2010 is Here

I wrote this the first week of January and became frustrated with a slow computer - which has now been replaced (yeah!) and frustrated with posting photos to the blog. Am I doing something wrong? When I upload a photo, it appears at the top of my entry and I must drag, drag, drag it to where I want it. Soooo time consuming.

Anyway, today I will conquer the aggravation.

Twenty-ten.
Such an awe-inspiring number. It brings me hope.
Just imagine if we were marking ten-twenty....
My times are in His hands, as the Psalmist says (31:15).

I have been sewing.
Sewing and learning.
Making some wearable garments.
Some not so wearable.

I have been sewing.
Sewing and learning.
Making some wearable garments.
Some not-so-wearable.
I'm identifying a style of comfort.
I wrote this the first week of January and became frustrated with a slow computer - which has now been replaced (yeah!) and frustrated with posting photos to the blog. Am I doing something wrong? When I upload a photo, it appears at the top of my entry and I must drag, drag, drag it to where I want it. Soooo time consuming.

Anyway, today I will conquer the aggravation.

Twenty-ten.
Such an awe-inspiring number. It brings me hope.
Just imagine if we were marking ten-twenty....
My times are in His hands, as the Psalmist says (31:15).

I have been sewing.
Sewing and learning.
Making some wearable garments.
Some not-so-wearable.
I'm identifying a style of comfort.

I like blogs with pictures.
Pictures and tutorials.
At least I can supply pics!

Fabrics wonderful fabrics!
These are a few of my acquisitions.

October Acquisitions from Fabric Mart(Left to right)

Vera Wang burnt orange jersey knit.
I like the color, not so much the fabric. I tried to draft a cowl neck top using online tutorials, but the cowl didn't drape enough even after two attempts (one on a different top/fabric). I'll rework the neckline to make a sleeveless top for spring so the shirt will not become a wadder.

Cocoa Linen.

Waiting for a project. Perhaps a vest, view B (bottom, right).










Eggshell Poly Blend Ponte Knit
I worked this into a plain, but very versatile sleeveless shell as well as the top in the photo below.

Ralph Lauren Wool Cashmere Angora Weave.
I made this into a tunic [Butterick 5100]. This pattern calls for knit fabric, but I figured that with the generous neckline opening and simple shape, I could easily slip it over my head without a zipper if I added a little bit of extra ease. I added too much width and ended up cutting two inches off the front and back to make it look less like a potato sack. It still slides on easily.

I'm finding this wool sheds a bit and has been pilling. Nonetheless, it is my warmest, go-to outfit of this very cold season and the shedding is less noticeable if I wear a dark turtleneck instead of a light shirt.

I did not line the tunic because I wanted the warmth of the wool close to my body. And with this bitterly cold winter, it turned out being a wise choice! I cut a faux-suede trim for the neckline binding (instead of creating a facing) which turned out a little wonky. I should unpick it and hand-stitch it down.

Notice the scarf? I hand roll-hemmed this piece of yardage to make a wearable scarf. I love the rich colors.

I made the three major pieces of this outfit worn Christmas Day. (And I was sooo comfortable!)

With this order from Fabric Mart came a complimentary "Mystery Bundle" of approximately 10 yards of material (shown below). The fabrics are lovely but I'm not sure they will be added to my wardrobe. Perhaps some can be used for embellishment. Perhaps summer time will inspire me to wear a pink/circled skirt or purple - - - purple - - - purple tank, perhaps? The multi-colored fabric is quite puzzling. I think it needs to be drapes. In someone else's home.

Visits to family in the DC area over both Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays,

meant shopping the sales a G Street!

Thanksgiving Acquisitions from G Street

Brown Corduroy with black undertones. I made a lined skirt. [McCall's 3341].

Not pictured are pieces bought for lining and a couple of lengths of wool they had listed as "skirt lengths" for $6 each.

I also scrounged among their remnants for pieces I can use as embellishment and came home with a few goodies.

Christmas Acquisitions from G Street
(The three on the left were from the "Back Wall.")

Awaiting transformation....
The patterned fabric is a stretch poly of some sort. It has a diamond weave texture which makes it quite interesting. I imagine tank and short sleeve tops and/or using this as an embellishment for cuffs and neckline.

The black fabric - quite black though not showing that way in this photo) and red fabric are also poly with interesting textures. I imagine making the red into a princess-lined sheath with 3/4 length sleeves, pattern number[New Look 6909] . I need to learn the technique for altering an FBA into the princess seams.

The brown/black wool is darker than in the photo. I adore this fabric, but it was precious (even with 40% off) so I only bought 1 1/4 yards (cut generously because there was a 4 x 6 inch sample previously cut - don't you love that?). I'll most likely turn this into another warm tunic, this time with a zipper because there is much less give than in the Ralph Lauren wool above.

Acquiring a Style
My style.
Discovering what makes me feel comfortable both in comfort and beauty.

• My style is classic, though not restrictive in movement.
• I have no need to wear suits at this stage in life, but I love unstructured jackets and adore skirts.
• I'm wearing my skirts shorter because they look better than the longer ones I am used to wearing, but I do miss long, floppy, comfy ones (which I think make me look frumpy).
• I find I like solid, but textured, fabrics. I imagine making them up with a touch of embellishment or interesting seaming.

I haven't joined the Stitcher's Guild SWAP (sewing with a plan) but I have a mini-wardrobe planned for spring:

• two skirts
  
• coordinating jacket (or two)
• sweater set (cardigan with matching shell)
• tops
• linen vest

I am LOVING this sewing adventure and thank the many many bloggers who post tutorials and photo journals of their work. Your work has inspired and encouraged me!

Here's to 2010!

*Fonts are unresponsive. I typed the wonky sections over in my chosen font - but lost the formatting after editing out a strange triplicate posting of the content. Ack. I think I need to find a more user-friendly blog site.