Of course it was overlooked, it was assumed to be the husband’s coffee, that which has been tainted with sugar.  But it was not, tainted that is, and all was once again well with the world, well, almost.

For there our poor hapless heroine sat, coffee nestled between her hands, savoring the aroma and the flavor of warm coffee, when a flash of gray went by, a flash of gray trailing a gray thread with a touch of metallic glint.  Tabasco had taken advantage of the general mayhem to indulge her catly nature and had absconded with the Tesla sleeve.  Upon retrieval, all the stitches were intact upon 4 needles and the fifth needle had gone missing, yet again. Probably a different needle this time, more successful in “breaking out”.

This needle has remained lost.  It may resurface someday, perhaps unearthed by archeologists many hundreds of years from now, archeologists who will wonder about the many uses of double-pointed needles based on the many varied and obscure locales in which they are found.

Tesla had to be finished with one bamboo needle; bamboo, which clung to the cotton bits and made the knitting slow and tedious, but the knitting was completed anyway, despite adversity.

And this is where we find our heroine, driven mad by yet another disappearance, this time a critical piece of a pattern, a pattern “That must be made” not because any higher being has so decreed it, but because our heroine has deemed it so.

She recollects that she had seen the missing pattern piece, the neck band to a favorite top, the Fashion Sewing Group 1960 sweater set, which she was determined to make.  At the time, it had been most notably out of place.  She had reminded herself that it should put it away immediately and had thought that she had done so.  And yet, a sneaking part of her brain recalls that she might, just might,  have neglected her duties, saying “where can it go?  I shall put it away later.”  Oh procrastination, hand-maiden of the devil.  The piece is lost, never to be found again, at least not when it is needed.  The cutting will have to proceed in the probably blind hope that it will resurface in a timely manner.