Spring

You who are gardeners but suffer from allergies know what I mean when I say that I love spring, but it does not love me. I have to limit the time that I'm outside this time of year.

Yesterday I noticed that my lilies-of-the-valley were at their peak so I could not resist picking a bunch to bring inside and enjoy their fragrance. Lilies-of-the-valley are one of my favorite flowers (up there with hydrangeas and tulips). I wanted them in my wedding bouquet but they had stopped blooming by my wedding date and to import them was too pricey. Anyway, now I have them in my garden and can enjoy them every year.

It has been a funny year as far as blooming, tulips and lilacs did great, but my azaleas did not bloom and I only have one iris. I can always count on bleeding hearts, Jacob's ladder and lilies of the valley, they always do well.

I hope your garden is blooming!!

Progress on my dress for the wedding

Last weekend I had significant chunks of time to work on my dress for the wedding.

I had already modified the pattern, Butterick 6582, a while ago, which included cutting quite a bit off the length (and then of course shifting the slit up). I underlined all pieces with batiste following Shannon's footsteps. One of the pictures shows the tailor's basting stitch that I learned to do from Threads magazine. I found out that I wasted some time basting what I thought was Sew-sheer interfacing to the facings and it turned out it was So-Sheer (fusing interfacing). At least I didn't ruin any pieces and just had to undo the basting and fuse instead.

The construction has gone well, this is a simple dress with an interesting neckline. The side seams are basted and now that I have the zipper I will put it in and see how it all fits. The fabric is silk taffeta from Kashi's Metro Textiles.

A little bit of everything

I found out yesterday that in a week one of my bathroom will be redone so I needed to finally decide on what I wanted (wall tile, floor tile, vanity,etc) NOW because you never know how long it will take to get the materials. Today I went to a supplier and it turns out that he had available the wall tile and accent tile I like. So tonight DH and I are figuring it out how much we need since the tile is reserved for me but only for 2 days. I still need to find floor tile and decide on the vanity but I'm closer that I have been in months...I guess I just needed a deadline.

Last night I cut out my dress for the wedding (fashion fabric and interlining). I hope tomorrow to cut out the sew-in interfacing and order the zippers and some other supplies I need. The muslin for my future SIL should reach her tomorrow and we'll go from there.

I'm still working on Juliett. I'm on the lace pattern now which makes the knitting more interesting, of course you also have to pay more attention.

Spring is on its way although it was cold (40s) again today. My garden is waking up so I will spend more time outdoors soon. I'm excited that this year my tulips all decided to pop up. I will take pictures when they reach their peak.

The above picture shows a fountain in the new children's garden in Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania. I adore this fountain, I like it so much I tried convincing my husband he needed to learn a new hobby, when that didn't work I started wondering if there was a waiting list for when the gardens were changed again and they wouldn't need this fountain anymore... Anyways I guess I can always visit anytime and not only see this fountain but all the other wonderful structures they have there. If you leave in the vicinity don't miss it!

Friday musings

So I find this morning at the bus stop that my kids have a half day...there went my plan which included a long visit to Joann's and Borders (conveniently located next to each other). I've had a busy week and was looking forward to just browsing through the things I love, knitting and sewing supplies, magazines and books. Well I went anyways just had to be a quick visit and took advantage of the notions wall 50% sale and bought thread for the dresses I'm working on. Oh! And the new Vogues were not in...

If you are wondering what's the story with the shoes, about a week ago I saw and fell in love with the above shoes, they just say "spring" to me. I couldn't buy them that day because I was in a hurry so...I found them online for cheaper. How could I resist?

My future SIL received the muslin and she says it fits perfect and that she loves it! How cool is that? I'll get some pictures of her in it this weekend and then I can work on the silk fabric. I am so excited about this project!!!

I'm reading a book by Laura Lippman the 4th in her Tess Monahann series. I love reading books that take place in the vicinity of where I live, Tess Monahann is a private detective that lives and works in Baltimore. In this book she ends up in a diner in Enchanted Forest which is down the road from me! If you haven't read any of her books and you like mysteries I highly recommend her.


That's it for now. Hope you all have a great weekend!

Norah Gaughan Collection Vol 1

Yesterday I finished Aumu. I used Berroco Pure Merino Nuance in grey. The yarn is very spongy and soft it was great to work with and it feels very soft against the skin. I tried to control the color variations but after a while I gave up. I think it looks fine but every once in a while when I look at it , it surprises me. I have to get used to it.

This was a very easy pattern all knit in one piece. I notice as I was knitting that my knit stitches look uneven and it was driving me crazy wondering what I was doing different. I read this great article in Knitty.com and found out that is just the way they look which also holds true for Berroco Peruvia which I used for the Tilted Duster.

Up next is Juliet from zephyrstyle.com

In sewing news...I finished the muslin for New Look 6723 and it will be on its way to NJ tomorrow. In the meantime I will put together the muslin for my dress for the wedding.

New pattern for wedding dress

The picture shows what my future SIL decided on for her wedding dress. I know, I know it is not the dress I was working on. I will still make the Butterick, New Look blend because I fitted the new muslin I made and it looks great on her. I figure if I cannot get it done for the wedding parties, she can take it on her honeymoon which is not inmediatedly after the wedding.

So the new fabric and pattern...She chose a gorgeous silk shantung from B&J Fabrics and a Jackie Kennedy/60's style dress. I will be making the view with the sweetheart neckline. I just got my sewing machine back from maintenance so I will be quickly making a muslin of this pattern and sending it off to her for fitting. This time around I have a very good idea of her size and should be pretty straight forward.

In my next post I will show you all the new fabric I got and where, and I will talk about the dress I hope to be able to make for me to wear at the wedding.

My current sewing project

Right now I am working on a very exciting project, I am making my future SIL 's wedding dress. No, it is not a traditional wedding dress but just a pretty and elegant dress. I am combining the bodice of Butterick 4188,view B and the skirt of NewLook 6348. You can see my first muslin which turned out way to big...

Next week I'm off to NY for a fitting and fabric shopping. Because I will have the kids with me we will do fun things with them too so that they will put up with the fabric shopping.

I am learning some new techniques during this project:

1. Full bust adjustment
2. S-darts as described by Threads Magazine July 2003
3. Blending two patterns
4. Drafting tulip sleeves. Instead of the cap the bride wants tulip sleeves and Ann from Gorgeous Things directed me to Roberta Carr's Couture The Art of Fine Sewing for how to draft my own.

Right now my machine is being serviced (annual cleanup) so I will have to use my mom's machine to put together the new muslin for next week.

I read Carolyn's post about her favorite fabric shops in NY and I'm bringing the list with me. I'll let you know how it all goes!

The Tilted Duster from Interweave Knits Fall 2007

This is my quickest turnaround, from the time I bought the yarn at Stitches East, Baltimore in the fall to finished time about 4 months later. Of course the fact that I had surgery in that time frame and spent a lot of time sitting around helped.

Yarn used: Berroco Peruvia in Chipotle (I think)
Size: Smallest

I added a single crochet and crab stitch (backward single crochet) to the hem because the stockinette sections kept curling up. I also attached the sleeves before sewing the sides, sewed the sides and sleeves seams in one pass and then picked up stitches to work on the skirt.

I love my new sweater!

Huckleberry Ascot

I am trying to post the last of my winter projects before spring is here. So here is the ascot from Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2007.

This was a relatively quick project that offered the opportunity to try some new techniques. This incorporates short rows to give the scarf the width at the ends and bobles to finish off the ruffle. The hardest part was picking up 120 stitches to make the bobles.

I love this scarf! I used the recommended yarn Blue Sky Alpacas Melange which is wonderfully soft and luxurious. But beware I was short and had to substitute with a similar yarn to finish bounding off.

Simplicity 4500 Jacket Muslin Part 2

Well, last night I had a chance to cut out my modified sleeves and sewed them to the body. I used Ann's tutorial in BeSewStylish. I really like the way they went in, no headaches and a great fit. I will use this method first from now on, and then if the fabric is not easing in right using the pins I will use my usual method (easing the jacket sleeve with a strip of bias interfacing/wool and stretching it while sewing it).

The wrinkles in the front view next to the armhole are because I do not have the upper front properly closed, they disappear when the center fronts are properly aligned. The wrinkling on the sleeves are due to the fabric but there are no telltale lines of pulling or other issues as far as I can tell.

I'm very happy with the way my muslin is fitting but if any of you think there is a problem please let me know!.

I have to put aside this project for now and make a muslin for a dress for my future SIL (more details on this on another post).

Simplicity 4500 Jacket Muslin

When I chose to make this jacket I decided to experiment with certain fitting issues, not that I am totally dissatisfied how the jackets I have made but I wanted to do some tweaking.

I traced armhole length of the size 12 but kept the shoulder line and neckline at 8. Although I have a very narrow upper chest I am long waisted and I thought I could use a little more length above the bust and then add the rest that I need just above the waist. I think the muslin showed me that this was a good thing to do, even the bust point fits right (on the last Simplicity jacket I made I had to lower the bus point). Even though I usually do fine tracing a 12 at the bust and a 14 at the waist and hip, this jacket was just too snug which I sort of expected because a reviewer in PR had found the pattern with little ease. So I let out 1/8 in at each princess seam starting at the waist (total 1/4 x 4 ) and 1/4 at each side seam (total 1/2 x 2). As you can see on the pictures it is still a close fitting jacket.

The sleeves are two piece and again as an experiment I used Nancy Ziemman's method of rotating the pieces to increase only the upper sleeve by 1/2 inch and see what results I get. I modified the sleeve pattern and now I need to cut it out of muslin and set it in.

I'll let you know how it goes!

Celebration in DC

Today we spent the day in Washington DC, it was my DH birthday on Friday and his request was to go to the Museum of Natural History to visit the bug museum (which had been closed for a while). We also got to see a 3D IMAX movie about prehistoric monsters of the sea and the new butterfly exhibit. We were disappointed at the bug museum, it looked just like before and the butterfly exhibit was good but a little confining and of course it did not help that it was very crowded. The movie however was fantastic! I closed my eyes several times...I could not stand to see those monsters so close!Then again I'm sort of a chicken when it comes to scary movies. We had lunch at the Native American Museum, you cannot go wrong there, everything we have ever had , and we have been there often, has been delicious.

After all the nasty weather we have had it was wonderful to walk and bask in the sunshine.

The picture shows the tile wall part of the Botanical Gardens.

McCall's 5504 Pattern Review

My son finally outgrew the pattern I had been using for I don't know how many years (I kept adding length and width and it was just too cut up to keep using it). He had been asking for flannel pjs for a while so I finally made them. The fabric is a monkey print flannel from Joann's. I love monkeys maybe because my first toy was a stuffed monkey that had an adorable face. Anyways I bought the fabric thinking if my son did not like it I would get new pjs...

The pattern is very easy. The only thing I did different was to use elastic at the waist instead of making a casing for a tie.

The last picture was taken 4 years ago, now he is a teenager...

Butterick 4976 Pattern Review

I completed this dress a while ago and got to wear it two days ago. Before I get into all the changes I want to say that I wore it for about 8 hours while I did my translation work, which involved a lot of walking, sitting and talking. It was extremely comfortable, the fabrics are a polyester knit that I bought from EmmaOneSock I don't remember how long ago, I was neither hot nor cold which it is something I worry about when wearing polyester.

Ok, I ended up reducing the lenght of the bodice to eliminate most of the gaping and then I used clear elastic to bring the neckline closer to the body. Now I always have a hard time doing this technique, it seems simple enough but it is hard to judge the distribution of the elastic when applying it so that it doesn't become one wrinkly mess when you're done. I always have to add length to the bodice because I am long waisted so I was really surprised to have so much extra fabric in this pattern. Of course the fact that the fabric was really stretchy might have added to the problem. Something else to note about the fit is that this pattern is designed for knits and wovens so maybe I should have gone down a size because I used a knit, the fit in the bodice is looser that what I'm used to in knits. I did not add the zipper since I can easily fit this dress over my head.

This is not one of my favorite dresses the zigzag skirt certainly adds width, and the bodice fit is not perfect. On the other hand it is very comfortable and I certainly will wear it.

Will I make this pattern again?No, there are a couple of Burda WOF dresses I want to do instead.

The picture was snapped by mom on my way out the door, excuse the mess on the rug, the kids had been playing Life (the Sponge Bob version)...

Curling for Charity

This is the second year that my DH participates in a curling fund raiser. This year the boys were interested in giving it a try. My friend asked one of the people in charge if the children could get on the ice and have a try and he agreed. I'm glad they tried something new, my children are not the most adventurous...something they get from their mother.

Goodies in my mailbox

Today I received the beautiful necklace set that I bought from trenabdesigns:
It is even more beautiful in person. Her(nicegirl from PR) designs are exquisite. Thanks Trena!

I also received February's Burda WOF, and my beagle got two dog bones from the mailman.

All in all the mailman was really good to us today.

Coming out of the fog...

Last Saturday, my youngest came down with a stomach virus, then on Tuesday it was time for the oldest and me. Well, I can sort of see the light now but not completely. Unfortunately, it seems my DH is now coming down with it.

I am thankful that this morning schools are opening two hours late, which will give me more time to get the boys to eat and see how they are today (yesterday the oldest had to be picked up early from school).

I was able to finish this pair of socks for my future SIL. She complains her apartment is very cold and what better than to wear wool socks at home. I am not a sock knitter, I knit them when they are needed, and even though I enjoy knitting them I prefer to be knitting something else. The pattern is from a basic sock recipe that I found online, the yarns are your basic wool sock yarn I couldn't find the label but I know I bought it from Knit Picks back when they sold other brands than their own.

My baby turns 10!!

Yesterday, we had a birthday party for about 2 hours or absolute chaos for 2 hours. We had 8 fourth graders and three eighth graders, all boys. The eighth graders decided that they would play video games away from the rest...it was a smart decision. The rest played, had pizza, cake and destroyed a pinata. Even though there was ice on the ground we kicked them outside for the pinata and there they stayed (by choice) playing until it was time to go home.
My baby (as a mother I have a right to still call him that) had a great time. We, the adults were a little shaken after it was over, but I believe a good time was had by all.

Taking a breather...

I finished the Butterick wrap dress
,it is done except for the hem. I tried it on and it is a disaster. I don't know if it is due to the modifications I made or the fact that the knit is so stretchy or a combination of both. The neckline gaps horribly and the length of the bodice is almost two inches too long. The only alteration I made to the pattern which I don't normally do is to lengthen the bodice by 1/4 inch at the armhole and the rest was added just below the waist. The last Butterick knit dress I made the armhole was binding so that is why I decided to do this. Of course I should have compared this pattern to the New look faux wrap I made which fits very nicely, but I didn't.
After my breather I'm going to compare all the bodice measurements and see what I can do to salvage a dress, which I this point I'm not even sure I like how the colors and prints I used look on me....

Katia No 43 Modelo 37

I can't remember how long ago I started on this project. I kept putting it down and loosing interest. Maybe because I knew that all the details would not show with the yarn I was using (Sirdar Cossak, which I bought from Knit Picks when they sold other brands). This fall I decided that I was tired of looking at this poor UFO so I finished it. Well, I really like it! It keeps me very warm (wool/acrylic/viscose blend), and I really like the color. Mine turned out more fitted than the model's, I guess I could've made a bigger size.

I had to order the zipper from the Zipper Stop since it was and odd size. They offer excellent service.

La famosa Tia Mirta (The famous Aunt Mirta)

I recently found out that youtube has videos of my wonderful aunt dancing. My aunt, Mirta Pla, was a well known and respected prima ballerina from the National Cuban Ballet (headed by Alicia Alonso). I was thrilled to find this video which showed her at her prime. I forget how perfect she was at her craft. Here she is dancing the Pas de Deux Clasique with Jorge Esquivel in Varna, 1964 where she won a silver medal. I hope you enjoy it!

Christmas Present

I usually don't knit or sew Christmas presents, I never seem to have enough time that time of the year and I don't like to give myself extra stress. But this year I remembered that I had the supplies to make the Two-hour tote bag.

My brother teaches at Fordham University and like your typical professor he is always loaded with canvas tote bags. I knew this would be a useful gift for him. I bought the canvas fabric at Joann's as well as the cotton straps. The fabric was a little light so I interlined the bag with muslin and made the width of the bag narrower by a couple inches so that it would hold its shape better when loaded with books. He loved it and didn't waste any time filling it up!

Simplicity 4500 Skirt

I made this skirt with a beautiful wool gabardine from my stash. The fabric has a wonderful drape and it feels all swishy and feminine on.
Working with this fabric was a nightmare. You must believe what they say about gabardine. It was a bear to iron. Knowing that it was a hard to work with fabric I chose a simple design, but even simple designs require pressing to look good. I lined it with silver Bemberg rayon, the pattern does not include a lining so I just used the skirt piece and attached it to the facing, and with hand stitches and in the groove of the seam of the facing I tacked together the facing to the waistband. I also made a pseudo crochet chain with sewing thread to keep the lining attached to the fashion fabric at the hem. I used seam binding for the fashion fabric hem (I love how this finish looks!).
As you can see I have a beautiful coordinating wool waiting to be made up in the jacket ( I really like the version with the belt). The colors of the last picture are truer to life.

I am a winner!!

Imagine my surprise when yesterday I saw that I had an email from The Well-Heeled Society telling me I was the winner of the holiday giveaway. I couldn't believe it! Go check out the goodies I won.

Well , it has been two weeks since my surgery and I feel so good I started to notice how much cleaning I need to do...I have been knitting a lot while I had my feet up and the Tilted Duster from Interweave Knits is half way done.

I hope to have pictures up tomorrow of a couple of completed projects.

Thank you all for your wishes for my quick recovery.