Look How Happy

The prompt for Bpsewvwenber over on Instagram today was "Craziest Pattern". That got me thinking about some of the more complex things that I have sewn. Aside from my Sophie swimsuit, I would say that this vintage Butterick 5449 swimsuit pattern would be one of the more complicated things I have made. I pulled it out and looked back at the photos that Frank took of me on my 40th birthday in Tulum. I can't believe now that I was too chicken to post these, so I am remedying that today, three years later.



This suit is adorable and I'm super proud of its construction. I look happy as can be here, and I was. These were taken at Xcacel Beach, our favorite beach on that first trip to Tulum. We went twice and took our friends back the next trip we made. Sadly this beach is now closed and being developed with hotels. It was a turtle sanctuary and it was one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever been to.











I made a muslin of this suit and altered both the pattern pieces and the construction somewhat. Obviously swim fabric today is much stretchier than in the 70s, so I sized the bottoms down quite a bit. I fully lined it as well, the pattern instructions only have you line the crotch. The pattern calls for bias binding around all the edges. I opted for swim elastic wrapped in nylon/spandex swim fabric, which I learned from this tutorial on Tuesday Stitches. I love this way of finishing the edges of swimsuits, I think it looks nice and clean and gives a pop of contrast.



I also altered the way the straps connect. The pattern has the neck halter ties go through loops on the back and tie at the middle back. I opted for a fixed halter and a bikini hook at the back. Next time I would make the halter part adjustable, but otherwise I love the way this looks and works.



You can see here how I altered the bottom pattern pieces. I took a good amount off the side seams, and changed the way the crotch seam connect. I used a bikini bottom pattern that I had perviously altered from the Papercut Soma Swimsuit to help with the alterations on this suit. With the binding style that I used, you do not turn the edges of your swimsuit under, so I took that into account when changing the pattern pieces. Unfortunately the suit is a tiny but small in the bust and pulls down. That could be partially remedied with halter ties, but I think I need to alter it a bit more for coverage next time. Right after these photos were taken on the beach I got pushed down by a wave and the whole top got pulled down!



I am so glad that Bpsewvember inspired me to finally share this gorgeous swimsuit!

Belated Vacation Pictures

I went on vacation in mid July but haven hesitated posting anything because all I have to show for it are these Instagram pictures. Oh well, it was so relaxing AND productive that I have to share! We went to visit my family in the Texas Hill Country. Frank stayed for the weekend and then I stayed a few more days. Mom and I dyed a ton of fabric, which was one of my main goals. She taught me Ice dyeing, Indigo and I played around with painting with dyes a la Sallie Oh, with mixed results. I now have supplies to do this stuff at home, though I also have such a huge stash of fabric to sew through that I might not dye anything for a while.

The Ice Dyeing was my favorite. I love the unpredictability and the striking results!


Some of my newly dyed fabric stash, Solids, Indigo Shibori and Linen with dye sprinkled randomly.


The painted silks were fun to do, though my first attempt came out hideous! I didn't go in with a plan and just made a mess of it. I will overdye and rescue that ugly piece. These I love, but the bigger one faded a lot after they dried. I had watered down the dye and that was a bad idea. I will go back and add more color to make it more intense.

We swam several days in a row, and I even got a tan! This is Blue Hole in Wimberely and it was COLD. I also went to Barton Springs and swam in the San Marcos River. I don't get to swim often at home, and the swimming holes in the Hill Country are one of the main reasons that I want to move there. It is simply the only thing that makes sense when Texas heats up.

We went to Fredricksburg for the flea Market and ice cream, then swung by Luckenbach for a beer on the way home. It was such a wonderful vacation and I'm ready to go back. Work has been exhausting and though I had been sewing and working out and eating well, the last week of work threw a wrench in my plans and I have just fallen behind on everything. I'm off work today and am working on last minute birthday presents for Karlie, who turns five one week from today. She wanted a Hawk Girl Costume this year. I didn't think I would get it done but I'm having fun with it and it is coming together well. I have many unblogged sewing projects but do post frequently on Instagram these days.  Check me out if you want to see what I'm making.

Fabric Shopping in New York

I'm sorry for leaving you with a picture of my face for so long! I know I'm tired of looking at it. I have been a bad blogger and Have not shared our vacation with you. Now I must share at least a little in advance of showing you my newest finished sewing project.

Our vacation had two parts. The first half was visiting friends in Washington, DC and the second half was a whirlwind three days in New York.

One of my main goals in New York was to fabric shop in the garment district. We knocked that out the first day after a picnic in Central Park, which was one of the highlights of the trip for me. I love a good picnic! Frank was with me at Mood, which I found completely overwhelming. I didn't go in with a plan or a shopping list but rather just looking for fabric that caught my eye. That was a mistake. I want to go back and spend days in the garment district, with a bigger budget and my mom in tow. Frank was patient but it was still a bust. The first stop I made was at B&J fabrics and it was actually my favorite. I made the mistake there of only buying one piece of fabric, thinking that I would find so much more at all the other stores. Wrong. Oh well, next time I know what to expect.

We also ventured to Purl Soho and though I didn't find anything there to take home I loved the neighborhood and all of it's cute shops.

One of my favorite spots was actually a warehouse type store on Broadway.  I don't remember the name, but the prices were right and I guess the better fabrics stood out much more easily.
 

Here are two of the three pieces of fabric that I came home with. A gorgeous African Wax Print on the left from B&J and silk from Pins and Needles in the Upper East Side.

I recently finished a dress with the African Wax print and will share that soon.

Our trip was really more about visiting friends, walking the city and eating, eating, eating.  I will probably show you more very belated vacation pictures soon.  It was so much fun!

I miss my family

We went to visit my family in San Marcos weekend before last. It was a great weekend, with swimming, relaxing, visiting friends and my sister in law's birthday party. Of course it went by way too fast, and we came home exhausted, and then I proceeded to get sick last week. We did enjoy the weekend though and can never get enough time with our niece Karlie. I made her a Ballet Folklorico inspired dress. She is wearing it in these pictures that Frank took. My mom is going to add ribbons around the bottom of the dress for her.

These were taken at the San Marcos Farmers Market on Saturday.
 

I used Simplicity 2377 for the bodice and drafted a Double Circle Skirt.

We visited a friend who has some land and lots of animals in San Marcos.  Now I'm daydreaming (even more) of moving down there.  Summers are made for swimming and there are numerous swimming holes.  Not to mention that I miss my family like crazy and want to be near them.  Visiting three or four times a year is just not cutting it.  I want to dye fabric and sew with mom, see Karlie at least once a week, swim any and every day of the Summer and perhaps go back to being a country girl.  I'm not sure Frank is convinced yet.



My daydreams are contained in my Pinterst boards for the moment. They include living in the Airstream for a little while. I know it would be a challenge but I think I'm up for it. A hot tub wouldn't hurt!

We swam at Jacob's Well on Sunday.  Cold, clear water, my favorite type of swimming hole.
 

I made my Sister In Law a birthday cake, cause that's what I do for the people I love! It was Vanilla Cake with Caramel Sauce and (OMG! Where has this been all my life!) Whipped Cream Cream Cheese Frosting.

Sorry for the super long post. I figured I better get it all in there since my blogging has been few and far between lately.

Cathcing up

This month is flying by. My computer died a few weeks ago and I am now sharing Frank's computer, so I'm back up and running.

I went down to Austin with my dad at the first of the month to see my family very briefly. We drove down late in the day and the sunset was so beautiful. It was one of those sunsets that lasts forever and keeps changing. I couldn't take my eyes off of the sky.

The whole reason for such a quick trip to Austin (only 24 hours) was to take this princess her Christmas gifts. She was supposed to have come up to visit with my parents but my mom got sick so that didn't happen. We gave her a Snow White barbie and she just had to put on her Snow White costume as soon as she opened it. Sorry for the blurry pictures, but I think they're still pretty cute. I made her a canopy for her bed and a pretty pillow that I will share soon.

I went for a run today and did almost six miles in just over an hour (1:12) and that was with a lot of walking.  The cowtown 10K is exactly one month away and I have two goals, mainly I want to be able to run the whole thing.  My second goal is to do it in an hour, but that one is not as important.  If I run the whole way I don't care so much about speed, but an hour would be nice to achieve.  I feel like it is getting easier again, after taking a month off and struggling to get back into running.  We went to a local park on Lake Worth Sunday afternoon and I ran on the trails.  That was a great workout, and I hope to do it again soon.

Back from the Hill Country

I survived the Thanksgiving madness at work and even escaped before the worst of it last Wednesday. We were too tired to drive down to Austin that night but made it just in time on Thursday for dinner. Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. I think there is a lot less pressure than Christmas, I love to cook (and eat), I love that my whole family is together and I love a good after dinner nature walk. This time it was up to Mount Bonnell in my cousins' neighborhood.

On Friday we all went down to Camp Lonehollow where a dear family friend lives and works. We toured camp, rode horses, walked at sunset, enjoyed the animals and soaked up the Hill Country views. The trip wasn't relaxing but was definitely fun. I feel blessed to be able to visit such a lovely place.
 

I'm back to work today. I have been thinking of all of the Christmas gifts that I want to make and how little time there is, as always. This time of year becomes so hectic and I never plan ahead like I should. I will do what I can and enjoy the season. Who needs extra stress? Not me!