Rock a Bye

It's been a busy, working afternoon, and we're pretty tired. We've accomplished much, though, so it's a good tired. And Squidley made us a nice little dinner, homemade tacos with homemade pico de gallo. It was so good that I think it doubled as a reward for all our hard work.

And now it's time to put us all in the beddy bye.

Wishing everyone a very good week.

Speed Reading

Very tired. Very sleepy. Very ready to get into the beddy bye. After I quickly read a chapter in my new book. Squidley loaded another book onto my Sony reader, and after starting it last night, I am very exciting about reading it.

Nighty night, everyone.

The Polka Dot Project

No, this is not a shower cap. Sure looks like one, though. Actually, it is that sale fabric I mentioned in Wednesday's post. Now, I typically work with one hundred percent cottons, and though I've sewn with synthetics, it's been quite a while. This cut is very "drapey," so it is important to discipline the fabric as much as possible.

This is a simple, rib-knit, super thin tee with three quarter length sleeves. Underneath each sleeve, just inches from the hem, is a short, narrow, cotton strip with a buttonhole on one end. The sleeve can be rolled so that the strip is exposed, thus allowing the sleeve to be buttoned for a slightly shorter length.

The button is generic at best, and, for that matter, so is the tee. However, I couldn't expect much more from a "Wally World" find that was inexpensive from the first: about six dollars. By the time I got to it, it had been marked down to three dollars. Yippee! I'll turn that car around!

After getting the fabric lined up on the cutting mat (This wasn't a piece of cake, but it wasn't too terribly difficult either.), I cut a one and a half inch strip the length of the fabric width. It is at this point that the sewing machine width should be set to a fairly wide stitch length (like a basting stitch); however, I forgot, thus using a regular stitch to sew down the middle (lengthwise) of the entire piece. That in itself wasn't a problem; gathering the length was the challenge. I did complete the task and reminded myuself not to let that happen again.

a successful gathering, nonetheless

I heart ruffles.

Next, I carefully placed the ruffle around the tee's front neck edge, then pinned it in place (using my pretty little glass head pins).

The neckline has been completed.

Next, I cut two four-inch strips, each the length of the fabric width. The I joined the two together, sewing two ends together, right sides together.

It was now time for this very long strip to be basted along the entire length, approximately five eighths of an inch from the fabric edge. And yes, this time I remembered to change the stitch setting to a long stitch length.

The fabric length, which as I've said, was quite long, gathered beautifully.

I did not pin this ruffled piece. Rather, I measured it to make sure it would cover the circumference of the tee's hem. I then carefully stitched (using a regular size stitch setting) to the hem, stitching over the basting.

I stitched around the entire ruffle one more time, this time sewing as close as possible to the ruffle's top edge. Originally, I hadn't planned on this step; however, the top edge just didn't look right. The tee's hem was visible and clashed with the ruffle. So I gambled with this second time around, and it paid off big time. It gave the ruffle a finished edge that was better than anything I could have planned. Oh, yeah. I also stitched together the beginning and and ending sides, just so there was not "parting of the Red Sea," thus exposing the white underneath.

a closer look

the finished neckline

the finished hemline

Here is the completed project, including the addition of two navy, heart-shaped buttons to replace those generics ones I mentioned earlier. The buttons, by the way, are from an assortment that Squidley picked up for me while on a business trip.

Here is one more shot of the project, just before the buttons were added.

Well, I enjoyed putting this piece together. And I am quite happy knowing that the total cost of the tee shirt, fabric, and thread was under five dollars. And my favorite aspect of the project: choosing the trim I like, choosing the placement of said trim, and not simply settling for something "off the rack" that I might not completely like.

Well, it has been a fun day.

And a good evening to everyone.

Pygmalianese

Tonight I'll borrow a little bit from Eliza, herself, and say what a loverly day it has been!

Nighty night, all.

Just Dotty

I had planned on sharing one of this week's sewing projects within today's post; howerer, I am a bit under the weather and need to get some rest. So instead, I've posted the above photo as a sorta preview of that particular project. Beautiful and classic navy with white polka dots! And not cotton, but rather a 54 inch wide knit. It usually sells for about twelve dollars a yard, but with a half off coupon, I was able to purchase half a yard for about three dollars.

So, now it is time to get into the beddy bye.

Nighty night, everyone.

On the Avenue . . . Fifth Avenue

It's not officially Spring, but don't tell that to the flowers. The numbers are not large, but the blooms we're already seeing are lovely. It's as though they're already practicing for the Easter parade. The first three photographs were taken of our indoor tulips. All of the other flowers were taken outdoors.

This little gal is slightly shy and just needs a little more encouragement from the sun to lift her pretty little face.

Ready or not, here we come!

These will be striking!

sun-kissed beauties

What perfection!

the color purple

That is all for now.

Nighty night.

Claritin, Please. And Can You Make That a Double?

Here are three pictures of Scout, since I believe in equal opportunity photo posting for the two boys. And that's pretty much it because the first cousin of the headache that visitied me last night arrived early this evening.

Nighty night.