In Other News. . .

 Just because I am sewing, doesn't mean I am not knitting. This is a non-wool combo for Kathleen. I am about to start on the side panels/sleeves. So far it is 27 inches in length.

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And I am pleased to announce my new regime in the kitchen is working as planned. My lovely counter was always full of dirty dishes, crumbs, jelly blobs, half drunk orange juice glasses, and dried on plates of unfinished midnight meals. Then it dawned on me to, um, ...I want to say this in the nicest way possible---ban Dave from cooking in MY KITCHEN. Mmwa-ha-ha!
He balked and complained but I won the argument and it has worked for two weeks. I allow him to cook during the night, as long as he does it surreptitiously, not leaving me any clues that he was there. His worst habit, besides leaving drawers and doors open, was dumping food in the wrong side of the sink, not where the disposal is. So to fix that, I put a plastic dishpan in that sink and now he dumps his scraps into the right side of the sink. Yay!!

 
Why didn't I think of this sooner? This has instituted some changes in my routine too, emptying the dishwasher first thing in the morning, so breakfast dishes have some place to go.

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 It's fig season, at last. Our three figs have been growing so fast this summer and are loaded with figs, but only a couple ripen at a time.

 
And we have soooo many peppers. What a great end to the summer!

 

Everyday Shirt

At last have invested in a dress form. No more shooting my reflection in the mirror and having to apologize. I had a 50% off coupon at Joann's and my enabling sister Brooke, showed me the way to improve my photos. Sigh. So happy.
This is the simplest form of the designs I am making and will serve to provide comfortable everyday wear. A tee underneath, or a mock turtleneck for colder weather, and just alone for perfect days like today. The fabric is also from Joann's, just a nice cotton batik.
My only invention was the side panel pockets. I am remembering all the 'kool' sewing ideas from years ago.

Mini-Smock #2

Now I am really starting to have fun. The pattern has been adjusted so it is exactly what I want and I can play with fabrics and details to make it Melclothes instead of Gudrun copies.
These two fabrics are leftovers from two different quilts. Both madras plaids. I had barely enough of each to finish the garment. Instead of facing the neckline, I used pieces of bias and for the pockets I had just enough to sew a band on the top edge.
I have purple or red leggings to wear with this, as well as purple and red jeans. I am set!

Friendship star challenge top. Hand dyed cottons and thrift shop shirts. 53.5x56", unquilted.

Leaping Light Blocks!

unquilted top, 64x78" Cotton, machine pieced

White on Rice

Once again, here are my inspirations: this first picture is from the Vivid website and it costs $116, which is why I sew, even when I fail to achieve my desired look.

  It is pretty hard to see it below because it is white linen on a white door, but I think I have the pullover body skimming shape at at last. The loose fit, the nice drape is there and straight  hem, as well as slanted pockets are all in response to viewer comments. Thanks! And I agree.
I wanted to make it longer, but I barely squeaked out this length with the 2.5 yards of linen/rayon on hand.
I'd probably wear this with leggings or jeans, as a shirt, but in the warmer weather, as a dress with bare legs and sandals.
 

The neckline was a teeny bit gaping so I added a buttonhole and abalone shell button, resulting in a soft pleat. It works. But next time I will decrease the size of the neckline, making sure it will still go over my head.

 Curved bottom, slanted top, caught in the side seam pockets, all my faves.

Back on Track

My inspiration, from Gudrun again. And then the Melody version.

 
 Hand dyed and dye painted cotton sateen. Patch pockets caught in the side seams, and longer shirttail in back. Roll up sleeves.

Needless to say, I am much much happier with today's effort.

O well...

This was  my inspiration, a bias drapey dress, rounded neck, side curved hem, 3/4 sleeves. Pockets to come.

 Here's the result. Not too bad on the hanger, but eeeeoouuww, just awful on my body. I guess I am not a 6' tall skinny 20 year old.

What a blob. I think I can reuse this fabric, since there is a great mass of it. But it was not expensive, so lesson learned. Have a chuckle on me.

New Patterns

My sister, Brooke, lent me three new patterns to try, either to inspire or actually make. We'll see.

Vogue V1246

McCalls7128

But I gotta try this idea I saw on Pinterest:

This will make a drapey swing shape. Simple and fun.