Many Works in Progress

What does a short attention span in sewing look like?

This photo shows three projects all in progress:  two skirts and a fall/early winter coat.

It's not my fault, I swear.  Maybe a little.  See what had happened was...I saw that PR was running a skirt contest this month.  No problem! I can make a skirt in less than a month.   I really like my trench skirt and figured I could make it again and that it would be a good entry for the contest.

So I found some fabric and started cutting everything out on Saturday.

The tricky thing about contests is that they have...um...rules...and I neglected to read them before cutting the fabric.  Apparently, wrap skirts of any kind are not allowed.  Siiiiiiiigh.  I GUESS this is a wrap skirt - even though the use of buttons as a closure is allowed.  I don't get it but am still too sleep-deprived to argue.  Here the skirt sits in all its unfinished glory:

Still determined to participate in the contest, I traced and cut the only skirt to appear in this month's issue of Knipmode.

I am almost finished with it - except for the zipper.  And waistband.  And belt loops.  And hem.  Okay so I'm not almost finished.  But I can't go much further until I get the zipper.  I am not following the instructions because (a) they're in Dutch and (b) the order doesn't make sense.  So the skirt will sit (or hang) until I get the right size zipper.

Plus I'm debating whether to re-do the back topstitching.   Right now the seam is pressed to one side and topstitched.  But this makes the V look off center.  Maybe I should have topstitched on either side of the seam to achieve balance.  Meh.  If I have time, I will re-do it.  Maybe.

The third project in sewing limbo is a fall/winter coat.  What sparked this idea in the middle of two skirt projects?  Another contest!  PR is also running a natural fibers contest this month.  I bought this lovely wool melton from Kashi at Metro Textiles last summer with the intention of making this coat:

  Jamie Christina:  Abbey Coat

I was so excited about it last year that I made a muslin and all of the pattern adjustments.  Then pffft.  I gave up on doing all of the work.  Since the outerwear contest isn't until October this year, I thought it would be a good idea to get this coat made now since I'd like to be wearing it in October.

The contest ends on 30 Jun which means I have 23 days to get it done.  I want to go all out with hair canvas, padstitching, and other tailoring techniques.  No bound buttonholes, though.  I really don't have time to learn or do that. =)  I am either crazy or ambitious for trying to do this in three weeks.  I think I can make it happen if I focus and not waste time. That's a BIG IF!

Here the fabric is hanging to get some air before I steam press it.  I suppose I should go make the adjustments to the lining pieces and start cutting this out!

I will try to blog the process and sewing of the coat.  It will certainly be an epic endeavor!

That's all for now.  I need to get started on tracing and altering the lining pieces for the coat.  

L

 

2016 Travels: Germany, Austria, & the Czech Republic (Part 1)

Y'all know I like to get my travel on.  So this year, my friend and I put together a trip to Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic.  Initially, we were thinking of doing a bike and barge tour similar to the one I did in The Netherlands in 2011.  This tour would have started in Passau, Germany and taken us along the Danube River to Vienna, Austria.  We attempted to contact the company to ask questions about booking and to clarify prices, but were unsuccessful.  So we decided to just go anyway and bike in each city.  Flexibility is awesome!

Our trip started in Frankfurt, Germany and continued by train to Munich, Vienna, Prague, and Berlin.  I'll spread these posts over each city and share some of my favorite photos/highlights.

Frankfurt (17 May - 19 May)

We left Detroit late Monday evening and arrived on Tuesday, 17 May at around 9a.  Our hotel was conveniently located directly across the street from the main train station as well as a city tram stop.  Getting around Frankfurt was very easy; it is very walkable with lots to see and do near the city center.  We only had two days here - one of which included an jet lag and no sleep.  Needless to say, we didn't do much. =)

Hauptbahnhof - main train station

 The international bird.  Pigeons are everywhere.  EVERYWHERE.

 Interesting trees.  They looked like life-size Bonsai trees.

 Classic-styled buildings at the center square.

 

 Pictures of the city skyline from our river cruise on the Main River.

 

Edited to add humble thanks to Rory Fanklin who explained the meaning of this mural.

While I read stories of the Syrian child who washed ashore, I was not aware that this was a painting of him.  As expressed by Rory, the red eyes and horns are likely political commentary against Germany's welcoming of many refugees.  Thank you Rory for correcting me.  Here is a link to the story shared in the comments by Rory:  http://www.elephantjournal.com/2015/09/im-sure-this-little-boy-brought-only-joy-look-at-how-the-world-repaid-him-warning-distressing-image/

I am sorry for any hurt I may have caused.

 I have an irrational fear of heights, but I like climbing tall structures.

On short flights, I also always get a window seat.  Weird, right?

Don't look down.

 

 Views of the city from atop the cathedral.

 Frankfurt's Love Lock bridge.

That's all I have for Frankfurt.  We didn't visit any museums or special sites.  We were all tired from the flight and mostly wanted to get settled in.

Up next:  3 days in Munich.  

Until next time, peace!

L