robynsewsthisandthat

Our front yard

Yeah, it’s been a while. But, with the COVID-19 pandemic going on what else is there to do. Besides mask making. And I have done quite a bit of that. Hubby is unable to work from home so, I have made mask for him to take to work and share with his co-workers so they won’t share germs and such. I am grateful that he is able to continue working. All 3 of my part-time jobs have subsided. Oh well. There is that long list of “If I only had the time I could…..”

Sewing machine

My 2 best friends. My sewing machine and my seam ripper. We usually get along very well.

SEW

My view from my sewing machine. On an April shower sort of day.

Mask

I’ve enjoyed finding fun fabrics in my stash to make into mask. My husband has a rubber ducky mask and a flying pigs mask.

Tomatoes. Ready to get planted outdoors.

One of our local farmer’s markets has started a “drive thru” market. We can order online, select a pick up time, pay and then on Saturday, go pick up our goodies. We never have to get out of our cars. The vendors bring our goods to us and place them in the back or trunk. I’ve got quite a lot of plants to get into pots. I don’t plant much veggies in the ground because we have too many deer, rabbits and squirrels to make it worth our time and effort. We’ve tried all kinds of tricks and then gave up. This year I am going to try to plant tomatoes and peppers on our deck. I may need to net the tomatoes from the squirrels but, I have yet to see a deer or rabbit on our deck.

Our neighborhood

Location of the spring

Used to feed water to the pool

Our neighborhood walk last night gave the opportunity to photograph it’s namesake. This spring used to supply water to the pool which once upon a time was a neighborhood pool but, is now a members only private club. I’m not even certain it will open for members to enjoy this summer. Although they are hopeful. I am hopeful. And in these times, aren’t we all???

Bye for now. Stay safe and well.

As I had posted earlier, my daughter didn’t want to give me the extra stress of making her wedding dress. Well, how much fun is a wedding without stress. And I really wanted the excuse to make something. So, I decided to make my mother-of-the-bride dress.

I used this McCall’s 7533 Sheath Dress pattern. I wanted to make something with a lace overlay.

I was also dreaming up an excuse to shop at one of my favorite places while we were visiting in New Jersey during our summer vacation. Stitch N’ Sew Centre has a wonderful selection of all types of fabric from garment to bridal to home dec. If you are ever offered the opportunity to check this store out, you absolutely must go.

I found this satin and the overlay fabric and was ready to get to work.

I created a test of the pattern for fit (didn’t take a photo of the first test) and then another. I was satisfied with this and began the work on the dress.

I knew I wanted a short sleeve version as I get overheated easily especially when there is high humidity and September in our area of the Mid-Atlantic is still quite warm even into October. The first attempt of setting the sleeves from the pattern left them feeling too long. Luckily I had enough extra to cut a second set of sleeves as I certainly wanted the edging as my hem.

I had a few challenges with the dress. Mainly with my impatience to get it finished. We had taken on a small renovation of my sewing room prior to my making my dress and starting the gown alterations. By “we”, I mean “me”! Hubby laid the floors while I did all the painting and trim work. In the end, it all worked out.

It was a lovely day and a happy time for all of us! And I plan to make more sheath dresses from the pattern. Did I mention the pattern has facings? How fun is that!

Life is so busy. For some reason I have always imagined that as I got older that time might slow down. Like when I was a kid and I was waiting (not patiently) for Christmas morning or my birthday to arrive. Nope! Time just goes faster and faster. Not only has it been almost a year since my last post but, our daughter has grown into a beautiful woman and is now married. (not all in the last year but, you get the idea) I can hardly believe it.

She said that she did not want to burden me with the task of making her wedding dress as she knew how busy I am with all my classes that I have been teaching and my work on the chapter advisory board with our local chapter of the American Sewing Guild and leading a neighborhood group for children to sew with the guild. I was however tasked with completing the alterations of her dress.

She tried on many dresses.  

She definitely wanted lace. Definitely wanted a train. Definitely wanted a veil.

She continued to try on dresses……and finally she found The Dress!

The dress was strapless so a lace jacket was in order to cover her arms and shoulders. We ordered the lace jacket according to her measurements. When it arrived it was way too large and the sleeves were much longer than she wanted. I did some major altering to the jacket. But, I had so much fun working on her dress.

The dress needed to be shortened 5 inches. So, I needed to remove the trim and several appliqués.

It was a slow process as the trim and appliqués were sewn on with clear thread.

My poor eyes!

I finally pinned and reattached the trim and appliqués to the gown. And yes I used clear thread and did it with my machine.

Now to bustle the train. I replaced the thread tacks from the satin and the lace overlay with clear snaps so they could be separated when it came time to bustle the two layers.

I wanted to create an under bustle or French bustle for the satin layers.

And an Over Bustle for the longer lace layer.

I also added some lace to the cleavage as per requested for modesty

Her dress hanging in waiting after the final press.

After the ceremony. The happy couple!

My wonderful daughter-in-law did all of her wedding photos. They are so beautiful.

Father of the bride walking her down the aisle.

Aren’t they a lovely couple?

It was a lovely wedding and a fabulous reception.

We went on a quick vacation, as we do yearly, to the New Jersey area to celebrate my MIL’s birthday. I started making this linen bath towel set for myself and then realized that I need a gift so hey! There we go. I love this linen and I am really pleased to gift this and make more for myself and —gift some to others.

We had a good trip other than Mr F having trouble driving with knee pain and I ended up driving most of the way and then most of the time there. So, while he was resting under the influence of ibuprofen and tylenol , I excused myself to visit the local fabric store. This fabric store Stitch and Sew Center is so fabulous. It is the most exciting fabric store that I have ever been in….not having been to anything in NYC.

I could spend hours and hours here! But, I had a list and I pretty much stuck with it.

I have plans…..

We also enjoy a sushi place in the area as well…

Ikko is located in Brick, NJ. It is a definite destination for our trips.

Beach time was questionable due to storms in the area..

We were only on the board walk during this storm as everyone on the beach was asked to leave due to lighting…

The next day we went to Bradley Beach (recommended by my sister-in-law) and it was glorious — no parking issues, no too much sand to slug thru to get to water. And not too crowded.

It was so nice…..sand in my toes and salt water up my nose…

On our way back to Virginia we happened into a rest area and I loved this find…

Now that we are home and enjoying our little area of the world I am delighted with these beautiful blooms next to my deck.

Happy summer holiday to those in this realm of life…..Charlottesville, VA was mostly peaceful this year. I have much to be grateful for!!!