Sunday, September 20, 2009

So I cheated

I've been frustrated with not being able to sew recently, but I've made such a disaster out of the workroom that it's been almost impossible.

Worst of all, I unplugged the vintage Singer with the buttonholer and moved it out of harm's way, so I haven't been able to finish the Ottobre 5/09 #113 jacket, which was finished all but the buttonholes I was looking forward to making.

And it's been bugging the hell out of me, an otherwise-finished garment hanging there on Evelyn, taunting me from under the dust sheet.

So what did I do? I cheated.

Yesterday Kisha and I drove up to New York for the day. I wanted to see the Isabel Toledo exhibit again before it closed, and she hadn't seen it yet, so that was first on the list of things to do.

Also on the list: Paron's, Pacific Trims, Spandex House and hopefully meeting up with Elizabeth.

Also on my list: taking a quick trip into Jonathan's Embroidery so I could pay them $3 to put buttonholes in my jacket. Which I admit seems kind of silly since I just spent money on a brand new old machine with buttonholer, but I just got sick of waiting to be able to use it.

Does that make any sense at all?

I ran across the street to Jonathan's while Kisha was pawing through the rayon jerseys at Spandex House, and I was back before she checked out. They are so fast in there. I think 3 buttonholes took about 2 minutes, and that included the time to pick out the thread color.

Aren't they pretty?

I didn't need to do it - the renovation can't take forever, and at some point I'll get frustrated with it, and put the sewing machines back up - but I realized on Saturday morning that it was the 19th, and I hadn't finished my second item for the month.

When I'm not productive, I'm not happy.

So running off to Jonathan's might not have been necessary in the long run, but it was very good for my mental outlook. And now it's done, except for the buttons, which will get sewn after another non-sewing Sunday (Mario's mom and sister's birthday dinner is tonight).

Another note about NY. I came home with one bag. A small bag. It contained one yard of stretch from Spandex House, five yards of black piping for a dress I have in mind, and a length of chain for the hem of my (eventual) Chanel jacket.

That's it. That's all I bought. I tried to explain it to Kisha and Elizabeth - I think because I've been so unproductive, I had trouble buying, or even finding, anything more than "replacement" fabric for what I'd actually used.

Or maybe I'm just uninspired because I haven't been sewing?

Parting shot here is Alice. Alice used to live in my back yard, and she was one of Vladimir Putintat's former flames, and mother of several of his children. She came in on Valentine's day several years ago, appearing at my 2nd floor bedroom window at midnight and scratching to be let in. Considering she had to climb a tree, jump an alleyway and cross the porch roof to get there, who was I to say no? I already had 2 of her children indoors, but she didn't seem to recognize them. She's still skittish, and has lots of rules about how and when she'll allow herself to be touched, but she's a sweet girl all the same.

7 comments:

Rose said...

They are gorgeous buttonholes. It was not foolish to take the jacket to NY to have the buttonholes made. I mean, it's not like you could have asked a neighbor to make them... :)

Rose in SV

Rose said...

I know just what you mean about being unhappy when sewing is unproductive. I'm unusually grumpy when life or nonsewing projects prevent getting sewing projects done. I think you were wise to just have those buttonholes done for mental health purposes. BTW, I would have let Alice in the house, too.
Rose in FL

Virginia at A Sewing Life said...

Sounds like $9 well spent! The Singer will have its day soon. The jacket looks gorgeous--very impressive.

Anonymous said...

It was great seeing you again! Hope we can make it work again soon. Love the button holes. Can't wait to see this jacket on you.

laura said...

I love Alice's pretty white shoes. My Beast had white shoes too, only they were too little and it made her grumpy.

Kitty Couture said...

Welcome, Alice! I bet you'll love it at Karen's.

mimi jackson said...

I keep hearing from different people about Jonathan, Johnathan, Jonathan... so now I must ask... where is this person? I hear he will fuse yards of fabric to interfacing smoothly and professionally at a great price. Now, I must know.