"But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred."

Martin Luther King, Jr. August 28, 1963

Please let the transition continue to be peaceful.

investigating retail

I think that I haven't set foot in an American clothing store in over a year. I do read a number of blogs (sewing blogs and style blogs) though. I saw this lovely skirt from White House, Black Market (a clothing store) and I thought that I would use it for inspiration. I like the fabric with a floral pattern: it's a border print with ombre-shading, running with the light colors at the hem and the darker colors at the waist. The waist also features lovely sapphire blue piping (!), which picks up the blue accents in fabric. It's really lovely and not overdone.

And then I checked out the back view, which unfortunately suffers from poor pattern placement. Does anyone notice this other than people who sew?

I like the overall idea, though, and I love the piping. It's the Floral Print Pencil Skirt, Style: 570014730

planning for a long weekend

January is turning into the month of de-stashing and de-cluttering. I've entered the PR stash contest-and I'm currently at 1.75 yards, so I haven't been sewing. I did manage to go through my stash and identify materials I will not use. I managed to bring 3 boxes of crafty trim and knitting stuff to a BABES meeting (BABES - a group of local sewists). I also gave some stuff to my co-worker who is going to send them to his sisters who quilt (and live in Iowa). I did manage to acquire more fabric. I carpooled to the BABES meeting with a friend who had never been to Happy Stop, so I had to introduce her to Simon. I managed to leave with a modest 9 yards: two lengths suitable for trousers or sheath dresses, and one blouse length.

I was unable to locate the key to the lock in my storage unit, so my luggage has been in my bedroom for the past month. I've been very annoyed while walking around it every morning. I've also spent several nights each week looking for the key without success. One the tech guys at work told me that they had some bolt cutters! I borrowed them and I cut the lock on my storage unit. My luggage is out of my apartment and locked away (with a combination lock--the combination is taped to my fridge). Since January 1, I've probably (re) gained more floorspace, probably a 3 by 4 foot patch. It's small, but it's progress!

While I was going through my stash, I came across several UFOs, including 3 unfinished pairs of Jalie 2909 trousers. They were neatly packed away in zip bags in various stages of completion. My goal during this long weekend is finish at least 1 pair. I'm laundering some stash fabric, so I can make another Simplicity 3684 blouse. If I can make two garments this weekend, I'll be very happy

I'm also laundering some stash fabric from a previous BABES meeting.

01-01-11 and 09-2010-121

I could not resist posting on such an auspicious day-it's quite binary! I've been working at home while watching the SyFy channel's Twilight Zone marathon.

I have sewn one garment: the BurdaStyle 09-2010-121 turtleneck top. When I organized my stash yesterday, I came across a purple/white/grey/black animal knit print that I purchased last February at Michael Levine's Loft in Los Angeles. It's a nice bright colored pattern which I think is suitable for winter in Northern California. I managed to use about half of the piece of fabric - about 1 and 3/4 yards, so I'm off to a good start for the PatternReview contest. I had to enlarge the pattern (Burda's pattern goes up to a size 44 and I am larger), and add a FBA (which meant that I added a dart). It's really funny, I didn't worry at all when doing the alterations--I just measured the pattern flat, measured me and pulled out my Real Fit for Real People and I made the changes. It was a very smooth process.

I finished the neckline using Summerset's suggested technique, which ensures that the turtleneck remains folded while wearing it. I made three other versions last weekend and I'm consider this pattern a TNT. PatternReview has 17 reviews already--I haven't added mine yet and I can see why it's popular.

Happy New Year!

I want to wish health and happiness to everyone in 2011. I think that it's been a tough year on many levels.

I have been spending the past few weeks working and recovering from the cough that I caught in Egypt. I'm mobile and able to go into work, but dang, when I start coughing, everything stops for about 5 minutes.

I've spent this afternoon re-organizing some of my fabric stash and trying to sort out fabric that I'm not going to use and that I should donate/trade/gift. I'm going to do the same thing with my clothing. I just have too much fabric in my apartment. I'm participating in PatternReview's Stash contest, so I need to clear out space for new garments in my closets and drawers. I have several TNT patterns for tops that will work nicely, including the BurdaStyle 9-2010-121 turtleneck that I managed to trace off and sew earlier this week. Since I can make these patterns over and over again, I should take the opportunity to clear out tops that I no longer wear.

The massive amounts of sewing related stuff are making me feel uncomfortable and I'm glad that I'm sorting through things. Last night I went through and organized my sewing magazines (Burda, Knip, Threads) to clear out some space. I managed to pull out my UFO's (Un - Finished Objects) from under my sewing table (when I reached a stopping point on the project, I put it in a 3-4 gallon ziplock bag and tossed it under the table. Out of sight= out of mind). I seem to have more trousers projects than I remember.

I'm not buying any more fabric until I go to Los Angeles in March (fingers crossed that my plans work out). I did manage to buy some more fabric for Christmas New Year's presents for my coworkers, as well as a quick trip to Fabrics R Us in San Jose for garment fabric. I'm was sad to realize that Fabrics R Us has consolidated to two storefronts, instead of the three that I'm accustomed to seeing. I worry about the fabric stores and vendors--I am seeing more sales announced more frequently: I sense more tough times ahead. I hope that my friends and colleagues remain in business.

My goals? To consume what I purchase (to reduce on stashing--if I can purchase it once, then I can purchase it again. I don't need to buy it all at once); to take a worldview on events (to look at things from a perspective more widely than my own); and to take pleasure in simple things.

Also, if I'd appreciate it if I could find the key to my storage unit, so I can put my luggage away. :)

Home

Frankfurt airport, December 9.

I'm home from my travels. I'm still recovering from jet lag, and the lingering cough from my mystery Cairo cold. My cough was so bad that talking would set off a round of coughs.

I also had a sewing mishap while putting away my luggage. I have generic black Costco luggage. I wanted to make certain that I could easily identify my stuff on the airport baggage carousel. So right before I left, I used my rotary cutter to cut several strips of brightly colored fabric ( about 12-14 inches long and about 1/3 - 1/2 inches wide) to decorate my luggage handles. I just tied them around the handles.

It worked wonderfully, so after I returned I decided that I would cut some more strips. So, I'm jet-lagged, recovering from a cold, and not paying enough attention--yes, these are all the ingredients for a rotary cutter accident. Direct pressure and elevating my hand worked very well, but dang it's difficult to type with a bandaged fingertip. Over the past few days, I've graduated to a regular band aid. Good news, though--no blood got on the fabric!

Did you spot it?

I'm in Zamalek in Cairo for my conference. The Zamalek neighborhood is the home of many embassies and is international. I walked past this news stand twice before I noticed the Patrones Joven. When I walked down the street, I found copy of Elena coutoure.