Well not off, there is still a lot back there...
This Saturday I bit the bullet. I went on and mended a few things for other people as well as myself.
For the other people, I sewed up a tear in a pair of pants,
Stitched a loose seam in a new sweater...
And even took in the bum, and let out the bust of a 60s brocade dress for a friend.
Honestly, I did all that in about an hour. Its amazing how quickly you can do this stuff if you just get over the hump.
For myself, I did quite a few things. I lowered the hem on my Tiki dress 1 1/2". I didn't feel comfortable at its shorter length and my slips were always showing.
I FINALLY adjusted the shoulders on a blouse jacket I had made some time ago. Oh boy, where they too large.
Its my
repro blouse pattern and I made the shoulders too long. I tried to fake it by making shoulder pads, which at first took longer than actually altering the sleeves would have been but you know, backwards thinking and all.
I wonder why we as sewers do that; too lazy to take out stitches, but would make something new instead. HA!
I like the new fit and now I don't feel stupid wearing it.
I also made a few home wears. I stitched up my canvas grocery bag strap and also made some produce bags. Im known by my friends as being
'green'. I always bring my own bags to the store, never take bags if I can help it, and have a big old recycle pile in my kitchen.
The produce bags are for those plastic things you get for your veggies that you stow all your tomatoes or lemons in while you shop.
I get sick of tossing that thing every shopping trip, so I got some very sheer fabric and stitched up my own.
Four to be exact. That should do.
With the leftover fabric from the produce bags, I whipped up a pressing cloth.
I also made a pillow case from some white cotton and some lovely flowered cotton.
Also on Saturday, I worked on my Gardenia dress. I'm happy to say as of yesterday I finished the stitching and Im actually putting it together now!
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
On Friday, my iPhoto book came. In my
inspiration thread, I talk about my family and showed some old pictures of them. Most are not dated.
I'm mailing it to my Granny this week with a sharpie so she can write in it and catalog all the people and dates. She's looking forward to it. Once she sends it back to me, I'm going to make another book (hard bound) and place all the photos in chronological order. it will be a fantastic keepsake.
Also another keepsake is from my friend. This past Thursday, some of us with strapped finances decided to venture to our local Tiki bar where they were having their FIRST drink special. Rum punch for $5.
OH JOY! It started at 4pm and we were punctual. Even got a table. The punch was great, but they only made a 3 gallon vat, and it ran out in an hour! So we left, and went to a diner where my friend came with a much anticipated gift.
A few months at the Santa Monica Vintage expo, I cam across this amazing silk shawl. GAWD, it was stunning. Late 20s, early 30s with a cream background, embroidered flowers, and silk rope fringe. I fell in love. Even visited it a couple of times. I asked the seller the price, "$250, she said." "Wow," I replied. "That's actually reasonable." And it was. She also told me how some other sellers were coming by and looking at it. They would probably resell it for $450+.
My friend, the one who I met at the diner had the most awesome gig for a few months. She was working for a prop house that was selling off its inventory. Now, Im sure you can see where this is going.
See that huge ass grin, yeah, thats the grin of a free vintage silk shawl that was a movie prop. It needs a cleaning, and thats more than likely going to cost $60+ but it was free. There are some holes near the fringe, but once again, it was free. It *does* smell like old lady, and not the good kind either, but once again, it was FREE.
Look at my smile. Its big. Very big. Why? Because I'm happy. VERY happy.
This is my second vintage shawl, and Im super excited.
Maybe I should name her, make the whole acquisition more personal...
See that huge ass grin, yeah, thats the grin of a free vintage silk shawl that was a movie prop. It needs a cleaning, and thats more than likely going to cost $60+ but it was free. There are some holes near the fringe, but once again, it was free. It *does* smell like old lady, and not the good kind either, but once again, it was FREE. 
Ive finished the flowers on the bodice and I added the facing piece. I really like the way it looks. As I was completing it, I got to thinking, how in the world am I gonna close this thing!?
The original allots for button holes on the front scallops, oops. I forgot to factor those in. I Thought about adding a zipper to the inside, and snap fasteners for the overlap, and that might be the way to go. Or, I could used just snap fasteners for the whole thing. I'll have to think on it a bit. So much for over-planning, huh?
This came together quite easily. I did turn the hat 'around' so to speak. I wanted the lap part to drape on the left side of my head (left handed and all). Right now Josephine is wearing it as it is taped together. Once I mark notches Ill take it apart and do a muslin mock up.
The fabric I'm planning on using for this is this 60s skirt I found at a rummage pile. Its got a great nubby weave, and an amazing green color. I think (if I have enough fabric) it will look smashing!
