SoCal Cannonball Run. Day 108.

There were a few who took my fabric lust a little too lightheartedly, clearly not seeing the depth and gravity of the problem. However, one of you, my friend Jenson, got it, and offered a trip down to LA, as he had a press product launch to attend on the afternoon of December 14th, in Irvine.

Having made a number of glutten free sandwiches, acquired a case of water, apples and two bags of kettle chips, Jenson and I were in the car and driving by 6 am yesterday. My lead-foot worked to our advantage so that even with 4 bathroom stops—I drank a lot of coffee, then a lot of water—we pulled into Mood Fabric's Beverly Hills parking lot at a squeak after 11.

Oh great holy ground. I found you.

There they were, hanging from the ceiling. The store owner was there, and quickly pointed me in the direction of the McQueen silk charmeuse bolts. Amazingly beautiful, bold, intricate and, well, striking, I slowly pulled the price tag out of the round bolt. Expecting the DVF silk prices that I'd previously witnessed at Britex of $350 + a yard, I almost fell over when I read $50/yard. Pinch me, I must be dreaming.



They had very little McQueen left, but I did find another digitally printed silk charmeuse animal print that I felt like I couldn't live without. Wondering through the isles, Mood has more selection than any fabric store I have ever been to before, even despite it's small size. Upon discovering the Wool Wall, I almost peed my pants. Want pinstriped wool? Well, name the color of the wool, color of the pinstripe, thickness of the pinstripe, width between the pinstripes, and they have it, and here is the best yard, it's just about all between $18–25/yard. Wait, what?? Really? You can't even buy a wool remnant at Britex for less than $100/yard. And it just goes on, and on, and on ...

Wall-o-Wool:


After a phone call to my mother, concerned I was going to spend too much money—"Well, what did you go down there for, again? And, you haven't been spending any money on anything just in the hopes of buying one yard of one thing down there. 800 mile trip ... just buy the fabric"— I was all lined up to buy two yards of two McQueen prints, only to discover that there was only 1 1/2 yards of one of them, and other than the 1 1/2 yards hanging from the ceiling, that was it. Micha, the very patient gal that was helping me gave me all 3 yards for the price of two.I figure it is enough to working with other fabrics or leathers to make something seriously amazing. Micha told me that the FIDM students that had scheduled to come in that afternoon would be "literally crying" when the realized that I bought the last of their fabric. Sorry, but know it went to a good place!

All three of these prints are large prints, and were shot over a tabletop.

3 1/2 yards (for the price of two)




2 yards



1 1/2 yards (Not McQueen. It was in the Cavalli bin, but I am not positive it is Cavalli)




I thought about getting some wool for some of the projects, but decided that that should be another trip where I can spend more time, and know a little bit more about what I am doing regarding tailoring. So, I was reasonable and stuck to what I drove down there for.

After heading over to Irvine for the most disappointing product launch I've ever witnessed at Fox Head, Shift, we got back on the road, and feeling a little bonkers we got back home at 11:30. Totally worth the trip, and I can't wait to do it again. Biggest fabric selection I have ever seen, everything is high quality, and a quarter of the price I can get similar items up here. So organized, everything is clean, has a home, and is somehow easy so see. No searching for a needle in a haystack. Great staff, super helpful, and as I mentioned, patient. I love you Mood. I love you.

Miles travelled: 786
Total Hours: 19
Glutten Free Sandwiches Eaten: 3
I5 Bathroom stops: 6
Fabric Acquired: Priceless!

A Simple Hat.

As I have recently made a number of hats for the Holidays, I have come across a big problem. I have used a number of different patterns, but I have yet to find a good pattern, for a masculine hat that is sophisticated in its simplicity. So, I have made my own pattern.

I am sure that this pattern is similar to a number of others out there, but I did create it all on my own, based on what I wanted.





The way that Ramon likes to wear hats, he likes to be able to take the ribbed section and flip it up, or down depending on the temperature. This hat is made to be long enough to almost cover the ear with the ribbing folded up, and made to be very low on the neck, ear, and mostly likely over the eye-brows when the ribbing is flipped down.

Yarns:

I chose to work with this specific yarn because it is very soft, and wonderful to knit with. I have realized that the softer the yarn, the more comfortable on the neck and forehead over long durations of time. Knit with the US size 7 needles, the tightness of the stitches provides generous enough elasticity and a lot of warmth in addition to the softness.

Color A:
Blue Sky Alpacas, Worsted Cotton, 613 Ink (Black), 1 Hank 150 yards, and this project used almost the entire hank.

Color B:
Blue Sky Alpacas, Worsted Cotton, 614 Drift (White), 1 Hank, 150 yards, used probably about 1/4 of a hank.

Gauge:
4.5 sts per inch on size 7 needles
OR 18 sts and 26 rows equals 4" x 4"

Needles:
US size 6, 20" or 24" circular needles, for ribbing
US size 7, 20" or 24" circular needles, for the cap

Large Hat, 24" in Diameter

Ribbing:

Row 1: With Size 6 circular needle, Using Color A, CO 96 sts using continental method, pm,

Row 2: On the next round, Join sides, being careful not to twist stitches.Work in k2 p2 rib, in the round

Row 3-20: Continue working in k2 p2 rib, in the round. Piece should measure 3.25"

Striping:

Row 21: Switch to Size 7 circular needle, working in stockinette stitch, k12, m1, repeat to end of round [110 sts]

Row 22–23: Knit even.

Row 24-25: Add in Color B, be sure to carry up the opposite color at the marker whilst. Knit even

Row 26–28: Switch back to color A, and knit even. (3 rows)

Row 29–37: Switch back to color B, and knit even (8 rows)

Row 38–40: Switch back to color A, and knit even. (3 rows)

Row 41–42: Switch back to color B, and knit even (2 rows). You are now finished with Color B and no longer need to carry it up. Cut the yarn, leaving at least 4" to weave back into secure.

Row 43–55: Using color A knit 12 more rows even. Piece should measure 8" from CO edge.

Cap Decreasing:

Row 56: K11, k2tog, repeat to end of round

Row 57: K10, k2tog, repeat to end of round

Row 58: K9, k2tog, repeat to end of round

Row 59: K8, k2tog, repeat to end of round

Row 60: K7, k2tog, repeat to end of round

Row 61: K6, k2tog, repeat to end of round

Row 62: K5, k2tog, repeat to end of round

Row 63: K4, k2tog, repeat to end of round

Row 64: K3, k2tog, repeat to end of round

Row 65: K2, k2tog, repeat to end of round

Row 66: K1, k2tog, repeat to end of round

Row 67: K2tog until you have only four stitches remaining. Pull 4 stitches carefully to inside of hat, and using a crochet hook, weave tail of yarn through the stitches, securing.

When I get a moment, I'll create the same pattern for smaller sized hats, as I know this one is on the larger side.

If you find any errors I would love to know!

Enjoy!

Snow Much Fun Holiday Party. Day 106.

We had a very, very small holiday part in our very, very small apartment on Saturday night. Ok, our apartment isn't that small, but with a few extra people in it, it feels as if it were sized for a mouse. For kicks I wore my sequin dress for the first 30 minutes. Great for feeling and looking shiny, but not great for running around, hosting, and helping Ramon cook.

The Damage:


Caroline's Amazing Cheesecake:


Our Holiday Flowers. Note the flocked pine-cone.


This was the first holiday part that my mom could come to as well. It happened on the same day that she had a previous engagement in our neck of the woods. So, both my sister and my mom hung out on Saturday and Sunday. My sister, a great assistant for party planning, and house cleaning was a great help wearing cute shoes. Ah, I love being able to see my influence.

During the cleaning I decided to try on my tailored shirt that I made for my sewing class. While it is cute enough, it's just my style and to be honest, it just doesn't fit me. The problem with making things for class for a standard size ... My sister tried it, too, and no go. I showed it to my mom when she arrived, and a match was made. It fist her AND she loves it. So, down the hallway she went. Thanks for being a good sport!



As for Knitfest 2010 ... things *could* be going better. I got 1/3 of the way through a project only to realize that it, well, just wasn't going to fit. Having carefully and extremely securely tying the ends of the 3 yarn balls together that I had knit through by the time I realized there was a severe problem, the item was frogged, resulting in one giant yarn ball:



The next project that I have started was going well until I got out my cable-knitting needle at 10:30 last night, only to discover that it wasn't in the drawer where it should have been. Instead it was between the cracks of the couch, after having been thoroughly chewed by big [bad] kitty. So, back to the yarn store I must go to acquire a new one. I really must learn to be more carefully as kitty's affinity for the knit arts is more extreme than I though. I shall not misjudge it again!

So, to the sewing room I go this afternoon! I need a break from knitting.

LA or Bust. Day 102.

Knitfest 2010 in progress, I had my first success of the knitfest season, I finished my grey Hermione hat this morning. I had very little left to do after last night. I had a few more decreasing rows, and then I needed to weave back in all of the ends. Turns out that when I did the pattern before, I actually didn't f* it up. I followed it correctly, and it just a short hat. I like a hat that covers my ears. So, I added in an additional cable—8 additional rows in sequence—and it is absolutely the perfect size now. I am also glad to know that I can, in fact, read a knitting pattern.



I actually spent most of the day not knitting, but working on my McQueen dress pattern. I am making great progress drafting the pattern. Some successes, some failures, but it is a really great learning project. I *may* start cutting fabric for it tomorrow, though I won't be holding my breath. My construction of the dress will be different in the back, mostly because I can't find a way to get the back in one piece, instead of panel. I keep watching the video (3:20) for clues. I can see that there is beading in there, too. Maybe I'll get to that, but maybe I won't. I have so much to do, and the back/side panels on this dress ... I have no idea how to draft those, so I think I am going to do something truly scary, draping and cutting them on the form...



I also learned some very interesting information yesterday from one of my classmates. Mood in LA currently has Alexander McQueen fabric from the Plato's Atlantis Collection, Spring 2010 collection. I almost peed my pants. Trying to suppress my excitement, for fear of looking even more like a giraffe in respect to my classmates, and succeeding and subduing, I now haven't been able to stop thinking about this morsel of wisdom. I feel obsessed. I have been thinking about almost nothing but McQueen for a week, as I have been working on my final project, and now my dress. He is already on my mind, constantly. Questions wondering in and out as I work. I often find myself curious as to how much he handled the different pieces in his actual runway shows. I am sure he worked with some more than other, and there were many he could hand off to fellow seamstresses (seamsters?). But which ones did he labor over all night?

So, now I am thinking that it must be time for a road-trip. A road-trip for fabric. It's only 350 miles. Maybe I could hop on a cheap southwest flight, rent a car for a day. Wait, this isn't normal. I can't even afford this stuff. Well, I don't really know that, I just assume, as the designer DVF remnant and Britex was a cool $325 a yard, I expect Alexander McQueens prints to be in the same ballpark. But, just imagine all of the things that could be done with it. I know that I have and addictive personality, but I seriously feel like Britney Spears obsessed with looking for herself in yet another useless man, instead of looking insider herself to find answers because it's too hard to do, and too hard to stop. Priorities definitely askew, I don't care.

Wait! I have a trip to LA in January. I'll be down there for about a week. I doubt I'll have time to make it to mood, but if I plan ahead ... can I even wait that long?

AAaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh! Anyone want to go to LA before Christmas? Yes, it is a long way to drive in a car without cruise control. Oh, right, it's not a car, it's a BMW, but still. TOTALLY WORTH IT.

You see the problem here?

Perhaps some fine Kentucky Bourbon from Buffalo Trace, and some baby alpaca to knit will calm my mind from my McQueen FRENZY.

For a reference to the fabric that I speak of, it is here:
Part 1:


Part 2:


Part 3:


Finale:

Finally Done. Day 101.

First off. I would just like to inform you that Knit-fest 2010 has now begun. I know what you're thinking, "hasn't it already been knit-fest 2010, for, well, about a year?" I am sorry to inform you, but there has just been knitting, not knit-fest 2010. Since I have finished my final project, I am off and running on my knit projects for Christmas. There are a lot. I am getting out the pain-killers for my wrist, but it will all be worth it in the end. I am to be finishing a hat (for myself) tonight. I know, i know, I should NOT be working on a project for myself, but it is so close to being finished, and my ears get so cold when we go out for walks in the evening. Mmm, that makes me sound like an old lady?

Today my final project for my pattern making class was due. Over the past week I drafted the pattern and made two test muslin garments, the first of which I took into the sewing lab on Thursday for a test fit, and the second I took in on Monday during class. I started cutting and sewing the final garment on Monday night, and finished it yesterday.

I decided to make a piece that is a stepping stone to a McQueen dress that I am [now] working on. I have velvet hanging up, and ready to go. Sadly, I didn't buy enough of the black and gold print, and so I'll be headed back to the fabric store on Friday to get more of it. I hope that there is enough left. Ugh. I haven't ever run out of the fabric that I needed before.

The pattern for the McQueen dress that I am drafting for me, not the final project, is intimidating, but working on the final has eased a lot of my worries, and my pattern for my dress is now coming right along.

Constructions Woes
The fabric that I chose for the red panels, was inexpensive, slippery and quick to unravel, making construction more time consuming and problem riddled than original planned for. After making 5 sleeves, I finally gave up, altered the pattern, to make two more that better suited the qualities, or lack there of the fabric I had chosen. I still had to make three more sleeves before I was able to construct 2 that were worth of sewing into the dress.

Construction Successes
I am very happy with the print that I chose for the center panels. In working with the print I was able to get it to line up almost perfectly for the zipper at center back, a feat that I had never tried, and thus never accomplished before. The weight of it worked to my advantage as it provided a solid, rigid structure that the red fabric needed.

My final project, shot with iPhone camera (sorry for the crappy pic)


The inspiration, and the dress I am [trying] making for myself, now

Threaducation. Day 97.

I've spent the last two nights at Eddie's Quilting Bee taking an introductory class for my Bernina. I missed the first class, because I was an idiot, and didn't bring all of the required supplies, ie. my Bernina. Overly adopting the personality of my hair color in stereotypical fashion leads to much embarrassment and feeling like, well, an idiot. So, I rolled over to the next class, and I am really glad that I went.

The first night was spent going over threads and needles, how they work and why they are different. Before the class I didn't really think that there could be that much different between the tools, and, to be honest, I didn't really even realize that thread came in different gauges. Sure, some of it felt thicker, and some thinner, but, it's thread, right?

Thoroughly and well explained I now understand why you use a "jeans" needle on woven fibers, and a ball-point on knit fibers, and what the different numbers mean in regards to the fiber your working with.

First of all, the sizing gives both the US and EU sizing of the needle, and The larger the number the bigger the needle.

For Woven fabrics- ones that make a noise when pulled taught quickly

Shmetz Jeans Needle - Blue Tips

A "Jeans" needle is missleading, as it is for woven fabrics, not just denim. In fact, most "Jeans" needles you would not want to use on denim, as they don't have the girth for the fabric. The number lable for the needle, i.e. 80/12, 100/16 not only refers to the size of the needle, but the higher the number the more open the weave of the fabric. So, for denim, canvas or linen, which you can clearly see the weave of the fabric, and because of the thickness/density of the fabric you'd want to select a larger needle, like a 100/16 or a 110/18. For general cotton, depending on thread count, you'd be safer in the range of an 80/12.

Shmetz Quilting and Topstitch - Green Tips for the quilting, The topstitch needles have no color on the flat shank.

Both of these are intended to go through several layers of fabric, and will require a thicker thread. The size of the topstitch needle is 100/16 and is intended for specifically that. While the needle is thicker, as indicated by the larger number (100/16), it also has a larger groove or scarf for the thread to be protected by as it goes through all of those layers of fabric.

Shmetz Microtext Needle - Top flat shank is purple

These are very sharp for woven fabrics, and are intended for very high thread count fabrics such as silk, satin,and taffeta. The sizes of these needles are 60/8, 70/10, 80/12

Shmetz Embroidery Needle - Flat shank is red

Intended for embroidery thread only. Embroidery thread is super thin allowing you to get more thread in one area. Often, you will use an embroidery thread through you needle and a thread of equal weight, but less expensive in your bobbin, as it appears on the underside of your piece.

Shmetz Metallic Needle - No color on the flat shank

Intended for use with metallic thread only, and it is specially designed to help protect the weakness of the metallic thread / work with, not against the flaws of metallic thread that allow it to break more easily.

Shmetz Leather Needle - No color on the flat shank

Used with leather, vinyl, or plastic. It has a coating, like Teflon to keep it from sticking. However, if a leather needle isn't doing the trick on your leather you can get a titanium needle!

You'd also want to use one of these for sequins ... gosh, would have been great to know that before.


Much more info, of course, on the Shmetz site.




For Knit and Stretch fabrics - ones that don't make a noise when pulled taught quickly.

A needle that is too sharp will distort the fabric, as it will pierce holes in the fabric, causing it to deteriorate. Thus, a needle with a ball-point is used to "move" the fibers, instead of piercing through them.

Shmetz Stretch Needle - Yellow flat shank

Used on a more open weave knit, lower thread count.

Shmetz Ball Point Jersey

Used on a higher thread count, more closed weave knit

Universal Needles are neither really sharp nor ball-point round ... they are in the middle, and can be used with woven and knit fabrics together, or on something like linen, with really big structure. They are the compromise needle when woven or knit needles aren't appropriate.

And then there is ... the Twin Needle! which are two needles, side by side on one shaft. You'll need to be able to place to spools of thread, know how far apart you want the needles, what size you want the needles and if you are working with a woven or knit fabric.

So, onto the thread.

First off, you should be selecting a polyester or cotton (or other variety) of thread that coincides with the fabric you are using for the project. Don't use polyester thread on a cotton fabric, as the fabric is weaker than the thread, and vice versa.

Unlike the needles, the higher the number of the thread, the more easily it will break and the thinner it is.

Cotton Threads

60/2 - This is a size 60, 2 ply thread. It is very thin, and can be used for really light seams, pin tucking, and on very light fabric.

50/2 and 50/3 are 50, 2 ply and 50, 3 ply. This is pretty standard for most garment sewing. 2 ply will be better to use, but 3 ply may be preferable for topstitching.

40/3 and 30/3 you'd want to use with a topstitch needle and on thicker fabrics

Polyester Threads

There are three types

1. Embroidery, 40/3

• use with 60/2 ply in the bobbin

2. All purpose

• Can't use this on cotton because it is too strong for the fibers


• This will work on blended fabrics

3. Decorative

• Ok on both polyester and cotton fibers

So now, standing in front of the thread spools I feel ... overwhelmed.

I don't feel overwhelmed standing in front of the presser feet, though. On Thursday night we got to try out a number of different feet and features on our Bernina's. Let me state again, just how freaking much I love my Bernina Aurora 450 !!!!!

At the end of the class Santa may have purchased these two:

1. Button Sew-On Foot #18


2. Ruffler #86


This thing is amazing, and looks like a locomotive engine on my sewing machine, which for some reason, I think is the most fantastic thing ever.


Thank you Santa! I see these coming to a stocking near me.

I am making really great progress on my final project for my patternmaking class, but now I will not be able to get any more work done over the weekend as I have other obligations, which also included staying up until 12:30 last night making bakes beans from scratch on the grill. In case anyone is wondering, it is, in fact, freezing outside. However, the bean recipe is so good that it makes our entire courtyard smell of yumminess.

I also attended a preview for the draping class next semester.



It seams like fun, but a lot of work. So I need to spend some time thinking about my priorities ... maybe I should just take more classes at Eddie's Quilting Bee since I learned so much there in so little time! If you have never taken the time to learn about your machine, I suggest you take a day off from sewing to do it!

One Yard Wonder in a Week of Project Disapointment. Day 93.

With the whirlwind that was Thanksgiving, I didn't get much work on my projects done. Ok. Well, that's a lie. I just told you a lie. I got a lot done, but I don't feel like I accomplished a whole lot.

I completed kitting two hats, one of which turned out perfectly, so perfectly, in-fact that Ramon wouldn't take it off after I finished it, even though I didn't make it for him. I made this one from my altered pattern from the Knits Men Want book. I still think my pattern alteration could use some further adjustment, so I'll change more in the next one, then I will have changed so much I may have to call it my own pattern. There's a thought.



The second hat turned out too small. The hat is a pattern created for Hermione's knit hat in Harry Potter 6, I think it is. It is a cute hat, and a great pattern. I was making it as a gag gift, but my sister loves it so much, I think that I am either going to make it longer, or make a new one for her. Maybe the "child-size" one can be the gag-gift ... we'll see. Regardless, I still felt pretty disappointed when I realized I hadn't followed the instructions properly. For an adult it needed one more section and cable. The instructions say this, but I guess in the Thanksgiving on the grill coma, I neglected to read the instructions properly.





I also finished the crochet parts of my Monkey, and now I just have to put him all together. I LOVE the fez. Big Kitty does not. Too bad for Big Kitty.



Oh, and as you may have just observed, I finished the Lexington Sweater, almost two weeks ago now, and I love it. I find it to be more itchy than I was hoping, however at the Black Friday yarn sale at my local yarn shop (Hooray for 20% off of my entire purchase), I learned from a fellow knitter about Eucalan soap, which is supposed to soften the fibers, but not change the shape of the finished garment. I really want a Hermione Hat, myself, and since I have extra Berroco Ultra Alpaca in light grey from this sweater, maybe I will make one out of that, and try the soap on it before, hopefully not, ruining my entire sweater.





Yesterday was just a bad day. It started off with buying plane tickets out to see my sister in Georgia in January, only to realize that I had bought a red-eye flight, instead of the daytime flight. It was the only direct flight, and I feel really, really stupid. That is my second, maybe first, biggest blonde moment of the year, either right before, or right after showing up to my Bernina sewing class without my Bernina. I am still hiding in shame from that one, too. So, I looked into changing the flight, and it will cost $150. That is a $150 stupidity tax ... just so you know. Alas, I will just take the damn red-eye. Ugh.

The rest if the day didn't go much better, with the exception of taking advantage of some Cyber Monday deals. Ever since the cats decided to use my black boots for bladder relief after the door to the closet that their litter box resides in was accidentally closed all the way, for 24 hours, I have been in the market for some new boots. Imagine that. With Endless.com's freaking fantastic deals yesterday I go these two:

Kenneth Cole Reatcion Brown Boot. Basic, clean, wearable. Nothing special, but great for every day, jeans, leggins, etc.


A clear tribute to the Louboutin Emily from a few years back. I fell in love with this shoe when it came out, but at the time didn't have the $1000 for it. So, I now settle for the tribute, with will be fun to wear. I have loved these shoes ever since I saw a similar pair on Chloe Sevigny on the cover of Elle UK a few years back (image below). Just beautiful, and beautiful styling.

The shoes I bought:


The original Louboutin Emily:



Ok ok, back to yesterday. Well, Last week I turned in my dress shirt for my pattern making class. Happy that I chose a fabric that is very hard to see mistakes in, I received an A- on it. Not bad. I also finished the muslin of the Bias skirt that we have to turn in tomorrow, as I thought I had to turn it in last week. Well, the construction of the muslin bias skirt is a bit, well, questionable. However, I figure, you win some, you loose some. Then, I discovered that the skirt actually fits me, and if it were well constructed, it would look really nice, so I decided to make one. After my mom and I made a trip to a nearby fabric store during their black Friday weekend sale, I acquired some great, but inexpensive fabric for some upcoming projects. After making friends at the cutting counter, I even scored an extra yard and a half of the fabric for free. I met an awesome fellow with a passion for fashion, and who started tailoring classes as a Sophomore in high school. I told him all about my project, and what I as buying the fabric for. Apparently he thought I was awesome, too, as I didn't realize until I was looking at the receipt last night, and I wasn't charged for the last yard and half on the bolt.

Sewing the skirt went sort of well, the cutting of the pattern not so much. After not having cut myself with an exacto knife since I, literally, cut half way through my finger 6 years ago, I cut myself twice last night. Then I burned my finger with the iron. Then the waistband just wasn't work, so I ripped the whole damned thing out. Ramon advised me, at this point, to stop for the night. But, seeing as how I was now bleeding and burned, I persisted. I tried a lighter weight interfacing in the waistband, and and used it in the whole waistband, instead of just half. Success. From the freebee yard, plus just a little extra for the front panel, and then, needing to make the second waistband I have created this skirt, which Ramon has declared his favorite, stating, "It kind of looks like a flower at the bottom." Ramon, you're cute. I love you.

As this is the second one-yard wonder of the McQueen project, I have decided to honor them with a new category, viewable on the Wordpress version of my blog. The first one-yard-wonder, of course, was the sequin dress.



Today's disaster? Well, my beaufiul McQueen Blue Sweater Dress is almost done. I have been struggling with how to do the collar for weeks. I even knit about 7 different collars, none of them working right, until the one that I made last night. And then, this morning, I stitched it into the completed body of the sweater and what happens? The stitching doesn't stretch like the rest of the knit, making the head/neck hole to small.

So, this means that I need to rip out the entire neck, and the shoulders and well, you know. Ugh, I don't have the heart to do it today. I cannot expressed just how bummed I am about this though.







So, I guess it is, literally, back to the drawing board today. I need to get some drafting done on my final project for school, and I am way, way behind on everything else McQueen. Hello Holidays!

Seasonally affected. Day 81.

I feel like I have just been behind since my event in October and the the trip to Kentucky. I have fallen about 3 weeks back in my Pattern making class, luckily we haven't had anything due, or maybe that's a bad thing, because then I don't have to commit to working on anything until just before the deadline.

For about a week my motivation level has been really low, and I have been feeling really glum. I only spent one afternoon in my sewing room last week, working on a skirt, only to get interrupted and then not make any more progress.

Well, yesterday, finally, I got a little dose of motivation from I don't know where. I made great progress on a number of projects, including a lot of my school work. Next week I have two big, sewing drafting projects due, a skirt on the bias and a tailored shirt. I am ready to begin construction. I am also working on drafting my final project, which is part of my overall final for class. Additionally, I finished drafting the entire "collar" assignment, which I did miss, but you are allowed to turn in one assignment at the end of the semester if you miss it with a "coupon" that the professor gave us on the first day. I don't like turning in things late, and for that matter, i don't like being late. I like being on-time, and I like over-achieving. Big shocker, I know. But, can you really blame me for putting off drafting peter pan collars?

Ramon has been down for the past few days, too. He spent the weekend at the track with his s54ti. Thoroughly disappointed with its performance, even though he is very proud of the overall accomplishment, we both find ourselves at home in a bit of a funk, but at least not at each other. I think that we are both experiencing "Seasonal Affected Disorder," where, you feel depressed because the sun is gone at 4:30 in the afternoon.

Despite the blues, I did get quite a bit of knitting done over the weekend. After she turned me onto the most well written show I have ever seen on network television (HBO and AMC aside), Friday Night Lights, which I spent the entire weekend watching and knitting—how have I never heard of this show before???—my sister came over on Sunday afternoon after spending a weekend on a break from law school homework, riding motorcycles in the Santa Cruz Mountains with our dad. A breath of fresh air it was great to hang out and I even convinced her to help me wind about 20 hanks of yarn into balls as i don't have a swift and a yarn ball winder. Oh, wait, I do. It's my sister.

I completed both of the blue sleeves for the McQueen Sweater dress, and just today I finished one of the two sleeves for the Lexington Sweater, and already have it stitched into the sweater bodice. I can't wait to wear this sweater. The size 5 needles are killing my wrist but I don't really want to take a break. I feel like I have been letting myself down on the sewing portion of Project Hallway. I think part of is the seasons changing, and part of it is the school projects, like the peter pan collars. I guess, I feel like if I am sitting in my sewing room, I should be catching up on projects for school, even though I'd much rather be working on things for myself.

Maybe I'll feel better once I get to the actual sewing, instead of just the drafting. Why does coffee only have caffeine and not inspiration, too?

Proof that I have been doing something:


The work room looking worked from pattern- drafting, but, again, proof that I have been doing something:

Monsters. Day 74.

I just got a phone call from my mirror souled creative other-half who I haven't heard from since the Great Departure of 2010. Such joy from hearing his voice over my little iphone, but so much anxiety talking about the incident that I actually started shaking. I thought I was over this. Well, OK, I knew I wasn't over it, but I thought I'd at least started to move past it. Anger is a funny thing. I compared this incident to breaking up with a love, but it is different, seated deeper than that. Hanging up the phone, I realized that my old friends, depression and darkness had invited themselves in for the evening. I've had break-ups that were easier to cope with than this. The snake that you don't even hear. Feeling his fangs pierce your skin, your world spins more slowly. It doesn't happen instantly, this little guy has other plans. Meandering through your veins, taking it's sweet-ass time, the venom seeps through your arm, then your leg. Time seems to stop, and then it finally reaches your chest. You feel the pulling, and tightening. It may not be enough to kill you once the when some of venom has been sucked out as if it were part of a great tormenting exorcism.

Months pass, the bruising finally heals, the scabs come off, and you start to exit the shadows, in the darkness that you have become. Still shaking and sweating, you realize you will make it through, but you may never look at the world quite the same way again, and the world will never see you in quite the same way either. No longer poisoned, but still tainted.

This event. This thing. It is sticking to me. I called another good friend from the same space, and realized while on the phone that I have closed off my world from what it was before, making it as small, and warm as possible to combat my inner anger. Was this healthy, was this really the right thing to do? I still get txts from people seeing me on Speed Channel or HDTV Theater, from before the year changed seasons, ironically letting in more light, which seemed to be the opposite of my life at the time. Now that the seasons are changing again, darkness seams oddly inappropriate, welcome, but not where I am moving.

Maybe it's time to actually step back outside, back into my previous life. Maybe not.

I have made some good progress on the Sherpa skirt, but now feel so distracted that I have become sidelined to the rest of the day. My focus gone, elated to hear from my friend on the phone, anxious about the past, and now, again, the future, I leave you with my Lada Gaga Meat Dress Halloween Costume.

Inspiration from a Lady who keeps her personal life private in the fish-bowl that surrounds her, and lives through art both of her own creation and of others. She may seem like only an outlandish pop-star, but she is courage in physical form. My—somewhat silly—tribute to you.

And, depression and anxiety, a message to you: You can suck-it. I'm too good for you now. I don't know why you can't see that. Bitterness, you can suck-it, too.

As my D200 camera battery is dead, and I have conveniently lost its charger, these photos are courtesy of friends. Neither show the shoes well, which were the best part. You win some, you loose some. At least someone remembered to take pictures. The police hat is courtesy of my friend Sarah, who also dressed up as a stripper police officer. You can see my "steak" hat in the picture of Ramon Stan and me.




PS - I apologize for the cryptic nature of this post. It's better this way.

Mostly Horses. A fair amount of Bourbon. A little bit of knitting. Day 74.

Being in Kentucky for the last week gave me a lot of time to think about things, but no time for sewing.



I am, admittedly, extremely disappointed with Churchill Downs. $80 a ticket gets you a spot on a cold, metal bench—the weather was also only 40°F—next to some beer swillers strikingly reminiscent of Nascar fans, and absolutely zero view. Your also left to walk 2 miles to your car, unless you want to pay $15 per person, each way for the shuttle bus, to go those said 2 miles, after you've already paid $20 to park. We left early on Friday, watching the remainder of the races from a really great bar just over the Ohio river in Jeffersonville, Indiana. The seats, drinks, and company were all leaps and bounds above the experience at the track.

Perhaps my expectations were just too high. I've been to Kentucky before, but had spent most of my time in Lexington. Even though it was only a short, short amount of time, I feel in love with Lexington, and I though Kentucky. After driving across the US and back, twice, we found the best hospitality in Lexington. It is true that people are much more friendly as soon as you get outside of California—I'm not a hater, I love California, but in California people do not say "Good Morning" to you as you pass them on the street, they don't even make eye-contact with you—but there is something special and supremely friendly about Lexington. The last time we were there, I was ready to buy a fantastic house and buy a horse. I thought that these were my people.

Well, I quickly learned that Louisville is not Lexington. There are hardly any horses, or friendly people. I did see a house with at least 12—yes, I counted—broken down Camaros on the front and back lawn, and two separate Jesuses on the front lawn in vertical bathtub houses, I assume to protect him from the snow?

Ramon flew back on Sunday, and my mom and I drove on to Lexington from there. Well, there she was, the beautiful, and friendly town that I'd remembered. Wow, the people are just so friendly there and it is beautiful with its proud fall colors. My mom and I went to Keenland, and then to the Kentucky Horse Park, followed by the Fasig-Tipton auction, were we saw fillies and mares being auctioned who actually just ran, and won races at the Breeders Cup at Churchill Downs two days prior. While we couldn't see them from our "seats" at the track, we saw them up-close as they sold for extremely hefty bids at the most amazing horse facility I had ever seen.

Sold for $1.95m!


An excited filly at the Keenland Auction. Note how when the video begins all four of the horse's legs are off the ground.


That night we went to the well known Malone's Steakhouse, had steak that rivaled Peter Lugars in Brooklyn, delicious bourbon drinks, and then ran, literally, into Bob Baffert as we fumbled through the rotating door as we were leaving. He giggled at us. We were clearly having a good time.

On Day 2 in Lexington we went to Lanes End as they were having an open house in the Stallion barn. I actually got to meet, and pet Curlin like was a pet, even though he is the most money winning race-horse of all time, and two-time horse of the year. He stands stud at Lanes End now, and his first weanlings are just coming on the auction block. We saw a few at Keenland and at Fasig-Tipton. Just amazing, and beautiful to see him up close after watching him race. He was like a freight-train on the track. He just kept on coming, and nothing was gonna get in his way.




While Curlin doesn't get the win in one—one of the few—this is on of the most amazing races of my time, and a good display of his amazing ability.


While I was busy horsing around not only in Kentucky, but in the days before the trip began, I didn't have time to finish the blue sweater dress before departing, which actually worked out, unexpectedly, for the best. It was way, way to cold in Louisville to be wearing anything to Churchill Downs but thermal pants under jeans, furry snow-boots, two long-sleeved thermal shirts, a sweater, a hoodie, and a fuzzy mountain-hardware jacket, along with a leather and faux-fur, ear-flap hat, and an umbrella. Given that the blue sweater dress was so closed to being finished (only two sleeves to go), I elected not to take it to the blue-grass state at all. To much bulk in my beautiful DVF handbag, which was my singular carry-on item. I know, I can't believe it either. Instead, I decided to take an entirely new project, which is more the color of the limestone rock, gray, which is, oddly enough what causes the grass in Kentucky to have that famous blue hue.

Using my airplane friendly bamboo size 5, 29 inch circular needles, I cast on the sweater front at the airport, and even though we had less than 20 minutes on our layover at Chicago, Midway, I had the sweater through to the first few bodice increase stitches by the time we got off the plane in Louisville. To my mom's horror, I did it all while reading a book—it was a fluff book, The Carrie Diaries.

By Saturday the entire front side was completed, and I'd moved onto the back-side. Last night I finished the ribbing on the neck. And, even though I haven't even started the sleeves yet, I stitched the shoulders and sides together, to test the fit, anyway. I just couldn't help myself, and I am super happy with it!



I have named this sweater the Lexington Sweater for obvious reasons, even though it is very clearly based off of a Theory sweater currently at Neimans.



Ok, so I am not ready to move to Kentucky by any stretch of the imagination, but I did have an amazing trip, and I loved spending the time with my mom and Ramon, even though Ramon only participated in the shitty end of the trip. I am now feeling extremely behind in my Patternmaking class, but it is well worth it for—oh God this is corny, but still true—the memories that we shared on our vacation.

Now it is time to get back down to business. I am rounding up some Halloween pictures, so there will be a less horsey, more "horrific" post coming later today. My Bernina has a fine layer of dust on it too. That has GOT to go!

For the first time ever, I have found that my dislike of diamonds has left me at a loss. Day 61.

Because I am not a diamond fan, as I have worked in the diamond industry, I don't own any real ones, except for the one in my nose, or really any fake ones. I have one fake engagement ring, for when I travel alone, and a pair of diamond hoops, fake, of course.

Halloween costume completed, I realize that I am lacking some accessories to make the final look, well, final. The above mentioned diamond hoops I can use for my costume, but folks would get far to excited at the sight of an engagement ring, regardless of how unreal the stone, and how real the feelings.

So, I have a dilemma. I have my sewing class all day tomorrow, and the Halloween party tomorrow night. The class doesn't get done until 4:30. It's a 20 minute drive home, 30 minutes MINIMUM to get ready, assuming I do my hair in the morning before the class, and then 30 minutes to drive to the party, which starts at six, which leaves me with not much time to run by the *shudder* mall, to get some fake bling to make my costume BLING (with a capital B) ...

My costume, by the way, is fucking fabulous. I wish I could give you a spoiler, but it's that good that I can't. Oh fake diamond dilemma, how will you resolve yourself?

I think I'll work on this problem by having another glass of wine.

And, if you are guessing what my costume is ... My Dad got it in the first try. UNBELIEVABLE!

How to make a Pom-Pom. Halloween South Park Stan Hat Completed. Day 61.

Yeah, Hooray. I have finished Ramon's Halloween South Park Stan hat in the nick of time. Now, if only I had my costume finished, as well. Mmm, well, I have a few more hours tonight to plug through it. I did get new Serger needles today, and I had a cup of coffee about an hour ago—yes, at 5 pm—so I should be ready to go.

So, other than absolutely hatting Vanna's Choice yarn, which is like knitting with sand-paper, I think that Ramon's Halloween Hat is just about perfect. As I mentioned last night I completely re-did it. I didn't like the pattern that I used, so in the second hat, I made some modifications, mostly making the "straight" part of the blue longer than 2 inches. I made it 5 inches. I felt like the blue part wasn't balanced against the red, and was just too short.

I also decided to post my instructions for making a pom-pom. I had never done one before and for whatever reason, found it hard to find these instructions online.

1. Find an able, and active pom-pom-maker helper (this step is optional)



2. Draw two circles on cardboard. I made mine 4 inch in diameter.
2a. Draw two inner circles inside of the first circles. I made these 1 inch in diameter."
2b. Carefully cut them both out, and cut out the inner circles, making two donuts.



3. Stack the two donuts, one directly on-top of the other



4. Begin wrapping the yarn around and through the donuts. I found that I cutting a few yards of yarn, making a small yarn-ball out of it, and passing it through the hole was the easiest method for getting a lot of yarn through at once, without a lot of unnecessary pulling.





5. Continue wrapping until the entire inner circle is filled. I used one of my new handy crochet hooks to help pull the yarn through as the hole got smaller. I used a tapestry needle to continue when the hole became too small for the crochet hook.



6. Carefully cut around the edge of the circle, between the two pieces of cardboard with very sharp scissors.



7. Pull a piece of yarn between the two pieces of cardboard, and tie tightly in a knot, or four, and then remove the pieces of cardboard.



8. Attach your pom-pom to your garment, only to realize that, while you were trying to make it big and a little cartoony, as it is a Halloween costume, you have made it too big. Let out a sigh, and move onto the next project, as it will take too long to re-make something a half an inch smaller on each side.



If I am really feeling wild and wacky, I'll crochet Stan's eyebrows on. Though, lets not get ahead of ourselves.