Now I remember why I fell off keeping my project list updated–it’s cumbersome. I can’t think of a better/easier way to do it (without writing a full custom interface).
I updated a few things, added some completed and some in-progress stuff. I’d add some planned/needed items but that may just have to wait. I don’t have the patience at the moment.
I think I need to do a reset on this thing…just flush what’s out there and start fresh.
I’d consider revamping my project plug-in for the newest version of WP…but I just don’t know when that would happen. For now, the plan would be just to tag things appropriately (i.e. with the project name).
I really need to actually blog too–take pictures of things in progress, actually, you know, update what I’m working on. Sigh. Although there are aspects of this layout I do like…maybe I’ll just dump all posts and start over? Or maybe just do a quickie-revamp of the layout? (these colors are so tired)
Yeah…I need to do something. I’d really like to participate in the community but I just simply don’t take the time. Grrr.
Well…here’s another challenge to myself. Let’s see how this one goes…
I’m torn about SWAP 2009. I want to participate (heck, I want to participate more in the online sewing community, period) but we’re halfway thru, 3 months left to go, and I haven’t sewn a single stitch. I don’t even have anything cut out!!
On top of that, I’ve got commissions for no less than :::pauses to count::: 16 garments–no wait, plus 2 or 3 more from another source. Gah! I mean, it’s awesome stuff and none of it is really all that challenging…but I only have so many free weekends and my weeks are so packed. On top of that it’s so cold that I just want to curl up under blankets instead of work on sewing. LOL.
I also have two or three (time consuming) costumes I’d like to work on for me–some I’d like done sooner rather than later, some for GenCon in August.
And then there’s all the other stuff I don’t have time for: cleaning, finishing the wedding book (eep), sorting thru boxes, decorating, organizing…there just aren’t enough hours in the day!!
I may attempt to add some of my comments from The Stitcher’s Guild here…but for now I’m going to use this as a journaling/rambling and not clog their boards…
So, the plan is brown pants, denim trousers, denim skirt, teal/black skirt; white blouse, pink blouse, pink jersey top, black wrap top/cardi, tattoo cotton blouse and some sort of tunic. I’m leaning toward a black cord blazer (possibly with some accents of a black/brown stripe cord I have in stash–using the rest, as previously planned, to make a vest).
The black wrap top will be dead simple–cut out two bodies and two sleeves, CB seam, two sleeve seams and two set-in sleeves. Peachy. No, I’m not hemming any of it. I love unhemmed jersey.
The raspbery “club” top will be only marginally more difficult (as there is actual pleating involved).
I’m unconcerned about the pink & tattoo cotton tops–basic button downs. No big. I’m reasonably certain I’ll do the tattoo top; I’m hesistant about the pink one–but it does coordinate well with the teal skirt. I’m thinking of changing that pattern too…
Anyway, I’m really musing about the white top. I’m not sure why, but I feel like I need one. Of course, I don’t have a long-sleeved white blouse. But do I want it plain or detailed? Fitted or less-so? If details, what kind? Pin-tucking, embroidery, topstitching?
But I have to go to a meeting now…
So…I’d been looking forward to the newest SWAP since last year when I had to back out due to purchasing a house (and a hideous first piece that made me replan).
Now that the new rules have come out…I’m not so excite. Rule to dislike the first: no dresses unless they can be worn with all the bottoms. Booo. I love dresses. I understand they want to encourage everyone to sew/fit pants…but I’d include pants regardless. So boo. Rule to dislike the second: it must reflect what you’d really wear in a given week. Boooo. I’m sure it’s a good enough twist…but I’d been hoping to do a non-work-attire SWAP. I suppose I could manage to do a casual-attire SWAP, but gah. So, that leaves me with office attire or some combination of non-ffocie and workout (dance) attire. Hrm. I suppose I’ll at least try to come up with a plan…
Banana Republic’s Top 7:
I need some more inspiration. I really need a plan of sorts. LOL. And the ability to work in one hour chunks–and to work that one hour chunk every day (or nearly)
Well, I joined the JCC. I haven’t posted yet as I don’t really have anything to share. Truth told, I don’t know that I’ll have time to come even close to finishing. Boo!
But I wanted to try.
I just need to get this monkey off my back (the cribset) and then I’ll have a little time. Not much, though. I’m super busy every weekend–my good time to work. Sigh. I’ve got at least two patterns chosen: I’ll be remaking S3684, this time in a pink/purple/gold stripe (original was the “engagement shirt”–black/red/cream stripe). Yes, it’s another stripe, yes I’ll be rotating it on the bias for the bib and yes it’s even the same type of material. I chafe. On the other hand, I know it fits and it will fit the same way. Go me.
Pattern two is V2907 in a khaki stretch poplin. Nice wide leg, I think I measured to find that it should fit reasonably–I’ll want to make sure there’s a CB seam in the waistband. I haven’t decided if I’ll try for welt pockets. I’m guessing not. A) I very rarely use my pockets anyway, particularly on dress pants and b) I’ve never done welts before and my time is limited.
Pattern three is likely M5138, in a very traditional pale green shirting. I’ll do white topstitching. It will be a very classic (if mostly tailored) oxford. I’m tempted, however, to use S3684 as well (sans bib) as it’s a Threads pattern and won’t require the very-new-to-me FBA (I sorta get it but not totally).
As for the fourth item and the accessory? Not really sure. I need a new purse, but they’re fiddly. I’ll likely just throw together some jewelry. The fourth item? Dunno. Maybe a summer dress, maybe something else. Not sure. Worst case, I can either pull out the brown suedecloth M4306 I made last winter or throw together yet another version of that pattern. It’s about an hour to sew and fits like a dream (gee, it is only one pattern piece and a simple zipper).
Oddly pastel for me. LOL. But good summer wear.
However, all three of the “decided” items are time-consuming–and I don’t have a lot of time.
In addition to working full time, I have one evening taken with bellydance classes, most of another talking to the family, there’s a garden to care for and a living room to finish decorating, laundry and dishes to keep up on, dinner to make…and the step-kids are coming in July. My step-daughter’s room is a certifiable mess currently. It’s kinda been a dumping ground as I sort out my sewing room. Sigh. I really need to get that place more organized. I sorta left it “I can get at what I absolutely need to, to get things going.”
But I’m going to soldier on. I’ve got a little bit of time this weekend, depending on what I get roped into. Almost nil next weekend. The following is undecided and the last weekend…again, undecided. We might be picking up the kids. Not sure when that’s happening, exactly.
Well…I’ve started on the sewing room. I moved the gargantuan pile of boxes from the sewing room into the spare ‘oom, sorting into “sewing stuff,” “crafting stuff,” and “wtf stuff” piles. Then I found that 1) the little wire shelves fit in the closet, even perpendicular if I want and 2) the upper shelf is just an inch too short to use them there. Sigh. It’s currently up for debate if I’m going to purchase a piece of lumber to extend the shelf and allow the wire shelves to be place there, or if I’m just going to figure out another method of shelving.
Along with that, I unpacked (nearly) all my fabric. What isn’t unpacked is 1) wool felt for hats, 2) the misc bin with theoretically all project stuff, 3) what I’m pretty sure is a costume fabric bin and 4) remnants (including those > 1yd). All told, two normal-sized bins worth.
I’ll have to locate my old sewing table, as there’s no chance my sewing table will make it up the stairs before Easter. Regardless, I want a new desk in there (I’ll put the less-used embroidery machine on the sewing table/cabinet).
Things are looking promising. I just might have time to throw together a simple Easter dress. Well…if I have all of Sunday, it can be a little less than simple. I mean, I’ve sewn up a completely bound, bib-front, button-down shirt (sans buttonholes) in an afternoon (say…4-6hrs). I can certainly do a dress (and, technically, I’ll have some time during the week to finish it up, if need be).
I’m pretty darn excited to have my big sewing room!
The new sewing room? Full. Absolutely full. Crap. I don’t think I’ve ever had all my sewing stuff in one room since I moved out of my first apartment-and even then I think I had stuff stored at my parents house (there still may be a box or two of sewing-related-items…I know there’s a treadle machine and other random boxes).
At the last two apartments I’ve always had at least a few boxes in the garage (in the case of the last place, two large shelving units full of fabric and patterns).
But the goal in the house is to have it entirely contained in the one room. It really shouldn’t be difficult; it’s a 10×17 (ish) room. And a full closet. Seriously.
And, actually, I should be able to do it. I should be able to have all my patterns available without trekking to the cellar or garage or shed. I should be able to have all my fabric visible and at my fingertips.
But first I need to be able to get at everything!
Methinks having all the sewing related stuff dumped into the actual sewing room (instead of the spare room next door) was not the brightest idea I’ve ever had. So…many many boxes will have to be transported down the hall whilst I get shelves set up and desks organized. I want at least one new desk; an adjustable one. Or at least something shorter-than-normal. Maybe I’ll browse the thrift shop around the corner and the resale shop in town. If I thought it’d actually be cheaper, I’d check out the outlet shop for one of our clients (an office furniture manufacturer). Something. The wooden TV tray and wire shelf are not cutting it anymore. I do have one “sewing cabinet”–not that any of my machines would actually drop down into it, but it’s a reasonable height for sewing. I think it’s a bit tall…but that’s why I hope to put the less-used (or at least less sat-at) Singer there.
But first things first: the kitchen must be unpacked and all dishes, pots, etc rinsed in hot, soapy water. Both my husband and I are sick of eating out. My goal is to have the kitchen at an acceptable level by the end of the week. His goal is to have the living room cleaned up and the garage capable of housing at least one vehicle.
And that means it’s time to start thinking of what I’ll sew in the new room. Yes, it could be one of the several projects I cut before the Serious Packing began. But I do also need an Easter dress.
This dress must, naturally, coordinate with a hat. Any hat will do but I always wear a hat on Easter. I really ought to wear hats more, as a general rule, but I never remember. Le Sigh. If my hair were a bit longer (it’s in a pixie right now), I’d wear my wedding “hat”–but a wide band of white just would look silly. Mind you, I’ll probably try it on just in case but I suspect it will be a case of “needs more hair.”
Now, I do have white wool I bought last year (ostensibly for the wedding hat) and could thus make my own hat. That will be explored but not counted upon. I do still have to unpack everything. Thankfully, my husband will be out of the country for a couple of weeks so that will make the unpacking go a bit more smoothly. That sounds so mean, doesn’t it? It’s not really. It’s just that if he’s around I tend to get interrupted with questions. Which is fine and understandable; it just distracts from whatever project I’m attempting.
Let’s see…I could do the retro halter dress out of the white cotton with yellow flowers…just need the trim fabric. That should be easy enough. No purple. I’ve worn purple for the past 3 or more Easters in a row! Sheesh! Hrm. I think I’ll explore my possibilities…