Sewing and Sun

[nuranar]

But not together. Someone asked how I survive the heat. Survive? Just try to avoid being out in it.


The buttonholes on the green wrapper took a loooong time.  Seventeen (17) of them!!!  Sheesh, I didn't know I was that incompetent. It's not like I've never done them before.  Next on that project?  Seventeen (17) buttons to sew on!!!  Yay.  At least they're cute, caramel-colored vegetable ivory whistle buttons.

I've also been doing some vintage sewing.  Thanks to the gorgeous-and-talented fancyfrocks, I haz a playsuit pattern! I've been wanting to try some circa 1940 shorts for a while, so that was terrific.  Unfortunately after I traced everything off and modified it, I discovered I didn't have enough fabric. Those things take a lot of material.  Hmph.  But I ended up in Lewisville, waiting on Bubbles for an hour, last Friday, so I spent some time at the Hancock's and came away with some linen-cotton stuff in a good weight.  (Sheer shorts? No thanks.)  It's a very weird neutral color, too gray to be khaki but too green to be gray. I had a hard time finding thread.  But I cut them out Saturday and assembled Sunday and a little last night. I just have to finish up the hem and do buttons tonight. And fix the placket somehow. Does anyone have any tips for getting them smooth? They always give me such a time.

Also at Hancock's I got denim for my circa 1940 overalls.  It's good dark indigo, not blue-black, in a sturdy but not crazy-heavy weight.  The felled seams worked extremely well on the shorts, so I'm going to do them.  I also tested the halter top of my pattern to make sure it fits. It does, even the crossed straps!  Question: What thread should I use?  How traditional is the gold-colored thread? I think I'd like it, but I'm not sure if it's the right look for these.  And what about buttons?  There are seven or eight fastening the overalls up under the left arm, and two in back fasten the straps.  They'll be quite visible.  Dark blue, to hide on the denim, or metal? What type?

And further at Hancock's I got a lighter, smoother linen-cotton in a good light khaki; and at Joann, where I got thread, I came away with a black linen blend with a woven stripe, and an awesome brightish leaf/pea green linen blend.  The khaki skirt I need because my other khaki skirts (1) don't fit right because I didn't bother to draft my pattern right, (2) are obviously vintage/too full for everyday summer wear, and/or (3) too modern or casual for when I do want to be a bit vintage.  The black skirt will be fairly simple; I just need another black skirt, and I'm not waiting time on details for black fabric.  The khaki and the green, though, I'm not sure about.  I need to look through my pattern stash for some designs with interesting seams or cut and is flowy without being hip-enhancing. *g*  And not very pleated, at least for the khaki skirt, because linen-cotton does a terrible job of holding pleats.  The green might do better.  I do like that green color!


The heat continues, no surprise.  Yesterday? 105º.  Yep, new high for the year.  Today's high isn't finalized yet, but we've stood at 103º for the 4, 5, and 6 pm hourly recordings. Also a new 100+ streak, which should continue through Thursday.  We've got some chances for rain scheduled for the weekend, so that should drop us into the low 90s.

Edit: Yep, today was 104º.

YTD Days over 100º:            17

Current 100º Streak:               7

Longest 100º Streak:              7

YTD High Temperature:    105º

I was thinking longingly last week of such things as soft sweaters, cozy flannel skirts, and warm tights. *g*  There's always a point, usually a couple weeks after either warm or cool weather has become firmly established, that I earnestly desire the opposite!  Then I just go on with what I'm stuck with.  ;)

Comments

[estelyn-strider.livejournal.com]

I'm sitting inside, sewing as well! Since the German Tolkien Society's annual weekend is coming up in a week, I'm making the new Middle-earth costume I've planned all year. I have very lightweight linen for two garments: a medium blue, somewhat dove-ish grey, for the sleeved dress, cut roughly to the pattern of a Medieval cotta; and a white for the surcot, sleeveless and open at the sides, apron-like. Since this is not a commercial pattern, I'm going to be trying out how to get it the way I want it. Fortunately, it's not supposed to be a close fit.

Combined with a white scarf as a headdress, the whole effect will be quite nurselike, which is exactly what I intend. It is a bit of a parody, intended to represent a book character; however, the blue dress (without the apron topping) will be quite versatile and genuine-looking enough for Medieval events, should I go there sometime.

[estelyn-strider.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I look forward to seeing pictures of your sewing projects! As always, I enjoy these posts tremendously.

[nuranar.livejournal.com]

How awesome is that! :D It's going to be perfect for the character. It sounds so fun. I'll look forward to pictures of your projects, as well!

[fancyfrocks.livejournal.com]

Yay for sewing projects :) I'm glad you like the shorts. Can't wait to see a picture!