WIP: Shrug

Over the last few evenings, I have started work on the shrug for my mom. Cutting the pattern one night, the fabric another, and last night beginning to sew. Before I go any further, I am going to have mom try it on this weekend.

I'm not sure how the sleeves will fit. The armscyes look fine, but the sleeves are not terribly large and are going to take some finessing to ease them in smoothly. I'm a little concerned about this, and also whether there will be enough room under the armpit.

The only other unforeseen issue is how I will finish the seams. I should have thought of this before I started sewing. I have a feeling that the sequins will be a bit itchy and rough on skin. Maybe I will trim and then bind them together with biased tape. Or if I feel very ambitious, I could do a Hong Kong finish. Although, that would probably be overkill and wouldn't really get rid of the problem of itchy sequins on the skin, even though I am now dying to try this finish.

Curtains!

So, more on the curtain project for Terpischore's wedding reception. This is the layout of the reception area. All the W x L measurements are for the curtains. The place has an industrial feel to it and the curtains will be hung on the metal pipes at key windows and doorways. Because of that, I will make curtains that have ties at the top, rather than a casing to thread a curtain rod thru.

The black delustered satin arrived over the weekend, as did the heavy weight grosgrain ribbon that will be used for tie-backs and hanging ties. I'm happy with the quality. I was definitely worried since I got it on the cheap. But it looks great for this use and I think will do well for clothing and a duvet after the wedding.

I am going to make a sample curtain this weekend to work out the design issues before the sewing blitz with the Muses. That way we will be ready to go. Even Mom Muse is getting in on the act; she has volunteered to be one of the pressing and pinning team.

Congratulations!!!

"Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly."
- Rose Franken, American Playwright

Three cheers for the future Mr & Mrs Dr Kiang! We're so happy for you!

Another tote bag done!

Yesterday, I finished the tote for my mom. I think it came out really cute! I really like how the contrast pocket, straps and lining worked out. The one thing I would probably alter in future tote bags is that the lining is a little bit large. I would probably do it a shade smaller than the tote bag, so that it nestled in better. That said, I think I am the only one who would notice.

Here is the inside pocket with my very own label.

Hai, the Trim Guy

If I sounded at all frazzled this morning, you should know that my afternoon shopping put me back on the right track. I decided that my mom's shrug will need some kind of trim since the ends will not look very attractive if I just hem them. So, off I went to 38th Street, swatch in hand.

I'm not sure if it is advisable to build a project around the trim, but there were so many gorgeous, fun and frilly ribbons that I was tempted. I really like Hai's Trimmings, where I found black leather barbed wire, and B&Q, which has an abundance of lace, but today I found what I wanted at Pacific Trimming, which is simply enormous.

This trip totally reinforces my philosophy that my clothing need never be plain again. Now, if I just had the time to put this philosophy into action...

Project backlog!

Yesterday, Magenta commented that I had lots of cool projects in the works. She's right - I've got an immensely full plate! Because of this growing backlog of projects, I took Monday off and devoted most of the day to sewing. I'm doing the same thing this Monday.

I made good progress on the tote bag that I am making for mom's birthday. I stopped when I decided that what it really needed was an inside pocket. Once that is complete, all that I will have to do is attach the lining and put on finishing touches like the handle, some top stitching, and a final coat of Stainguard.

Here it is, in progress

I have one more tote bag to do this summer; a birthday tote for Terpischore, the bride. She liked the one I made Poly so much that she asked me to make one for her. She will be honeymooning in Mexico, and hopefully it will be finished in time. I still haven't picked out fabric for this project and am in a bit of a panic about it.

I also have to make several enormous curtains for her wedding. She is a bit of a DIY bride, and there are a few doorways and large windows at the reception venue that she wants to cover. Yesterday, I ordered 45 yards (135 feet!!) of black delustered satin. At $2.99 a yard, the price was definitely right! Hopefully, I'll be able to make the fabric into something else after the wedding (duvet covers? sheets? an army of little black dresses? who knows.) Anyway, I have put the muses on alert that we are having a massive sewing party the weekend before the wedding and I am going to spring for pizza and wine to bolster our efforts. If you are reading this, you are heartily invited to attend.

However, before I work on any of this, I MUST make a shirt or two for Phineas for his birthday. He has been a tremendous help with prepping all my fabrics while I am at work and has been incredibly patient with my frequent disappearances into the Craft Lounge. It's time he reaped the benefits.

It is funny now to think that at one point I worried about not having enough projects to keep me busy. Those were the days!

Stretch Assignment

I admit it. I have been wanting to poke around in Spandex World, that mecca to the fabric that launched 1000 tacky fashions, for quite some time. I've just never had an excuse to walk in the door. Until today that is!

One of the many (many many!) projects I am working on is a short sleeved shrug that I am making for my mom. She bought a red strapless dress for Terpiscore's wedding. Scandalous, I know. But in all sincerity, it is about the most modest red strapless dress ever made. However, she still wants to cover up a bit for church, and so I volunteered my services.

I decided that the shrug should be 1- tiny, 2-black and 3-made of stretch lace. So off I went to Spandex World. All I can say is, you haven't really lived until you've witnessed two adult men argue over whether to buy the leopard print or zebra print spandex. At first I was disappointed with the small selection of lace, but when I realized there was a second floor (yes, two whole floors of spandex), things started looking up. I ended up with some beautiful black stretch lace that has sequins sewn right into it. Perfect!

Poorly photographed, but beautiful fabric.