Vintage button gift |
Making slow progress on the turquoise jacket. Fine by me, I enjoy the process just as much as the result. As I've started the actual construction I also have to commit to the embellishment I'm going to use. That's where Patternreview and snoop shopping give me so many ideas. I loved the padstitching on this version of the jacket, from merrypatter merrypatter's blog of Vogue 1100 I'm doing a similar version with three threads of embroidery floss stitched twice around the edge. I like the hand rustic look but did it in tone on tone so it wouldn't look so "country." I hope that's true....you can tell me otherwise, you won't hurt my feelings.
Vogue 1100 pocket embroidery |
I haven't mentioned any books in this blog yet but that changes today. Last week I needed a light little read at night to take my mind off of a bunch of decisions I'm trying to make. Found exactly the right book to do that.....and there was sewing in it, too. It's been out for years so perhaps some of you have already enjoyed it....Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik. I almost always enjoy girlfriend books which span the years (think Ya Ya Sisters and you know what I mean.) This one opens in the late 60s this capturing today's Mad Men and vintage trends. But I especially enjoyed the format. The suburban women of the book meet in their 20s and 30s and start a book group. The ensuing two plus decades follow their lives and the books they read over those years. Loved that idea and the author carried it off delightfully. Of course it has to merely touch on many topics and social issues over those years so it's not a finely hewn character study but an entertaining read. And yes, the character who sews knows what she's talking about...."Kari was a snob when it came to her material--she loved fine worsted wool and soft silks and Egyptian cottons."
This week's evening read goes an entirely different but just as enjoyable direction. Work Song by Ivan Doig is introducing me to copper mining in Butte, Montana, the Wobblies, and mine safety for miners....obviously still a relevant subject around the world although this story takes place in 1919. I've enjoyed several of Doig's other books and this one is a page turner of a historical novel. Lightweight but pleasantly enjoyable.
Buttons are funny that way - you never seem to have the right number or the right size or the right... I have quite a stash of buttons too, and sometimes it saves the day, sometimes not. And there are all those gorgeous buttons that never seem to find the right garment. I've been thinking - one of these days I should start backwards. Choose some buttons from my collection, then find the garment and the fabric to use them.
ReplyDeleteThere are some lovely buttons there. I don't collect them for the same reason: never the right color, never enough.
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