I’ve Joined the Fun – 12 in 12 in 2011

12 Jackets in 12 Months. Too bad we’re one year shy of 2012! It’d be more fun to be 12 in 12 in 12. Ah well.

Many of the sticher’s of Sticher’s Guild have been inspired by Gigi, who sewed 13 jackets in 2010 (so far – there are two days left and this woman just may surprise us with a 14th!). Be sure you click the link to see Gigi’s wonderful collection.

I don’t know if I’ll meet the stated goal, being a new sewist. But I do aim to make at least a few jackets. And that’s okay because there are no contracts to sign and no obligations to meet. This is not a contest like the SWAP. This is simply a joint effort to get to know and sew jackets. Anyone can join at any time, so if you feel inspired, come and join us!

I have no need for blazers or fitted jackets. I enjoy less structure in my jackets and, since I live a casual lifestyle, something a bit funky might be nice. But not too funky so that I look ridiculous!

I have a head start with my Grey Wool Coat (and since there are no rules, I am counting a coat made just a couple of weeks ago towards my 2011 goals). The coat is not quite finished: I bought shoulder pads yesterday and hope that inserting them will finalize the shoulders and fix the way it hangs.

I have several patterns from which to choose my next effort. Yesterday I bought 3 new jacket patterns. I do have several others – many others – but nothing calling my name thus far.

McCall’s 9576 calls for something bulky and warm. I don’t have anything suitable in my collection and I’m not sure I’m ready for the challenge of bulk just yet.

McCall’s 6208 claims to be easy. I bought it for View D, a vest. I’m not sure I like the sleeved jackets for me.

Kwik Sew 3095 looks to be the winning contender. I like the seam detail and the pockets and side slit. It’ll be difficult to decide on one over the other – pockets or slits. It looks a bit boxy, but I’m okay with that for this particular coat.

My husband has this week off work and we are officially on a “staycation” so I’m refraining my impulse to spend hours in the sewing room in favor of spending quality time with him. I’ll have plenty of time next week to sew. There’s no rush to start the next project. I’ve learned the lesson well: slow and steady.

This week, even though I’ve been ill with a sinus infection (dang!), we’ve attempted to go out and do something fun daily. Yesterday we went to an hour away to the nearest non-quilt sewing store where I picked up the above patterns, shoulder pads, and a few yards of fabric on sale. And for him, we stopped at a Lexus dealership for a test drive as the lease on his work vehicle is coming due soon and he needs to finalize his choice for the next vehicle. He kept the visit short and sweet, if you want to call an hour at a car dealership short.

Meanwhile, I can prepare fabric and finalize my choices so that when next week rolls around, I’ll be ready to sew.

Weaving

What a wonderful weaving of the Old into the New.

From the Old....

Micah 5:2 But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.

Isaiah 9:5 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom,establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.


Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men: a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.

Isaiah 50:6 He gave his back to the smiters, and his cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: he hid not hit face from shame and spitting.

Isaiah 53:4,5 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, And with His stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:8b He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of thy people was He stricken.

Psalm 16:10 But thous didst not leave his soul in hell; neither didst thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption.

Zechariah 12:10 "I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.

Weaving with the New. You know the His-Story.

I am a Jew, a descendant daughter of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I know of Whom these Old Testament Prophets fore-spoke. Surely you do too?

O Come O Come Immanuel like you've never heard it before.

[Edited to update embedded link which was not working when I first posted.]

Year End 2010

Sewing in 2010 what a huge blessing!

I had learning seasons
And then there were productive ones

I've become a Necchi collector
There's just something about taking a worn out, dusty, rusty, frozen, unappreciated machine and redeeming it (sounds like my life - anyone else relate?)

I had disappointments (I looked over my wader pile last week, sigh)
I have had encouragements

Stitcher's Guild has been my A-Number One teacher
Other teachers are the many generous blogsters who post tutorials, photo and video
And everyone who posts photos on the forum or in their blogs are fodder for inspiration

I have purged my wardrobe (and my possessions)
I have gone on vacations where the majority of my wardrobe has been me-made

I have printed patterns from Russia
When Lekala offered them in my size for free (yay!)

I have sewn in my jammies but I have not sewn jammies
Or any other unmentionables but bra-seamstresses amaze me!

I have gone on a fabric spree at the garment district in NYC
And shopped black Friday (okay, it was Saturday) at G Street in Rockville

I am developing preferences for finer fabric (less is more)
And have chosen to slow down and be more deliberate in design and construction

I have beaded
I have fringed
I have top stitched
I have made fabric flowers
I have made a front fly (which came out backwards, but ah, well)

I have made:
17 skirts
20 tops
2 jackets
3 cardigans
1 hooded sweatshirt
3 cozy satchels for my neighbor's sugar glider (google them)

2011 - Goals
I plan to make 12 jackets in 2011 with the Jacket-a-month sew-along at Stitcher's Guild
Even though I'm experiencing a set back with a wrong-sized pattern (reminding myself that this is a minor setback)

I plan to figure out my shoulders
Do they slope?
Do I have a broad back?
Just how forward are they?

I also hope to leave more comments on your blogs instead of merely thinking about them
So if you are thinking about a comment now, please leave it! Smile.