Countdown!

As they say--All good things must come to an end. Tomorrow is my first day back at school full time. Ugh! Don't get me wrong. I love what I do. I just hate getting up at 6 a.m.! I will never be an early morning riser. It just goes against my circadian rhythm.
I love the easy pace of summer. My school year is extremely scheduled and fast paced. It is a very stark contrast to summer. The first week back is comprised of room set up, planning and a lot of meetings--in fact, if you asked anyone, they would say that there are too many meetings. When the powers that be want to see test scores rise, then the assumption is that teachers need more training in order to make that happen. When you've been teaching as long as I have, these training sessions become rather redundant as more than likely, you've sat through similar ones before.

My last weekend was spent running errands and sewing. I did finish my two yoga tops. Both are made from the same Kwik Sew pattern out of cotton/spandex. The leopard one has black stretch lace trim and the fabric is cut away behind the lace. I'm quite pleased with both of them.


I love Kwik Sew patterns for knits. The major pattern companies design their knit patterns just like their others. Kwik Sew and Stretch & Sew patterns are designed differently. They use 1/4 inch seam allowances and their construction methods are different than those used for woven fabrics. The patterns from both of these companies are usually very quick in their construction and they fit the way knit garments are meant to fit.

I also cut out a denim skirt and my brocade jacket. The jacket was time consuming as it had quite a few pieces plus lining and interfacing. I was delighted today to receive the buttons I ordered from the Button Shoppe. I called them on Friday to order the buttons and I got them today! Now that's what I call fast--particularly when you consider that they came from California! I can't begin to tell you how beautiful these buttons are. They are pressed black glass with a green/gold aura or luster on them. Aura coatings change color depending on how the light hits them. You can sort of see this in the first photo. The second photo shows a button with the brocade and the satin that will be used for the bound buttonholes.


I'll be able to start this jacket this week. I had to wait for the buttons as bound buttonholes must be done before the jacket is fully constructed.

Product Review
A few weeks ago I purchased some Black & Decker cordless power scissors. I had found that my Dritz scissors were no longer holding a charge. I had gotten the Dritz scissors 5 years ago before I had surgery on my right hand. I liked them, but I felt that they were difficult to control and I didn't use them on lightweight fabrics. I also couldn't cut precise shapes with them. When cutting the pattern notches (which I cut outward), I would cut around them, then I would go back with regular scissors to cut out the notch. I got frustrated recently with this and with the fact that I had to use them with the power cord which was cumbersome so I started looking at consumer reviews for the Black & Decker ones--all of which were very positive. The first thing that impressed me was the price! The Dritz scissors were $69. The Black & Decker range from $15 - $25. Can't beat that. The cheaper ones are a basic model with one all purpose cutting blade. They are not particularly suitable for fabric, but they seem to be what is available in the local stores like Target, Walmart and Home Depot. The more expensive model has an additional fabric cutting blade with a flat shoe, which is a necessity, and a table clamp which is something I probably will never use. These scissors hold a charge for quite a long time. They have an ergonomic design which feels good in the hand. What surprised me was how controllable these scissors were. I was able to cut all my pattern pieces with outward notches without a hitch! I cut my denim skirt, my brocade jacket, interfacing and china silk lining!

If you are a sewer who hates cutting things out like I do, I highly recommend purchasing these scissors. Make sure that you get the ones with the extra fabric cutting blade. I found mine brand new on Ebay.

Well, I guess I better attempt to go to bed before midnight! 6 a.m. will come way too soon!

Bushism of the day:
"Trying to stop suiciders -- which we're doing a pretty good job of on occasion -- is difficult to do. And what the Iraqis are going to have to eventually do is convince those who are conducting suiciders who are not inspired by Al Qaeda, for example, to realize there's a peaceful tomorrow." --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., May 24, 2006

Kitty Cam: Greg knows how to spend a summer afternoon.