wips and lessons

It has been a long time since I've reported on this embroidery project. I stopped working on it sometime last March and I finally picked it up again at the beginning of the year. I try to work on it at least a two hours a week. I hope to finish it by this coming Christmas.

It is rather embarrassing, but I must confess it actually smells dusty. It was in a fabric bag that wasn't closed and apparently, it has collected dust. Unfortunately, I can't wash it because the stamped pattern washes away. Achoo. ;0

I am learning how to knit and crochet. The knitting project is being done on red roving wool. I recast it probably half a dozen times before I felt I was ready to move on. It won't be the prettiest scarf ever but I will be the one who made it.

The crochet project is Peaches and Cream cotton in variegated blue.

I am also working on a shirt for myself. Yes, you do recognize the fabric.

I am teaching myself to do a French Seam. Because I like top stitching and am not quite ready to try felled stitches, I am simply top-stitching it after I press it.

I've been reading a lot of sewing blogs lately in order to get tips and ideas to improve my sewing skills. I find it frustrating because there is a great deal of sewing snobbery and style snobbery. I am not stylish. I just want to make well-made and attractive garments. 

I had the pleasure of clearing about six inches of snow from the driveway today. It is very pretty outside, pleasantly warm (around 29 degrees Fahrenheit).