Progess (not FTL)

Better watch out or we'll be calling you Kate;) instead of Beverly. That's a lot of work you've done there Ma'am. Juno

-----------8< loads of beautiful work >8---------------

That sounds pretty speedy to me! And a beautiful labour of love. I really like all that hand work when I have the time. I'm eagerly awaiting pictures.

Tha is a lot of work in one day, especially after the recent surgery! The vest sounds as if it will be gorgeous, and I'm certain DGD will be thrilled with it. Emily Emily

I don't for the honorary "Kate", she produces amazing volumes of work, I sew slowly. ;-) My shoulders were feeling the result of so doing so much all in one day..

Beverly

Ooooo, cool may I have acouple of pairs of your snippers? ;-)

It's funny, I never used to take any pleasure in doing hand work, I tried to do *everything* on the machine. Now I love adding careful hand stitching to almost every project. I love Claire Shaeffer's book, "Couture Sewing Techniques".

think reading that book started me on the path of doing more difficult types of sewing. NAYY,

Beverly

-------88-------- (Thanks, Kate) ;-)

I worked a little longer than I should have, but I'm glad to have accomplished so much. My hand is fine, my shoulders were a little sore.

Today, I will cut out the lining, sew the neckline-center front seam, clip, grade and understitch that seam, then sew the armholes to about 1 14" of the side seams, clip and grade, and pull the fronts through the shoulders. I'll wait to sew the side seams until after the fitting Sunday. I still have to make 11-13 lined "petals" for around the bottom of the vest, but I have to have the exact waist measurement before determining their size.

Beverly

> I think reading that book started me on the path of doing > more difficult types of sewing. I've always loved hand finishing, even as a kid. I've had that book for several years now, and love it. I'm a big fan of Claire, and use several of her handy tips and explanations on almost every project. There really are times when hand work is the best *and* the fastest finish!

>> > I think reading that book started me on the path of> > doing more difficult types of sewing.>

I used her technique for making very narrow very strong spaghetti straps for older DD's attendant's gown. They were the best I ever made.

Beverly

>>>>> I think reading that book started me on the path of>>> doing more difficult types of sewing.>> I've always loved hand finishing, even as a kid. I've>> had that book for several years now, and love it. I'm a >> big fan of Claire,>> and use several of her handy tips and explanations on >> almost

I used that same one for the bronze bridesmaid last year. Skinniest and prettiest ever!

> > >> > > > I think reading that book started me on the path of> > > > doing more difficult types of sewing.> > > I've always loved hand finishing, even as a kid. I've> > > had that book for several years now, and love it. I'm > > > a big fan of Claire,> > > and use several of her handy tips and explanations on> > > almost

I'm going to give it a whirl for the lacing I have to make for the velvet vest. I plan on using 1/4" cording, and making the fabric cover using Claire's technique for spaghetti straps, just making them heftier, and pulling the cording into it after its turned.

That's provided I cannot find deep purple 1.4" or 5/16" sating cording. Lot's of the girls in competition are now using cording made from their tartan fabric, but I don't have enough left over to do that.

Beverly

That sounds like fun, and will look great, but be a skiddle to do! Best of luck!

I love sewing-related skiddles!

I also like Skittles:

Beverly

Forget the Skittles, go for the gold:

> > > >>> > > > I think reading that book started me on the path of>> > > > doing more difficult types of sewing.>> > > I've always loved hand finishing, even as a kid. I've>> > > had that book for several years now, and love it. I'm >> > > a big fan of Claire,>> > > and use several of her handy tips and explanations on>> > > almost

Beverly, maybe this will help:

seller offers many colors. Good luck!Sharon

Thanks Sharon, it would if she could use rattail. The cording all the girls use is the twisted 5/16" cord like is often used in upholstery. Like:

have several shops near me which carry the twisted cord, just not in deep purple. I may order from MJTrim.I took another look at the left over tartan, I probably have enough to make a narrow cording on the straight-grain, although I would much prefer bias. Beverly

Ah, any of those will be much more substantial. What ever, it will be excellent as it is your doing.

And with this I must say another so long. We are off to Happy Valley PA this morning to work another week at cleaning out the inlaw parents' home for the auction, also to welcome home DBIL who is returning from the M.D. Cancer Center in Houston. Poor guy, he's so homesick, and DSIL is eager to get home too. I expect to read you've finished the vest next time I pop in. Blair will be one happy girl!

Sharon

I'm glad all is well with you, I was concerned when I saw the news about flooding in AR. Have a good productive trip to PA.

Beverly

Psst.... That's the other Sharon. ;)

Sharon

Aaaarrggghhhh!!!!! I failed to look at the actual address. Well, I'm still happy you're not being flooded. ;-}

Beverly