Sewing 2

 Moving forward (slowly) with my jacket. This is my inspiration for my jacket. I came across this while on a Pinterest scroll. 

As I went thru my stash looking for fabrics, I was delighted to find quite a few pieces that were actually from Japan. This first one was a purchase at the Madison Quilt Show, years ago. It was patiently waiting for the right project!

This piece was a purchase made at Home Ec in Iowa City. This little shop always has something for me to take home! It also has a brilliant selection of yarns.

Unknown source - but - I have a whole yard. I guess it just spoke to me, and still does!

Another Madison Quilt Show purchase. 

I've been working on some piecing. Not loving the lighter colored denim blocks, but I had a thought that they could be stenciled or cyanotype processed if they don't seem to fit the palette. 

And then there's the bird fabric! Another Home Ec purchase of a lovely Japanese printed fabric that I just had to have! 

Now, I just need to get busy with the hand stitching! I made the decision to machine stitch in the ditch to hold the blocks to the lining, for a huge time savings for me. My next thought is to Sashiko stitch the sleeves. My class meets again in 2 weeks and we are to have the pieces ready for pinning together and fitting the jacket. I'll do what I can do.

Return to sewing: Garment!

 I used to sew many of my own clothes. I remember a summer that I spent a week at my cousin's home that we took time every day creating a new halter top. My aunt would give us each a quarter to spend on a yard of fabric at the Ben Franklin. It was walking distance from their house and we would practically run the whole way to make our purchases. We would each pick out 2 coordinating fabrics and have 1/2 yard measured out, pay for our purchases and run back to the sewing machine. By afternoon, we had something new to wear!

I've wanted to return to sewing, but always seem to find something else to do.  A friend has been teaching a jacket class, and I actually have the time right now. Yesterday we began fitting a pattern, cutting a muslin pattern, and beginning layout. This morning I took out all the pins and began the layout all over again. It was too complicated and I know myself well enough. It would never be finished unless I simplified. I have 3 weeks to do the layout on 5 pieces (back, 2 fronts and 2 sleeves), and hopefully get them quilted to the jacket lining. I've opted for no batting as I think my handstitching will be easier without the extra layer.

New month, new journal!

 

Do you journal? I've been putting pen to paper, off and on, since 2007. Out of curiosity I gathered and counted. 72 journals. Today begins #73! I'm back to writing my 3 daily morning pages for The Artist's Way.  This is a fabulous program designed to increase creativity.