A little sewing here and there

I got in just about 20 minutes of sewing last night. That enabled me to pleat the collar portion of the jacket and then to sew the collar seams together. Following along with the pattern instructions, I then sewed the collar center back seams together and then topstitched 1/4 inch from the center seam on both sides.

Next steps are to sew the back neckline to bottom of the collar; then I will baste the side seams for fitting purposes before serging side seams together. I will probably insert the sleeves before the final side seam sewing. The instructions call for inserting the sleeves in the round. Most sewists like to insert sleeves in knit tops using the flat method.

The final steps will be the hem stitching and I will finally get to use the coverstitch machine. Got to run, I am actually cooking dinner tonight.

Update on Jacket

I got more completed today but I am finding that the nice and cooler weather is calling me to go outside and play. It was so nice that I grilled steaks and potatoes. Then whipped up a nice toss salad with good ol' ice tea with lemon. It was delicious if I say so myself.

But I digress. I have made some final fittings to the jacket back darts. I was then able to topstitch the band onto the jacket. I then sewed the lining fronts and backs. The sleeves for the jacket and the lining are complete. I have to add the ruffle to the sleeve. Because I normally don't follow the lining instructions with most patterns as they would have you do lots of hand sewing, I need figure out how I want to attach the ruffle to the sleeve.

My DH asked exactly what I was going to with the jacket. I just gave him this look and said sometimes the fabric calls to you and then the "wear with" follows. Actually I am not sure what I will wear with the jacket. I don't own a skirt in pale yellow anymore. That one went to Goodwill. It also has some brown in it which I have several brown skirts that might work with it along with some brown slacks. This project was one that the fabric did leap out of my stash and became what it is, so perhaps there will be the skirt or pants that will follow.

I will try to post photos of my progress thus far later.

Sewing today-3/24/07

Well I finally got the skirt pattern cut out today. My DH even expressed interest in the style and said once I make it and perfect the fit I should make about three more of this style. Will see about that.

Meanwhile I decided to start sewing on the Simplicity pattern-skirt and top. I threaded my serger and edge finished the skirt pieces. Truly the skirt could be sewn completely on the serger except for the elastic waist; but I am not sure of the fit of the pattern and decided to just edge finish the seams and sew the seams on my sewing machine. Once this skirt pattern is perfected, future knit skirts using this pattern I will probably just serge it all.

I had a busy day today. I decided to grill our dinner tonight on our new gas grill. I love to grill and have always used charcoal. I decided to purchase a gas grill and cooking is a little different but yet the same. I fixed porterhouse steaks, bake potatoes (cooked in microwave and oven), toss salad and tea. Even grilled Texas Garlic Bread. Today was also major shopping day for groceries and such, and I made time to go to CURVES; so I am pleased that I accomplished what I did in my sewing room today.

Tomorrow morning I will start again.