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Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Sewing October 2013

Nick and his nightshirt


     After getting back from Hawaii sewing classes are back in full swing.  The newer students are finishing up their sewing bags and belts while the others are finishing up some projects also.


Nonie and her notions bag


     On Monday, Nonie finished her notions bag and started work on some polka dot pajama pants.  Kate is almost done with her peasant blouse while Christine is nearly finished with her plaid pajama pants.  She has done a great job matching the plaid.

     On Tuesday, Julia was back after being sick last week.  She is working on a tank top that is a sparkle knit.  Hayley is working on a blouse and Greta is making a tank top out of a rib knit.  Najiyah finished her sewing bag and belt and started to lay out the pattern for some pajama pants.

Najiyah and her bag and belt


     Nick is working on some sweat pants with a knit cuff at the bottom While Ellen and Cara are working knit sport tops.  Lyndsey and Natalie are almost ready to start on their first clothing projects as well as Aviva and Maddie.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Hawaii Trip




     A few weeks ago my husband and I went to Hawaii for the first time.  Our trainer had qualified to run the Kona Ironman and we decided that it was a good excuse to visit Hawaii.





     We flew into Honolulu where his cousin met us at the airport.  We spent 4 days there.  His cousin took us many places on the island including the Dole plantation and Pearl Harbor.  Because of the government shutdown the USS Arizona was closed but we had a wonderful talk on the pier next to the USS Missouri.

     John and I walked to Diamond Head and then hiked up to the top.  Some spectacular views from up there.



     Then we flew to Kona for 6 days.  We visited a winery, saw the black beach and the white beach.  Never made it to the green beach, started out too late in the day.  Went to the southernmost bakery in the US and also the southernmost point in the US.




    On race day we went to the start of the swim, then back to where we were staying and walked to the top of the resort where we cheered on the bikers and our coach.  Then we spent some time by the pool before heading into town for lunch and the first of the runners.  We then headed to an aid station where we worked for about 4 hours and also cheered on our coach.  After our shift was finished we headed to the finish line to watch her cross.  We stayed there until midnight where the course was officially closed.  How inspiring to cheer on those last athletes.



     We took a helicopter tour of the volcanoes because the park was closed.  Disappointed that there wasn't any flowing lava to see.  All in all we had a great time and would love to go back.






Wednesday, October 2, 2013

October is Here



     I put in a lot of overtime last week but I finally got these done.  I had 6 long panels and 2 short panels to make with goblet pleats.  They were just a single width of material but the challenge was the 27 inch repeat and the request that the flowers mirror each other.  Once I figured out my cuts the sewing was actually quite easy.  The fabric was easy to work with though it tended to fray.  They are lined with a flannel backed lining to give them some extra fullness.  These are going to definitely amp up the style in the client's kitchen and eating area.




     Next on the plate were some quilt blocks.  The client had gotten frustrated with the half square triangles in the corners.  Nothing seemed to go together right for her.  It turns out that it appeared that she traced her pieces, added seam allowances and then sewed them together, sort of on the line.  None of the pieces were the same size.  She had the center columns sewn and the rectangle blocks for the outer columns.

     I wound up taking everything apart.  First I cut the center squares to size.  Then I joined the medium and light blue rectangles together and cut them to size.  I sewed up the center columns and then started on the end columns.  I sewed together the triangles and carefully pressed them so as not to stretch the bias.  Then I cut them to size.  After that things went together easily.

     The client just picked them up and she is thrilled with them.  I gave her a few pointers on putting on the sashing and also some tips to make things easier next time.



     After school classes are going well.  Nonie finished her blouse and is now working on a notions bag.  Kate is working on her peasant blouse.  Poor Christine was out with strep.  Julia found some cool gray knit fabric with sparkles for her tank top,  Hayley had to miss because of a doctor's appointment.  Najiyah is starting on her sewing bag.  Greta finished her water bottle kosy and cut out her tank top.  Lyndsey and Natalie are also working on their sewing bags.  Cara is working on a pair of microfleece pants that are going to be so cosy for the cooler temps.  Ellen was sick last week.  I taught Nick how to shorten a pair of dress pants that he needed for a special event last weekend while Bella worked on her peasant blouse.  Aviva and Maddie are also working on sewing bags.  Lots of sewing going on here.

     This past weekend my husband and I had long runs on Saturday and then a brick workout of a 40 mile bike followed by a 8 mile run.  Starting to build up the miles here.  Friday we have a 1 mile run followed by a 50 mile bike and a 10 mile run.  Getting ready for Miami-Man half iron duathlon.

     Sunday afternoon we made freezer meals.  By daughter, her hubby and baby came as well as my son and his wife and my son-in-law's brother and his wife.  Our son from Iowa also came in.  So while the guys watched football in the basement us ladies put together 13 meals for the freezer.  We had split up the vegetable prep so things went together pretty well.  It was still after 3 by the time we finished but lots of good meals to look forward to.