I have been spoiled. And it's all the internet's fault.
Remember my little trip to the fabric store last week? I was intending to spend some money - did you wonder about that part? - but I never even got close. When I looked at all my fabric that I had in boxes just waiting to be used I thought that I could at least update the patterns that I have. A few pieces of the fabric are dated but most is still useable. Not so the patterns; they are all too big (yes!) and most have shoulders like a line-backer. Tells you how long it's been since I last sewed anything for myself. So I ventured to look in the big books.
Holey moley! I was blown backwards by all the young styles! The short and skinny dresses on the young models were nothing like what I was looking for. I couldn't even imagine them on me. Most were so trendy that I sure couldn't use any pattern more than once...or be able to adapt it to something more suitable to my middle-aged body and lifestyle. Did I mention these are young! styles? A funny thing about the styles though...I remember making and wearing similar dresses back in 1973.
So, strike one. Then I dug a little deeper into the books and found a couple that I kind of liked. No, I liked them a lot. OK...head for the drawer to pull out my choice. Whoa! Back I reel from the big sign that says: "New Protocol for pattern selection". Now, you give the cashier your selection(s) and she retrieves it from the drawers which are inaccessible to us customers, being turned inward. OK. I hunt around but can find no handy paper and pencil provided. What am I to do? Write it on my hand? Yeah, that's what the young ones would do, isn't it? Wait! They'd probably key it into their phones. Stupid me...no phone.
Strike Two. A rummage through my purse produces a notebook and a pen. As I'm carefully transcribing number and size - all patterns seem to be multi-size now - I realize that I should check the price. I know that some designer patterns used to be way more expensive. Yikes! One pattern, no specialness, will cost me almost $20. Now, with multi-size and a willingness to re-trace all the sizes, I could conceivably start my own garment factory. I think that's the only way I could recoup the cost of this pattern. When I consider the cost of new fabric which fortunately I'm not needing, I can see why sewing/fabric stores may be on the decline. I am certainly not going to make more than one of anything.
Strike Three...and I'm out of there, thinking that my attitude is all down to the internet. I have been knitting up a storm with free patterns, or relatively inexpensive patterns available to download whenever I want. I can buy any number of magazines for less than $10 which have a multitude of patterns if I want to have designer patterns at my fingertips. Why are patterns so expensive? Once upon a time it was cheaper to sew your own clothes. Yeah, I know...that was when I was young. Right?
But, seriously. Why can't the internet do the same for sewing clothes as it has for knitting them?
Monday, May 14, 2012
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Sunday wonders - T
T is for Therapy.
Last Friday afternoon, I found myself with some unexpected free time. I had the car. I had the first really summery-warm day. I had an hour.
I decided to drive to the one large fabric store that has managed to survive after Walmart undersold everyone and drove out all competition. Then when the others had all fallen - but one - they closed their fabric department. I want to say it's only been a year or so since I was in that fabric store but it's probably been a lot longer than that. I just haven't been sewing. So that was my first therapy: look at all the new fabrics and check out the patterns.
After my prowl through the fabrics, I drifted around this mall that I hardly ever go to any more. It's changed and I was happy admiring some new stores, renovations and wondering where other remembered shops and sights had gone. A flying exit through Winners and the hour was almost up. Therapy number Two.
But the best was yet to come. I was feeling relaxed for the first time in ages. The sun was shining. If I'd had that kind of car, my top would definitely have come off. I drove back to my next appointment through the back roads which have built up but still retain more charm than the freeway. Popped in a Herb Ellis CD, rolled down the window and drove through the (almost) country road back to the city. Just a joy. I can still summon up the feeling of total relaxation. Driving therapy is even better than retail.
And it only took an hour. Really.
Last Friday afternoon, I found myself with some unexpected free time. I had the car. I had the first really summery-warm day. I had an hour.
I decided to drive to the one large fabric store that has managed to survive after Walmart undersold everyone and drove out all competition. Then when the others had all fallen - but one - they closed their fabric department. I want to say it's only been a year or so since I was in that fabric store but it's probably been a lot longer than that. I just haven't been sewing. So that was my first therapy: look at all the new fabrics and check out the patterns.
After my prowl through the fabrics, I drifted around this mall that I hardly ever go to any more. It's changed and I was happy admiring some new stores, renovations and wondering where other remembered shops and sights had gone. A flying exit through Winners and the hour was almost up. Therapy number Two.
But the best was yet to come. I was feeling relaxed for the first time in ages. The sun was shining. If I'd had that kind of car, my top would definitely have come off. I drove back to my next appointment through the back roads which have built up but still retain more charm than the freeway. Popped in a Herb Ellis CD, rolled down the window and drove through the (almost) country road back to the city. Just a joy. I can still summon up the feeling of total relaxation. Driving therapy is even better than retail.
And it only took an hour. Really.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Saturday Stash
Getting back to normal...well, what passes for normal around here. I've got lots of stash, a couple of projects in hand, one completed and a lot of ideas.
Completed! The Floaty Summer topper which is so light and airy it really does float. Two issues for me: one, I need a flowery frock to wear with this. T-shirts and jeans are not quite right, are they? And I think this sweater looks like a bed-jacket. Does anyone remember those? My mother had a couple when I was little. I had a chenille bed-jacket in pink or yellow. Maybe there were two...that would explain my color confusion. So, that makes it even more in need of something that a Jane Austin character might have worn to breakfast.
Using the last of my beautiful Christmas sock yarns, I've started a plain, no-thought-required socks. I had a lot of different ideas for a special design for this yarn but in the end it didn't really suit cables, lace or ribs. It just needs to be itself. The colors are like bright jewels.
And, to keep my brain from getting too relaxed,I'm trying the Torch Lily Tee. I love turquoise and I have only about 750 yards of this stuff so after a little explore with all the mags stored in the cupboard - another stash - I found this pattern. It'll be a while in the making and I'm glad I have the socks for when I can't stand looking at the charts anymore.
As for ideas. Well, you know, yarn isn't the only stash I have. I have lots and lots of fabric, too. So I think I'm going to hunt for some flowered cotton for those mornings when I can relax on the deck with my morning tea. The sun is beginning to spend more time with us. I used to sew all my clothes, my kids' clothes and occasionally stuff for husband, too. Sewing up the wee dress for Gabby, I remembered how much I love sewing. Let's see if I can fit it in.
Completed! The Floaty Summer topper which is so light and airy it really does float. Two issues for me: one, I need a flowery frock to wear with this. T-shirts and jeans are not quite right, are they? And I think this sweater looks like a bed-jacket. Does anyone remember those? My mother had a couple when I was little. I had a chenille bed-jacket in pink or yellow. Maybe there were two...that would explain my color confusion. So, that makes it even more in need of something that a Jane Austin character might have worn to breakfast.
Using the last of my beautiful Christmas sock yarns, I've started a plain, no-thought-required socks. I had a lot of different ideas for a special design for this yarn but in the end it didn't really suit cables, lace or ribs. It just needs to be itself. The colors are like bright jewels.
And, to keep my brain from getting too relaxed,I'm trying the Torch Lily Tee. I love turquoise and I have only about 750 yards of this stuff so after a little explore with all the mags stored in the cupboard - another stash - I found this pattern. It'll be a while in the making and I'm glad I have the socks for when I can't stand looking at the charts anymore.
As for ideas. Well, you know, yarn isn't the only stash I have. I have lots and lots of fabric, too. So I think I'm going to hunt for some flowered cotton for those mornings when I can relax on the deck with my morning tea. The sun is beginning to spend more time with us. I used to sew all my clothes, my kids' clothes and occasionally stuff for husband, too. Sewing up the wee dress for Gabby, I remembered how much I love sewing. Let's see if I can fit it in.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
In the Garden
Spending my free time in the garden.
The sun is shining. The bees are buzzing. The apple tree is blooming. If we can keep the rain away until the bees have done their thing, we may have a few apples this summer. Last year was a bust.
The sun is shining. The bees are buzzing. The apple tree is blooming. If we can keep the rain away until the bees have done their thing, we may have a few apples this summer. Last year was a bust.
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