Happy 2017!

I know unlike a lot of bloggers, I don't have hundreds of followers, and I have let this blog lie fallow for far too long. I hope to change the blogging frequency in this upcoming year! Retiring is good, but retiring and moving 1200 miles away to a home that has been occupied by a very messy man and a dog for almost two years takes some doing! Lots of time has been spent in organizing, but much remains to be done!

Our big dog went to heaven this year, and we got a tiny puppy a month later. Found her on Craigs' list as her former owner couldn't keep her. She was 12 weeks old, and her name is Baby. I'm in love, but I had forgotten after 13 years how much work a puppy really is! She's adorable though. A Maltese-Poodle mix, and at this writing about 7 1/2 pounds. She's about six months old, and will probably be less than 10 pounds at maturity. Here's a pic a few days after we got here. Who could resist?

I am settling in and adapting to a very different area, lifestyle, and climate. We've had our ups and downs over the last few months as we become accustomed to living together again after 1 3/4 years apart. I think it's getting better, but we still have our days where  our backs get up and it takes a bit to settle down. IMO, that's just marriage though. We have a great partnership with different sets of skills so we each bring something to the mix.

I lived in California for the first 69 1/2 years of my life and moving to Southwestern New Mexico has broadened my horizons quite a bit. For one thing, there are actually seasons here that are as distinct from one another as anywhere else, but are also very different from other areas. We are having a rainy New Year's day, which is much needed and wanted by all. Living in the desert, rain is always welcome, but you do have to adapt.

For 2017, we are hoping to do a lot of exploring of our new environs. There is a huge amount of history in the area, and many things to see and do. I will be having a few surgeries that I hope to be inconsequential other than to improve my life. One for cataracts which I have been told isn't bad at all, and another for a knee replacement which will require more recuperation time and more work, but that all promise to make my life much better.

In addition, I'm hoping to sew every day, (SWAP 2017 is underway) try to exercise more, eat better, and continue to eliminate the excess weight I've accumulated over the last ten years or so. Hope to make some new sewing friends in the area too.

We have 2 acres of mostly dirt and weeds right now, and the plan is to gradually grow at least most of our own food. I'll start with a plot between the fruit trees we planted last fall and the roses Dale brought with him to make me happy. Because I haven't been able to do much due to mobility issues, it looks pretty bad at the moment, with weeds everywhere.

Here's a mostly before pic of the front southeastern corner:

If you look closely, you may be able to see my fruit trees in the background. We planted two each of pear, apricot, and peach trees in September. We also planted four shade trees, but need many more before we're done. We have an existing fig tree we thought was dead that came back to life, a couple of pecans, one fig we brought from California, and a pomegranate we brought from California. Everything seems to be doing well. 

Once the chance of freezing is over, I'll be out on my "new to us" tractor and rototiller getting the garden beds ready for the first plantings. I want to grow everything! LOL Dale is still fighting me over getting chickens, but I think (or hope) that they are eventually going to arrive too.

I've started my SWAP with a very old pattern for a baseball jacket that I'd made back in the 90's and loved. I still have it and another 10 pounds or so and it will become a regular part of my rotation. In the meantime, I've learned a bit more about fitting, and have done a narrow shoulder alteration and a FBA, which will make a big difference. I have a navy with a teal polka dot corduroy fabric and I'm hoping for a great jacket when this one is done. Here's a picture of the pattern. I'm doing View C. 

Well, once again, I'm wishing you all a fabulous 2017 filled with fun, joy, health and prosperity!

It's been a long, long, time!

As I began thinking about this post, the song by Harry James from 1945, "It's been a long, long, time" keeps running through my head.

It's been a fairly significant and interesting year to put it mildly. As noted in my March post, I was rear-ended when I was stopped in traffic. I didn't think it was a big deal, but it turned out to be fairly significant with months and months of treatments. I'm over the worst, and moving forward.

July 15, I finally retired. Woo Hoo! I spent the next few weeks packing, and on April 27, Dale came and we loaded a 22' truck, put my car on a trailer and headed for "home." We arrived in Las Cruces, New Mexico on Monday August 4. Having never lived outside the State of California, this is a big change for me. So far, I'm in love, albeit semi-overwhelmed with all of the work before me.

Much has been completed on our "new" home, but much remains to be done. I have boxes piled floor to ceiling in my future studio, that all need to be unpacked and places found for all my things. Here's an idea of what it looked like this morning: There will need to be some significant cabinetry added in the kitchen, which currently has original 1935 cabinets and old, worn, and horrid Formica counter tops. A new range is in the offing, hopefully sooner rather than later. Thank goodness, Dale  is a retired Contractor, and an amazing finish carpenter among other things. 

The studio currently has a stained concrete floor, and a new electrical panel sufficient to run a HVAC system and my sewing equipment. Other than that, it's raw, but will be done, hopefully before the end of this year so I can get it set up in time for SWAP 2017. 

12' X 28' space with walkways. EEEK!

And that doesn't even include all of the boxes in the house. First things, first though. I took my machines in to be cleaned and serviced because I know how badly they can get out of time on a move like this. I don't have a sewing room set up yet, but I will have my machines ready to go as soon as I do, and may just start doing things as soon as I get a corner cleared. Between now and the time the studio is completed, the spare bedroom will be used as a sewing spot. 

My eldest granddaughter has an order in for an apron for her birthday, which is coming up this week, and then I'll really be getting time to sew when I want to. Retirement is a wonderful thing, as I will be able to do what I want, when I want to do it. Hooray! 

I am already finding (despite all there is to do around here!) that letting go of work stress is having a wonderful effect on my mental state as well as my body. I have much less joint pain along with the move, am eating more healthy, and hope as I move forward into my new life to have many other positive outcomes. 

I did figure out that when going from an elevation of about 15 feet above sea level to 3,900 feet plus that you need to take it a bit easier than you have been. I can't do as much in the same amount of time as I could in Fairfield. Luckily, I am not too worried about getting things done immediately. 

I'm doing a little gardening, a little unpacking, a lot of cleaning, and some naps! Hopefully I will get this blog going on a more regular basis as I have the time to sew and think about what I'm doing.  I have a fairly large list of Craftsy classes to complete, and I have the Bootstraps fashion basic pattern that I want to fit so I know what alterations I will need for their pattern drafts. 

As I was writing a note to my friend this morning, I realized that I feel such a sense of peace here, it’s amazing. The energy of the place seems to me to be calm and accepting of all things. It’s beautiful with an ever changing display of God’s handiwork, and so very different from California. This was a shot I took Friday as I was leaving the Motor Vehicles Department. Those are the Organ Mountains in the distance, and the typical daily, ever changing, cloud show.

I am reminded of the New Mexican state flag and the symbolism behind it whenever I contemplate the nature of this land. I’m going to be working to fulfill the promise… a strong body, a clear mind, a pure spirit, and a devotion to the welfare of others! http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/new-mexico/state-flag/flag-new-mexico

Hopefully this post will find you all well and enjoying your summer with many enjoyable pursuits, sewing and otherwise. 

I love this one!

I had my doubts about how the ubiquitous waterfall cardigan would look on my short and plentiful curves, but I may be over them.

What's not to love? Easy and quick to sew, easy to wear, comfortable, and dresses up the basics. Can be worn with anything from jeans to a dress.

I used Simplicity 1920, View B. The only alterations made were to move the shoulder point forward 1" tapering to zero at the neckline. I did leave the tabs off the sleeves, and the elastic out of the back waist. The sleeves are supposed to be 3/4 or 7/8 inch. On me they're bracelet length, and that works just fine.

The fabric is a luscious designer ponte from Marcy Tilton. I think it's out right now, but it was the Vreeland Navy Designer Ponte. I bought the fabric in August of 2014. You've seen it before in Barb pants, and I made a simple A line skirt out of it too. I think this took about 3 yards, and was complete in a few hours.

I'm expecting it to be a workhouse in my wardrobe and it's already in rotation. Without further ado:

Next up will be a navy and gray abstract rayon jersey tee. Hopefully completed soon!

Hope your sewing is progressing! 

And the beat goes on...or life gives you a wake up call when you think everything is perfect!

I started this blog post back on January 13, and anticipated I'd have the blouse done in a week or two. I intended to use the pattern as my grey long sleeved blouse out of a nice rayon paisley print. But before I cut into the “good stuff” I wanted to do a muslin and see if it was going to be possible to make it into something wearable for me. This was my second garment for my 2016 SWAP.

 I’m tracing off the pattern, and then will do what I know I have to on alterations before I go any further. It’s McCall's 6436 and I think it’s what I want. I’m trying View B first. I don’t want pocket flaps, but I do want pockets. I think the two piece sleeves will help to adjust my bodacious bicep issues.  I prefer a yoke on the back, but figure this will allow me to make upper back alterations if necessary and then once it’s fitted, I can always add the back yoke. I may eventually go ahead and do the Burda anyway as I want to see what options they have.

Before I’ve gone any further, I’ve reduced the width of the shoulders, shortened it as it’s almost mini dress length out of the envelope, and done my sway back adjustment. I also added a seam at the center back as that makes it much easier to adjust and/or add shaping. It does have cup sizes and I’m hoping by using the DD it will have enough width through there. I do have to add an inch to the sleeve width, but strangely, the cuffs are really wide and need to be narrowed!

The first fitting sans sleeves was January 18. Here’s what it looked like at that point:

Sorry for the cranky face. Trying to use a camera and stand straight and be sure the muslin is straight and all the rest.

Not bad, but some tweaking needed to be done. So I moved forward and made a “wearable muslin.” It took a while and was finished up about the 20th or 21st of February. I wore it, found it to be supremely comfortable to have a blouse that actually fit and was looking forward to doing my blog post and starting on the grey paisley.  

Adjustments included:

General Alterations : Shorten blouse by 6”; Narrow shoulder by 1”

Move shoulder point forward by 1” to zero at neck edge.

Bodice Front: Start with DD front. Back off darts by 2” from bust point

Redraft dart angle. Add tummy width… about 4” in from front band, from waist to hip, add 1 ½”

Bodice Back: Split back and cut two pieces, to include a seam for fitting purposes.

Add ½” to center back pattern for a total of 1.” Drop back dart top point by 2”.

Redo back armhole curve to bring in to center back by ¾” at base of curve tapering to zero at notches and underarm seam. 1 ½” sway back adjustment to zero at side seam

Sleeves and Cuffs: Shorten sleeve 1”. Narrow cuffs 1 ½”. Add 1 1/2” to sleeve width Add pleat to cuff; check to be sure sleeves and cuffs align. Straighten sleeve seams after adjustments.  

There are a few items that will be tweaked on the next version, but it’s overall a very wearable and comfortable blouse. Soon to become a TNT hopefully!

As usual, life gets in the way when you have plans. I was coming home from Costco on the afternoon of February 24, and stopped behind two cars on a very short on ramp to the highway. They evidently didn't get the  whole merge concept, and as it was 4:45 pm, traffic was picking up a lot. I was the third car back dead stopped. A young man who was evidently showing off his muscle car for his girlfriend came onto the on ramp and hit me going at what I estimate was 35 to 45 mph. He said he hit his brakes and me at the same time. Both my car and I were damaged.

After a little over a week in the body shop, he car is repaired. I am getting there with visits three times a week to my chiropractor. But due to the accident, my attention span is off, and I’ve not felt like I wanted to cut into my beautiful fabric (saved since August of 1993!) until I was sure of the fit and my competence.

In the interim, I got busy on a waterfall cardigan, and currently have a tee on the sewing table waiting for attention.

This is a pretty long post, so I’ll save the next items for the next post. I'm disappointed that with my accident I probably won't finish my SWAP by the end of April. But there's always next year, and I will be retired and hopefully have the time to do it right!

As always, more later!

First SWAP item completed!

Feeling pretty good about this. The goal is at least one garment per week, and here it is the end of the first week of 2016 and I have one garment completed.

This is for capsule #1. Grey wool flannel slacks.

These are a pair of unlined medium weight wool flannel slacks. The fabric was purchased from Stone Mountain and Daughter in Berkeley the end of  January 2015 as a birthday present for myself. 

I don't generally line my slacks because I prefer to wear a "pant slip" underneath. These should work for 3 seasons in Northern California and who knows how many in New Mexico, but at least late fall into early spring. 

I used my TNT pants pattern, self drafted from Don McCunn's "How to Make Sewing Patterns" class and books. I made my waistband finished width 1 1/4" and did a Hong Kong finish on the inside of the waistband as per my usual. The inseam pockets were done with the instructions from David Coffin's trousers book. 

Interfacing for the fly and fly shield is Fashion Sewing Supply Pro tricot deluxe fusible.  I used a piece of Ban Rol for the interior waistband stiffener, and a button for the waistband from my stash. 

These will go into rotation immediately!

I'm working on a muslin for a blouse using Bootstraps pattern #54469. It's a very nice looking blouse and was a free pattern. I'm not sure why it was free, but I didn't question it. That will be my second entry for my SWAP. Once that is complete, with my previously made grey jacket, this will be my first capsule.

I hope a lot of you that read this are participating in SWAP 2016 too. There are many participants, with lots of different aesthetics, and it should be a wild and crazy collection. Even if you don't finish, or decide not to start, it's really a lot of fun to watch. Check it out here: http://artisanssquare.com/sg/index.php

More soon!

First one of 2015

My very first garment of 2016. A knit cardigan in shades of grey and indigo. A winner I think.

It may be that this becomes part of my SWAP, but it may not. It wasn't on my original listing, but I fell in love with the fabric even though it was an impulse buy. The grey and indigo fit well with my SWAP, which is a grey grouping and a navy grouping. We'll see how the time goes.

I do such good pictures, I think I should be a fashion photographer/model! LOL

Even though I used a TNT pattern, Petite Plus Twin Set cardigan, OOP, I changed it up a bit to make a different look. Generally I just do a doubled piece the length of the front, and serge it on, which makes a nice flat front. With this fabric, I used the uneven, semi-fringed  selvage edges as the front facing and placed the raw edges on the outside. Fabric is from Girl Charlee (see prior post) purchased in November. That's unusual for me to sew something up so quickly, but we're having VERY unusual weather in Northern California, currently below freezing when I get up, and some days into the very low 50s, but mostly 40s during the day. I needed a cardigan!

My good friend asked about my prior post and questioned what I meant when I said I wasn't very good at change. A partial quote: "What would that be? I know I sometimes face change with anxiety or maybe it would be more accurate to describe it as an overall amorphous feeling of malaise. But that would be me projecting my feelings onto to you." She went on to say: "So in some ways I think that your physical self will be rejoining your spirit self. "

As always, she makes me think in more depth. I had to really contemplate what it was I was thinking and meant when I wrote that statement. I love the idea that by changing my actions and reactions to things, letting go of stress, and allowing my life to flow in a more organic and natural way will allow my spiritual and my physical self to once again conjoin and make the correct decisions based on what works for me.

My response: "It’s not a feeling of malaise because I’m frequently excited to do something new. I think it’s more of a frantic and frightened energy. Like if I get out of my routines, I won’t know who I am or what I’m supposed to do. May be why I’m so uncomfortable when I’m in a group of people I don’t know. I don’t know the behaviors and the reactions I’m supposed to have, so I feel panicky that I will do or say something wrong and no one will like me."

I think many of us spend our lives being the "employee" the "wife" the "mother" the this or that and don't think about who we are. I've worked since I was 16 years old, and my "self" was always wrapped in my career. For the last 20 or so years, if you ask me who I am, I would say "The Appraisal Lady." But I think there is way more to me than that despite the fact that is my major role at this point in time. Now that I'm getting ready to let go of that title, I need to find a new niche that I fit into well. Hopefully something more rounded with lots of interesting and diverse ideas, roles, and functions, enterprises, and undertakings. We'll see how that goes as the year continues.

Back to the sewing blog... I've started my grey wool flannel slacks for my second 2016 garment. The darts are in the front, fly zipper is installed, and I'm starting work on inseam pockets. Wish me luck. I'd like to have those done by the end of the week! They'll be a welcome addition on my lower parts!

More later,

It's a new year, and a new life!

I thought a lot yesterday about a phrase from my youth. How many of you remember hearing/saying "It's the first day of the rest of your life." It's particularly appropriate to me as this year is the beginning of a new phase for me. 

210 days and counting. I spent a lot of "background time" yesterday while I was cleaning and labeling files, getting receipts and records put together for 2015 taxes, and getting my files labeled and put together for 2016 thinking about my new life and where I'm going. What I want to change, and what I want to keep from the past. I realized that I'm not very good at change. And I am excited by change. Quite a dichotomy!

One of the things I was thinking about was how when we put our intentions out into the Universe, they have a way of coming true. Our words have meaning and resonate with our unconscious mind, helping us to achieve our goals with little effort. My nieces are wont to choose a word for each year that has meaning for them and the things they want to accomplish in their lives at that point in time. I decided that would be good for me to do as I'm embarking on a whole new life that I have no way to chart out and plan. So being an overachiever, I have chosen two words. My words for 2016 are adventure and exploration. . I want to move a little out of my comfort zone and do things that are slightly different, challenge me as a person, and excite me. So that’s where I’m going this year. 

I also am going to try to make a conscious choice each day to live without anxiety and stress and just to work calmly and efficiently through the day  in order to let go of things I'm not pleased with, and be happy with what IS. 

I have thought long and hard about SWAP this year and think despite my work load, I may be able to accomplish the 11 garments in the four month period. I have my first planned garment fabric, a medium weight grey wool flannel prepped by washing in Eucalon and hanging on the shower road. It just needs to be pressed and then it's ready to hit the cutting table. 

While that was prepping, I started on something else. One of the goals this years is to do something sewing related each day. It calms and centers me like mediation. My first garment of the new year may or may not be part of my SWAP. It would work, but it's not in the plan as yet. It will probably be held in abeyance unless it is necessary for the appropriate number of garments. It's a light weight cardigan in a grey and indigo fairly loose boucle style knit. Lovely fabric I got in my recent mini-binge at Girl Charlee. Here's their fabric swatch as my photo isn't good color wise. 

They call it a Hacchi sweater knit, and it's still available here: http://www.girlcharlee.com/violet-blue-black-boucle-stripe-hacci-sweater-knit-fabric/famous-designer-p-11580.html?cPath=90_126

I'm using a TNT pattern for the cardigan. Petite Plus now evidently OOP. Today I'll finish it up and hopefully post the finished garment tomorrow morning. 

I hope your 2016 New Year's Day went well and perhaps you had a little time for your own creations! 

More later,

Last outfit completed in 2015

Pretty basic for me. The Style Arc Pants repeated in a navy ponte from Marcy Tilton I believe, and a Pamela's Perfect Tee in a grey and blue sweater knit from Girl Charlee.

Nothing new, just a very usable wardrobe staple. Sorry for the picture. I didn't realize my shirt was up on the side, and you can see where I'm getting files moved out to storage so there will be room for the 2016 files. 

I had fully intended to spend 2015 sewing and blogging, but obviously, that didn't happen. It was much harder than I thought to have a year alone after being with to my best friend 24/7 for the last 14 years. So not nearly as much as anticipated got done either here on in Las Cruces. 

Now 2016 is starting, and I'm on the countdown. 210 days until retirement. Sounds like a big number, but considering I've been working for almost 52 years, it should pass quickly! LOL

I've stuck my toe into the SWAP 2016, and hopefully will be sharing lots of new outfits over the next few months. I've also got a new men's shirt pattern bought from Bootstraps new collection that almost fit perfectly out of the envelope. I either measured the chest wrong, or European Men's patterns fit much more closely than the US. I had to add about 1 1/2" to the front from shoulder to hem, and that's it. Dale should have a new shirt or two for his birthday in April. Maybe now he'll actually get his Dia de los Muertos shirt he's been asking for since his heart surgery!

BTW, if you happen to see this, and have been wanting to try a "made to measure" pattern, PDF only, Yulia has them on sale for New Year's for $1.19 each! Other than the PDF and the taping, I've found these to be great patterns! You do need to have probably intermediate skills to sew them IMO.

Happy New Year, and I'm wishing you a year filled with creative experiences!

More later,

For whatever holiday you celebrate, best wishes from our home to yours.

A relatively productive weekend.

Kind of a fun weekend. I've been having lots of issues lately. The computer is giving up the ghost and I've been sick with the nastiness going around. So this is the first weekend in several weeks that I've felt like doing anything at all.

My new computer got here yesterday, thanks to Amazon, I've spent about 8-10 hours since noon yesterday getting it set up and ready for work tomorrow, but in and around programs loading, I did get some quick sewing in too.

It was nice to have time for sewing. And nice to have some palette cleansers of easy projects too. I got a new pair of Pilates pants made, and finally got my Maria Denmark Kimono sleeve tee made up. (It's a free download from her site if you sign up for her newsletter and she goes from a size XS to a 4X.) Check it out, especially if you wear dresses.

http://www.mariadenmark.com/

The Pilates pants had a few alterations in the muslin phase. I lengthened the body of the pants as I don't like low waisted pants, and I actually lengthened the legs too  by an inch, which is odd, because I'm only 5' 4" tall. I'm not sure what the width of the waistband is supposed to be as I just did a 2" waistband. I've found it's best to do the waistband 1:1 with the pants waist, and then shorten the elastic by about 4 to 5 inches less than your waist measurement depending on the stretchiness of the elastic. In that way, the pants stay up no matter what you're doing. The fabric is a ponte de roma from Girl Charlee bought 11/27/15 on sale. It's called Black Charcoal Broken Chevron Feathers. They have it in a couple of other colors too. Lovely to sew and a nice weight too.

For the Maria Denmark Kimono top, I know she has directions on how to do an FBA on the website, but I didn't use hers. I did the lazy way, and just laid my TNT tee shirt over the pattern, and used my measurements as per that shirt. I used a size larger than my measurements indicated, because I don't believe a woman of my age and size need tees with negative ease. Just doesn't leave enough to the imagination IMO. I did rotate the dart I added down to a French dart as the Kimono sleeve with a dart right at the armpit was too close. I also lengthened the sleeves on this one by about 4", decreased the neck circumference a bit, and shorted the length of the top by 4". I like the fit quite well, as it gives me moving around room, and in this minimally stretchy knit, I don't think it would be comfortable if it were any smaller.

I found the Maria Denmark draft to be an excellent product. All seams line up well, and it was a quick and easy sew. If you don't need an FBA, I would think this could be done in an hour or so start to finish. I find the design very comfortable to wear, and like this one a lot. I used a mesh knit without a lot of stretch that was very old stash... I think bought in the 90s or so, maybe later, and used a lightweight stretch silk scrap cut on the bias for the neck binding. The fabric is what I think of for golf shirts. The binding is the cream, aqua, and beige remnants from the sleeveless top I made earlier in the year. It's nice against my neck.

Other news...
I'm definitely on the countdown to retirement and my new life. If all goes well with my apartment managers, I'll be signing a six month lease the end of January, and that will be it. I'll be on my way to my new home by the first of August! Can't wait for the new and exciting life to come.

As to the house, Eileensews asked about an update and I spent some time writing it only to have it disappear. I expect my post is circling the moon now. :-)

It is coming along. Dale has different priorities than I do, so hasn't done much with the inside yet. As a matter of fact, he just hung curtains last week (there were some there, but yukky cheap sheers) as it's getting cold, and he finally decided the lined curtains I'd sent might help keep out some of the cold. LOL

We have had some unexpected items crop up, and as Dale says, the house tells him what it wants next. Since I'm not sure what I've said in the last 10 months... he got a riding mower aka tractor for Father's Day last year. It's been a real blessing in getting the weeds knocked down and kept down. He still uses a regular lawn mower in some areas, but the two acres told him they wanted a riding mower.

All but one of my roses survived the move, as did the fig tree and the pomegranate tree. We got an unexpected bonus in that one of the "stumps" that we thought was dead turned out to be another fig and grew tons of figs when it got some water. We have three pecan trees too, but they need some attention from an arborist and I expect some sort of fertilizer. We're just glad they survived at all.

We've done a lot of what I'll call "infrastructure" upgrades. Despite what we were told, there was much that needed to be upgraded/repaired/replaced. Some we knew about, some we didn't.

First up was all new waste lines from the house to the septic system. I won't go into detail, but it was apparent when he had Roto Rooter out twice in less than a month there was an issue. When the trenches were opened up, it looked like someone who #1 had no idea how to run waste lines had done them, and #2 that they were falling down drunk when they laid it out. The fall was just wrong, and they had several 45 degree angles in them for no discernable reason. New lines were run from the house to the septic tank, and no problems have arisen since.

Around the same time, we also got new water lines, and new electrical services. Dale's taken care of the roof where some of the flashing was incorrectly installed and had odd leaks in some of the atypical thunderstorms this year. Not that thunderstorms are atypical, but like most of the world, the weather there is changing dramatically this year and they're getting El Nino weather patterns, which is rare.

We've got the rear steps that were crumbled repaired with a nice landing at the bottom, and added steps and a landing at the slider on the side. It still needs the trim around the slider installed. He's working on the exterior, and for now, is just patching and painting the cracks as he can. No time to figure out how to make and apply adobe just right. Hopefully next summer for that!

A huge unexpected project was when he started on the garage/shed roof. The shed part, approximately 12' x 28' had rot throughout the rafters and interior and he basically rebuilt it from the inside. At this point, I just about have him convinced that will be my new sewing studio! It does need a floor, as it is currently dirt floored, will need good lighting, and an electrical upgrade, but it's coming! We did have a roofing company do the actual roof, but he's going to do all the gutters too.

We've just replaced the heating system, the duct work,  and swapped out the evaporative coolers for what we call central air in California, and they call "refrigerated air." The evaporative coolers are not very effective in high humidity, and this year as it rained almost every day, Dale wasn't too happy with them. He's now a happy camper. Along with this, the gas lines got rerouted, and I'll have a gas line to the kitchen for a dual fuel range, and another to the laundry area so I can actually use my dryer.

We still have fencing and several other big items to complete. I think next up is the concrete floor and getting the "shed" livable, and then all new windows. He's pushing for a wood stove as the power went out for a few hours recently, and he figures anyone "in the country" needs a wood stove in case of power outages. We were hoping to do a prefab Kiva fireplace, but have decided it's not practical and with a price about three times the wood stove, it's kind of settled.

Once all that is completed, the kitchen and master bath will get some attention. It's a process, and we knew that going in. But as things become more livable and look more like a home, it warms my heart. We're building our future one day at a time. We've had a few people from the neighborhood, and the Realtor who listed the property stop and compliment him on the upgrades since we bought it.

That's all for now. I'll hope to be back soon!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I've been doing a little sewing as well as a lot of planning. Finished up a jacket from Butterick 5647 that I like quite a bit. Excuse the wrinkles, this was after a long day at work!

I added welt pockets as I like the look, but didn't even think about the jacket being unlined. Had I used patch pockets instead, (it has flaps for pockets but no real pockets which I need and want!) it would have been done quickly. I love the look of this jacket. Even altered for a curvy figure, it retains a lot of curves, and is very flattering. Shawl collars are one of my favorites.

Now I'm working on a muslin for some exercise pants. One down, probably a few more to go. I'm taking a Pilates Reformer class, which is designed for rehabilitation of people with injuries. I need exercise pants, but don't want the negative ease in commercial patterns for this body. So it's taking a while. First used my Barb pants pattern, which has too much ease the way I altered it. Next got a pattern from McCalls 6350. Again, too much ease the way I did them. Third one coming up though. Hopefully three's the charm.

Today I'm cooking for our Thanksgiving, and giving the house a quick once over. Hope you all have a very enjoyable day, and if you're in the US, a Happy Thanksgiving!

More later!

Dreaming and planning

Have to say, this week and weekend when I haven't been working, has been mostly spent in a dream with me fondling fabrics, playing with patterns, and putting together my initial plan's story board. 

It has taken ALL of  my time and all my concentration this weekend! LOL 

To give you an idea, I'd decided I was going to do navy, grey and red this year. I wear a lot of navy and grey, and love red so much, but haven't had the inclination to wear it for a few years. Getting back on my feet literally has given me a huge surge of creative energy. 

First I pulled out a few items in blue that I though might make it into the SWAP. 

Hmmm... since I need three color groupings this year, that might be a few too many. Pulled out some grey and some blue, which I didn't photograph. It's a little embarrassing to have more fabric than a small store! I am intending to do all of my SWAP from existing patterns and stash fabrics. It is easier to move clothing than 30 or so bins of fabric IMO.  

Anyway, I've folded, and fondled, and measured and plotted, and planned. At this point in time, my preliminary plans are these:

Grouping One:

Simplicity 4278 Grey Wool jacket completed June 2015

Burda 6810 Blouse Grey paisley rayon shirting

Self-Draft Grey wool flannel trousers

Grouping Two:

Simplicity 1920 Navy ponte knit jacket

Vogue 8689 Blue rayon print

Self-Draft Navy wool gabardine trousers

Grouping Three:

Pamela’s Perfect Tee Shirt, red and cream rayon jersey

Pamela’s Perfect Tee Shirt, red and navy rayon jersey

Self-Draft Black wool gabardine trousers

Combo Pack;

StyleArc Stacey Jean Jacket Chinese Red Faux Suede

Hot Patterns Plain & Simple Princess Shirt blue linen print.

Here's my first try at the story board for this year:

Since I have all those other fabrics out already, perhaps I will do some preliminary sewing to fit in with my SWAP. I could have a cohesive collection by the end of April, perhaps!

More soon!

AWOL a long time, but hoping to correct that this upcoming year!

Well, I’m sorry I’ve been AWOL so long. It’s been a most interesting year. I thought that it would be easy for me to get through a year and a half with my husband about 1,600 miles away, but it hasn’t been so easy. I miss him a lot! 

Despite being widowed for more than 5 years before I met him, we have been married for 13 years. I’ve gotten used to his presence in my home and in my life. It’s a little lonely without him, I have to admit. Add to that I’ve been working very long hours this year trying to build up a slush fund for all the repairs and updates we need/want to do, and I haven’t gotten nearly as much sewing done as anticipated. I was picturing myself as I was during the first years after I was widowed, sewing many hours a day. That just hasn’t happened, although I have done some sewing this year. Not blogging about it, but sewing did get done.

Fitting remains the challenge, and with the help of some wonderful people, I’m actually getting better at it. Thank you Mrs. Mole. Learning HOW to start was a huge help. By learning to measure my body separately front and back in multiple areas… including shoulder to bust, shoulder to waist, width between apex, and similar things on the back area, I have cut my muslin process down from as many as 8 to many less. Jacket I’m working on now, just took two tries to get it right! HOORAY!

I’ve been lurking, watching most of the blogs I follow, adding a few more throughout the year, and checking in on Stitcher’s Forum at Artisan’s Square at least once a month, and lately about once a week or more. As we got closer to the release of the rules on November 1, it became a few times a day! I’ve been watching the palpable excitement over the discussions of SWAP 2016, and even more so at the announcement of the rules.

As we all know, life can get in the way, but I’m sticking my foot into the water and anticipating going for a full SWAP collection this year. I don’t anticipate any big life changes like I’ve encountered in the spring the last few years, and am very hopeful we have a very uneventful 2016.

I need new clothes, and the rules fit into my lifestyle well. My lifestyle will be changing over the next year, as I am starting the countdown to my retirement, with (for now) an anticipated move at the end of August 2016. In the interim, I still need to have workable clothing that looks business casual and is easily laundered. So it’s going to be a mish-mash of a year for me sewing wise.

I’m thinking my retirement looks like gardening, continuing with remodeling and updating our home, sewing, perhaps a bit of quilting, walking, and biking, a comprehensive exercise program and some exploring of the amazing country we’ll be living in. I’m also anticipating a bit of volunteer work, and getting involved with the community. Perhaps a foray into a new and different part time career to keep me interested.

So far, the photographs and the visits have convinced me that New Mexico truly is the “Land of

Enchantment.” It will be my first time living outside the State of California, and I’m anticipating a bit of weather shock when I first live in an area with four seasons, and a bit of culture shock too. It’s exciting to start thinking and planning my next phase of life.

I’ll be sharing my ideas about the SWAP as I get my planning put together. 

More later!

At Last ~ Here I am again!

Well, things are moving forward and time is flying. I’m in my apartment in Fairfield, CA and Dale is in Las Cruces, NM. Well, more or less. There are still a few boxes here needing sorting, and he’s not the A type I am so he has lots and lots and lots of boxes all over! LOL

I’m having to be more creative with space, so my “sewing room” is more spread out here than it was at the previous house. The cutting table and drafting area are in what would normally be the dining area. The sewing machine is in the living room, and the serger is in the 2^nd bedroom which is also my office.

Today I hope to get pictures hung so it feels more like my space and not so amorphous. I think having my pictures hanging and all of my items around will help it feel more like home for the next while.

Finally having things more or less put together and a long 18 months stretching in front of me, I’ve definitely got my wheels spinning about what I want to do sewing wise over the next year. I had thought to do SWAP 2015, but I am rethinking the idea. There is much I want to sew, and most will follow the lines of SWAP, but I don’t want to restrict myself to a set number of garments that will ALL work interchangeably. AND I have bathrobes and pj bottoms that need sewing as well as the Granddaughter’s wedding quilt. 

I did get my "pre SWAP" pair of jeans made, and at some point I'll post those pictures. They're my usual trouser jeans, and are super comfortable and have already got tons of wear! 

The quilt is going to take a front seat, as they are getting married in August and I really need to have it done in time to send out for quilting. I’m trying to convince myself that 45 minutes a day on the quilt will enable me to spend an hour or more on my garment sewing. I’m going to have to see how that works out. I find quilting pretty boring despite the fact that I love quilts!

I also have found a marvelous pearl grey herringbone wool in my stash that I don’t even remember buying, but it must have been a 1980s or 1990s purchase because that was when I was doing outside sales and would have been in my mind for an outfit for work. That’s going to be my first garment. It will be a very casual jacket for my current work as it’s been pretty cold for here. This is the first winter in a long time that a light weight jacket hasn’t done the trick. The wool with a lining will be just about perfect IMO.

Yesterday was my birthday. I met my daughter in Berkeley for brunch, and just happened to wander into Stone Mountain and Daughter ostensibly for buttons for the jacket. Well what do you know? I found just the exact amount of pearl grey wool left on a bolt for a pair of slacks and a matching knit for a top. So I am excited about that as my first new outfit for the New Year. The colors aren’t true in this photograph, but here’s the three pieces together. I think they’ll be a great work outfit.

 Hmmm… perhaps that knit fits in with Jungle January?

Well, I hope to be posting and sewing much more regularly this year.

I am wishing you all a fun filled, sewing bonanza this month.

More later,

It's FINALLY happening. First truck is here today, and I'll be crazy moving for a couple of weeks and then expect to be sewing my heart out in my new apartment.

I hope you and yours have a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year filled with fun, joy, love and many pleasant surprises!