More Done On The Shirt

We have had sunshine and we've had rain in the past 48 hours. Today we have sunshine which is lovely. 

Lifestyle

We are coming to accept our new normal and have leveled out in what we do and how we feel mentally. With the nice weather, the Spousal Unit does outdoor jobs and on wet days he does puzzles. 
The house is clean and I am keeping it up fairly well. I need to do a few things each day and then I can focus on other things. 
The number of new cases is dropping to below 10 daily (wait and see today will be above 10 with my luck). We still have 3 weeks remaining of the "soft" launch of reopening the province. It's a day by day process but we are happy that we are safe and healthy. 
Elliott wants to be outside on the deck in the mornings but we are keeping him inside. He is due for his vaccines and can't go to the vet at this time. But he watches out the windows and loves it when they are open. He was sitting on his scratching post watching people out for walk in this picture. 

Sewing

I cut out the yokes and have them on the body of the shirt. 

I'm getting use to sewing wider seams and longer lengths. In actual fact, I enjoyed doing the bias yokes and getting them on near perfect. Sewing slow is becoming my new normal. 
I'm going to use the left over fabric for the doll's wardrobe. I'm thinking a blouse for the two dolls to go with chambray blue capris length pants. I have the pattern that I bought quite a long time ago and made a dress from it. I'm up to tackling this Keepers Dolly Duds pattern again.

Knitting

I started a coat yesterday for the doll's wardrobe. I did a lot of knitting and I have a mistake. I'm taking it apart so I can find my mistake. I counted the rows before I joined the body but something is not right. I have made this sweater twice before with no issues. 

Today

Housework til noon. I want to get the pockets and front bands on the shirt -- all cut on the bias. Then tackle the knitting tonight. 
Until the next time....................................

Starting A Western Shirt

Yesterday was grey, damp, and cool. We even had a small snow flurry late in the afternoon. This morning it is cool at 2C but the sun is shining. 

Lifestyle

I looked around the house and all was tidy so I headed down stairs to work on the puzzle with the Spousal Unit. We were nearing the end by lunch time and finished it in the afternoon. 

Though I helped, he did most of it. I was just his helper and did some parts I enjoyed and a few that were frustrating for both of us. 
There were 6 new cases of the virus and 3 more deaths reported yesterday. It seems as if all are in the Central Health region. But, we should continue to live as if there is the virus is still in all locations. Letting down our guard will allow it to resurface, which we don't want. 

Sewing

I started the Spousal Unit's shirt yesterday. It was a shock to lay out big pattern pieces and cut them out. It was funny to sew 5/8" seams. But it was nice to have something coming off the sewing machine that wasn't doll clothes or quilted items. 
The shoulder seams are sewn. I always have them on the outside of the shirt as they are covered with the yokes and the shoulder seams are not showing on the inside. 

The fabric is wrinkled as I'm wrestling with it. The two dark dots are pins on the right side of the fabric. I laid out the yokes and pockets. I'll be moving them around a bit so I can use the fabric efficiently. 

I always do the yokes, pockets, cuffs and plackets on the bias. It is a western shirt. 
I'm thinking more and more about the doll's wardrobe and am now going to expand to include the American Girl dolls. I'm starting to plan as I sew the shirt. 

Knitting

I am almost finished the second sweater. I'm casting off now. Just a few yarns ends to weave in and buttons to sew on. It was an easy knit the second time around. 

Today

A bit of housework, fold laundry, dig in the doll clothes bin and out for a drive. Knitting tonight. A bit of a deviation to our day as it is sunny. 
Until the next time..............................

Mary Laura Dress Completed

Yesterday was a damp day. The mist rolled in and it was dull for most of the day. The high got to 12C. This morning it was 5C at 6 a.m. and is to be another cloudy day. 

Lifestyle

I checked the house yesterday and all was clean so I swept the floors and said done. I went downstairs and worked on the puzzle with the Spousal Unit. We got a lot done before lunch. I also did a bit later in the afternoon. 
There were 14 new cases of the virus and 1 death yesterday. We cannot let our guard down yet is the message of the day. 

Sewing

I finished the Mary Laura dress and am pleased with it. I'm glad I took 4 days to sew it as I enjoyed the process and all the thinking I did. And the researching and looking at the picture of the dresses worn by Laura and Mary. Nellie is equally as proud to wear it. 

I rolled the hem on the hankie using the serger. I'm not sure how to fold it but I did my best. 

And I'm pleased with the buttonholes on the back. 

Knitting

I finished the second sleeve last night and am ready to sew it together. It is knitting up faster this time as I know what to do. 

Today

I'll do a bit of housework, work on the puzzle, start a shirt for the Spousal Unit, and knit on the doll's sweater. 
Until the next time..................................

A Huge Disappointment

Yesterday was a beautiful day. The sun shone, it got to 17C, and there was minimal wind. This morning it is 8C and we've had a shower of rain during the night. 

Lifestyle

I was outside yesterday to look at the yard, the shed, and to watch the Snowbirds fly by. We talked about the yard work we want to do and how to clean up the shed. 
Like most people in our community, we were excited to have the Snowbirds fly over our community in the afternoon. In our area, many people were outside to watch. We social distanced and talked. And waited. Our son texted as we heard a noise and told us the Snowbirds had crossed over south of us. They missed our community. Talk about disappointed. Talk about people looking deflated as much as we were. Something small like that makes your day and if it doesn't happen you can really feel it mentally and emotionally. 
The update on the virus didn't help much either. Eight new cases isn't bad but 6 deaths in the nursing home was. Three of the new cases was at the nursing home. Hopefully the spread in there will become zero soon. 

Sewing

I finished the dress to the button holes and buttons. It was a delight to sew to this stage. 

I have the tear away stabilizer ready to do the buttonholes today. I thought about how much work Ma did when making these dresses for Laura and Mary. And how proud the girls must have been to wear them. Job well done, Ma Ingalls. 

Knitting

I finished the first sleeve on the sweater last night. I'm liking this one much better. I really don't like the wool though. It is like most inexpensive wool; scratchy and rough to knit with. I'm spoiled and I am happy about that. It will be gone and, as it is discontinued, I won't have to knit it again. 

Today

I am going to do some housework, a bit of sewing and knitting. If the weather improves, we may go for a drive for our mental health. We missed it yesterday. 
Until the next time................................

Researching The Mary Laura Over Dress - A Fun Process

Yesterday was a damp day with a high of 13C. Today is sunny and 3C. It is suppose to get to 15C today. A lovely spring day before it rains again. 

Lifestyle

I cleaned our bedroom yesterday. The dust elephants were beaten into submission, furniture wiped of dust and the floors washed with bleach and soap. I even washed the filter in the hand vacuum. It was disgusting. But all is well now and the bedroom smelled like bleach for the better part of the day. 
The Spousal Unit put together more of the puzzle or, as he says, he moved a lot of pieces around. I didn't look at it yesterday. 
We had 4 new cases of the virus and 2 deaths yesterday. Three of the four new cases and the two deaths were at the long term care facility in Halifax. 866 tests were done which is amazing. Hopefully the number of cases will remain low as people move about a bit more. I do love how it was put out for people to read. 

Sewing

The other day I fooled around with some fancy stitches on my machine. I used regular thread and embroidery thread. I like the embroidery thread the best. 

It gives better definition to the stitches. I used tear away stabilizer under the fabric buy may cut strips of cut away stabilizer in the future. 
I spent a couple of hours in the sewing room working on the Mary Laura dress. 

I finished the skirt and am happy with it. I pressed the ruffle down so it wouldn't stick out. 

I started the dress and when I got to the neckline, I had to use the magnifying glass on preview to look at the neckline. Both Laura and Mary have lace on the neckline of their dresses. Mary has lace on the cuffs of her dress but I can't see any on Laura's dress. I wonder if Laura knit it for the dresses. She did talk about knitting lace in her books. 
I put a cotton lace on the neck of the dress I am making. I didn't gather it as stated in the pattern. It looked horrid when gathered. I hand stitched it on very carefully so I could manipulate it to fit the curve of the neckline. 

I have a couple of things to fix up before I add the sleeves. I am thrilled with the results so far. And I am enjoying this project as I do research and sew. 

Knitting

I got the buttons on the sweater yesterday and took photographs of it. 

It fits big and I am now saying it is an outdoor everyday sweater. I lost tension using this new yarn and am glad it is discontinued. I sure wouldn't buy it again. 

I cast it on again using a size smaller needles and got 24 rows knit last night. I'm looking for a more fitted sweater to wear with a skirt. 

Today

I'm heading down to the sewing room today as I have a no housework on Sunday rule. This afternoon I will be outside as the Snowbirds will be flying over us on Operation Inspiration thanking Canadians for doing their part during the pandemic. We thank them for giving us something to look forward to while self isolating. I will knit tonight as I want to finish the sweater before May 11. 
Until the next time....................................

Historical Thoughts While Sewing

Yesterday started with sunshine which turned to cloudy, then it rained. The wind blew hard in the evening. The high got to 16C. This morning it is cloudy and 12C at 6 a.m. A day of showers or drizzle they say. 

Lifestyle

It was a morning of laundry and budgeting. I went downstairs to get the print out so I could work on it and ended up at the puzzle table. We got about 40 pieces put in before lunch. The budget was done during lunch. 
There were 12 new cases of the virus and 1 death reported. We are hoping that both will drop to 0. We also learned that restrictions are slowly being lifted. Most are outdoor activities to help alleviate depression. Social distancing, self isolation, etc. are still in place but you can walk in parks, go to your cottage/summer residence, community garden. I doubt if we see much more for 2-3 weeks as new cases will be monitored. But, it is a start. 

Sewing

I had a relaxing time sewing yesterday. I enjoyed the process and thought about many things around Laura Ingall Wilder. 

Mary Laura dress by Thimbles and Acorn

I thought about gingham and how it was a staple fabric during Laura's time both for clothing and home decor. I also thought about how Laura probably knit the lace for her dress. And did she do an embroidered stitch around the handkerchief while hemming it. 
The fabric I chose for the Mary Laura dress is a printed gingham look from the fabric store I worked in. It is orange and white which is not traditional; blue/white and red/white were the traditional colors of the time. 

As I sewed the skirt, I wondered if Laura's dress was hand sewn or if Ma had a treadle machine. Were the seams finished with a whip stitch to prevent fraying? Or were they turned under and carefully stitched by hand. 
The skirt was not finished yesterday but Nellie was excited to try it on. Only half of the ruffle is pinned on at this point. 

I had a wonderful time sewing and thinking about the history of this dress. 

Knitting

The sweater is finished and ready for buttons. I will do photographs of it today. The fit of this one is a bit big. A sweater you'd wear outside on a cool day. I'm casting it on again using smaller needles. 

Today

I'm cleaning our bedroom, sewing on the Mary Laura dress and starting to knit the sweater in a smaller size. I may even do more on the puzzle if I have time. 
Until the next time.....................................

Four Things Accomplished

Yesterday was a beautiful day. The sun shone and the birds sang. The high was 14.6C. This morning it was 4C at 6 a.m. and they are forecasting 13C and we could have a few showers. Here is hoping spring is here. 

Lifestyle

Yesterday morning I got a few things done before groceries arrived. We are thankful that our daughter-in-law shops for us. 
We both spent over an hour working on the puzzle together. I worked on the top and the Spousal Unit worked on the water. We had quite the successful morning. In the afternoon, the Spousal Unit wasn't quite as successful but that is to be expected. 

Sewing

I didn't turn on the sewing machine yesterday but accomplished four things in the sewing room. 

1. I laundered fabric for the Spousal Unit's shirt and piping for daughter. 
2. I cut out the Mary Laura dress and am ready to sew it. I want to see if I can adapt it for the Gotz dolls. 
3. I fixed the serger. It was rolling the seam over a bit when I was using it. I had forgot to return all the settings back to regular serging after doing rolled hems. All is working perfectly now. 
4. I went through the Gotz doll's clothes to see what they have. 

I sat and mulled over their wardrobes. I don't sew as much for them as I would like to. There aren't as many patterns designed for them as there are for the American Girl dolls. There are more knitting patterns for them than sewing ones. I have a bit of a plan emerging for them. With 4 dolls, I want to start out making them a pair of leggings each. I have lots of material to work with. 

Knitting

I knit, made a mistake, dropped 2 stitches and unknit 2 rows and then knit 3 rows before I stopped for the night. 

Today

The goal is to work in our bedroom and clean it again. Puzzle for an hour, sewing in the afternoon, and knitting tonight. Hopefully I'll get some pictures taken today. 
Until the next time.............................