LYS Day

(click image to enlarge)

Did you know that tomorrow is Local Yarn Shop (LYS) day? Several brick and mortar yarn shops will be celebrating with classes, demonstrations, special sales, and door prizes.

A list of participating stores can be found here

What do you like about your local yarn shop?

Sundress Alteration

align the shoulder seams on the ruler

I recently purchased a couple of simple sundresses for summer. I love the dresses, but I did not like the depth of the neckline opening and decided to add a "modesty panel."

I went to the local thrift shop on Thursday and found a camisole that was close to the color that I needed for two dresses and at $1 it was the right price. I carefully removed the straps by removing the stitches securing them to the back edge.

front of camisole

I didn't want to use the gathered front edge of the camisole, so I used the back instead. The back was in better condition than the front, and it was a straight edge. I could also use the entire back, creating panels for both of my dresses. The dresses are different fabrics, but they share similar color schemes.

determining the depth of the modesty panel

From the measurements, I determined the panel needed to be 3 inches deep, and I marked the edge with pins. Next, I cut the panel and made sure it was the correct size.

a panel cut to fit the neckline opening and the depth I needed

I turned the dress inside out and pinned the fabric panel temporarily in place. (note that part of the camisole label can be seen on the right)

lots of pins to secure the fabric and its placement

After I had pinned the fabric panel in place, I tried on the dress to make sure the panel was where I wanted it to be.

sewing the panel in place

I found some thread that almost matched and began stitching along the existing neckline stitches, removing the pins as I stitched.

top-stitching close to the edge

I top-stitched close to the neckline edge to add a finishing touch to the panel.

trimming

The dress was turned inside out, and I trimmed the excess fabric close to the stitch line. The trimmed edge should not roll or fray.

completely trimmed
(note that the camisole label is no longer visible)

all finished

The back edge of the camisole provided fabric for modesty panels for two sundresses, and I'm thrilled that I can wear the dresses comfortably and that the fix was quick and easy to do.

Judy's Gift

Judy's Gift
60 x 69 inches
Quilt of Valor #141

Judy's Gift was made the layer cake squares remaining from the stack I received from Judy M. in February. To make the quilt large enough, I supplemented some 10 inch squares from my Quilt of Valor scraps. The border fabric was part of Judy's generous fabric donation.

Pattern: Easy as Pie Layer Cake Quilt - free pattern on Moda Bake Shop

Two Socks but not a Pair

woman's size 10 sock
April 2018

I've finished two socks so far this month, but they are not even close to being a pair. The first sock of the "non-pair" is being knit with Cherry Tree Hill self-striping yarn, called Sweet Summer. I didn't notice until I cast on the second sock that the striping changed on the first sock - the sequence is backwards near the toe. As I knit, I felt the join but didn't pay attention to the sequence. Even though the socks won't match, I rewound the yarn for the second stock to make sure the striping sequence is the same.

woman's size 10
April 2018

The second sock is also being knit with a Cherry Tree Hill yarn. This color way is Spring Thaw and has a mix of orange, green, gray, and a tiny bit of black.

Both of these skeins do not contain any nylon, so they probably will not wear/wash as well as the other socks I've knit this year.

I'm ahead of my goal for knitting a pair of socks a month. When finished, the Sweet Summer and Spring Thaw socks will become pairs #5 and #6 for 2018.

Star Gazer

Star Gazer
60 x 72 inches
Quilt of Valor #140

Star Gazer was made entirely from the fabric that was donated by Judy M. (Lynchburg, VA) in February.

Pattern: Stargazer - free pattern on Moda Bake Shop  (I adjusted the pattern to include only 12 blocks)

Judy, thank you for making this Quilt of Valor possible.

Back in Time - On the Stage

cast of the Bermuda Triangle play
Wheatland High School
Wheatland, WY
approx. 1977 or 1978

Friday the 13th - a day based on superstition - seems to be an appropriate day to share memories about a play I directed in Wheatland, WY. I can't remember the exact title of the play, but it was a mystery on board a cruise ship as it travelled through the Bermuda Triangle. (Remember when that area was in the news all the time?)

This was the first play I directed in the new theatre, and I remember selecting this script because it could be staged without a proscenium curtain, which wouldn't be installed for several months. The lacy screen in the set is actually the plastic rings that holds a six-pack of soda together. The rings were stapled together and spray-painted black.

Looking at this cast photo, I can remember many of the students' names and wonder where their lives have taken them and if they remember performing on the Wheatland High School stage.

stage setting on board the cruise ship

Earlier posts about my memories of Wheatland can be found here

Spring Sign

"spring" barn quilt
April 2018

Even though it feels like Spring is taking its sweet time arriving, it's pretty typical for it to arrive in late April or early May in this area. The only new growth appearing in my yard are tulips breaking the ground and slowly growing. It will be a few weeks before they bloom. The trees are starting to show buds and the grass in somewhat green under its brown winter layer.

In the spirit of the season, I hung the "Spring" house/barn quilt that Brenda helped me painted last summer.  I love these signs and the bit of color they add to the entry.  Thanks, Brenda!