Update on Sunday Activities

Yes, I managed to make some big progress on the Dorothy dress yesterday.  It really was fun to work on a wearable for the first time in awhile.  I still need to sew the zipper in with the machine, add the buttons, and add a couple of hooks at the neckline in the back.  I altered the pattern for the hem treatment and used a bit of eyelet lace to look like a slip under her dress.  The pattern is Simplicity 4139.  Alexandra thinks I’m magic because I was able to make the fabric look like the “real Dorothy” dress!  I know from my older two children that I should enjoy this short time when Alex thinks I can do “magic”. LOL

 

She received her first (preschool) bible at church and proudly stood in front of the congregation at church.  She can be shy sometimes, so I wasn’t sure how she would handle looking out at the crowd.  Alexandra was excited to see her name in “print” in the bulletin and inside the bookcover.  She carried it around all afternoon and we had to read the story of The Good Samaritan at bedtime. 

Today I need to get some business done on the computer and figure out which quilt to load next.  The Iowa City Quilt Guild meeting is tonight, so I’m also going to try and finish my jacket from the Jill Abeloe-Mead workshop.  I’ll post a picture when it is finished.

A Busy Sunday

Alexandra will receive her first bible during the church service today.  They are giving them to all the children who are starting Sunday School for the first time.  She has really been enjoying Sunday School and gave us an interesting version of the story of The Good Samaratan a couple of weeks ago.  The details may not have all been right, but at least we know she has been listening.

After we get home, I want to work on her Dorothy dress for Halloween and see if I can’t get it nearly completed.  I forgot how easy garment sewing was and have really enjoyed making her dress.  The seam allowances seem HUGE, though.

I aso need Craig to check a few of my measurements so I can release the hold on my Unique Patterns order.  This is a place that drafts patterns exactly to your measurements so I won’t have as many fitting issues when I make my garments.  My goal is to do a storyboard for fall and winter clothes and use the SWAP technique to start building a wardrobe that fits and makes sense and get rid of all the clothes that I hate, but wear anyway.  Here is an example of a SWAP wardrobe plan.

Have a great Sunday and enjoy whatever is keeping you busy today.

Clean Studio and Back to Work

I got back onto the longarm today.  I’m ashamed to say that this is the first I’ve quilted in three weeks (before vacation.) I’m behind with my quilting but now I’m back into the groove.  Why is it that I convince myself I can’t quilt worth a flip when I’m away from the machine for more than a couple of days?  I’m posting a couple of close-up pictures of the quilt for a sneak peek.  My goal is to get it done by the end of the week.  Wish me luck!

   

In the name of work avoidance, I’ve gotten alot done… just not what I was supposed to do.  As a result, I’ve rearranged my studio, moved my machine, installed some new shelves, organized my batting closet, created a quilt display wall, vacuumed the floor, etc.  I really do love my power tools and I must say that my little “padded room” is much more enjoyable now. 

            

The room looks sparse in the pictures, but it doesn’t feel that way in real life.  I also noticed in the pictures that my calendar still says 8/6.

This weekend I’m going to install two 4′ x 8′ white melamine panels on the quilt display wall.  This will give me a gigantic white board to use for ideas, designs, and to record fits of inspiration.  I expect Alexandra will have to claim the lower portion for herself <grin>. 

I’m also going to take my closet doors off the 16′ closet opening and hang a sheer curtain over it.  This will let the light from the closet shine into the studio and I’ll be able to step around the machine or anything in my way without having to move the doors.  The closet is about 24′ long and I’ve got 8 rolls of batting on the wall.  I’ll have to post pictures again after all the work is done.

  

I’m looking forward to working on my customer quilt again tomorrow morning.  Gosh it feels good to be quilting again!

Swimming Lessons

Alexandra is my 4-year-old daughter and she started taking swimming lessons this summer.  She started Level 2 this week and told me that it is a little tricky. 

Isn’t that how it is whenever we have something new to learn.  The urge to expand our knowledge can be strong until we realize it isn’t going to be easy.  Keeping your eye on the goal is the secret to getting through the tough stuff.   Whether it is swimming, quilting, or learning how to run a pattern design company the secret remains the same.

I’m off to work on a customer quilt and tidy up my longarm studio.  More later.