I have finally cut the outer fabric for George’s vest:
First I thread-traced all the seams, marked the darts and put in tailor’s tacks as necessary. I used to just put tacks along the seam line every few inches, but it seems that I am much more distracted now than I was when I was younger, so I spend a little more time on prep now, hoping to save myself more gray hairs later.
Although with quick projects for me I often just trace with pastels, which I can get in a wide variety of colors to blend in with any fabric, for a more detailed project on really good fabric like this cashmere and wool, thread tracing seems more appropriate.
It always seems to take forever. The kitchen island, which is my cutting table until I get my sewing room reorganized with new shelving and a new layout, is a little low even though it is a couple of inches higher than standard counter height. By the end of the marking my back was sore, and the difference in my stitches is quite noticeable. I must admit it is better than the floor, which was my main cutting table for many years.
I always love looking at the pattern pieces on the fabric after the pattern has been lifted but before cutting. It seems so full of promise:
After cutting; right front, wrong side;
Right front, right side with darts and pocket placement marked:
The back piece and lining are still to be cut. I spent more time yesterday working on the sewing room than actually working on a sewing project. I had piled up magazines and books and was out of space on the shelves. More shelves are in the plans, and I know The Husband would jump right in and build something for me, but then we already had one go-round of the old “form vs function” argument this weekend and I am loathe to begin another. I am far more willing to wait and get what I want eventually rather than spend time and money on something which works but does not please.
Besides I need some control of my accumulated STUFF. Eventually I plan on moving the cookbooks out of the sewing/knitting/fiber room, and I had to move some of them this weekend even though there is not yet shelving to accomplish this. Unfortunately several projects are in line ahead of the bookshelves. The cookbooks are now stacked on the floor along one wall of the guest room. Hopefully mom will survive this over the Christmas Holidays – more to entertain herself with.
Here are the finished shelves with periodicals and knitting books on the lower two shelves, sewing books occupying half of the shelf above, with the remaining cookbooks. A few leftovers are stacked up with the interfacing and other miscellaneous items.
