Reunion Outfit

Fabrics, jewelry and matching scarf

     While at the ASG conference this summer I had my colors done by Nancy Nix-Rice.  After getting them done we went back onto the sales floor, which was closed, so I could pay with my credit card.  While walking to her booth we passed another booth that had lots of fabrics for sale from closing their warehouse.  Nancy started pulling out some that would work for me and before you knew it I had a pile of fabric, scarves and jewelry that all went together.

Dusty purple long jacket

     I decided that since my 40th high school reunion was coming up I would make myself a new outfit to wear.  Based on my body type, which Nancy figured out for me also, I decided to make a longer jacket, a matching shell and a straight skirt.  The jacket is the same pattern I used for my jacket challenge a few years ago, just the longer version.

Dusty purple shell

     The shell is from Louise Cutting.  I had made it before also so I knew it would fit.  That made the sewing of the jacket and shell nice and quick since I didn't have to do any fitting.  This dusty purple poly was easy to work with but did fray.  I just serged all the seams to keep it all neat.

Tapestry skirt

     The skirt I chose was not one I had made before.  I chose the size according to my measurements. I did try it on before sewing the side seam and it seemed okay.  When I wore it though it had a tendency to slip down a little so I will need to take in the waist about an inch.   This tapestry like fabric has metallic threads and so it is scratchy.  I underlined the fabric pieces with some lining I had in my stash.  That made it smooth on the inside and also provided a bit of body to the fabric.  I like the off set front slit.  Makes the skirt a little less plain.

Complete outfit

     Overall I was pleased with the outfit and I did get several compliments on it at the reunion.  I can't wait to make some more pieces out of the rest of the fabric.

Pink & Black Presents Quilt

Finished quilt 66 x 79

     I bought this quilt kit in July of 2006 at Barrington Sewing Center.  I loved the quilt on display and decided I needed to make it for myself.  The book it is from is called Take Two and Add a Few.

Square detail

     I finally got around to cutting it out before quilt retreat in March 2014.  I got it all pieced at the retreat.

Corner detail

     After piecing it I decided it needed borders.  After looking at several quilt shops I finally bought the fabric online from Fabric.com.  

Label 1

     I was going to use the outer border as binding but I din't like how it looked with the backing fabric.  I headed to the local quilt shop for some black for the binding.

Label 2

     I auditioned several threads for the quilting and we decided on just plain black.  It shows up well on the front and really pops on the back.  It was finished being quilted in May and a few days ago I put in the last stitch of the binding while watching Monday Night Football.

Quilting detail

     For now it is just a fun quilt for me but maybe someday I might have a granddaughter to give it to. :-)

ASG Conference 2014

Sunrise over the Mississippi

     In July I drove down to St Louis for the ASG, American Sewing Guild, Conference.  It was held in downtown St Louis right by the arch.  In the mornings I would get up early to take a walk in the park before breakfast.

     I took a course on using your camera to take better photos for showing off your work.  I started out okay but then it got much more technical than I could comprehend.  Hopefully though I can spend some time going over my notes and playing with some of the settings.

Gail Yellen

     I took a couple of hands on classes with Gail Yellen.  The first was bound buttonholes and the second was serger techniques.  Gail is an excellent instructor and had a great kit for each class.

Bound buttonhole sample

     I also made a Circle Jacket with Marsha McClintock.  It is a PDF pattern that I printed off before leaving.  One evening at home I taped all the pieces together so I was ready to go for class.  I used some rayon batik for the jacket that had a matching crinkle fabric.  I used the crinkle fabric for the band.  It was an easy jacket and I like how it fits.  I will have to make another soon.

Modeling my Circle Jacket

     I also had a lecture on camisole fitting with Anne St Clair, the Bra Lady.  I bought a kit to make myself one to wear under a mesh knit top that I plan on making.  I also had a lecture class on making purses from hard cover books.  She had so many great examples.  I hope to do one soon and then have it as a summer camp one year.

Book purse

     The highlight of the show for me this year was getting my colors done by Nancy Nix-Rice.  She did an outstanding job narrating the fashion show.  One morning before the vendor floor opened and I didn't have a class, Nancy did my colors for me.  We then went onto the vendor floor where we picked out some scarves and jewelry that would go with my coloring.  She also helped me to pick out a bunch of fabulous fabrics to make myself some new outfits.  What a treat.

St Louis Arch from my room at night

     I was sorry when conference ended but happy to get home so I could play with my new things.  Unfortunately I didn't have much time as I had a backlog of work to do and we left for Ireland a few days after getting home.  I am finally getting a chance to sew up some of the fabric I bought.

National Sewing Month

     September is National Sewing Month.  On September 21, 1982, at the request of the American Home Sewing & Craft Association, President Reagan declared September as National Sewing Month.  In the summer of 2004 the Home Sewing Association (HSA) (formerly the American Home & Sewing Craft Association) renewed its dedication to national Sewing Month and created the logo shown above.  For more info visit their website. 

   

     I am going to 'celebrate' National Sewing Month by doing some something sewing related for myself every day.  I sew for a living and recently have been too busy sewing for others that I have not done any pleasure sewing for months.  It is time to get back to fun sewing.

     I went to the ASG conference in St Louis in August.  When I was there I had my colors done by Nancy Nix-Rice.  She also helped me pick out some fabrics in my 'new' colors along with some jewelry and scarves.  Above are some of the fabrics and necklaces we chose.

     I have spent the first two days of September reading my Sew News magazines and cutting out part of an outfit for my upcoming HS reunion.  I am planning on logging my progress daily on my web page and on the Google Sewing Community.

     Have fun and go create something wonderful.