Weekend Sewing

Well I am on fire!! I finished my knit top from Nancy Erickson and it turned out great, although I think I am ready to make a size 12 because I did have to take it in quite a bit. I originally started with a sz 16 two years ago, but have finally lost enough weight to go down two sizes (yaaaah!). The fabric is an awesome wool knit purchased from Gorgeous Fabrics a few months ago. It has a wonderful drape and is firm enough to cover those unsightly"bumps".

[ http://www.gorgeousfabrics.com/shop/index.php ].

I also made pants (view D) and a dress (view C) from the same fabric! I used an OOP pattern, V8138. The pants were soooo easy to put together and fit great. I'm between an 18 and 16 so adjusted for that.  The dress came together quickly and I only have to do the bottom hem later today.

http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v8138-products-5353.phppage_id=951&search_control=display&list=search

So attached is picture for you, but not with me in it - I'm not ready for that yet! I wore the belt hanging loosely at the hips and with a strong coloured scarf to brighten it up. (I think that spot on the top isn't really there! I hope it's the camera) I have started on a pair of Burda trousers, but more of that tomorrow!

One of my goals, post-retirement, is to concentrate on my spiritual, mental and physical health. I have been going to the gym with a trainer twice a week for over a year now, and he has been invaluable for me "sticking to it". I have lost weight slowly, but surely, and am gaining muscle and endurance. It certainly has challenged me physically and at times causes me some real pain. But I feel that it is important to work through it and not give in after those tough days. Some days I am certain that I am the only woman my age "pumping iron" with all the young testosterone fueled guys. But at this stage of my life, I am happy to say it doesn't bother me at all. HA! Who thought I would ever get to that point! My challenge now is to lose those last 20 or so pounds. I have been stuck for some time. My lovely, healthy, fit, daughter turned me on to Calorie Count and I think this will make the difference for my diet. http://caloriecount.about.com/. This site is amazing! It analyzes your intake from a holistic perspective....meaning it tells you how much fat, carbohydrates, protein and sodium etc you consumed for the day. Rather shocking!!

Spiritually, I have been attending church every week and saying the odd rosary. This helps keep me focused and centred on an authentic path. I am still working on my mental health....'burn out' takes time to recover from. Maybe more on that later......

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend and sewing/knitting or whatever else brings you inspiration!

Peace to all,

Mimi

                                           

I'm Baaaaack!

Sorry for the long time away! I'm certainly not off to a good start blogging! We were felled by 'the plague' over the holidays and well into January. I always end up with bronchitis, so am just now feeling normal again!! I know so many folks were, and still are, sick with the same flu. Yes, it's that time of year....as if winter weren't challenging enough on its own. Although, we have had strange weather this winter! For the prairies, it has been very very mild, that is until until last week, when we dropped down into -30ish.

Anyway enough about winter and flu! I ordered three sewing books over the holidays. First, The Colette Sewing Handbook, by Sarai Mitnick;

 

The Burda Style Sewing Handbook, by the folks from Burda;

 and finally, Norwegian Handknits, by Sue Flanders and Janine Kosel.

Of the three, my preferences are toward The Burda Style and Norwegian Handknits. Burda Style includes 15 projects and a section profiling other sewists and how they interpret the patterns. Always inspiring! I can see myself making some of the outfits using my own ideas, as suitable for my age, personality and lifestyle. The Colette includes four patterns and detailed instructions on "how to". This would be a beautiful gift for someone learning to sew. I think the Colette Patterns may suit younger women more so than myself. It is a lovely book though with lots of instructions and wonderful clear pictures to guide you. And well, Norwegian Handknits is simply pure pleasure reading! Many, many patterns are included, with historical information about the patterns and pictures. Lovely reading on a winter afternoon!

I have ventured into my sewing room this week and lined up all my UFO's. I managed to finish a black knit top I had laying around since forever. The pattern is  #1960, from Nancy Erickson, of The Fashion Sewing Group [http://www.fashionsewing.com/home.htm]. This pattern is one of my favourites and goes together easily and quickly. I have made the sweater many times as well. Another UFO waiting is a red sweater knit, cut out, and just waiting to be put together. But first, I have to finish a sweater jacket which is soooo close to being finished - just have to do the buttonholes and bottom hem. Can you imagine - what is stopping me?? I will try to post pictures shortly. You may be interested to know that Nancy puts out a superb newsletter five times a year. A wonderful source of sewing ideas and methods, fashion news and  fabric! Loooove it! When I get my newsletter the first thing I do is staple all the samples so I don't lose them, then make a cup of tea or save it till bedtime  to read every square inch!

On the knitting front, I confess to doing not much at all. My friend and I have committed to a large craft show in October, for which I am making felted bags. As I will need at least fifty, I need to get motivated! I have a made few already, that just need to be lined.

I purchased several (okay, 50) balls of wool from Elann at a very reasonable price. They have a great selection and being located in Canada, I receive my order very quickly.

[http://www.elann.com/Commerce.Web/default.aspx]

Are you getting the impression I do alot of online shopping? Haha that may be so! We have a very limited selection of stores in the small rural city where I chose to reside. There is no knitting store here, only one chain of fabric store, and only one small shop that calls itself a bookstore, but I beg to differ! So online shopping has opened the door to many products that I normally wouldn't have access to. And just as a footnote, any businesses I mention here are for information purposes only. My palms are not being greased, nor am I connected to, any of those mentioned. I just like them and want to share!

 

I hope to blog at least every other day, if not more often. I would love to hear from anyone who has time to leave a comment or just to say "hi".


Peace be with you,

Mimi