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#2016FAL, 2016 FAL, Butterick 6247, clothing, Columbia Park, Ellensburg, Kennewick, Make-A-List Monday, Seattle, sewing, travel, Washington

You want to watch where you step in eastern Washington (taken at a rest stop between Yakima and Ellensburg).
Well, I didn’t really intend to, but I managed to let two weeks go between posts. I’m still here, though, and still sewing, so let’s see how I did on my last list.
- Finish the purple top.
Done!
This project made me a little nervous–I was worried the fabric was going to be a nightmare to work with, I didn’t know if the style would work on me, I was unsure about the sizing, etc. I cut a large, which was a bit of a risk, but the pattern has 5 1/2 inches of ease, so I figured that was plenty; I’m really glad I didn’t just go by my measurements, or this would have been MAMMOTH on me. And I wasn’t sure what finished length I’d want on this style, so I didn’t shorten the pattern, as I do with pretty much everything. I wound up cutting off 4 inches at the hem, and it’s still fairly long and drapey.

Oy, I took a record number of bad photos recently. Blech.
Everything went well until it came time to sew the hems. The bottom layer was hard enough, but I used my machine’s stretch stitch and rolled hem foot to get it done. The top layer was a major hassle, though; I made this hem narrower and, for some reason, the sewing machine just didn’t want to move the fabric along, and the stitches wound up tiny. Partway through, I decided to go to a regular straight stitch, as this part of the shirt really doesn’t need to stretch, anyway. So I’m a little embarrassed by the way the hem looks, but there’s no way I could rip it out without destroying the fabric.
I’m still loving this top, though. It’s so soft and cuddly and purple! I’ve seen so many cheap and nasty jerseys, but this fabric is just lovely, and I love the swingy drape of the style. And it’s purple!
(Mark your scorecards, everybody–this is my finish #2 for the 2016 Q1 Finish-Along.)
- Cut out the lining for the jacket.
Done!
- Finish the jacket.
Um, nope. I actually spent the last week making these:
My partner and I had a table at the Bike Swap in Seattle last weekend, and I decided to make some little zipper bags to sell along with all the bike gear. Sold a few, gave one to my honey, and the rest will probably go to SCRAP to be sold there.
So, next week’s list:
- Finish the jacket.
That’s it. I’m tired of it and I want it finished so I can move on. I’ve been nervous about it, so I’ve been busily procrastinating away with other projects, but I need to just stop thinking about it and DO IT. I’ve decided that my reward for finishing it is going to be making my lovely Kaffe Fassett dress.
And I’ll leave you with some recent photos from my travels.

Yep, eastern Washington in February, complete with tumbleweed. This is a wheat field on a hill above Kennewick; partner and I were scouting possible bike routes.

Interesting tree bark with moss from a walk with my mother near the fishing pond in Columbia Park.

Snowy hills outside Ellensburg on our way to Seattle.

Obligatory tourist shot, taken on a very soggy, gray Seattle day.

Needed to get a little color in there! This is the Experience Music Project, which was very busy, despite the weather.
Have a great week everybody, and I hope you’re feeling bright and sunny, even if the weather is gray where you are. Only two more weeks of February!
STH
Lovely purple top that looks very cozy. I don’t have a special foot for doing stretch hems, although I’ve been meaning to get a walking foot. I’m sure it’s only you who will notice the hem. Good luck with the biking jacket. I procrastinate, too, when I’m not sure about something. Think of those great, zipped pockets that you’ve already completed. 🙂
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I know! For some reason, I just charged through the first half of the project, slaying dragons right and left (take THAT, zippered pockets!), but then I took a break and lost my momentum. I’m going to take a little itty bitty stab at it tonight, and see if I can get my nerve back. I’m sure you’re right about the hems–we sewing people tend to assume that everybody is as nutty about these things as we are. 😉 Thanks for the encouragement!
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Yes, go for it!! Slay some more dragons!!
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Congrats on the Q1 #2 finish, looks super comfy. I totally know what you mean of procrastinating projects.:D But you got all those lovely bags!~cheers ( psst..a great bike trip…~> Spokane River Centennial Trail)
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Ooooh, thanks for the tip! We need more rides in that direction, as they all seem to go the other way. Thank you!
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The top looks very comfy and that’s a great color.
Weather here this week is amazing. It’s supposed to get up to 80 later this week which we are happy about but at the same time it’s making us worry, “What is summer going to be like?”
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I know what you mean. It was near 70 here the other day–I barbecued!–and it felt good, but strange and out of sync. Gets you thinking about spring, then winter clobbers you again.
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Beautiful fabric. I love the colour and the drape of your top.
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Thank you! It is SO lovely to wear–I’m definitely keeping my eyes open for some more great fabric, so that I can use this pattern again!
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Oh wow! What a beautiful color purple! Thank you for participating in the FAL, on behalf of the 2016 global FAL hosts.
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What a beautiful color purple! Congratulations on a beautiful finish. Thank you for participating in the FAL, on behalf of the 2016 global FAL hosts.
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Thank you!
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