Undaunted by Darts

Since I have an extra day off work this weekend, I decided to do more work on my Burda top. I didn't sew as close to the edge on the bias strip around the edge but, maybe that will come with practice. I'm surprised I was able to sew this much of the top without ripping out seams. The next hard parts will be the zipper and sleeves. I figure, since there is a such thing as a zipper foot included with my machine, it must not be that hard to install a zipper. The sleeve looks a bit difficult. I have a pattern book I ordered on Etsy that is from Japan. They have excellent pictures and tips, so I may try some of their tricks for sleeves.

Sewing Project 3, Burda 7798, View B

I cut this pattern out a week or so ago but, I have been a little daunted by the darts, sleeves and zipper. I asked Matt's mom how she does darts during Christmas and she said she had to learn to sew the perfect dart in Home Economics. I would have chosen to flunk in my rebellious teenage years. I think that from taking advice from Dorothy, the Reader's Digest New Complete Guide to Sewing and YouTube, I should be able to learn to sew gathered sleeves, darts and put in a zipper but, if not, I guess that's the purpose of a seam ripper. Learning to sew, for me, is like being with my mother. She could sew quite well, so I figure, being her daughter, we share genetic similarities like our love to work with our hands and not sit in one place. I think it will serve me well in this endeavor.

I think I kind of went a little wild with the color but, it's part of the reason I wanted to learn to sew, anyhow. Having a small frame and not very well endowed (because I don't have much fat content in my body) it has been very difficult to find nice tops. About all I fit nicely into are t-shirts and fitted knit tops. I hate wearing plain, button-front tops because they make me feel masculine...or that people think I am masculine. When I do find that ONE shirt, it is either in black or white. Never in bold colors or patterns. So, I may have gone a bit overboard with the fabric. I guess I will find out when I try it on and look in the mirror...or I wear it out and people start shading their eyes. At any rate, I won't feel like an emo girl.

peanut butter swammich cookies for Bronson

peanut butter swammich cookies for Bronson, originally uploaded by snowflakeschance.


Our dog, Bronson, is spoiled. I take the Newman's Own peanut butter dog cookies and spread natural peanut butter (no sugar...why would anyone want sugar in peanut butter???) on one side and sandwich them together. Hey, he's a Rottweiler Shepherd mix, so he is big. A tiny cookie would just not be enough cookie for our boy!

Learning to sew

I took a beginning sewing class at Stitches to make a pair of pants on November 2nd and 9th. They certainly turned out...roomy, or is it just GIANT. Anyhow, they are most comfortable. I would call them super wide-leg, low-rise pajamas. Perfect for me because I can't stand any pants to be level or over my belly-button.

http://www.stitchesseattle.com/pages/events.html

When I was a little girl, one of my fondest memories are of the 3 pair of flannel pajamas my mother would make me at the beginning of each winter. My eldest sister, Bonnie, told me that she remembers coming over to the house in the afternoon and still finding me in my pajamas. She said she would ask mom why I was still wearing pajamas in the afternoon. Mom would reply, "We weren't going anywhere." Personally, I think it was quite cheeky for Bonnie to try to tell mom how to raise children. I was the 7th child, after all. Anyhow, the memory of mom making my flannel pajamas made me think that it would be nice to learn to sew and it would almost be like hanging out with my mother, who passed away when I was 10 years old. Honestly, I think as I get older I miss my mother more. I would really like to know her as a person and not just my mother.

The pattern I used to make my pajama pants is New Look 6160, view D:

http://www.simplicity.com/p-2288-misses-separates.aspx

This is the first pair of pajamas I made:

Here are the second pair:

I'm evil

I got an Evil Rating of 86 and got the job!

Are you evil enough to get a job too?

I hate being unemployed....

I don't do too well being unemployed. I was laid off on November 16, along with 72 other people. I have a few job leads but, no face-to-face interviews yet.

Anyhow, in the interim I took a couple of pictures last night and thought I would add them to my post. My Chinese zodiac symbol is a pig, I'm not sure how I feel about this but, I am rather attached to my Pink Pez Piggy.

I decided I needed a warm drink before bed and made a white chocolate mocha. It was good and it made me sleepy.

Finally, My Ellensburg Post

Matt says that this is the only 3 story building in Ellensburg.


This building housed the Ellensburg Hotel.


Evidently, the family that has owned this furniture store has been in this location for a very long time.


This building is really pretty but, I forgot what Matt told me about it.


This is the Davidson building.


This building houses the Kittitas County Historical Museum.


I like the mural but, I'll take my VW any day!


This building now houses an art gallery. They were closed by the time we showed up and Bronson was looking forward to seeing Fred and Dorothy. He was getting ready for the tour to end!
The final stop was to pick up some D&M coffee. I'm trying their High Octane Organic. It's great. Support your local businesses people! We don't need anymore Starbucks and Wal-Mart's we need more of the places that are owned by local people who care about local things. It's what pisses me off about Seattle when compared with Portland. It's lost personality when it sells out to all these stupid chain businesses. You lose flavor and a style of life that way. Hell, the things I remember most about where I grew up revolve around it's local businesses. Shame on those Ellensburg folks who want to knock down the cool, old buildings. Shame on the crazies who want a Wal-Mart! YUCK... Then you have Wal-Mart shoppers... Ew!