Not quilting

No quilting for me lately.   I've been hand stitching all the pleats on this cocktail dress for my 30th class reunion.

Unfortunately, things did not work out quite like I planned and it is unfolding to be a sheer mumu.

It won't be sexy, but it will be comfortable.

My hubby gets time off for good behavior.  I'm going to the events with my gradeschool BFF Rob.  This is us from the 3rd grade class photo.

I bought this to wear to the mixer.  Rob is also planning on plaid so we can have a proper reunion photo.

And my other reason for not quilting, is that I've been doing this.  With more on the horizon. 6 days on the bike and not a single fabric store.  OMG.  What is the world coming to????

Sewing Clothing

Can I start by complaining that sewing 3-dimensional objects is unreasonably difficult.

I finally managed to make a basic tank top pattern that fits my curves and hides my bra.

It took several hours and many tries.

It started with my favorite bra.  A Victoria's Secret that has an option to hook the straps together at the center back.

And in case you are wondering.... it's being modeled by Bertha Belle.   I followed some on-line directions on how to make a personalized dress form with duct tape.   I was later offered a free dress form, so the duct tape one is over the real one, picking up some of my lumps and bumps, but not really an accurate representation.

This dress is a RTW that is one of my favorite knit dresses.  It nearly covers the bra and is loose and comfortable.

So last night I had it and my custom woven tank dress pattern laid out, trying to figure out how to combine the best of each for a nude knit under-layer for my Class Reunion dress.

At this point I opted for another glass of wine and bed.

This morning I started drafting a pattern.  I took the t-shirt pattern I nearly perfected last year, the tank dress pattern that fits pretty well, and my best prediction of the distance and angles representing adaptations to match the bra configuration. Then I pinned it on Bertha, added some lines and then drew out a pattern.

I volunteered an old t-shirt for the job.

The neck line was close, but still too wide at the shoulders.

The underarm was a complete mess!!!!

Too much fabric.

Too flared.

Just plain awful.

And the back in no way covers the bra.

$#&@@#**$*(#&*%#

Next round of correction attempts included taking 1" off the back straps, removing a 1"  wedge from the underarm on the back.

The problem with the front is completely about the boobs.  I learned to sew when I was a 34 A.  I am now a 38 C.  After a half dozen other attempts, I concluded that this was only ever going to work with a dart.

A second t-shirt was called into service.
I made a series of changes to the pattern and tried again.
There was one post sewing adaptation to get the underarm seam even.

I may try making the dart a little shorter so it's less noticeable.

That 2" is critical to a form fitting design.

 I also ended up raising the back neck-line to cover the bra.

And, here it is on my real body.
Clearly, I need to pump up Bertha's hips to match mine.

Hmmmm... what's with those wrinkles?

Looks like I might want to add some bootie volume.

But the arm-pit / boob issue is a success!

Wait?  how can the shirt look even across the front with the straight on view, but rise up from the side?

Ug.  I hate 3-D sewing.

Wed WIP 6-11-14

Last weekend I finished UFO #6 for the year.  I know that should be a point for celebration, but instead it's time to decide where to put my next focus.   Things are never as simple as they appear.  This photo represents my dilemma.
1) Seasonal:  My cherries are ripe.  I should be picking them instead of making this post.  My garden needs a lot of attention, more than I have time to give to it.  I would at least like to give priority to growing food, and will let the neighbors judge me by my poor weeding attitude.
2) Events:  3 major events over the next month will be altering my plan from normal.
A) 30th Class reunion.  This involves time off from work, travel, and a wardrobe I've been planning for months but haven't started sewing (or buying).   I'm only behind on outfits for the 2 main events, a formal dance and a Turkey Trot.  It's Idaho.  That's code for a cowboy themed cocktail party.  (Sorry, I don't make this stuff up, just report on it.)  Good news is that the logistics are all worked out, and I guess I could always show up in flip-flops and cut-off jeans.
B) Ride: A 6 day long distance motorcycle ride with the Motorcycle Club.  Last week I took my longest single day ride (350 miles) and started to panic.  I ordered an extra set of pegs for a 3rd foot position on my highway bars that arrived today.  I also ordered (not pictured) a USB port charger that fits on my battery tender wiring so I can charge my phone and music while I ride.  I ordered it on Amazon and needed 1 more thing to push me over to free shipping.  Thus the Aunt Millie's Garden pattern that was on my "wish list".  Now it's just another Bright Shiny Object to distract me from the UFO list.
C) Drama:   I have a 20 year old daughter.  That is probably a complete story without details.  Short version is that the latest transition involves the end of a boyfriend, moving out of an apartment, and moving with a (girl) friend hopefully closer to work.  Bad news is that there is at least a 2 week gap in which her stuff and self will be with us.  Sewing room becomes a guest room and garage a storage area.  Happy to help.  Hopeful it really goes as planned.
3) Projects:  With all of the above, I'm trying to think about all low volume hand work projects.  The "bad mustache frowny face or masked man evil eyebrows" (depending on the angle) project on the bottom right is actually the June block from the Benjamin Biggs Quiltalong.  This is one of the few projects I consider a legitimate WIP as compared to a UFO.  I'm keeping up! (ish).  OK, there are some missing buds.  Don't judge.  I'm thinking about transitioning the Esther Aliu Love Entwined to a baby quilt.  Sorry.  I get excited about certain aspects of her projects then wander off distracted by more bright shiny objects.  May move this up the queue just to remove it from the WIP list.  I'm also considering dropping the William Morris Quilted Skirt from the plan, considering it a "proof of concept" project and turning it into a rather dull baby quilt.  (grey??? maybe with some fuchia or teal).

Groom's Quilt

A while ago I started a new tradition of a "Groom's Quilt".  A quilt made in a style and color that the bride will like, but completely for the purpose of use by the Groom, because "We know you will be sleeping on the couch".    If things don't work out....the groom gets the quilt in the divorce settlement.

As I was preparing this post, I wondered if this is Universal.  I need my international blog friends to weigh in.  Culturally in the USA, if a male spouse does something "wrong" he may find himself banished to the couch instead of the shared matrimonial bed.

The back

With a alien looking in on the process.  Oh, I guess that was my shadow.

Close up of the machine quilting.   I had plans for filling those half hexis with feathers, but decided that this was enough quilting for it's purpose.

Much Love and Happiness Angel and Leo.  (Mr & Mrs Taz)

Always Room

I'm spending less time at the machine, and more time on the road.   I know that I swore of "recreational fabric shopping" for the year... but technically, this was a birthday gift.  For me.  And I caught up with the rest of the group shortly after the first round of drinks was delivered.  Thanks Quilts Plus in Halfway, OR for the photo op.

Doing VS Done

I thought I was going to get SOOO much done this weekend.  A wedding got cancelled on short notice, saving me 8 hours of travel time in addition to the festivities and visiting.  

I finished the last 3 cherries on the March Benjamin Biggs block. 

And the April block. 

Moments ago, my version of the May block center was finished.   

I need to go back and add the corner flowers to all 3 blocks before they are actually done. 

One evening during last week I finished up the straight line quilting on the Puce 'Treuse Goose. 

Today's goal was FMQ on the outer 2 borders. 

Here's the quilting from the back.  Feathers and a feathery swirl.

I was trying to use up thread from the stash but each time I'd change thread the tension would get messed up.   It was worth $8 and a trip to the store to get a couple spools of threads that were the same brand and weight so my machine would behave.  

I did a couple of the practice blocks for the Fall Stripes UFO as warm up.  I still think my FMQ looks realy wobbly, but I'm gaining skills and confidence.

Friday was an all day continuing ed conference.  Fortunately I took extra needles and thimble and managed to talk Megan into helping me stitch.  

That turned into 80 squares - now pressed and ready to trim.   Sitting next to my bias binding (made and pressed)  for the Puce Treuse Goose ready to sew on. 

I also managed to putter in the garden some. 

Entertained a house guest.

And tried to take a motorcycle ride, which got aborted due to rain and instead turned into a Saturday afternoon nap.  

So, I'm not DONE with anything, but I've been DOING a lot.

UFO 25

The good news is that I finished another flimsy.  The bad news is that it's still a UFO.

This one evolved.  I'm not sure if I like the placement of the hexi blocks.  And the fact that I carefully placed different white-on-white fabrics for the adjoining hexies is totally lost unless you are a couple feet away.  On the other hand, I am pleased with the weird random stripe that used up some non-paired half hexies.  And I like the little bits of yellow. The black on the far left was from the stash and works pefectly with the other fabrics.   I have a black/white/yellow print I'll use for the back and will bind it with the same yellow that I added to the front.

My quilt projects are not getting done as fast as I would like.

Preventing scurvy:  and afternoon date with the hubby.

Beet sandwich at my neighbor's new restaurant.

Elder daughter giving me my first professional gel manicure.  Granted I could have done it myself at home for a fraction of the price.... but sometimes you have to pay to keep the child gainfully employed.


 On the other hand, spending time with friends and family is totally worth it.