Another Patti

I liked my first Patti Blouse made using a Paganoonoo pattern a lot so when I found three more coordinating men's shirts I decided to make another Patti.

I'm not as happy with this one even though I do like fabrics and the colours. 

The fabric in the main shirt, though a lovely peached finish, is heavier and stiffer. Combine that with my addition of larger lined front pockets and the shirt tends to stand away from the body in a less flattering way.

Ah well, it's super comfy and a nice chill chaser. We're finally getting some cooler weather and some much needed rain.

My own innovations to this version were a change to the front pockets and covering the front placket with fabric from one of the contrasting shirts. I also removed the collar, leaving only the collar stand, and covered it with fabric from both accent shirts, different on the inside than it is on the outside.

Successful Upcycle

Really pleased with this upcycle sewing project.

It's 2 men's shirts (the black and the gingham), and one ladies blouse (the white one with embroidered trim) combined to make a totally new ladies tunic length blouse. 

I added a dash of red here and there using scrap fabric.

The concept comes from Paganoonoo's "The Cindy Blouse" pattern though I didn't use the fabulous curved front piece. With the added fussiness of the fancy collar and cuffs I figured it would be too much this time.

I really like the way this turned out so it is highly likely I'll eventually use the pattern again and make the more decorative curved addition to the front. 

Have you ever tired refashioning something old into something new?

It's rather fun!

July was HOT

With the highs always at least 18°C and usually in the 30°C and over range, July was a very HOT month here in Chilliwack, BC. We even had a couple of days where we reached my hottest available colour, "garnet", which represents the 33 - 35°C range (91.4° - 95°F). 

Could Be Better

Another remake, this one not as flattering, but still a functional garment. 

I took two of these denim dresses, picked up from a clearance rack, and remade them into one that worked better for my needs. 

I really liked the way the dresses felt on, but they were too long, lacked the large, useful pockets that I love, and had a horrible belt that made the dresses look like a pillow tied in the middle.

So I chopped the sleeves off of one of the dresses, and other than opening them up by making a vertical cut above the sleeve placket, I used them 'as is', buttons, pleats and all, to create large detailed pockets on the second dress. 

I also shortened the dress to become more of a tunic length for wearing with leggings.

The fit is loose and comfortable, not clingy.

And I love those extra large pockets!

The scraps left over from the remaining dress will be used in my boro/sashiko embroidery work. 

Hicks Lake

Another quick day trip. 

Hicks Lake BC

Less than an hour's drive from our house.

The weather was beautiful!

3 into 1 Upcycle

I'm quite pleased with this "upcycle" project. I used "The Patti Blouse" pattern by Paganoonoo as a starting point. The pattern gives details on how to take 3 men's shirts and remake them into one ladies' blouse with a high/low hem.

I added my own little touches like sashiko inspired hand stitching and button embellishments.

The pattern instructions detail a fun way of relocating the breast pocket from one cannibalized shirt so that it becomes a functional, larger pocket at hip level.

The designer, Michelle Paganini, suggests using the button bands, intact, buttons and all, from both of the additional shirts to add detail and interest to the final shirt.

While removing the breast pocket from the main shirt I had an "oops" with the seam ripper and created a very tiny hole. I covered it with a patch from the gingham shirt, embellished it with a running hand stitch design crossing both shirt fronts, and it became a "feature".

I love the high/low hem created by adding the back of one accent shirt to the back of the main shirt. The addition also adds more hip room to a place where men's shirts are quite narrow in relation to the shoulder width. 

This project went from the three men's shirts on the left, to the finished ladies' blouse on the right.

Success! Yay!

I have two more shirts (dark navy and an eye searing chartreuse green!) that will be receiving this treatment as well but first I must find a third, coordinating shirt.

Upcycled Hat

A hat I like!

And it fits!

Other than the eyelets which I had to buy new, it's completely "upcycled" from old denim jeans.

I purposely left the edges exposed so that they would fray with repeated washing.

Did I mention that it FITS? I have a large head and can't buy ready made ladies hats. I made this one using the multi-sized "garden hat" pattern in the book, "Happy Hats and Cool Caps", which I picked up at "The Bookman", a used book store in town.

I'm very pleased with the end result. It is SO comfortable and provides protection from the glare of the sun on my long dog walks.

There may be others in the future. I'd like at least one more so I have something to wear when this one is in the wash.

Happy Canada Day, 2018!

The first 6 months of the year are all rolled up,

And they've been good ones. 

(This is the first six months of my "Year In Temperatures" scarf.) 

Aquatic Bird

One of the plants in Solomon's tank is growing multiple "spiderettes", each one branching out further from the mother plant in a generational sort of way.

It's forming a fence like appearance almost all the way around his tank.

Solomon has taken to resting on the runners in between the spiderettes, just like a bird on a telephone wire.

Ben's Wife Arrived!

Long after she was initially expected, Wilhelmina arrived, much to Benjamin's relief. With his ear to the parcel he could hear her muffled cries and was frantic for me to hurry to set her free.

Her travel box appears intact so she must have made the long trip unmolested by Customs officials in any of the countries she stopped in.

Her passport says she is the third in a line of only 76 Willies. He always knew his wife was a rare gem.

From the look of the smile just barely visible there on her face, it seems she made the trip okay and was even in a good mood. 

They were so excited to be reunited that neither worried too much about her complete lack of hair.

But I hope you agree that she is much more attractive with her custom made (by me) wig.

Benjamin got her to sit in her comfy chair while he put the kettle on for tea.

And then he rushed right back to give her a wonderful foot rub. He never, ever wants her to travel alone again! The stress of not knowing where she was really got to him!

London?!

Poor Benjamin! He just got off the phone after receiving some frightening news!

It seems his wife has taken a wrong turn somewhere and has ended up in London, UK when she was supposed to be heading home to Canada!

He's so worried! Please send him some supportive thoughts.

Kayaking on Harrison Lake

Living in paradise, as we do, it's easy to take a blissful mini-vacation any time the weather cooperates.

Now that my husband has retired we can take advantage of some of the beautiful lakes in our area and slip away for a quiet morning of peaceful kayaking -- mid week even, when the crowds are tied up with work and school.

Harrison Lake BC is only about a 30 minute drive from our home in Chilliwack.

The weather was perfect, neither too hot nor too cold, and barely a ripple on the water.

It was a perfect way to make the most of a beautiful day. 

I'd take a kayak over a motor boat any day.