MOTO MASHUP

I fell in love with this wine/black crinkled brocade from Mood Fabrics

and decided to make a jacket with moto influences. I didn't want to use my TNT Kwik Sew 3764 again, so I went hunting for a suitable pattern. I made a muslin out of the Quart Coat

pattern by Pauline Alice, thinking I could modify it to my liking. I couldn't...

My dress form isn't shaped like that, and neither am I (wide shoulders, nipped

in waist).

I liked aspects of B5822 (OOP) which I used when I was making "manteaux"

for our Iran trip...

so I put on my thinking cap and came up with a frankinpattern using parts of the Butterick pattern and parts of the Kwik Sew. And this is what I made:

I added a separating zipper to the front, shortened the jacket, and added sleeve and pocket zippers...

I used the sleeve from the KS and also the pocket placement, the rest was from

the Butterick pattern.

I lined the jacket with a dark red satin lining, also from Mood Fabrics, and piped 

it in black satin.

I accessorized it with some wonderful Gujarati bracelets I got in India some

25 years ago.

That's kept me pretty busy; I took some time out to have a wonderful lunch with long-time

friend Diane and her SO

The puppy? He had his first grooming appointment, we went to obedience class (THAT was

traumatic for both of us!), he now weighs in at 20 pounds, and every ¼ inch he grows

means another level of mischief he can reach. I took him for a swim again yesterday and he jumped right in. I think he's tall enough now to get out on his own, but for now, we keep a hand on his collar. But he loves to swim!

Like the kitty, he LOVES boxes...

begging to go in the door (damage on door done by his

                  predecessor, Paddywack)

and benches.

My kitchen activities are still centered on somewhat frantic enjoyment of the tomato season...

Caprese salad for lunch today. We're also cleaning out the freezer, eating last year's beans and soups, getting ready for cooler weather (hah! it's currently 95 degrees, but "feels like" 105).

I'm joining BOTH Patti's Visible Women and Judith's Hat Attack this week...come take a look!

TTYL

MAKING A STORYBOARD...AND CATCHING UP!

Since I last posted, I drove up to Redwood City to attend another AIF, Artistry in Fashion. This is my 3rd time in 4 years...it's always fun to see friends, make new friends, see fashion shows and shop the Vendors. There are usually several blog readers who introduce themselves to me...I love that!

Here are Shams, from Communing with Fabric, and Ronda Chaney, Program Coordinator of the Cãnada College Fashion Design Department; she is responsible for this wonderful event.

Friends Dorothy, Ann and Barbara, all models in the Fashion Show, in their outfits...

and here, in their "real" clothes.

and here they are with Shams. As always, I walked away with some special things from the wonderful vendors.

I decided to stop sewing new things and start putting together my travel wardrobe for Portugal; we leave in 2 ½ weeks, so this is none too soon.

As I was accumulating items for consideration, I happened to have all my red footwear on the floor in my closet, and I was amazed to find I have so many
red shoes!

Red is truly a neutral for me...

Also, as I was choosing what to pull out of my closet, I took advantage of the chance to rearrange my tee shirts and turtlenecks, moving them from hangers to drawers. MicMac took advantage, too... (Marie Kondo would be so proud of me...

I decided to try a new way of "storyboarding" my travel wardrobe, so I thought I'd share with you how I begin. I took pictures of each article of clothing that might potentially make it to the final cut. I hung a white sheet on a pole and hung the clothing item on a clothesline in the foreground. For instance:

This is my latest "Trifecta" pant, in a black bengaline with silver stripes from Marcy Tilton.
After a little Photoshopping, I had this to add to my possibilities:

After all the photographing and Photoshopping, I made a file of all the pants

all the vests

and all the tunics

I do this for coats and jackets, tee shirts, and accessories. When I am finished, I put them all together and begin the culling (I know, TMI, what can I say, I'm a geek...)

Speaking of accessories, I am breaking in these gorgeous Stuart Weitzman boots as I write...

With that lug sole, they should be great for Lisbon's cobblestone hills. They are supremely comfortable.

My friend Joan had a complete knee replacement a few days ago...I went to visit her earlier today.

A couple of friends had just given her this enormous goofy hair bow...which I of course had to try

The necklace I'm wearing here is one of my "finds" from AIF...it is made from

the balls in a roll-on deodorant bottle...that makes it even more "special"!

Joan's beautiful sister is taking care of her...

    "Nurse Linda"

That's all for now...TTYL!