Oilcloth bags

I took the Oilcloth Bags class at Stitch Lab yesterday. Another lovely class, and I have 4 cool bags to show for my time. I think Elsie approved. :-D

Balcony gardening

I have spring fever!! Of course one could argue that it's really summer fever since I'm not entirely sure 80 degrees counts as spring. I've been growing herbs on my balcony along with some flowers for a few years. I usually manage to kill my herbs over the winter. I managed to keep the hibsicus alive and hope it will perk up some more with the warm weather.

So today I got my herbs replanted, as well as some new flowers that didn't winter either. So happy to have some color out there.

I'm also going to experiment with some veggies. So I planted one sweet pepper plant in with my herbs today, and am debating about trying carrots too. If I don't try carrots, then I'll definitely do some lettuce as soon as I can find some plants to buy. I can't be bothered to start from seeds, and I don't get enough light in my apartment for that anyway. Anyway--I've played in the dirt and I feel better for it. :-D

Dress finished!!

I finished up my dress today. I can't decide if I'm disappointed or happy. The dress doesn't fit. Last night I was thinking it was the pattern and it was just a weird fit. The teacher said that most garments come out too big.

Today I took out the tape measure and measured myself. Yeah, it doesn't fit because in the five weeks since I last measured myself I've lost between a 1/2 inch to an inch. Definitely good news! I'm happy with the process, and I think I did a really good job. It's just disappointing that I can't wear the fruits of my labor!

UPDATE: A couple of friends kindly helped me alter the dress so now it fits. Yay!!!

Dress--Class 5

We packed a lot in tonight. I learned about easing for my cap sleeve. I opted to only do one in class so I'd have time for other things. I got to add in pockets to my dress even though they weren't in the pattern. I'm super happy about that. And most importantly I did an invisible zipper with no tears, cursing or starting all over!! I learned so much. I hope I remember it all.

I'm so glad I have tomorrow off so I can finish up my dress. I did try it on tonight. It's a bit big in the bodice, but it's super cute, and I love the full circle skirt. I think I'll probably make it again for practice and to get one that fits better. And I see a couple more classes in my future to ensure better fit!

Class 4: Bodice

I'm still very much enjoying my sewing class. Week 2, we went over the pattern instructions related to cutting out your pattern, and how to make some minor alterations. I got over my fear of using the rotary cutter without a ruler. Week 3, we learned about pattern markings, and then the teacher demoed how to do darts, gathers, understitching, and a few other techniques. I learned a lot of new terms, and had a major d'uh moment about tracing the markings from the pattern. I've never done this. I've always used the notches but never any of the markings! (And despite there being a lot of markings on my bodice, I didn't use any...yet.)

This week was all sewing! The bodice of my dress also has a lining, so I get to do everything twice! That meant 8 princess seams. I did the first one no problem, but then had trouble with the rest of the ones for the front bust. It's tough getting them pinned and going slow on the machine so the fabric doesn't pucker or gather. But it was all easily ripped out and I got it right. The back princess seams weren't as steep and not as challenging. I completed the bodice, and now just need to add the cap sleeves and skirt. I think I'm in good shape to finish during the last class. Here's a really bad photo of my bodice taken with my cell phone. I think if you squint you can just make out my lovely princess seam.

I've now added a tailor's ham (which really does look like a canned ham only padded) to my growing wishlist of items.

Garment Sewing...Part 1

I am taking a 5 week garment sewing class at Stitch Lab. I'm super excited to fill in some gaping holes in my pattern following/garment making knowledge, and really just have some one guide me through a pattern instead of figuring it out on my own! I'm hoping to make something without throwing a tantrum or having to rip something out!!!

I'm making a cap sleeve dress with a cute purple and green dotted/circle fabric. Can't wait for next week!!

Around the World in 52 Books

I'm participating in the Goodreads Around the World in 52 Books challenge. 52 books taking place in 52 countries. I'm going to map my travels as I read. Since I'm going to travel where ever my fancy takes me, I'll have a crazy map, but it'll be fun to see how it goes. I started off in Vietnam with Inside Out and Back Again and now I'm in Trinidad with Woman on a Green Bicycle.

View Full Size Travel Map at Travellerspoint