I haven't been posting very often. It always takes me a while to get settled after our semi-annual relocation.
This week has been filled with dental check-ups, annual physicals, shopping to re-stock the pantry/refrigerator/freezer, and of course working on the wedding dress.
We are headed to Kitchener on Sunday for a final fitting. I still want to make her a small purse with the leftover satin and lace. I have to discuss the design with her on Sunday.
In the meantime, I've been sewing half log cabin blocks. I decided to use a 6x8 block layout, and I just finished all 48 blocks! I even chose a layout design using EQ7, so when I get the dress done, I can get busy with this quilt top! EQ7 also told me that I've used 3.5 yards of fabric from my scrap bins. Another incentive to get this quilt completed - so I can count the fabric as "used" in a future stash report!
Weekends are the best time to bake and do laundry, thanks to the Ontario "time of use" billing for electricity. Saturday I'll be catching up on laundry, as well as baking some more bread - cinnamon-raisin- fruit I think!
I hope everyone is finding some time to quilt - I try to squeeze in a bit every day.
I had not done any quilting since we arrived home! Too busy unpacking, grocery shopping, working on the wedding dress, catching up on mail, bills, etc. Saturday was no different! Baked bread, caught up on the laundry (darn time of use billing!)
Saturday afternoon, I just had to sew something, so I pulled out my overflowing bins of 2 inch strips, and took out everything that was blue or neutral with a small design. Before I knew it I had 13 blocks completed!
Sunday, we were on the road at 6:45, heading for Kitchener. We managed to sail through Toronto, and arrived around 10:30. Had a cup of tea and a fresh baked scone with DS2, then did a fitting on the dress. I have to take it in in several places (I always err on the large size when altering a pattern).
I was worried that I had made the dress too long - I had lengthened the waistline by 1/2 inch, and added 4 inches to the length of the skirt. I should have trusted my initial measurements, as I'll have enough length for the hem, with just a bit of trimming! Once the important part was finished, we sat with them both and discussed wedding plans. They seem to have things well in hand, but we were interested, and offered some suggestions.
Soon it was time to head out, so we called DS1, to let him know we were on our way. Made it into Toronto in no time, and had a great visit with him and his wife. She has just finished her courses in editing - she is changing her career field. She is in the process of looking for some unpaid internships in the field. They are undergoing renovations of their bathroom by the landlord. It was supposed to take 1 week, but they just finished the end of week 2, with no end in sight! DIL works at home, and has to deal with no water etc., each day! I think they are working on finishing the drywall this week, which will mean tons of dust everywhere, no matter how careful they are. I'm sure she'll be happy when it is finished.
I have to change hats now - returning from "quilter" to "wedding dress maker". Check out all the wonderful things on others' design walls at Judy's Patchwork Times!
My packing has been going slowly - I still have my quilting group on Wednesday, and after that, I can sort the tools and begin some serious packing.
In the mean time, I've been doing some planning for the wedding outfit that I'll be making for my future daughter-in-law when we return north. Her sister is an author and artist, and they sat down and sketched the dress, with front and back views. Instead of a veil, she wants to wear a fingertip length cape with a hood.
When we were heading south, we stopped at Mary Jo's Cloth Shop in Gastonia NC, where I picked up several samples of laces to send for the bride's approval. Some were more sheer than others, and she picked my favourite! Now I have to figure out how to turn it into a cape with a hood. I've done some internet research, and I'm off to Joann's to buy some bridal tulle to play with. I want to have something to test fit, when I take her measurements for her dress. The dress design is very simple and classic - it will suit her beautifully! I can hardly wait to get started.
Once again, nothing on my design wall. I cleared all my quilting up and put on my dressmaking hat. Spent all day Saturday adjusting the two patterns that I'm using to make my "Mother of the Groom" outfit. I'm not making anything fancy - I'm a more casual type person.
Here is the design for the jacket- from Vogue Patterns
I found some great coarse weave linen in a beautiful turquoise colour with gold as a secondary colour. I managed to find some fabric for the rest of the outfit in the same shade of goldy/tan with a subtle pin stripe. I'm making a dress, as well as trousers and an top in this fabric. I'm not sure what the "Mother of the Bride" is wearing, so I want to have options. The wedding will be at 11am, with a luncheon reception following. Also, considering my lifestyle, a pants outfit will get much more wear than a dress!
I hope everyone else is having fun with their quilting today. Check it out at Judy's blog!
