Thank You, Uncle Sam!

So, this year I am getting a tax return. And I've decided to use it to buy my first serger. Woo-hoo! Thank you Uncle Sam. I am so excited by this, I can't even tell you.

I haven't really scratched the surface of the various sergers and their features. But I did read a few threads on PatternReview on buying a first serger. Based on that, plus my own personality quirks, I'd have to rank ease of threading/using as my #1 priority. At first, at least, I plan on using a serger primarily for finishing seams. But, I'd like a machine that has features that I can grow into. Most of all, I don't want to end up with a machine that I don't use because it is too difficult or fussy for me to master.

Anyway, as luck would have it, this weekend, Phineas and I visited family out of town, and it happened that the route to get there took us past Pocono Sew and Vac, which is where Phin bought my fabulous sewing machine. So, I had to pop in.  

Project Clio? - The Brother 5234

At Pocono S&V they showed me the Brother 5234 serger, which is part of their Project Runway limited edition line of machines. I am usually skeptical of special editions or celebrity sponsors, but right now this is the machine to beat. I had a very good experience with my first sewing machine, which was also a Brother. And several other sewists seem to like their Brother 1034 sergers, which I will also consider. The other machines that seem popular for first time buyers are the Juki 654 and Janome 634D.I'll also check those out.

Anyway, any of you who have sergers and opinions, please do feel free to chime in with suggestions or tips for me.  Thanks so much!

Valentine's Day

Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss by Antonio Canova

It is so easy to be jaded by Valentine's Day - what a Hallmark holiday it is! But at the heart of it, what in life is more worthy of celebrating than love? (Wow, queue Carrie Bradshaw! he he he)
 
I am so fortunate to have all different kinds of love in my life - friendship, parental love, sibling love, the love between aunts/uncles and nieces/nephews, romantic/marital love, and - perhaps most important and most difficult - love for myself.

Whatever  kind of love you have in your life - whether for your parent or partner or pet - I wish you more of it today and every day. Happy Valentine's Day!

Orange: A Healthy Dose of Virtual C?

It's hard for me to not be happy when I think about the color orange. And between stitching up my Lady Gray (I finished pad stitching the second lapel last night!!) and a mini trend I've been noticing in stores, I seem to be getting a healthy dose of virtual C, which is helping my mood, just as a bit of vitamin C is helping my cold.

Last year I was lamenting how scarce orange is in clothing stores. Orange seems to never be "in", except around Halloween. And at that time of year, the orange clothing usually comes with pumpkins, black cats or bats on it. However, just in the last few weeks, I've noticed a big influx of all different shades of orange at some very main stream stores, and more orange tones in the reds and pinks, too.

Anthropology orange hooded robe

Alice & Olivia at Saks

Banana Republic - this sweater comes in two different shades of orange!

Ann Taylor - Bright Russet cowl top

In the just arrived sections of some online fabric stores, I've noticed more orange fabrics and orange playing more of a role in prints.

Pumpkin/Wine striped jersey at Mood

Orange French Terry at Sawyer Brook

And a cheerful print also at Sawyer Brook

I am tickled by this, since I love orange so much. AND I am relieved. Everything I have heard and seen has made me think that this spring was going to be all about neutrals, which is just not the best color palette for me. Besides, in this long, cold, snowy winter that we are having in the Northeast, I for one could use a bit of cheery brightness. So, here's to orange!! Yay!

Stitch, stitch, stitch, sneeze. Repeat...

I've had a cold for the last few days. The only things I've really been up to are napping, sipping tea and pad stitching. So, at least there is progress.

One lapel is completely done and the other is underway.  When both are done, they will get a good steaming and it will be on to pad stitching the collar. 

Gung hay fat choy!

Happy Chinese New Year! May you become prosperous. 

Having married into a Chinese-American family, celebrating the new year has become a norm in my home life. Yesterday I ate a bowl of noodles (long and unbroken for longevity) and also fish, as is traditional for the multi-day new year celebration. It is also traditional to clean and sweep the house in the hopes of inviting in good fortune. So, um, you know what my weekend will be like - early spring cleaning! 

Jessica Rabbit - I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way.

In case you were wondering, it is the Year of the Rabbit, which is my zodiac symbol. So, it should be a lucky year for me and all the other rabbits out there. Rabbits are serene, trustworthy, empathic, fashionable, diplomatic, sincere, sociable, and are caretakers. And, to put it politely, they are "romantic" creatures. Wood Rabbits (1915 and 1975), like me, tend to put the needs of their friends and family ahead of their own. They are peacemakers and avoid conflict.

Stash: Not On A Fabric Diet

At the end of the year, it seemed like many sewistas in the blogosphere were on fabric diets or vowing to go on fabric diets in the new year. I am pleased to report that I am not on any kind of diet - fabric or otherwise.

For me, a restrictive diet is a sure fire recipe for disaster. If I tried to go on a weight-loss diet, it would end in a haze of brownies.  I do much better when I just try to be healthy and balanced - allowing myself the occasional splurge or treat and feeling no guilt about it. So, here is my latest little fabric splurge.

ITY Knits from FabricMart.com

I took advantage of the 50% off sale on ITY knits at FabricMart about a week or so ago. The blue fabric on the right will, I think, become Vogue 8379, the wrap dress that so many sewistas have done up so beautifully.  I had initially thought of making the brown snakeskin-look fabric on the left into the wrap dress as well. I always think of brown as such a serious and staid color, but - thanks to the shiny "scales" which are shinier than the photo really shows - this fabric is incredibly fun. Maybe too fun for a wrap dress. So, I may have to think of something else to do with it.

Anyway, in the last six months or so, I've been trying to wear less black and more dresses. So, adding some colored fabric to my stash is a plus. Stay tuned because the next delivery will be several dress patterns...

Still plugging away at my Lady Grey

Sorry there isn't more exciting news, folks, but this coat sure is a labor of love for me!

It took FOREVER to hem the lining. Why I didn't just trim and then use my narrow hem foot is beyond me, but I guess got fixated on following the instructions. Oh well, you live and learn.  I also added the lapel facing to the lining. I know it is not exactly a usual or standard color combo, but I just love how the orange and turquoise looks together. Am I crazy?

I also finished step two of hand stitching - the twill tape is catch-stitched down for the roll line and the area below the roll line is all basted. So, now let the pad stitching begin!