Thursday, November 1, 2012

Sewing Up a Storm During Sandy

I grew up in northern NJ, vacationed with my family at the Jersey shore, took the PATH train under the Hudson to lower Manhatten for two summers and enjoy a day trip or two each year to NYC.  Sandy's devastation is touching so many familiar places and I grieve for the families in its path.  We were quite nervous here in Maryland but it's mostly our coastal areas that suffered, not the suburban neighborhood where I live.  We did sleep on the first floor on Sunday night since there are five large trees in the immediate vicinity of our house and roof.  No power outage and just a minor roof leak that we are having repaired today.  To other bloggers who live in those affected areas, I can only hope that your lives gain some semblance of normality soon and that your sewing and sewing friendships cheer you as much as they can.
What do you do when you are nervous or anxious about an upcoming event and can't do any more than you already have to prepare for it?  Me, I sat in my sewing room and sewed down that storm and my own fears.  Nothing that required a lot of brain power....I was already diverting a lot of thought to those big trees, the state of the roof, our water supply.....  So I stitched and stitched away while watching some old movies.  Now the storm has passed for us and I have a number of new items to tuck away in my closet and drawers.  
Here are the pics.
First up in the quilted pick up sticks quilt pick up sticks quilt post that I finished piecing this summer.  My friend Ann quilted it on her long arm and brought it to me on Friday.  I love the block quilting she did on it.  And isn't that wonderful NYC fabric even more poignant this week?  So my first project was sewing on a narrow binding.  I haven't done the hand stitching yet (I was thinking I would do it by daylight if the power went out like it had in June) but it is ready for several long TV evenings.  




Then there's always my faithful new favorite pattern, the Pamela's patterns Magic Pencil Skirt that I enjoy making over....and over....and over.....  
Purchased boiled wool jacket but yes, that skirt again
Same pattern as the brown but different color wave



Stretch woven with navy pinstipes, rather nautical

Another Fabric Mart poly lycra charmeuse
....and yet one more.
I will confess to my fellow fabric collectors that part of my drive to sew up some garments was a recent visit to the Fabric Mart half off the retail store sale.  Cathy and I took a day trip after seing Sandra Betzina's trunk show in early October.  Cathy's new fabric mantra is that for each piece that comes in, three have to leave....either by way of garments or donations.  I'm not quite ready for that ratio but it did inspire me to get cutting and turn some fabric into garments.  More to follow, including a new TNT knit top for fall and winter.

11 comments:

  1. So glad you are safe and well! I love the name "pick up sticks" for your quilt!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your good wishes. I didn't make up the name for the quilt but love the wonderful imagery. And it's the perfect quilt design for a beginner like me....might even become my quilt of choice in the future.

      Delete
  2. I'm glad you channeled Sandy anxiety into sewing productivity. I made 2 dresses and one blouse while watching the storm unfold from the W coast.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, that is real productivity. Since my usual reaction to anxiety is an evening with ice cream and the remote control, this was an enjoyable alternative while waiting for Sandy to arrive.

      Delete
  3. Great quilts and I'm wondering, why do you think the Pamela's Pencil Skirt is magical?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, I think it's magical because it's so flattering and so easy to sew....but I can't take credit for the name. Pamela's Patterns are by Pamela leggett (just featured last month in Threads) and that's her very apporopriate name for the pattern.

      Delete
  4. I LOVE your pick up sticks! Like you, I've really avoided getting involved in any quilting myself, but I so enjoy the fruits of others! And who knows....designs like this one really inspire me :)

    Glad you're safe, and kudos for channeling your concerns into something so productive :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I too love seeing quilts done by others since I get to enjoy the colors, designs and detailed work without taking on new fabric collections and equipment. But little Lucky the rescue dog deserved his own little sofa coverlet so I had to give in and try one. Ok, got that out of my system.....

      Delete
  5. I too, love Pamela's Magic Pencil Skirt. It's easy, fast and flattering for all sizes.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks, Blondell. I was a real skeptic when I saw Pamela Leggett last year but I agree, it looks terrific on all sizes. Of course, we each have to get over our preconceptions about what is "right" for us in order to give it a fair try.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Glad you are safe - it must have been scary. YOur new skirts are so beautiful - I esp .love the lace and brown and blue silk versions. Unfortunately when I am anxious I am not productive at all - I tend to do simple housework only or walk the dog.

    ReplyDelete

Love your comments, opinions, advice and questions. I just ask that we all "play nice."