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

VESTS---TWO VERSIONS

I finally got my sewing mojo back, and made this wool vest

It's V1453, a Sandra Bettina design which I made in black taffeta back in 

August, and loved wearing in Portugal. This fabric is an interesting sweater knit from Marcy Tilton, black, red and gray, and perfect for my color scheme.

It also has a wonderful striped selvedge that called for a little design tweaking.

I did not use darts in this version, although I think I may go back and put them in...the vest is a little too boxy as is. I added some "memory wire" in four channels in the collar, so I can adjust it  as I want. That's something I'll do again.

The weight is fairly substantial; I washed it before sewing, but it didn't seem to
shrink any. We're having some cold weather finally, so it will be worn.

As will this, a RTW faux fur vest from Loft in charcoal gray. I've wanted a faux fur vest for a long time...I have several pieces of fabric in my stash, but I finally
gave myself permission to pass on sewing faux fur, just like I won't sew any
more King-sized duvet covers!

I'm wearing it over one of my moto jackets, KS 3764, which you can see here and here.

I'm looking forward to one of my favorite holiday parties on Friday; I will finally have a chance to wear my Mother-of-the-Bride outfit again. 

In final happy news, I have a new car after 10 years...it's a "Smart Car" and I'm having fun learning how to take advantage of all the bells and whistles!

TTYL

IT'S ALL MY FAULT...

Sharon (Communing with Fabric) and I have been promising the results of our most recent challenge for WEEKS now, and I think she finished hers at least 7 days ago. I was stymied by only 3 of 5 zippers I needed, and had to wait till the zipper lady returned.

So, our latest challenge was to use a crinkly, embossed raincoat fabric that Sharon bought for US at Fabrix in San Francisco.

I wanted to use a very special RiRi zipper, so I picked a pattern with FIVE zippers...KwikSew 3764...AKA MOTO! Here she is, folks...

I had, of course, made this before,...

I lined it with a printed silk twill I had in the stash (nothing fabulous like Sharon used)

and think I'll love it when our weather changes (hot and humid every day, lately).

We had our usual good time doing the sew-along...lots of phone calls, texts, complaints, etc...it really is a fun thing to do. We get glimpses of each other's work, but don't see the final piece till we post on our blogs.

Be sure to go look at Sharon's Jacket!

Didja notice my new glasses? Matchy-Matchy!

Meanwhile, while I waited for the zippers

I did some more cooking from the Ottolenghi books, asking my friend Joan to dinner so I would have an excuse to try more recipes (as if I needed an excuse!)

First was Roasted Chicken with Clementines and Arak

OMG, people, this was fabulous! If I do say so myself... I also made Sweet Corn Polenta with Eggplant Sauce again, and for dessert, Cardamom Panna Cotta with Honeyed Figs

not only was this delicious, it gave me an excuse (there's that word again) to buy some cunning Weck Jars to serve it in. At this rate, I'll have to change the

name of my blog to Fool4Fabric'nFood....

Here's a close up of another Charlotte Valestra piece I love...

and here's a photo for the Style Crone's Monthly Hat Attack...

The hat is a marvelous one brought to me from South Africa by a friend; the neckpiece is another one by Charlotte Valestra.

Now I MUST get back to the MOB jacket...no more excuses! and it's 5 weeks from yesterday...

TTYL