Living between two homes - I am now panicking

Today my DMike and I are will start our adventure living between our flat in London and my little cottage in the country.


For the past 4 months or so we have been totally refurbishing a 2 bedroom flat in London so that Mike no longer has his dreadful commute by train, and I no long have to do a 120 mile round trip by car to my office.


The whole project has been really exciting as we have been in the position to completely start from scratch and design it how we want it and the results are great.


Last night we loaded the car with food shopping, clothes, hangers, make-up, etc etc to leave at the flat because we will not have a car in London, but taking our fold-up bikes (aka Brian and Betty) to the train station and then cycling to the flat.


Now here is my problem.  I returned from Houston (business trip) on Saturday morning and of course had to do the usual washing, ironing, cleaning etc., but I also had to work out what I was taking to the flat.  I have selected a few items, I am already panicking in case I don't have everything I need, when I need it.  So what of your recent capsule wardrobe you created, I hear you say.  Well some of those pieces I took to Houston so were in mid wash yesterday so I will take some with me tonight, but when it comes to shoes, belts, bags etc., the question is what do I need there that I am unlikely to need back in the country.


I have taken my spare sewing machine up to the flat - and plan on cutting any projects here in the cottage and then just taking the bits I need up with me - but that will take a lot of planning on my part and also opens up the question what sewing notions I need in London.


Oh well need to get on with some more jobs, iron those extra clothes I have washed to take with me tonight.  Thank goodness I purchased a good size bag to clip on to our bikes. My biggest problem is that anything I don't take up on a Monday, can't be taken until the following Monday.  I am sure as time goes by I will work things out but in the meantime, I have butterflies in my stomach as this is the start of a new phase in my life............................


more later................

Bumpy ride back from Houston with new ducks

Well I boarded my flight back to the UK from Houston and experienced quite a bumpy ride back home. 

Hurricane Irene is causing havoc on the east coast and my heart goes out to our friends in the USA that are in the middle of all this havoc and hope that they all stay safe.  Sadly it was impossible to miss any of the bad weather and as such we had quite a bumpy ride back to the UK.


As always when I return from a trip abroad, the one thing I really fancy is a good cup of tea and a slice of toast and marmite and that was the first thing that I made when I walked through my front door, hmmmmmm delicious.


It feels quite cold back in the UK, Houston was experiencing temperatures of 100f and I actually had to put the heater on in my lounge to warm myself up brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.


When I went on a business trip last year, one of the gifts we were given was a little duck.

My beautiful little granddaughter Alana was the lucky recipient of this duck, and has treasured this little toy since October last year seeking it out as soon as she comes to the house.  For a while now I have been concerned about how upset she would be if this little duck was to go missing so I set myself the task of finding another duck to have spare.

I wrote to a couple of lawyers who were at the meeting and they all said they would look for me and when I got to the office I asked some people there too.  

Just before I was about to leave the office for the airport one of the girls came to find me and she had two of the ducks.  I am delighted, and so will Alana be.

Just in case she fails to love her little duck I was given a Christmas selection too. 

I have all my normal jobs to do following a trip - washing, emptying the dishwasher, tidying up with house etc.  I have a new TEMPUR mattress arriving today so need to clear my bedroom to get it on the bed.  I have heard lots of good things about these memory foam mattresses, and I hope they live up to their reputation.

My sewing room is still in "mid-decorating" stage - we have several roller blinds to be installed, walls and ceilings to be painted, but I am making progress and will try and do some more over this weekend because I want to get on and do some sewing soon.

More later

My trip to Jo-Ann Fabrics in Houston

Yesterday evening I met up with my good friend Anita and we took a trip to the  Jo-Ann fabric store in Sugarland, Houston, TX.


We were browsing the fabric selection, looking for something for her to make a swing jacket out of and we came across the beautiful fabrics that you would buy for dresses or blouses.  Well I can't tell you how surprised I was to find the exact same fabric that I had bought from the fabulous Walthamstow market marked up at $13.99 per yard + tax and I only paid £1 per metre.


I checked out the label and it was marked as a charmeuse.


I have thought for a long time that all the fabrics must be end of roll, or job-lots that the shop has purchased, and of course always been delighted by the way they sew and wash, but the biggest prize of all is the price.  Needless to say, the prices in the shop were so much more expensive than what I normally pay I didn't buy any fabric, but it was nice to see what they had.


Houston is unbearably hot at the moment with most days averaging around 100f.... thank goodness for air con - still at least I only have to suffer this for a few days, the poor people living here are getting a little fed-up with the oppressive heat.


More later......................

What a busy day.

Today was an extremely busy day.  My D Mike and I were both up around 7am and after a nice cup of tea and toast and marmite (yes we love it), we got on with all the chores lined up for us today.


As mentioned earlier I started to clear up my sewing room - burned lots of rubbish, washed a whole load of clothes that my son had left in his wash basket and generally clearing space.  I even managed to get half of one of the alcoves painted white which has made a great deal of difference.


This afternoon we picked up some bits and pieces for the flat we are doing up before heading off to spend some time on the beach with our beautiful little granddaughter Alana

At this point we didn't have any shoes for her and of course she didn't like the stones too much, but here you can see her sitting next to me wearing some wet suit shoes which we bought in one of those little seaside kiosk shops, which had her walking everywhere -  She is now miss independent.

Here is Alana with GUMY (Great Uncle Mike)  having lots of fun watching the boats and the water.


Its late, need to go to bed - only 2 days before I head off on my work trip and still LOADS TO DO.


More later............................

Clear-up in my sewing room.

My vacation is fast coming to an end and I haven't done half of what I would have liked.


I am off to Houston early Monday morning so will be staying at the hotel close to LHR airport Sunday evening so I need to make the most of the next 3 days. 


Yesterday my D Mike and I took several TV's down to the local waste disposal site, clearing a very large space in my sewing room (no they were not all residing in my sewing room, but one of the largest was upstairs).  Unfortunately when my middle son was using this as his bedroom, he decided one day to paint all the walls dark blue (some of you may have seen this horrible dark blue background lurking behind Edna when I photograph my outfits).  Sadly it was all too late to do anything about this after the event, so while he was up there, I more or less lived with it---- well he did but I cant.


The TV was to say the least enormous and left a sizeable gap in the alcove area.  Rather than fill the gap I located some left-over white paint from when I painted the lounge and have started to paint that area, ready for a complete overhaul of the room.


I really want to get on with more sewing, but until I try to organize this room better, I will always be struggling to find things which annoys me if it slows up my sewing................ well best get on with it - tea break over now..............................


Wish me luck.

My first 6 PAC/Cohesive wardrobe

So Elizabeth aka ejv on Sticher's Guild sewing forum suggested that rather than doing a larger SWAP that we do something based on 6 pieces.


I hadn't entered one of these SWAPs before so thought I would give it a go.  Generally speaking I try to build a cohesive wardrobe when I sew, so anything I make will work with something else I have in my wardrobe (either shop bought or made by me).



I started my 6PAC with McCalls 5239 pants (see left), however I selected the option without the pleats at the front. After making all my pattern alterations,followed by a muslin, this has now become my TNT pants pattern for all future pants. 


I selected a lovely Navy crepe which hangs beautifully and is not too heavy for the summer/office wear.  With this TNT pattern I can add, belt loops, pockets, etc to change the look, and for this pair I added a turn-up.


The remainder of the collection sort of grew organically - I either bought some fabrics I liked and found a pattern to sew it into, or visa versa.

 So here is the collection of patterns used for this part of the collection.


I travel extensively for work, so I am always looking to be able to pack a small cohesive wardrobe, that I can pack in a carry-on case to last me for approx 1 week.

Here are all the pieces laid out on the bed to create my different looks.


3 x pairs of shoes, 1 x bag,  2 x belts,  2 x bracelets, 1 x pin, 2 x necklaces,
1 x purchased twin set, 1 x waterfall cardigan - V 8305, 1 x polo-neck - V8670, 1 blouse B5365, I tee V8670, 1 x pants M5239,1 blouse OOP S9581.

So here are the ingredients (so to speak) I have to work with, so the question is, how many different looks can I get from these items?


So for part 1 - I used 3 pieces, V8305 +V8670 + M5239 with the following accessories:pale blue shoes and bag, blue belt, pearl necklace x 2 - 5 different looks and I have only used 3 key pieces.  I have tried to follow the Vogue pattern front with the different ways to wear the waterfall cardigan.  Of course can easily wear the top and cardigan and shoes equally well with my black TNT pants.

So for part 2 - I used 6 pieces, OOP S9581 +V8670 + M5239 + B5365 with the following accessories:Navy and white shoes, gold belt, pearl necklace x 2, Blue belt and the blue cardi from the twin set.  This has given me another 6 different looks.


As you can see, I have worn the OOP S9581 with the neck tie loose and tied, and for the B5365 white blouse with and without it's detachable tie.


I would note at this point, both blouses and the T are very light weight and pack very well with little or no creasing.

This is the last item - RTW twin set with M5239 pants, gold belt, navy and white shoes, pearl necklace (my Chanel inspired look).


So I have 6 key pieces that I have made myself - every single item is from fabric purchased from my local market with a total cost amounting to around £10 for the fabric.

Here are the shoes and bag in close up - the Gabor shoes were purchased from ebay (an unused item, as were the pale blue shoes and bag) - the Hobbs navy and white shoes are probably the most expensive item here but were, of course, purchased in the sale at less than half price.





Last but not least - above you can see all the pieces laid out on the bed and then piled up ready to go into a carry-on bag together with toiletries and underwear - easy peasy.


I now think it would be good to add a navy skirt to this collection and I am now thinking some cream/beige. items...........................


Last but not least thanks to my D Mike who took all the photographs - I have to say, doing all the different changes was difficult enough, but what was worse is that having taken all the photos when he went to download them onto his laptop, we found out the disk was corrupt aghrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr - new disk found, inserted into the camera, I now had to dress in all the outfits for a 2nd time....... I never want to be a model........ its hard work.  Thanks Mike I love you loads xx


More later.

Butterick 5365 blouse

Pattern Description:
MISSES'/WOMEN'S BLOUSE: These relaxed fit blouses A, B are designed for fluid, drapey fabrics and have a two-piece banded collar. A: tucks from the shoulder, short sleeves with mock cuffs. B: darts from the neckline, long sleeves gathered to buttoned cuffs. Wear either of these blouses to add charm to your favorite jeans or team them with a stylish jacket.

Pattern Sizing:

Combinations: Miss (XS-S-M-L-XL), Woman (XXL-1X-2X-3X-4X-5X-6X)

MULTI-SIZED FOR CUSTOM FIT ...I cut Miss M

Fabric I Used:
synthetic mix from Walthamstow Market.

Total cost: £1.50

Time to Make: 4 hours approx

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
nothing to like or dislike really this is quite an easy pattern.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes they were.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
I added my usual FBA and broad back - should have made the blouse a little longer (I prefer them longer) but I was sort of rushing and forgot until it was too late.  However saying that its still fine and can be worn tucked in or worn out.

One extra change I made was the addition of a tie - I basically took a 6" wide piece of fabric cut across the grain and folded it in half, stitched and turned it right-side out.  I can just add it if I want to give a different look to the blouse.

Notions, tools etc: A, B: ⁵/8" Buttons: Seven for A and Nine for B. (I am still using up some lovely pearl buttons I purchased as a job lot off ebay)

Fabric: 1 1/4 yds of 60" wide fabric.

Thread: polyester thread

Machines: Babylock Evolution serger, Bernina 440 sewing machine

Conclusion:

This pattern was quick and easy to make.  The cuff sleeves were very easy and just gives me something different from some of the other blouses I have made recently but if you were to ask me me would I make this again, I am not sure I would because it's just OK rather than I love it.

Still lots more patterns to make up and lots more stash to sew yippeeeee.


This blouse will work well with my Navy Blue pants I made recently and will also sit well with my melon and grey colour scheme for the 2011 6-piece Autumn Collection (6PAC) sew-along (between August and October) on the Stitcher's Guild forum.

Birthday cake finished and one for David too.

Here is the construction of my Hippy Flashers cake.


1. the shape of the VW car

2. Cover in butter cream

3. cover in fondant icing - colour of your choice.

4. Then decorate

Off to the Chinese restaurant now for a slap-up meal................  I thought I would have loads of time to spare but it took all day to finish this - lets hope Harry likes it.

It's my D Mike's Dad's birthday on Monday too - so I used up some of the left over cake to make a mini cake for David

More later..............................

Birthday cakes to make for Harry's 18th birthday.

Yesterday was my D Mike's youngest son's 18th Birthday - when his eldest son was 18 I made a great cake based on pole dancers - Mike's father nearly choked on his drink when we brought it to the table in the Chinese restaurant.

We are doing the same for Harry, but a different theme - we have decided that a cake called Hippy flashers will be ideal for Harry.

I have made a 9" maderia cake which is currently sitting on the cooling rack - once it has completely cooled, I need to wrap it in clingfilm and leave it for approximately 8 hours = overnight now before I start cutting into the cake to create the shape of a VW car.

The colour of the car will be purple (Harry's favourite colour) so we had to change the colour we will use for the flowers etc.

This is work in progress, but has to be completed for tomorrow's dinner party (no pressure) and we are having my beautiful little Alana for the day tomorrow too..............  will be interesting to say the least.  Wonder if I will get any sewing time?????????

More, as usual, later........................

More Simplicity 4190

The  Simplicity 4190 pattern is shown with a pair of of cropped trousers and I really needed a pair of these.


I decided not to use the pattern pieces in the envelope, but to use my own modified trouser pattern and adapt it.  This is a pattern that I measured, adjusted for my sway back, larger tummy, longer leg etc et.  I have found this to be the best way to make any trousers that I need because I have the basic shape that fits my body type and then all I need to do is add pockets, belt tabs and other design features at leisure.


For this pair, I chose to add side pockets rather than adding a back pocket.  I simply found another side pocket pattern piece, measured the approximate place where I could slip my hand in easily and attached the pockets to the back and front pieces, both sides, before sewing back to front together.


Despite the fact that I did a little top-stitching on the tunic top, I decided not to top-stitch in colour on the pants so that I could wear them easily with other pieces.

Excuse the rough look - glasses being used as a headband no make-up :-(

One additional item in this pattern pack was a little bag and I thought I would use this as an excuse to do some more embroidery.

I embroidered two pieces one much smaller than the other to take my iphone ( the smaller one was actually my test embroidery piece and once I hemmed it I realised it fitted my phone perfectly).

This is a really easy bag to make, provided you follow all the instructions!!!!!!!!!  I clearly wasn't paying attention when I attached the bias binding to the bottom of the bag  - while thinking this is strange and then realised that I was meant to insert the bag bottom first-------------grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.  So I made myself a cup of tea and sat in the lounge and unpicked the bias binding (don't you just hate unpicking), inserted the bag base and then tacked the bias binding back in place.

So of course with any outfit you have to have the right shoes and these lovely tan and coral sandals from Hobbs fitted the bill just nicely.

I have approximately 1 yard of fabric left plus some  spare bits and bobs so perhaps enough to make another simple top.

Blue cotton knit jersey & shopping

Phew I am exhausted my D Mike and I have been shopping more or less all day today, however I did manage to steer him in the direction of our local market where I was delighted to find the remaining 4 metres of the lovely soft baby blue cotton knit jersey that I made my Vogue 8305 jacket from.


I have seen a lot of colour blocking in some of the style magazines and I quite like the idea of making a polo neck sweater (one long sleeved and one short sleeved) and if I can manage it perhaps even a sleeveless too.  I think that that the June edition of Burda Style magazine had a very simple sleeveless polo top which only has two pieces - back and front which will be perfect.


I have already made some Royal blue pants recently ( yet to be photographed) which will look perfect with the baby blue.


I have already cut out some cut-off pants to match my linen top (which I wore today) so hope to finish these off tonight.


As always - more later..............................................

Simplicity 4190 simple sheath

I am on a roll today - this is the 2nd item I have finished today - it is Simplicity 4190 and its the first part of a two piece that I intend making.

Simplicity 4190

Pattern Description: 

Misses'/Women's Design Your Own Dress in Two Lengths or Tunic, Cropped Pants and Bag. I made the tunic without sleeves.

Pattern Sizing: 8- 18 (I made a size 14)

Fabric I Used:
Linen mix purchased from my local market at £2.10 per metre

Total cost: £3.00

Time to Make: 3 hours

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
This exactly what I was looking for a nice little sleeveless top that I could wear over cropped trousers/pants (next on the list to make). 

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes very good.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
I did my normal FBA and broad/sway back adjustments other than that, followed the pattern.  I also used my Janome to embroider a design on the front - I really want to make a shaped embroidery that follows the line of the neck, still on my to-do list but this is a good compromise.

Notions, tools etc:-

Fabric: linen mix

Thread: normal serger thread in the serger and Madeira for the coral embroidery

Machines: Janome 350e embroidery machine, Bernina 440 sewing machine.

Conclusion

The pattern gives you various options, which I am sure I will take advantage of.  There is also a sweet little bag that goes with this so I am tempted to embroider a piece of fabric all over to make this.

I have some new Hobbs tan/coral sandals that will look perfect with this.

Another outfit ideal for my trip to Houston

Vogue 8305/D

Another day another outfit for my sewing marathon while on vacation. Today I have finished Vogue 8305

I have had this pattern in my stash for some time now, and actually liked this in the grey knit which is why I bought the pattern in the first place.  I will now make it again in the grey as I have some especially for this pattern in my stash.  

One of the things I like about this is the number of different looks you get by wearing with a belt, over the shoulder, tied etc.

I dug out some very old pins that I have had for about 20 years and used two of them to simulate the same look as the pattern.

Here is my review details for this jacket.

Pattern Description:

Pattern Description: From Vogue: "Loose-fitting, unlined jacket has shaped front hems and long sleeves which may be worn open, or lower edges of front can be tied at waist or draped over shoulder

Pattern Sizing:

A(6-8-10), D(12-14-16), FW(18-20-22) - I used D (12-14-16)

Fabric I Used:
Cotton jersey

Total cost: £1 per yard local market in Essex - £4.00

Time to Make:

Oh this is so quick - however took a while to fit the pattern on the fabric.  but I would say approx 2 hours including cutting out.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I am only 5'4" and I think they made this for a tall model in high shoes.  When I first tried it on the point of the fall in the front almost fell to the floor so I had to do some nifty cutting to reduce the length, despite altering the paper pattern to reduce the length before cutting the fabric - I think despite the fact that the fabric is not particularly heavy - when you have a large amount of it hanging down it drags the front closer to the floor.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes vogue, on the whole are quite good with their instructions, and this wasn't an exception - there are only three pieces, back, front (made of two pieces you glue together) and the sleeve.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
As mentioned above - reduced the fall length for the front and shortened the length (side seams) a little.


Tools, notions etc.

Thread: basic serger thread (I used white)

Machines: Bernina 440 sewing machine, Babylock Evolution serger.

Things I did differently from the pattern instructions:

The pattern suggests using a conventional narrow hem for the jacket, but I made mine with a nice rolled hem, which felt like I was sewing for ages and ages from point to point.

Conclusion:

Great jacket - my fabric is particularly soft and feels lovely against my skin.  I would like to make a nice close-fit polo/turtle neck in the same fabric however I don't have enough of the blue so I may try and get some more if there is any left - think the block colours look good.  I will check, but I may be able to make a little cami-top out of the left-over fabric.

I love the grey colour scheme in the pattern so will add this to my to-do list and my 6PAC.

Burda 8836 Dress

This is Burda 8836

Pattern Description:
Simply a lined dress with frilled collar and back zip.

Pattern Sizing:
8-18  I cut a size 14

Fabric I Used:
Polyester cotton mix purchased from Walthamstow Market £1 per metre.

synthetic mix lining also from Walthamstow Market £1 per metre (this has a lovely silky feel to it will definitely buy some more).

Notions: 24" zipper, thread, hook and eye

Total cost: £ 7.50 

Time to Make: approximately 6 hours.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I liked the style of the pattern but Burda provide their usual minimum amount of instructions and once again - I will never learn - neckline too low so had to put a modesty stitch in .

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes I think it does however I used my serger to create a rolled edge to the frill and as such think my finished frill is larger than the one in the pattern - but it's fine.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes provided you are slightly above "beginner" level.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:

I did add an FBA and Broad back adjustment.  I confess I should have adjusted the back length (I am only 15 1/4"), but I forgot.  Fortunately managed to get away with this A-line fall of the skirt falling from below the bust.

Machines:

Babylock Evolution serger and Bernina 440.

Conclusion:

I really like this pattern and my daughter said it didn't make me look so big (the best I will get from her by way of compliments).  I may make it again - think it would look lovely in black to wear for work.  I have a trip to Houston planned for later this month, so will be ideal to wear for work/dinner.  The dress feels really comfortable to wear and that is always a bonus.  The pattern suggests Georgette, crepes and viscose, however I think I could use some particularly nice black viscose jersey I just purchased yesterday. 

I am wearing this with a pair of melon/blue shoes by Todd which match it perfectly - now I need to think of a cardigan that I can make to wear with it so I am off to my sewing room to take full advantage of my D Mike having to have dinner with his bosses tonight.

More later............................................