Spelling

My iPod edits and "corrects" my spelling without paying attention to grammar. In my previous post, I meant to write "words to that effect" not "fords to that effect"

Sent from my iPod

Shopping is a sport

I imagine that it's a retail frenzy now in the USA. I'm in Aswan Egypt, which is in the south. It is hot here and it's supposed to be more laid back and relaxed. It doesn't have the Cairo's frenzy, but it does have it's own intensity.

In egypt, Shopping is a sport--the merchant befriends you, you talk, the customer gets tea, he makes an offer, you make a counter offer, then he counteroffers (accuses you of being cheap or fords to that effect) you walk away, he lowers the price and you accept or you keep walking while the storer owner shouts outrage. This goes on and on. But the next day, when they see you, it's like you are an old friend. ( i had a roommate like that). And this happens at practically every shop.

Not all shops are pushy--many of the storeowners do express a sincere curiosity and interest in tourists (especially if try see you everyday) but the noise, being constantly greeted and hearing everyone call out, "Obama! Amreeka!" happens frequently enough that I'm staying away from the souk until i leave for the train station.

Another aspect is that (at first glance) i look Egyptian (or like a native Arabic speaker). When I ask for the price in Arabic, it costs 2 LE. When I asked for clarification (in English)--I can't recognize the numbers when spoken--and I'm buying two of the items (e.g. Small cartons of juice), the second item costs 3 LE. 1 LE is a small amount to worry about (an American perspective) but this endless haggling is, well, annoying. I'm not going to Luxor (where I hear it's worse), and I not going to the Cairo markets without friends or a guide.

I swear after this experience JoAnn fabrics will look heavenly. *smile*

Elphantine island

A view of the archeological site. In the upper right, I think that is the mausoleum of the Shah Aga Khan.

A technical note

I have two camera with me on this trip--- a canon digicam about 5 years old and this iPod touch about 4 weeks old. (This iPod touch is one of my favorite purchases of the year. I just have to make certain that I have access to wifi.) The pictures I'm posting were taken with the iPod. At some point in the future (not immediately after I get back) I will be able to download the pics from my canon.

Obligatory fabric note: I wore my blue linen HotPatterns Marrakech pants and a brown long-sleeved T shirt (Burda) made from bamboo jersey. I was fairly cool. Linen and bamboo seem to be great fabrics for hot weather. The Marrakech pants garnered a comment from an observant moslem man who called out, "thank you for wearing modest clothing" then he wanted to talk about Louis Farrakhan. I told him I was Catholic, shrugged then walked away.

Sent from my iPod

Yes, it's that hot.

Aswan, Egypt. Elephantine island. 1:53 pm.

Frankfurt airport - one special purchase

I had a two hour layover in Frankfurt. I spent most of my time charging my iPod and having lunch, but I did have time to make one purchase. I didn't have time to read the English edition that I received at home, so I purchase the German language version.

I did look through the magazine called Cut, but I decided not to purchase. It was more crafts than sewing and I hardly ever craft.

I arrived safe and sound. One tip--if you travel with cans of cranberry sauce in your suitcase, expect to get your bags inspected. :)

On my way!

I'm at SFO using the free wifi while eating lunch and waiting for my flight. The TSA lines were long, but they moved quickly. The agents were friendly and professional and I did not observe anything out of the ordinary.

Right now I am at the point on my vacation where the adventure has begun. Actually, the adventure started with the crazy shuttle driver-- it's the first rain of the season and the roads are very slippery. I swear, we skidded on at traffic signals and I was worried we were going to rollover. He did slow down when I asked, but I couldn't help but feel this was in preparation for Cairo's crazy taxi drivers.

Sent from my iPod

In less than 24 hours, I will be on my way to....

In less than 24 hours, I will be on a plane, headed on my vacation to: Egypt!

I visited Egypt in 2004 and I had a lovely visit. I've been trying to get back to visit ever since. This past summer, I realized the stars aligned and I had friends there I can visit, so I made plans and so now I'm going!

The attached picture is from my 2004 trip. My tour guide at the time provided a detailed list of what the women should wear. After we arrived in Egypt, some members of our tour group (myself included) realized that our leader erred on the side of being very conservative and as a consequence, many of us felt very dowdy or that we were dressed as new age hippies. You can dress conservatively, without looking like you are wearing a costume of some sort.

I was not sewing anything at that time, so most of my clothing was very inexpensive stuff from Marshall's, which includes this floral campshirt and black capri fitness pants (with a white stripe down the side), and I snood that I purchased at a Cairo mall. It was fine wardrobe for traveling, but I dread looking at the pictures from the trip: you know--the pictures of when you visit the pyramids, etc, and you want to show your friends later...

In any case, when I look at my suitcases (how shall I fit everything?), I see that I have made most (but not all) of the clothing will be things that I have sewn myself. I'm so happy! If I can, I'll send brief blogging updates via email. I know that I have enjoyed reading the different travelogues. If you don't hear from me, I'll be gone from blogging for about 3 weeks.

It started raining on Friday--winter has started in Northern California. Our long extended summer has ended. I'm flying from San Francisco (rainy) and through Frankfurt, Germany (cold), so I need a warm jacket. This morning I finished the Ottobre Woman Winter 2008 #6 knit jacket. About 2 years ago, I had made a zipper-less version from a cotton raschel knit. This time I used a black stretch fleece, similar to powerstretch (from a fabric store that is near Happy Stop in Oakland) with a swarski rhinestone zipper. I purchased the zipper about a year ago: if I remember the prices correctly, the zipper cost more than the fabric. I did add some darts along the back--the jacket is supposed to be loose fitting but the fabric didn't drape in a flattering way. I'm not certain if I'm in love with the way the zipper was installed. When I make this jacket again, I'll have to look for a different method from the one that OW suggests. I also want to add inseam pockets.

So for traveling, I'm wearing the jacket, a burda t-shirt made from a black/grey tribal jersey print with a black burda pull-over sweater. I'm wearing store bought yoga pants from Adidas--they are a loose-fitting trouser pants made from a knit, and cost way more than I expected, but they fit and I don't have a suitable fabric in my stash.

Okay--I need to pack a few more things!

Edited to add--I want to wish everyone a very happy and safe Thanksgiving! Please eat some turkey for me (the dark meat) and stuffing!

Rose

Oprah Winfrey's Favorite Things episode is ....

an orgy of conspicuous consumption.

I used to like watching the 'Favorite Things' episode, but in the last few years, I've been turned off by the outrageous product placement and endless screaming audience members. Yes, I know that she has to approve the products. And yes, if I were in the audience, I would enjoy the gifts. And I know that the audience members are worthy souls. But while sitting in my living room, watching Oprah distribute the products (carefully naming the retail price) with polished munificence, I almost want to go look through mythology or fable reference book and try to find something that matches.

Hmmm..

Thank goodness for UFO's and TNT's

I'm leaving on Sunday, travelling to warmer place and I've sewing at least 1 garment a day. I can only do this because I'm sewing TNT patterns (TNT = Tried and True). Sewing TNTs means that I don't have to make a muslin of a new pattern. I don't like the actual physical process of making a muslin (practice garment), but I appreciate why I should make one. If I don't make a muslin, the first version of the garment that I sew turns out to be a muslin.

I've sewn two bamboo knit jersey (purchased from a coop) Burda t-shirt: one brown, one white, both with three-quarter sleeves. These should work for simple casual everyday clothing. I have used at least 3 yards from my stash. I'm sooo happy!

One of the events I'm attending recommends that I pack a garment suitable for a cocktail party (well, that's how I'm reading the event description). I rarely wear cocktail dresses, I don't go to church, so I don't have a lot of dressy clothing. I live in the capital of business casual, so I'm went through my closet and tried to find some separates that might work. I found a somewhat boho skirt: it's a wraparound skirt made from a shiny pink wine colored skirt with what appears to be a sheer black sari overlay. I was going through my fabric stash to locate a suitable black fabric for a dressy-tshirt top, when I found a UFO (un finished object): a Vogue dress, 8386 (now out of print). About 2 years ago, I started to make this for an event that in the midst of sewing, I decided not to attend. I made view B, in a thin sparkly black knit (fiber content unknown) purchased from Simon at Happy Stop ($2 a yard!) in Oakland. I think that it's go the right amount of glamour.

When I stopped, I had assembled the bodice (the bodice was the most technically challenging part of the dress) and the dress's skirt and I had partially assembled the two pieces. I did have the foresight to put all the fabric pieces, with the pattern (and instructions) in a big (three gallon?) bag. I was looking for the extra fabric, when I pulled out the dress, it looked great despite being in a plastic bag and moved around on the floor for the past 24 months. Perfect for traveling! LOL! I finished assembling it, tried it on and hemmed it. It should work out very well. I'll have to make certain to bring a shawl or scarf to wear with it, so that I can cover my arms if I feel uncomfortable.

This is all coming together--I'm so happy.

Two shirts!

It took me a little longer than I expected, but I finished the two shirts today. Buttons and buttonholes take longer than sewing seams. I should have time to wear, launder, and check for loose threads and buttons before I travel (and press--I just noticed the wrinkles in the sleeve of the red cherry print. Yikes!). The gold and white shirt is an African print from a special bundle from Michael's (purchased earlier this year). I love the creamy white square buttons that I found at Joan's. Sorry about the iPod pic--my computer is still being repaired.

One down, one more to go

Well, I still need to add buttonholes and buttons. I'm going to use the red ones that are pinned to my dressform. I should be able to assemble the gold and white shirt tomorrow night. After that, I'll make some t-shirts. I have some bamboo jersey from a coop purchase.

Pardon the mess in the background. That is part of my ever-growing stash of fabric. I'm glad to have sewn something with this blouse weight cotton (with stretch). I purchased it over a year ago from Fabrics R Us in San Jose. It was $2.99 a yard (it was outside). I saw someone else purchasing it so I asked for some yardage. It's a fun print, probably, more summery than winter, but I like it and that is what counts. :)

Sewing Mise en Place

My laptop broke again but it's under warranty, so it's at the shop and I'm using my iPod touch. Sorry about the pic quality but it does make it easier and quicker to blog.

I was able to sew the front to the back (shoulder and side seams), and attach the button bindings. I'm a little bummed that I'm not as far along, but I'm sewing TWO blouses, so I should expect the process to seem slower. Tonight I should be able to sew the collars and sleeves. The pic shows one of the African wax prints from Michael's. I think that shiny white buttons will suit it nicely.

Simplicity 3684

I made one version from a lightweight pink ikat print from Happy Stop. It was such a success that I started two more versions. Since the fabric is primarily white, I don't need to change the thread. Last night I made the collars, cuffs, and button facings. Tonight should be able to assemble the shirts. The pic shows what I was able to sew last night. More later!

Triumph & Tribulation of technology

I just spent thirty min on the phone with tech support only to be told that my wireless router was broken. And would you like to buy a new one?

Hah! I pulled from my box of dead technology a combined modem And router. It took me another thirty minutes of almost random keyboarding to get the equipment to recognize a different ISP.

Triumph! And I got my iPod touch connected to the wireless,too!

Sent from my iPod

November! Random and scattered thoughts

I'm sorry for the long abscence, but I've been busy.

• What a wonderfully crazy weekend in San Francisco. Halloween, World Series, and Dance workshops all in San Francisco. I had a wonderful and busy time driving between the Mission, North Beach, Noe Valley and the Richmond district seeing ghost, goblins, the Pillsbury doughboy and lots of orange and black.
• My car. I took it in for routine maintaince gracious it can get costly. It's still cheaper than car payments, but gracious it's painful. Parts are cheap, labor is expensive.
• My laptop broke. I pushed the power button on my G4 and nothing happened. How sad. I tried to drop it off at the Apple repair place on Saturday, but they were closed for termite treatment. Happily, I was able to drop it off yesterday and the fix is relatively cheap. Memory is cheap, labor is expensive.
• I'm getting ready to travel internationally, so I bought an iPod touch to help keep in touch, but that thing needs to be synched with my laptop. The laptop should be repaired tomorrow, so right now I have a very shiny and pretty brick.
• Sewing. I'm sewing for my trip. I won't share details about where I'm going (until I get there!) , but I should need to dress somewhat for warm weather (no rain). I'm taking the HP Marrakesh pants, one of the Jalie trousers (made from jeans), and I'm making some Simplicity 3684 long sleeved blouses. This is one the Threads patterns with the different pattern pieces for different cup sizes. I'm almost finished with one blouse already. And yes, it will coordinate with the Burda 8269.
• I must remember that when buying buttons, buy them in batches suitable for blouses: 8-10 buttons, which means 6 buttons for the front placket and 2-3 smaller ones for the cuffs. Some of my travel blouses buttons will have mix and match buttons.
• I have too much stuff stashed away. I'm still working on getting rid of 1 bag of stuff a week. It's not necessarily sewing: it can be clothing, books, random items that have been hoarded away.