Poor Pup

Dani had her big surgery today and this is how she's feeling after being home about 20 minutes. They usually keep them overnight but I wanted her to be home with her family instead. The vet may be good, but I know we'll look after her much more carefully and lovingly.

Poor baby. She can't even walk straight right now. If it wasn't so sad, it would be funny. Hopefully by this time next week, she'll be back to her squirrel chasing, paper shredding, pillow chewing, Chili wrestling, sweet self.

Between trips to the vet today, I did trace the pattern for and cut out my FIL's pants. I still have to cut out the (previously traced) shirt, which I'll do in just a bit. Maybe I can even start sewing the outfit today. On the other hand, taking a cue from Chili and Pepper with a little nap snuggling next to Dani is sure tempting …

Feeling Selfish

I really need to start working on some Christmas gift projects for a few family members. These are relatives that request and/or really appreciate the effort so that part is OK because I know the gifts will be well-received. It's just that I'm feeling selfish and want to keep sewing for me. OTOH, I don't want to be scrambling at the last second so I suppose I'll turn my attention to those gifts. Well, at least *some* of my attention. I still want to whip up some more Ottobre tees for me.

For my FIL, a lounge outfit in a Washington Redskins (a pro football team for non-U.S.'ers) theme. He really appreciates handmade gifts and since he's tall, he also appreciates that I can make him things with extra length where he needs it. I'll start his first since it has to be mailed.

For my mom, a by-request purse. I made a few of these Vera Bradley style purses years ago and she keeps hinting at how worn out hers is and how she'd love another one. I hope I can remember exactly what I did to make those. It was based on a Simplicity pattern but it was also a local class and I know we did some things differently. I hope I took some notes. I also hope my guess as to fabric requirements was close and that I'll have enough.

For my sister, a new scrub top or two. These are always on her list, no matter what the occasion. Hmmm. Maybe I should make her an Ottobre tee too.

My sister and mom will be visiting here (separately, and with their significant others) just after Christmas so I have a little extra time for their pressies since I don't have to mail them. All are patterns that I already own, which is good for the checkbook, and all fabrics have already been purchased. All I need now is a kick in the pants for some motivation.

Oh, BTW, in case you don't know … Blogger has a new feature where you can subscribe to comments for a particular post. This is a good way for me to answer if you've asked a question. So if you ask something, check that box and I'll reply via the comments. Then my answer will end up in your email Inbox. The only downside is that everyone else's comments to that entry will also end up in your Inbox. ;-)

The O Tees Finis

The tops are done. I took the pic of the Onion tee this morning and the Ottobre tee this afternoon. As you can see, the pants got progressively more wrinkled as the day wore on. And, yes, I am in North America and wearing capris and flip-flops in December. Hey, it was 85 degrees here today. I've been hearing about the snowstorms happening in the U.S. and I feel little jealousy pangs as I'm sweatin' walking the dogs. The grass is always greener (or whiter!), isn't it?

First up is the Onion:



A close-up of the buttons:



And, on me:



Next, the Ottobre tee. I think I've already said it, but it bears repeating. This fabric is so nice. Wonderful drape, easy to work with, and half the weight of EOS Buttermilk. Poly isn't my usual first choice in fabrics but this is obviously a modern poly and will be quite comfortable, even on a hot day like today. I know I'm going to be wearing this one often; it just plain feels good.



Look ma! No brown binding!



And on me, with a goofy smile:



Now off to edit my pattern reviews on PR to get those u-g-l-y Butterick muslins out of the sidebar widget queue. Or at least moved down.

Button, Button, Who's Got The Button?

Certainly not Joann's. Hmprhf. I hate the button selection (or lack thereof) at Joann's. Yes, hate is not too strong a word. Unfortunately, it's the only game in town and I don't have any online choices either, that I know of (anyone??). There was not even one choice for dark brown buttons. Luckily for me I had pretty much decided before I got there that I was going to go with lighter buttons. But still. How can it be with the hundreds of buttons hanging in the two button aisles that there are no dark brown buttons? Yes, at first glance it looks like Joann's has lots of buttons — and they do — but I can never, ever find buttons that call to me or match what I'm making. It's always a second choice, a struggle. One of these days I'm flying to Melbourne to go button (and fabric) shopping with Belinda. ;-)

So, where was I before the mini button rant? Oh yeah. The Onion top is finished and is sporting (boring) buttons from one of the above cards, but I'm waiting until the Ottobre tee is finished too before I take pics. It's almost done so I should have pics this afternoon. I substituted Ottobre sleeves for the Onion sleeves and narrowed the shoulders just a smidge more this time. I like these changes much better. The Ottobre sleeves have a better shape (and flatter cap) for me for a tee. I walked the seamlines of both the sleeve and the armhole and they matched perfectly, so nothing further needed than to just fire up the serger.

Speaking of my serger, while at J's I did pick up the new upper knife and installed it. This pic below is my old knife. (Blogger has posted a workaround for photos so you can actually click on mine again to make them larger w/o getting that download dialog.) Look at those nicks. I think we were overdue, don't you? After putting in the new knife, I immediately folded up a scrap of denim into four layers and tried it out. Like buttah! I think I actually heard the serger smile. ;-)



I just finished applying the binding around the neckline of my Ottobre tee. What a pain in the you-know-what. I love the fabric, but it's slippery with a mind of its own. Not the best combo for running through a CS binder attachment. So I forced it into submission by fusing interfacing to the back of the strip. Much better. Went through the binder this time with no sassing back at me.



All that's left for this tee is to put in the sleeves, sew the sideseams and hem. I need to cut out 10 more of these RIGHT NOW and just sew them up.

The "O" Tops In Progress

The second Onion top is almost done. I have to sew the sideseams, hems, and add the buttons. But I'm taking a break from finishing it because I need to run up to Joann's to pick up the new upper knife for my serger that I ordered last week. Yep, after 5+ years, I finally managed to run over a pin and it wasn't pretty. Overlocking still works fine but cutting through thick layers doesn't. It was fun (not!) finishing up the seams of my brown jeans last week. While I'm there, I'm going to look at buttons for this top. I haven't decided if I want brown, or beige like the background of the print. I'll probably get both and decide while looking at the top on my dressform. And yes. Yet another top for me with a brown neckband or binding. ;-)

While cutting the Onion top, I also cut a new Ottobre gathered front tee with plain short sleeves. This is it below. (It won't have brown binding!)



The fabric is from Melody (my cutting table inspiration) of Fashionista Fabrics. I ordered it from FF last Wednesday and had it on Friday. That's fast service! I really like the fabrics I ordered so I'm hoping Melody will keep adding to her inventory and feeding my addiction ;-) … although there are still a few nice earthtone prints (my favorites) in stock that are also whispering my name.

Speaking of my cutting table, Nancy asked in the comments if I had photos of it finished. She must've missed that entry, but no problem … here it is. Oh, and she also asked about my jeans pattern. It's OOP Simplicity 4068.

And Blogger still hasn't fixed the photo download dialog box problem. Grrr. There's supposedly a workaround but I'm too lazy. So if you want to enlarge the photos from the last couple of days you'll have to click Open on that dialog box.