Jet-setting for a few days at the end of the month is no excuse to not meet project deadlines. Wouldn't you agree? As not to disappoint, I stuffed my version of McCalls 6112 in my suitcase and finished hand hemming in transit.

I rocked my sew shopping downtown Oranjestad.

I really love this finished dress. I do need to accessorize more appropriately; I didn't pack any heels or pearls. And, I think the dress could benefit from the addition of a cute belt and more blousing than I wore here. But, I see this as a summer staple for the office this year! 

Don't worry, no socks-with-sandals faux pas were incurred as part of this photo shoot. Mike is a great sport and was willing to model his birthday socks, on his birthday, which we spent in the best place, EVER, to spend a birthday. 

Pattern: Globe Trotter Socks by Jodie St. Clair
Yarn: 858 Arbol from the Malabrigo sock Collection
Needles:  Addi Lace US2

We're pretty sure onlookers thought we were shooting for some sort of fetish publication... sickos. At any rate, these were on and off in about 30seconds to avoid embarrassing tan lines, so not a lot of photo coverage. They do fit perfectly, and he is pleased with them. 

After we'd finished soaking up some sun, we celebrated with birthday bolo while watching the sun set and smoking Cuban cigars. Not too shabby for '29'. Happy BIRTHDAY, baby! I love you! 

I have the opportunity to contribute to the Sew Retro Community! 

I made my debut yesterday! You can contribute your vintage inspired sewing creations by joining the community. Or, if you'd rather, just watch the wonderful things this talented group comes up with! 

It's still driving me crazy that I am unable to sew faster. Monday night, I spent two-and-a-half hours finishing my raw edges. I don't have a serger, so I zig-zag. However, I'm not convinced improved equipment would improve my efficiency. I was perturbed that such a time-gouge left me with, essentially, zero forward momentum. Frustrated, I walked away before things got sloppy.

Tuesday night, I assembled my bodice lining and bodice with ease. I then stared, repositioned, and yelled at my neckline facing for not matching-up with the neckline of my dress.  This continued for a lengthy amount of time before I went back to my pattern pieces and discovered that there are TWO neckline cutting options. And, only one, not the one I cut, corresponds with the facing. While I was relieved to discover that I was not completely inept, the whole process was draining. I, again, put the shears down and walked away before I did anything stupid and irreversible. 

Last night, hoping for a "third time charm" I put my game-face on and went back in for another round. I didn't exactly breeze through, but I did complete and attach my skirt. It wasn't nearly as bad as I feared. The blousing throughout the bodice is achieved by gathering and easing the top to the bottom... which is basically just the opposite of normal gathered skirt construction... There is an "inside belt" but I'm not sure it's really a necessary addition. It basically serves to pull the waist of the dress together at the back before zipping. I'm sure it will reduce zipper strain; otherwise, it's pointless. 

I'm merely a zipper, a belt and a bow away from slaying this beast. But, tonight, I rest.

Am I completely delusional for thinking this process should be quicker? Simple addition shows that the ~7hrs I've spent working on this dress are far fewer   than I spend finishing a knit sweater (~40hrs). Based on that comparison, sewing is quick. Maybe it's all the hiccups I'm encountering, rather than the time I'm spending, that makes it seem more...  more. Is this just a phase I must transition through in order to earn my stripes? 

Any thoughts on the subject would be appreciated. 
 

Somebody paid money to make this movie. 

How's that for a dose of distraction? I hope you're making steady progress on any April related goals you're working towards! 

I'm trying to keep all my plates spinning. I'm definitely not as ahead of schedule as I managed last month, but I'm steadily making progress and, perhaps, better off than I was then. For me, dividing concentration between multiple projects is the toughest aspect of my monthly challenge. I've never been fantastic at balancing and staggering my work. I've gotten through life a career procrastinator, convinced that I work best under pressure, almost constantly feeling overwhelmed. However, that's changing. As comfortable as old habits may be, I'm finally catching on to the concept of slow-and-steady as a means toward winning the race; it's, really, a very pleasurable mental/physical sensation. 

This month the socks are for Mike. April is his birth month (side note: My sense of self-importance deludes me to the point I feel having a birth "day" is not celebratory enough to mark the grand occasion of one's entrance into the world; therefore, I reserve an entire month for these purposes- by proxy, Mike is sucked into this form of festivity (side,side note: Under my influence, he is becoming quite the primadonna). Mike picked color 858 Arbol in Malabrigo sock on his own. It's quite easy to get a man into a yarn store when he knows he will be the beneficiary of FOs. Together, we chose a very basic, masculine, seed stitch rib. I'm only working one sock at a time, which is atypical, but I'm using my only 1.5US "40 circulars on my sweater and had no other immediate option. 

Actually, the paint has been dry for a while. I've just finally gotten around to getting things back into the room. A fresh coat of paint definitely did this room good. Had I been smarter, I would have taken a "before" picture so that you could experience the difference virtually. Just know the walls were formerly the color of day-old oatmeal and were in rough shape... 

Since I am unable to work on my April sweater during my commute, I needed an alternate form of occupation. I had just over a hank left from Mike's birthday sweater; the perfect amount for a companion sweater.

Mike's birthday sweater is a (mostly) success. We're going to try to block more length/less width after a second soak AND/OR I may pick up and rib with smaller needles around the bottom edge. What do you think?

Danger is pleased with his sweater. It's impossible to find store-bought sweaters for his unusual body shape. I catered to his build and added some rear leg stirrups to help keep it in place.  Dulce is very jealous; she made it vocally apparent when we went down back without her. So, I see a pink variety of a similar kind in our near future as well. 

A quick comparison between the work on my needles now vs. last week might have you questioning what progress, exactly, I've made. HOWEVER, this piece is  counterpart to the sister sleeve/bodice piece I cast off the other night!

While I'm still at a point in the pattern that is impossible for me to work during my morning/evening commute, there's light on the other side of the tunnel, and I will eventually be able to work mostly mindlessly once I get this second piece completed. SO, I've decided to stick with it. I'm completely fascinated by the construction of this top! It's entirely unlike anything I've knit before. And, the finished projects posted on Ravelry have me wanting my own. 

As many before me have done, I decided to knit for a size(s) larger than I would typically knit. I will likely knit longer than the original design calls too; possibly with the addition of some light waist shaping. (We'll see how ambitious and on schedule I am by the end). My hope is for a slightly blousey drape. And, I'm hoping for a more modern-romantic fit. We'll see. I have a feeling this top is either going to be my biggest regret or triumph in knitting, to date.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_knitting_needle_stabbing


While I do sincerely hope the injured woman in this story recovers fully and speedily, I also hope the 
occurrence doesn't affect knitting related security...As Mike pointed out, after sending me the link, a person could use his shirt to strangle somebody if he was determined enough... what is wrong with people??? 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_knitting_needle_stabbing