all buttoned up.

MakeShift and So Zo, Kicking Me Where it Counts.

 
Day 23 of the MakeShift Project

I need some new clothes and I'm trying decide between what I fabric/patterns I have and what I should attempt to do for Spring and Summer.  HEAR THAT UNIVERSE???  I'm thinking ahead and trying to head off impulsive/crappy sewing that I get caught up in all the time.  First off, I'm turning to two of my favourite apparel  blogs for the ass kicking I need to get me in gear. 

Natalie blows my freaking mind.  The MakeShift project began in September and documents a year of wearing clothing (including shoes and underthings) made by the artist.  EVERYTHING.  I love Natalie's style... these clothes are simple and modern and incredibly interesting.  I get very quiet when I look at her pictures.  I have a long way to go in understanding construction and fit.  I also need a serger.   I also want to think about what my daily uniform is and what it could be. 

 
Day 208

 
Day 115

 
Enter: Zoe. Inspired by Natalie, Zoe just wrapped up a Me-Made-March, wherein she wore self made clothes every day for the month of March.  She's ramping it up slightly for a Me-Made-May (including a *lite* version) and I think I'm in.  Well.  I'm going to try anyway.  Anybody up for it??  I think there is going to be serious initial time investment involved that I'm not totally sure about.  Let's discuss. 

There's a Part 2 here, I think.  Next up-- evaluating my clothes and the patterns that got me here. 

How I Learned To Pronounce Rooibos (and a few small projects)

This dress is a no alteration, straight from the pattern, Rooibos dress from Colette Patterns.  There is a lot to love about this pattern.  The only change I would make for next time, would be to go down a size (there is more ease than stated, so take note and maybe make a muslin of the top) and raise up the armholes a 1/2" or so.  The big news though, is that I learned how to attach the facing to both the wrong side of the neckline and sleeves via a rolling trick that I would have never ever figured out on my own-- and believe me, I have tried.  I have also never met a pattern that was such a pleasure to hem.  It was very strange.  There was no bunching or strangeness at the bottom and I know this because I got impatient near the end and machine stitched instead of hand hemmed.

The first picture is evidence that it fits, but not a particularly good one.  In a moment of extreme vanity I realized that I hate the way the front of my hair looks (or maybe just my face) and decided that while this photo highlighted both the side of my head and my double chin, it would have to do.  More info and pics over at Bolt. 

My sewing for that blog will mainly fall under the "Weekend Project" heading with pattern/book reviews thrown in.  For instance:  the no sew scarves, easy tablecloths, and my attempt at some quick St. Patrick's Day decor.  My goal is to not slack off in this space, but rather to become a BLOGGING MACHINE.  I know, you're so excited:

It appears that I need to make another hair appointment (or see about my face).

My Side Gal

I'm taking over some of the responsibilities for writing and general upkeep at Bolt Neighborhood, the handy dandy blog for Bolt Fabric Boutique in NE Portland.  First of all, let me say that this little store keeps getting better and better.  Gina opened four plus years ago with a carefully selected stock of quilt  weight cottons, some apparel fabric and notions.  These days, the store is BUSTING full of beautiful apparel fabrics, books, indie patterns, crafting supplies and tons of lovely stuff from popular designers and japanese fabric companies. 

The first summer they were open, I would escape there on hot weekend afternoons (they have air-conditioning) and harass John (Mr. Broken Spoke) about welt pocket construction and sit and look through pattern books.  There were comfy chairs and I could leave Sam at home.  Nowadays, those chairs are stacked with beautiful bolts and there is just so much to take in.  It is a very lucky thing to have a neighborhood fabric store.  

SO.   I am stoked to share my favourite patterns, project ideas and general goings-on in the 'hood (that said, if you'd like to let us know about Portland fabric/sewing/apparel/craft related events, please do contact me through the blog!).  Modern Domestic is opening up this week down the street, and Ms. Lupine (who I'm taking over for) has been previewing the space online the last few weeks.  I had the chance to visit the nearly set-up space last week and it is LOVELY.  There are tables!  For cutting!  And ironing boards and machines set and ready to go!  What a novel idea.  

For now, I'm trying to work out some design glitches... there is more than one reason my blog banner has remained static for so long.  I'm hoping that this is going to precipitate some time at the sewing machine, too, even if I have to squat at Modern Domestic in order to get some things done. 

Coming Down

What is that colour?!!?  Whatever it is, it's my new best friend. 

I have been posting at Habit since the 30th.  Molly and Emily have created a beautiful space that they are generously sharing with myself and others.    

Our mac keyboard took a little bath this week, leaving two-thirds of the keys non-functional.  It makes google searching a bit of an adventure.  We have an older PC laptop so I upload photos on the mac and then tandem type into little chuggachugga here.  Posting has become more like a chore than I'd like,  so, "Going to Apple store" just got bumped up to the top of the list.  While I'm there I should probably check into getting a new mouse.  Augs has made it his mission to chew clear through it when I'm not looking. 

We are a classy bunch. 

I am planning on spending a good part of the day outside tomorrow.  I hope you have a good, great Monday. 

Yes, sorry-- they are ranunculus... I always think to plant them and then never do.

It's Not Me, It's You.

I want to write about how much I appreciate how much you all have taught, shared and given to me the last few years.  I learn something every single day and it's largely because I turn on the computer and read about what you're doing and learning and making.  It's not just all the info-- it's, you know, the friendship and the talking, emailing and laughing that happens because of all of this.  I am SO grateful.  Big hugs all around.  Thank you. 

I am not going anywhere!!  I just wanted you to know.  I don't think I say it enough. 

This post might as well be called "I'm A Hack", since the shirt I'm showing you is pretty much exactly the same as another Melissa refashioned, complete with the buttons running down the back.  I used the same simplicity pattern for that blue freezer paper stenciled one and a men's XL shirt I got at the Goodwill bins.  You really can't beat the feel of slightly used, super soft shirting fabric for a good summer top.  The armholes are too big-- that's kind of a bummer, but whatever!  It's a 75 cent shirt. 

You are good people. 

Good Good.

THAT was a good weekend.  Phew.  It was so nice to hang out with sweet people, eat good food, spend time with and (maybe more importantly) without my boys.  We even fit in a trip to Seattle for lunch.  Please come again, Hannah.  You can bring your peeps next time!  Maybe we'll have the basement finished and it will be like summer camp with all the kids.
 

Hannah let me tag along to see everyone and I've got to say that there's no sweeter deal than happy meet-ups over food or shopping or both at the same time.

There is also no sweeter deal than having friends who know that a 4 year-old meltdown will pass quickly and that babies (however cute) occasionally need to cry or spit up for no good reason. 

Thanks for running the show while she was gone, David.  We tried to take good care of her.

The Red Mill

We went to Bob's Red Mill the other day.  It's pretty nice.  I wish it wasn't such a trek out there.  They have a sign up by the dining room that says something like "Your kind words are more than enough-- tipping is unnecessary", and while I find that suspect the rest of our time there seemed genuine and heartfelt. 

 

Plus, Bob himself was there having a snack upstairs in the mezzanine.  Sam made sure everyone knew about it, too-- "Mom.  Look!!!  It's OLD RED BOB eating wunch up derr".  That's what you get for putting your face on our bag of flour.

They have a very sweet test/class kitchen there as well.

Other places:

**Bolt is having their semi-annual sale this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  All fabric is marked down from 10-50%.  They have a good number of Japanese imports these days as well as a whole freaking bin of Liberty that makes me a little ill (in a good way) every time I see it.

**Tracy and Samantha are back to posting on Two Green Chickens.  Also, check out Tracy's new Modern Shed progress.  I have big plans for our next house (hah!)  which include one of these.

**Portland representing: I like Carrie Brownstein's blog, Monitor Mix so much.  Ketzel Levine's Gardening Blog is really good, too.  She actually lives down the street from us and I wonder if she ever walks by our yard and thinks, "Oh those poor people, making such silly decisions". 

We are due a beautiful weekend over here-- hopefully I'll be able to get outside and right some of those silly choices.

   
 

japan addict

Oh, Blog.  I must be getting back on track with you.  The picture is from Hannah.  The rain has returned here and I'm kind of nesting which means I'm SEWING more than cleaning, but cleaning a little bit too... you know how it is.  You don't think there are any fly poops on the windowsills until you start to look for them.  I get so stoked for Christmas from right about now until the first week of December.  Then I get much less excited.  I should really do something about that, but it's a hard pattern to break and I think my family has come to expect my slightly cynical and general moodiness around the end of the year.  I wouldn't want to disappoint them completely.  Hah!

Mariko tipped me off to this site recently and I have been digging through the archives like a crazy person.  It's a collective blog written in French (which I'm having an easier time reading than the actual web translation.  I hate being mono-lingual) by fans of Japanese sewing books.  If you've ever wondered how Japanese Craft book patterns translate on real people, this is such a good resource.  If you're lucky enough to have a Kinokuniya bookstore nearby, this will probably not help the whole "look but don't buy" thing.  There are some seriously good sewers that post over here, and most of the clothing that is being made is also being modeled so you know they aren't messing around.  The left column is full of books, and the posts usually reference the original picture too, so it's very helpful.  Crazy FOR THIS. 

Sam is eating oatmeal for dinner.  I just had a mini coffee crisp bar and am making tea-- that should do it for the night.  I am missing our friends.  There have been people moving away from us this year (well, not from us exactly, but away) and when we left the Midwest seven years ago we were the ones leaving and after all this time I still miss being there with everyone (even though a lot of them have left too).  And then of course there are the friends that live far that have always lived far and that is how it's going to stay...  Anyway.  On top of the fact that Portland is a great town, I'm an ever lovin' fool for the friends we've made here, too, and I feel lucky lucky and really happy about that at the end of this sort of crappy day. 

Good lord, Typepad needs a grammar check. 

The Gift of Time (also accepting cash)

We're all turned around in this house.  Paul had yesterday off (again!  4 days in two weeks!!) so he packed Sam off to see the Fire Fighting men at the Children's Museum and I packed it off the wilds of Suburbia with Sally  where I got lost in the mall and fell prey to a real-life Sephora.  I'm turning 30, you know.  It's high time I get myself some makeup.  It was a beautiful day.  Family time is so freaking precious-- that goes for time with friends, too. I don't want to get all sappy, but I feel everything lightening with a good dose of both. 

And then Good Mail?  That just makes it all the sweeter.  I received some from both Blair  and Megan on the same day.  Lucky Ducky.   This is beautiful appliqued wool pillow made by miss Blair's own hand.  It is triggering a much needed bedroom redo.  (Or maybe just a "do"?  We've never really done it.)  I love it.  Thank you, Friend... it is so good.

I harassed Megan for some indigenous mags.  She obliged and included some Kristin Doran owl fabric and one of her photos (which is waiting patiently for a permanent home).  I machine appliqued an owl patch onto a new pillow cover for the kitchen/playroom or from now on-- the "birdie room", as it's sitting under a my new Camilla print-- all framed and hung. 

Man, mailorder  arrived, I get to say goodbye to 20something this week, and my friend Trish gets here on Saturday.  Good times, People, good times. 

 

i see me.

"Jesus loves you just the way the you are
and he loves you too much to let you stay that way"
(Amy Adams, Junebug)

I don't think we're going to leave the house today. It's the blustery sort of rain that is best experienced indoors. We rented Junebug last night and despite all the air mattress sex, I loved it so much. I think Paul and I loved it equally. Lost in Translation was like that (or maybe I just like to think so), and so was The Royal Tenenbaums. All the others get tipped one way or another on the scales most often landing in the "he humoured me" territory, or my "that was the worst ever why are you laughing so hard?" land. But Junebug, you are so good.

Susan was over yesterday and she comes from that part of the world and she loves the movie too, so I felt pretty good going into it. Susan Beal is a good time girl. I've known her for nearly as long as I've lived in Portland. And if you don't read her blog yet, you've probably seen her name published in Venus or Adorn or CRAFT or maybe you've read her book...? Yeah, she's good like that. We were lucky to spend the afternoon hanging out and she was lucky enough to witness a nap-less Sam spiral into a crazy drunk-like fatigue. She's been rocking out in LA the last couple of years, but I'm going to go ahead and say that Portland would like her back. Please.

Oh! And hello, Adorn-- did you see me in there? I was looking pretty good, so I almost didn't recognize me (you probably won't either). That is, until I saw the ridiculous expression on my face... You would've seen a picture of Sally and Sumi too, if they hadn't been hiding behind a shelf. They're running a 10 dollar subscription special that I'm going to jump on. It will be one more reason to never leave the house.