Monday, August 9, 2010

My White Hot Summer Vacation


I might have mentioned that I'm on vacation.  Today is the second to the last day, and I will miss sleeping in, afternoon--and sometimes morning--naps, not standing all day, not stuffing okra...
  I haven't woven much this week.  In fact, I don't believe I've woven at all this week.  I made a bad, ugly mess of the turned overshot project, trying to wind the warp myself.  I haven't felt like working on the afghan project.  I've really only gone into the loominaria to vacuum!
  In the back studio, I have been busy, however.  I've been sewing daily, working on the all the fabric Mom gave me when she was cleaning up her studio.  I've made four blouses in the past week and a half.  The first was a long tunic style blouse for Mom, with some beautiful pewter buttons.  No photo, because as soon as I made it, I gave it to her and insisted she wear it when Liz, Mom and I went out to dinner on my birthday.
  Then, I made myself a linen blouse.
It might be hard to see, against the background of the ten chef coats I have to iron tomorrow to go back to work.  I like the pearl buttons down the front.  I've made this pattern probably eight times since the pattern was new, way back in 1989.  I love the raglan sleeves.
 
Next, I switched to some nice tightly woven cotton, and made a fitted long sleeved shirt.  The buttons again are a feature I like.  Now, I'm working on another pattern from the late '80's, but I'm using a stitch on my sewing machine I'd never tried before.  The cuffs are trimmed the same way, but I haven't put them on yet.
  I haven't gone anywhere, and it's been too hot to do the yard work I really intended to do, but I've had a good time, relaxing, hanging out with friends and family, and enjoying not moving very much.  I've been knitting, too, working on the lace I started last month.  It makes watching t.v. seem less wasteful.
  The turned overshot project is supposed to turn into kitchen curtains, and while I haven't given up on it, I'm just not in the mood to work on it right now.  So this morning, I found what was left over from my dining room curtains, one of my very first handwoven projects.  I sewed grosgrain ribbon on one edge, hung a curtain rod over the sink and clipped the fabric on.
I like it!  It's not enough to ripple as a good curtain should, but I believe it will be temporary, once I can face the loom again.
  My next project will also be white.  Mom gave me some pretty seersucker fabric to make a bathrobe out of, and included the  pattern.  I will get to it as soon as the last white blouse is done, which probably won't be until after my vacation is over, but every day in my sewing room feels like a vacation.

  Until next week, happy weaving, sewing, knitting or whatever fiber art makes you happy!
Maggie

6 comments:

LA said...

I'm so glad to find out I'm not the only person who loves while blouses. I almost bought another one Saturday at the tax-free sale before I caught myself!!! I'm glad you enjoyed your holiday week.

roxie said...

White blouses are so pretty, but I'm six feet tall and find it easier and cheaper just to go down to Goodwill and get several long-sleeved men's shirts when they go on sale for the end of season clearance. I can get the shirts for $2 each and couldn't even get the fabric at that price.

Your seamstress skills are major! Beautiful, beautiful work.

Tina J said...

I am so jealous of your sewing skills! I think I have a block when it comes to sewing. Maybe one day I will try to tackle something simple just one more time.

Bonnie said...

Wow,the blouses are great. That work around the collar looks really professional. That knitted lace is beautiful. The loom will be there waiting. I am glad you are having a good vacation.

Theresa said...

Lovely work I love white clothes too but it is SO impractical around here with the horses and dogs. I would bet almost everyone of my white blouses has some sort of critter induced stain.
The curtain looks great. I have been thinking about doing a year of exploring nothing but white on white/neutral color weaving. It would make the structure so important to the piece.
Enjoy your last vaca day

Life Looms Large said...

Hope your vacation continues to be restful and relaxing! You're getting a ton done!!

Enjoy!

Sue