Graduate school graduate, and a cruise

The youngest son got his Master's from Colorado State University in Fort Collins. I thought I was done crying but have discovered that as each one leaves home, it becomes more emotional to see the next one leave (Only 5 more years to go before the youngest gets thru Pharmacy school). I assured him that they were tears of JOY! Here he is on that day with the entire family. I feel so blessed. My kids ask me if I'm proud of them. I tell them yes. They have far exceeded my expectations. I was happy that I never had to bail anyone out of jail, and I didn't become a Grandma before my time. So anything beyond that was pure JOY. Sometimes, I just sit and thank God for the blessings he's given my family. I come from a lineage of share-croppers with no more than a 2nd grade education; my parents were the first in their families to go to college. I know my grandparents are in heaven smiling down on my children.


Here also is a picture of my son with his "study buddies" from graduate school. It was my first time meeting them, and they are such an amazing group of young people. They were all fortunate to have each other as friends.
He also has a job comming out of college (which is such a blessing in todays economy). So I'll be heading off with him later in June to get moved in.

Well the family just got back from a cruise to Nassau Bahama. My daughter wanted to do something special for her high school graduation, and considering that the youngest son just graduated with his Master's in Comp. Science we thought why not. This would probably be one of our last chances to do a family vacation. So off we went on a 4 night cruise from Miami, FL to Key West, Nassau, Cocay Bay Bahamas.

It was just nice to be where I didn't have access to cell phones and computers. So it was a VACATION in the true sense. Here we are off the beach in Nassau. I got in the water a little bit, but I'm just to leary of the "lil critters" in the ocean and on the beach. When I saw the Iguana, and the stingray in the water, I was done with the beach.

My only regret is that I didn't get a chance to explore for fabric stores! Believe me, it did cross my mind. Maybe I'll save that for my trip to Ottawa, Canada. But in the meantime I did think sewing :)!

Here are my jean "muslins". Sorry for the fuzzy pix, I tried to take them myself in a mirror. (I
think its time to invest in a tripod!).

Here is a side view: The rolled him is where I'm going to have them stop for capri's. Since My muslin turned out better than I expected, I figured I'd just keep them. I've already transferred the adjustments to my paper pattern. The other leg, is the length of the pants leg (cut), this should actually be the length with a hem. So I've got to add about 1-2 inches to my finished pattern.
Here is a front view:

I thought I'd practice my topstitching skills on them, and it turned out pretty well, with patience :)

This is a picture of the front:

Here is the back view. I didn't want to go too fancy on the pockets. so they are simple.

I got my waistband in on yesterday. I got the fit down pretty good through the hips and upper leg. However, I've still got to reduce this some more in the waist (In my pictures at the top I put on a belt with them; but I probably still need to take another inch or so out of the waist).

Jeans in the works

I've joined the "Jeans sew along" on sewing.patternreview.com. My fabric came yesterday. In the meantime, I had some in my stash, that I figured I'd recheck my fit, etc. My pattern is Jalie's stretch denim pants; I so love this pattern.

As usual I had to do my alterations:

• sway back adjustment
• additional width in thighs
• added length at knee, and hemline
• take in at waist

This time I decided to try some top-stitching to make them look like ready to wear. The "muslin" versions are turning out great. I'd like to keep them, but I had just enough fabric, such that, if I try to hem them they'll be too short. I'm thinking, maybe I can turn them into capri's.
I'll have to post pictures tomorrow.

Where Oh Where Have I been?

I know you have been wondering where I've been and what I've been doing. Well let me break it down:

1. Recovering from "Empty Nest" syndrome - In December, it finally hit me that the dynamics of my family had changed. Everyone was home and then everyone was gone.
2. I've been doing a lot of scrapbooking as I try to organize my pictures and memories of when the kids were younger. It's been therapeutic.
3. Looking at going back to school for a advanced degree. I always wanted to go back to school to get a graduate degree, but "life" got in the way. Well now that the kids are all gone, I've got the time (besides it'll help me make this adjustment).
4. I've had to have two minor surgerical procedures. Nothing serious or life threatning; but a big deal for someone who doesn't like being put to sleep.
5. Very busy at work! I've also been enjoying it, usually when you are busy you're also stressed; but its been a good stress.
6. Doing lots of storytelling. If you didn't know I'm a professional storyteller. I specialize in telling American History from the perspective of the African American women that were a part of that history. All my stories are in first person. Well this year I've had an lot of opportunity to share those stories.

Well that's what I've been doing since Dec. of last year! I'm ready to start sewing again, as I discover a new me, and that's a good thing!

Estate Sales, etc

Well I know I haven't posted in a while, other things have just had me consummed; mainly work. It's not that I haven't been sewing, just haven't had the time to blog. So yesterday, I took the day off (mental health, aka vacation), and decicded to just take it easy since we were going to see my daughter's college team play basketball. So I decided since I was up anyway, I'd go to an estate sale that I had gotten an email on.

I usually go if there is sewing related items on the list. The last time I went, I ended up with some amazing sewing books (one by Singer (c 1972) and one by Coats & Clark (c. 1967)). These two books are two of the best sewing books I have ever purchased! Although the diagrams aren't in wonderful color, the drawings are just amazing. Everything is explained in detail from hand tailoring, laying out and cutting, fitting, etc. These two books have become my sewing bibles.

Well on yesterday at the estate sale I walked upon a box of patterns. When I got a chance to look at the patterns, I had over 30 vintage patterns, all in my size! Take a look at what I had in the box:
American Designer #1199

Butterick 9796, Simplicity 2461, McCalls 3130, Simplicity 1236

Butterick 5934, Vogue 9974, Simplicity 4813, Mccall 5760

Simplicity 5309

Simplicity 4556, Simplicity 1721, Simplicity 3598, Simplicity 1537


McCall 4108, McCall 8454, Advance 6726, Advance 2917

McCall 4172, Advance 2753, Advance 2732, McCall 9765

Vogue 5089, Advance 2837, Butterick 9796, Advance 9315

All of the patterns are in tact, except for the Butterick 9796 (missing the bodice pieces). I've posted to the pattern rescue site. I am very excited to say the least. I also have about 10 men's patterns that I haven'had a chance to go thru yet. I already know which ones I'm going to make. Some of the envelopes were barely in-tact so I made photo-copies of the envelope, and placed the pattern, along with the original envelope, in a 5x8 envelope, and taped the photocopy on it.

BTW, I finally completed my other vintage dress. It turned out wonderfully. Before I go to church on tomorrow I'll have to have to take a picture of me in it. And I'm hoping to catch up on my blogging....

Happy sewing!

Just wanted to share...

I have been working on a vintage dress for the past month made from silk dupionni. I underlined the entire dress, and have finally gotten to the point where I'm ready to make a custom belt to go with it. I found a 3" wide buckle, but then discovered that 3" wide belt backing is no longer readily available. The only place I found that had it, required me to buy 100 yards. I mean I do want to make at least 3 belts, but believe me 100 yards is WAY-Y-Y too much.

Well I finally decided to send an e-mail to a couple of sewing suppliers. Well guess what, G-Street fabrics called me directly and came to the rescue. One of the ladies in customer service called me and told me I could accomplish what I need using buckram or "lamp shade" material. She's sending me samples of each! She also gave me instructions on using either, and recommendations on the the best to use for a fabric belt from silk duppioni. I should get the samples by Monday.

She even gave me her direct phone number, so that if I had any questions at all I could call her. Now, HOW COOL IS THAT! I always go there when we go to visit relatives in Baltimore, and now they've just cinched me as a mail-order customer, also. I can't wait to get the dress completed (belt and all) and post the pix.

So if you have any questions about a hard to find sewing item, then I highly recommend sending a e-mail to G-STREET!

Baltimore and husbands (picture heavy)

Well, finally I'm updating you on what I did in Baltimore (besides getting a chance to visit relatives). Of course on my second day there I had to do the rounds of fabric stores! At first my husband kept trying to send a relative with me, but I finally convinced him that unless they were into fabrics and sewing, then it would just make the trip miserable for myself and them. All I had to do was remind him of the times he's tried to go with me on an all day excursion! Thank GOD for portable navigation systems! You can't get lost with one of those things, even if you tried to.

My first stop was Blanks. It is a quaint little shop, but most of the fabrics I saw were more geared towards home interior (but hey that hasn't stopped me from using a piece of silk I loved for a dress; I'm terrified I'll walk into some one's house and see a matching curtain or pillow).I didn't get anything from there; mainly because I didn't have home decor items on my list of to-do. My husband was very pleased with my decision; His biggest fear was that I would end up having to ship some stuff back home.

Then I immediately went to G-Street fabric in Rockville, MD. Of course the table that caught my eye was the $2.98 table. I got some awesome finds, once I was willing to dig. One piece I'm sure is a silk/wool blend. I've already got the patterns picked for each of the pieces (All of the fabrics are dark, so not sure the fabrics will show up well)

Vogue 1123 From what I and the fabric clerk could tell, this appears to be a silk/wool blend in a navy blue tone.

Vogue 1121

This fabric is a brown tone, sort of a herringbone with some spandex.

Vogue 8594

This a a brown tweed.

Vogue 2457 (OOP)

(This is two pieces a smoke gray cotton w/ spandex for the top, and a black wool for the dress).

I also found two pieces of wool in a black tweed and solid at $13.00/yd to make this Vogue ensemble from.

Vogue 8605

(I also purchased all of the trimmings, so all I have to do is start working on them.)

I was tempted to go to one of the other locations also, but had promised my husband I'd be back at a reasonable time.

Then on the way home, I stopped by a little Quilt shop in Glen Burnie, MD. Turns out it is going out of business (another victim of the economy). If only I had known they were there on all of my other visits. They are a Bernina shop, so all of their Bernina items were 40% off.

I found two pieces of fabric a Kona Print, and Hoffman; which I had to get.
Along with 3 differential feed feet for the Bernina 830: 1/4" piecing foot, clear foot, and open-toe embroidery foot.

By then it was time to go home (I'd been gone since 9am and it was now approaching 3pm).

When I got back, my husband was surprised that I only had the few items that I did (Although this may seem like a good size bounty to others, my husband has seen me do SO-o-o-o much more damage!).

I didn't get a chance to check out "A Fabric Place', but its on the list for next time.

Well that Saturday my husband decided to take me downtown, and guess what we walked upon: Gus Woolen shop! I got a chance to just browse through it. My husband kept encouraging me to go in and get some fabrics, but I decided that it was not good to be greedy. So we made a deal that next time we go to Baltimore, GUS WOOLEN HERE I COME!

Then we walked towards the Hippodrome theatre. As we were walking I spotted a hatmakers shop. Too bad they weren't open. I was so excited I had to take a picture of the shop window. This is also a MUST go in, and check out when we go back.

We'll be heading back to Baltimore in February, 2010 for a wedding; so I think I'll get there a day or so early! I gotta have time to go fabric shopping again, and add to my stash.

I must say my husband was extremely accommodating, and encouraging when it came to me wanting to go to the fabric stores, etc. You know it was one of the moments where you look and go, "who replaced my husband!". I guess it would be sort of a "Stepford Husbands" moment. Usually when I mention fabric or sewing in a sentence he and the kids would cringe, and literally run to other parts of the house. The empty nesting is pulling us closer, and we're learning new things about ourselves. "I think I've found my new potential boyfriend", but I call him my husband!

Well I'll be back to Baltimore in February, and maybe I'll get a chance to hook up with some of you in that area to do some Fabric shopping or just have lunch.

In the meantime "Happy Sewing!"