A To Do List
Well, yes, 2014 has arrived . . . last night there was cranberry vodka (that I made: pound of fresh cranberries, tablespoon of vanilla, cup of sugar (I used good, high end raw sugar) and let cook until the berries pop. Pour into jar. Add 750 ml of vodka (I used Grey Goose. Why use cheap shit?)). So, me and the neighbors are laying low right now.
Though, I'm finishing my packing for the AHA convention this weekend . . . off to DC I go. Delta Rewards flights are always awesome. Five bucks . . . doesn't happen as often as it should. At least my paper is long done, though trimming it to 20 minutes sucks.
On other notes, aside from working on a military, food, and consumption article (that is the presentation for The Netherlands in April), finishing Vietnam edits for a book, and finishing the Cold War piece for the May presentation, and the talk on Turkey in February I certainly have a few things working. Enviro antho should be calling for papers by 1 Feb, and the Turkish antho should be calling for papers by March/April. I'm teaching a ton of courses, running a program, and running for a half marathon . . . in the meantime I also need some stress relief and pretty things to look at and wear. Mostly wear.
These aren't in a precise order, as well . . . sometimes the mood calls for a bag instead of a shirt or vice versa. Though, do note the patterns. We'll get to that in a minute.
And . . . in case you are curious, everything except those highlighted is stuff in my house. Those highlighted are the only fabrics I am buying, and first up is Valentine's Day . . . That isn't happening for almost a month, so I am safe. Of course, there is one other fabric not listed that I will certainly buy: I need some damned knit that will sew into a Renfrew or Briar and survive a few washes. Like you didn't think I wasn't going to make another gazillion or so? Seriously: black, white, grey, black and grey striped (wide stripes), a sexy purple, two in a lighter knit (for a Hemlock Tee). I know the bamboo at Mood is pretty awesome, but I need a more stable knit (not as drapy for some basic tees). Anyone? Anyone? And . . . fusible interfacing. I'm gonna be out soon, as always.
1. Portside Duffle
I've got an organic canvas, in tan and purple. . . with some Amy Butler quilting cotton waiting on cotton webbing to make up these.
2. Kelly Skirt, Marc Jacobs denim (just like mine), for Tanfer . . . Though, she's smaller than me. Pshaw. No, I won't post her measurements here, as she would kick my ass and keep my shiny loot bag she brings me on each encounter.
I think there is enough to make me a Moss skirt too (a basic denim skirt) . . . I was planning on doing another pair of jeans, but yea . . . I don't have that in me right now. That black pair from 2013 took all of my patience and then some.
3. Day of the Dead Lounge pants in medium. Hey Miss Denver, I did not forget. I have serger. Serger makes everything better. Just as I promised. These are going to be in the tried and true Amy Butler pattern, from the In Stiches book, unless Jen tells me she doesn't want the wide legs.
4. Black silk, Oscar de la Renta. . . was going to be an archer, but how about the free Marfy?
I got mine at Mary Jo's, with my Mom, but you can find it here. Mine is actually the cream background .
5. Lakeside PJs: Hugs and Kisses
Once again, from the Mary Jo trip last August.
Years ago I bought some bra fabric I made PJs from, my favorite pair, and some cotton with lacy printed bras and panties . . . that I made shoe bags from (I do travel a lot). My Mom has never been a fan of those PJs, but when we saw this she even agreed I just had to get it.
7. Tilly's Mathilde. I'm thinking a silk with some glass buttons.
8. One Cosmo, with a zipper. Someone will only take a bag with a zipper . . . ahem, Tanfer. :) Yes, she knows it is coming . . . This one is probably the May booty haul. Made: Parson Gray array of grays and blacks.
The fabrics are the grays and blacks from this line and the World Tour. I bought them with the intention of doing just this and using the scraps for a color balance in my next Amy Butler quilt (and yes, I know that Parson Grey is her husband David Butler). Scraps of AB quilting cotton are waiting until I am most likely snow bound, bored, and inspired. Maybe this winter. Maybe next.
9. Market Tote, with same material as above. Though, I might make twinsie bags.
10. Birthday silk, dress . . . I have two patterns, and I'm not even dealing with a decision on that one until March. It's a Marc Jacobs sheer silk in grey. An underlined shirtdress or a blouse underlined with see-through sleeves (not an Archer)?
11. Vintage silk, dress. Truffle sans truffle? Or Date Night?
I would like this one for Valentine's, for me.
So, which one will it be:
 |
| The Truffle |
 |
| The Date Night |
12. Anna Maria Horner linen. This one isn't happening until May. So, I'm not even posting the print or pattern, as--well--I might change my mind by then.
I wanted the black, it was sold out. I wanted the grey, it was sold out. So . . . muted coral in this dreamy soft goodness it is. A pop of color is good every now and then. I might use the zebra print as a stripe down the front . . . See the pick below.
I had planned on making these pre-Bodrum, but then I found out I got a serger . . . so I asked her if she minded waiting until Amsterdam. She didn't. As she said, "I trust your judgement, and I know if you make me something you won't go halfway on it."
I took this photo at a crappy time of day, as the charcoal gray is darker than it is here.
And after this, with three hoodies (though I think the ribbon one will be dead by then), I'll be good on them for awhile! My Dad gives me one every Christmas, so I have three in my drawer, two Stony Brook ones, one KWC college sweatshirt, and these three zip up ones will add to it and be more than enough.
It is a glorious silk knit from Mood, and I'm not posting it. It will be one of the first three things I make in January . . . so you'll see her soon! With black knee boots . . . I have a vision, and one that will be worn a lot!
Of course, Santa also brought me every foot for my serger (!). So, I am making this one completely on the machine. Even the top stitching, as well I do have a cover-stitch. ;) You should also note that Santa went to a quilt show in October and got said serger and feet for a steal. Probably near criminal in price, but a total steal is what I hear it was.
17. Purple silk, from my Momma circa 1975. Archer, covered buttons. Now, the shiny side or the muted side? There's a floral scarf too. Though, I still might do this one in the Jasmine pattern, as well . . . I have a few Archers people!
It is a bit shiny . . .
It was on the fall list, with the intention of just getting done within the next twelve months. That means: Spring it is on the sewing table.
18. Jasmine: Black cotton shirting, silk floral (grey?) for collar and arm bands. This one is totally up in the air. I also like the Violet pattern . . .This is one of those I might, I might not. I have the pattern (Jasmine) and black shirting . . . so I might do that as a muslin and see if I even like the thing.
I like this idea of a silk version, the lace . . . eh.
That's the photo from the last pair, but . . . yea, I'm using some scrap high heel fabric (leftover from the destroyed pair of Thurlows and pants hooks (much better than those snaps pictured)).
20. Black and white hounds-tooth flannel Archer. Judge me later.
21. Bombshell swimsuit. I only bought this bad boy last summer with plans to make it with my Mom. But, body issues aside we got sidetracked with purple plaid thurlows and renfrews.
22. Arm Patch Blazer, McCall's 5188. This one is the leftover Marc Jacobs coating fabric, leather patches, and some pink and mauve shirting that will become lining. Notice, I've got two big box patterns . . . eh, I've had them both. In short, I won't buy any new ones but I will use what I have. I really do have a penchant for the indie designers. Patterns might be the same, but they are better written and you know you are working directly with someone.
No, not that lining again. I seriously had just enough of that shirting for my coat.
23. One French Jacket. Yes. As in hand sewn, chain hem lock, hand set sleeves, Coco Chanel channeled.
24. A short jacket. The Anise I think. Though . . .
27. Pencil, brown hounds-tooth.
Not like I haven't made a few.
33. Staple, no. 3, Anna Maria Horner Leopard rayon.
34. Thurlows, black wool.
35. Thurlows, grey wool.
36. Negroni no 2, for Rich.
38. Black pencil. I seriously do not own a plain and black skirt!
39. Skirts for a friend's mom. The muslin was okay, and I've been looking at patterns and fabrics for five months. Muslin two will be ready by the end of Jan I think.
So that's seven projects, sans the renfrew I want to make, that I need fabric for. Seriously, everything else is here (with the exception of some interfacing, that I don't need at the moment). I also have four yards, of three different prints, of velveteen lying about. Pillow covers my bedroom and living room are on que (those are less than an afternoon), with the left over becoming a scarf or two.
So . . . between the unholy amount of teaching I do, the academic projects, and the everything else I see some beautiful sewing. As for those patterns . . . I still want to try a Blue Ginger Doll one, and I certainly see room for new ones this year, but . . . what is here are the clothes for my lifestyle folks! These are the things that when I wake up Monday morning and have to meet with the Dean I'm not writhing in tears that I have nothing professional and hip with my personality. Or, worse yet, I won't wake up Saturday morning ready to take on the Farmer's Market and a bike ride and pull out my hair screaming because I have nothing to wear. Certainly, I will have plenty to wear, things I love, patterns I love, and with a great fit. Most of those listed here have been whittled to a precise size for me, with a few exceptions. Well, my dears, I have a few muslin's to make . . . with a few wearable ones to boot.
Of course, basics aside, this past year I was true to my word about stopping the crappy clothes purchases. This year is also that! Though, this coming one I want to try out two knicker patterns I have, to hone that one in too. What am I allowed to buy this year: jeans (though, no more mass market: there's a local maker, in Brooklyn, that I'm going for . . . near the same price as I pay for ones at Express), one cardigan, two pull over sweaters, socks, running pants and bras. The tanks I sleep in and run in. I'm dead serious.
There's something comforting, and satisfying, to know that I am wearing garments I made. Of course, they usually last longer (except, when you buy the cheap fabric like I stupidly did on tees . . .). I want to use my stash, so to speak and get my fabric down to one shelf. Why? Eh, to see if I can. Really, it is has to do with space, paring down of one's life bulk, and instead of buying lots of fabrics I decided about six months ago that I would rather buy one two really good pieces and go from there. So . . . I have things to make.
Also, if you haven't noticed I've started listing things in my Etsy shop. Some are garments I've worn once or twice and others are new makes (like I have some scrap of Star Trek fabric that I'll turn into small zipper bags--the fabric was from a gift for someone). I figure I sew enough things that instead of sending them off to Goodwill, like I did this year when I shrunk out things, I'll see if I can sell them along. Of course, the new stuff . . . we will see how the sales go. Give me six months and I'll revisit the value of it all and if I am going to expand to other things.
As for yarn: there's some here for a pull over, about four pairs of socks, two pairs of slippers, some ribbon scarves (not for me), and with the scraps I have some baby booties and hats to make (one is done) as I have friends who are having a little one sooner than not. Don't worry, I have a few months yet.
On that note, what are your plans for this year?
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