Hurricane Sandy

We are fine, completely 100% fine. Our power stayed on. The car, parked on the street, was fine and our cable/internet held till around 9:30.  A small miracle since it normally drops if someone sneezes next door. Even our windows were open for the majority of the day. We were lucky. The photo I posted the other day, of my bag sitting on a bench?  That Dumbo bench was underwater last night. My office building suffered some flooding from the horribly toxic Gowanus Canal, but our space, on the second floor had no damage. I normally walk to work and will do so tomorrow, not sure when the subways will be fully operational. The marathon is this weekend, a very small problem compared to the devastation that effects NJ and the 5 boroughs, but I can't help but feel for those coming (or trying to come) to NYC right now.

We stayed in yesterday, Rire trying to work from home as one by one his coworkers dropped out as their power went. I started sewing assuming the power would go at any minute. Just hoping it wouldn't be mid seam. I roasted a chicken, still assuming the power would go and our last meal should be a good one.

I had no sewing plan, but the longer the power stayed on, the more focused I became on finishing this in one go. The Oliver + S Ice Cream Blouse. I used bits and pieces leftover from other things. It looks like an unintentional homage to my alma mater, which incidentally canceled classes for today for weather related reasons for the first time since I was a student there in 1998. And considering the pummeling Syracuse gets from snow, that's saying a lot.

The front. With stubborn wrinkle that wouldn't iron out. And polka dot lining

The back. With button loop. I like this pattern and think the dress version will need to be made. My intention is to set what I've been making lately aside for Christmas. But I think I need a mini fit model...

tova top, version 2

Tova Top, number two. Wrinkled from wear. And made from remnant fabric found in the depths of Jem's basement. I'm happy with an $8 shirt. I cut the fabric for this on Friday and managed to finish Saturday night. All I had to do was stay up till nearly midnight! That said, it came together quickly (for me) without any major missteps. The small fits me well, the shoulders hitting in exactly the right place. I'm pretty sure my hem is straighter than it looks - no promises though. I took care to finish the interior seams neatly and am rather proud of that. I may fiddle with the collar on a future version.  I can't leave well enough alone. 

And now it's time to figure out what to make next while we still have power.

Friday Saturday Sunday

Amelia is now under the impression I make all of her clothes. While this is widely inaccurate, I hope no one corrects her. Friday I finished the Oliver + S Sailboat Top with fabric from my Gramma's stash. This top was my first time making button holes. Not perfect, but not terrible. Attaching the inside hem piece stumped me for ages. I read, reread, read again. And then finally it makes perfect sense and you feel mighty dumb. The arms seem long and wide at the wrists, so I rolled them for the photo. This is when it would be handy to have the niece living locally, so I could figure out if things fit or not.

This I finished awhile ago, intending to add sleeves. Which I did. But they restricted movement so off they came. I'll make adjustments and try sleeves again another time. It was also crammed in my dresser drawer, excuse the wrinkles. This top sews up so beautifully.

To briefly recap the weekend... Friday morning at Local 61 with Renee. Brainstorming and taking a few photos for an upcoming project. Very excited. Saturday Rire and I headed to Dumbo, lunch at Superfine and then walking around the waterfront. And the photo I have to show for it?  My bag on a bench. I also managed to sew a second Tova, photos coming.

This morning uptown, celebrating Charlotte's 4th birthday. Now home, wondering if Sandy will pack the punch the news promising.

fall colors

A rat darted out from under a garbage can, directly to my left while I waited to cross the street this morning, in broad daylight. Unacceptable. It ran right into the street and proceeded, Frogger style, to stop and start it way through two lanes of traffic. Somehow it made it and disappeared into the garbage can on the far corner. I hate rats. The rank marginally higher than mice, only because mice want to live in your house. They want to settle in and have their names added to your mailbox. While rats, for the most part are fine living outside in the secrets Nymh tunnels.

In other news, I watched Julie and Julia and realized I still have no idea how to chop onions.

I've also started hoarding fabric.  I finally understand my grandmother.