Friday, April 19, 2013

McCalls 6444

McCalls 6444
I am taking a break from a new sewing project to post this picture of McCalls 6444, a very simple waterfall jacket that I stitched up last week.  This is such an easy pattern and I didn't even bother to finish the edges, just left them raw.  
I am auditioning this outfit for a May visit with my 8th grade classmates, an annual event that I cherish.  I wore it to lunch with some friends this week and got several compliments.  I do like the color on me, the style is casual but accessorized nicely (thank you Chico's) but I think the proportion might be a little too long, even with my height.  I'm wearing it with straight leg jeans but I think I might need skinny leg jeans to pull off the full oversized flowing fabric look and maybe a belt under the jacket to suggest that I still have a waist.  

Right now sewing has taken a back seat to heavy duty work in the yard and flowerbeds. But I made sure to take some spring pictures since I am awestruck by how beautiful spring is.  We haven't been here in the Mid Atlantic for early April in at least seven or eight years.  On one hand I am exhausted by the amount of perennial dividing and transplanting we are doing in our many flowerbeds.  But on the other hand it is a joy to see each day unfold with new buds and sprouts then blossoms and leaves appearing.   Yesterday afternoon we took the dogs and visited the gorgeous Sherwood Gardens in Baltimore, a springtime treasure.  Sherwood Gardens 80000 tulip neighborhood display  Here's what their flower beds look like at the start of their most glorious season.




Glad to be taking a break from our yardwork
Some modest tulips on display in our own garden
Lots of weeding to locate these Siberian iris around last summer's new fencing
In addition to heavy lifting in the garden, I've been doing heavy lifting in my reading for the last week.  I've enjoyed the first of Ken Follett's new trilogy:

It's an epic historical novel of five families from Europe and the US and how the characters are caught up in the events of the time.  This first book covers the period before, during and immediately after World War I.  A large book in size and scope but very readable.  It was disheartening, however, to understand that the very same political battles are being fought today, almost one hundred years later.  I do recommend it and will tackle the second one later this year.
Now it's time to tackle that new sewing project, a Marcy Tilton jacket, something that's a departure from my usual fashion style.  Let's give it a shot and see what we think.....

10 comments:

  1. Those picture of Sherwood are soooo beautiful. I can tell you are 100 miles south of PA.

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    1. We are really in whole different gardening zone even though it's just one state away.

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  2. Love the jacket - colour is just perfect against your skin! Thanks for sharing a few shots of the gardens from you part of the world - always interesting to see ... J

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    1. Thanks so much. I do find it fascinating also to see the environments that all of us live and work in each day.

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  3. That waterfall jacket looks lovely on you . The colour is so pretty on you. I agree about skinny jeans and I've been wearing belts under jackets as you suggest for the same reason.
    Those photos of spring are beautiful. As I sit here sipping my Saturday morning tea, there's a rain and wind storm raging outside and it looks like spring will never get here so I'll live vicariously through your photos.
    Thanks for posting the Ken Follett book. I love him and will definitely get that one!

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  4. Those gardens are beautiful! Your tulips look beautiful as well -- I'm always envious of people who can maintain pretty gardens, as I'm terrible at it. I love your waterfall jacket -- the color is great and the length looks fine from my perspective. As you mentioned, perhaps a skinnier pant would work as well. Enjoy the spring season!

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  5. Gorgeous jacket-and the color suits you so much. I scrolled down to the first garden picture and thought it was your yard for a moment! whew, public garden. :-) We have some bulbs up here in the high desert, and are waiting for the gradual greening of the sage and juniper hills.

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  6. Beautiful Spring pictures and jacket! I agree that skinny jeans will do more for the look of the jacket. The proportion looks fine to me.

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  7. The jacket looks lovely on you and works beautifully with your hair.
    I am thinking of making one, it would be perfect for summer when AC blasts us .
    I also thought that those flower beds were yours and I was jealous!
    As dramatic and varied in color that bugainbilia are here in L a Paz, I miss spring bulbs.
    Nice top, wonderful post.

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  8. I love the "out of your comfort zone jacket!" It looks lovely on you!

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