Hey, how are you all doing?

 Hello lovely people.

I know it’s been a while. I tend to say that a lot when it comes to me updating this blog with posts, but as a lot of you have been through some thangs these past couple of years, so have I.

The short of it all is that COVID, then I got a great job, then it went away, then I got another job that screwed me over, then that went away, then I got some short term gigs, then those went away, then, well, I found myself working at a brewery because I wanted to get more into beer (a long term passion of mine) and, well, that’s pretty much where I am now. 

Don’t get me wrong. There was a lot of sewing in that. Oh, and I moved (Im still in LA). But for the most part, I’ve been in a kinda holding pattern. Me trying to just make it until a lot of my profession frees itself up (animation - and all the industry strikes really affected work). So as you can see, without going into too much detail, it’s been a lot.

But I have done some great illustration work. I put out a book. Went to Ghana for the previous job I had and was an animation director. I put out another children’s book which I STRONGLY suggest you get here. I get royalties for this one! And I have another children’s book that I just finished coming out hopefully soon.

My dog Virginia is still with me. She’s doing well. She got married last year to a lovely young man, and they will be celebrating their first wedding anniversary in October. She is blind now, but she’s happy and healthy and living her best life! I love her!

Oh, not to mention that I had to file a restraining order against my neighbor. That process was grueling and I would not recommend it to anyone, but I won! The relief when that happened (just at the start of this month) was liberating. Again, a lot.

My grandmother died a couple years ago, and that was a lot for me too.

I haven’t sewn for myself in easily two years. I have in essence been living in a capsule wardrobe of  cotton t shirts and jeans (I made) for the last couple years. I so miss sewing, and now that Im feeling a bit better about things, I do plan on getting back to it because it is such a great creative outlet for me.

All in all Im feeling more stable. As I get back into my internet life and post more and just be more active, I want to aim for a post a week here. 

I’m also starting up new episodes of Vintageville. Once I finish posting the older episodes here, I’m going to start on new ones. I’ve missed working on that  comic.

I've been doing a LOT of historical costuming. Reworking old movie costumes, and recreating some from original garments. 

I have been working on my patterns, too. But it’s been slow, considering how paying rent is my main priority, and I will take any quick job I can get right now. But rest assured, patterns are in process.

I just wanted to touch base so people would know I’m still here and working so hard and trying to make it like everyone else. I’m doing okay now. I’m still moving that boulder uphill so keep up the support and thanks. 

I promise I’ll be more engaging as I go on. I want to be. I like it here. And there are many ways to support me. So thanks.

Happy sewing!!

When Joanns has a sale, you buy 24 yards of grey cotton flannel.

 Yeah, that happened.

Hello lovely people. 

Virginia says hi.

You know when you are sitting at your computer at 2 in the morning and you go on a site that you really don't need to buy anything, and they just happen to have a super good sale going on, so you look across your office and see that, "Gee, I could make new curtains for my pony wall."

Yes, I have a My Little Pony wall.

So... you buy $70 worth of cotton flannel and spend a day and a half making those curtains?

You too?

Ha!

My brain has sort of shut off for the last half of the year. Doing anything complicated with sewing, while I work full time at my normal job has been so much. But I love sewing, so straight lines are about all I can handle right now (I know).  I get to zone out and just concentrate on a crisp seam. That's all I can do right now in my life and I feel at peace with that :) I will get up the gumption to get into more complicated stuff, rest assured.

When I moved into my new place in January (home tour coming up I swear), I DIYed this pony wall for my collection. I love it, and I hung my white curtains from my old place because there really was no need for me to take the time and spend the money to make any new ones.

That is until a sewing site had a stupid good sale.

I should also say all the curtains in my place I made, and for some reason I used cotton flannel. So why not continue that theme?

The width of the fabric was 44". I remeasured the length of the panels that I'd need for the pony wall and decided to brave it and have them kiss the carpet. It was 94" exactly, so I shaved an inch off that length because we all know that exactness in sewing can create a terrible mistake.  I cut a total of 6 panels with two sets sewn together.

I technically needed about 18 yards of fabric for this project. Not 24, but they would only sell in bolts after a certain amount, so instead of the 20 that I planned, I had to get 24. Three bolts. Three bolts of 100% cotton flannel for $72. I am VERY okay with that!

This was mostly a cut and overlock type of project and did most of it while I watched the remake of Candyman for the first time. I LOVE horror movies, and I can talk about my thoughts on it if you you want :)

The curtain rod system that hangs from the ceiling is just hooks on a rail, but I have to create something for the hooks to rest in that will also have the panels keep their shame. I did a reinforced strip of the same flannel and just left a gap 7" apart. Worked great.

I will say, I didn't oversew as much as I normally do, that is, until it got to the pleated top that I decided to do at the last minute. I nearly got out my ruffler, but I didn't want a seam, so I tacked each pleat down to the cotton tape and now they look like unironed box pleats. I put loops at about 7" apart then simply thumb tacked the pleated panel into the ceiling. Didn't think the tacks would work, but it came out perfect.

As many of you all know, I can be lazy when it comes to ironing curtains, and as with these, I didn't iron anything except the center seams on two double width panels. Wrinkles galore. Ironing panels this large is a pain, and I would use my steamer, but I don't feel like removing all my ponies just in case. Instead I took some liquid fabric softener I never use (I'm a white vinegar household) and water and made a fabric releaser. I'm sure over the next week or so more wrinkles will soften more and the drape will look fine. 

Below you can see the forward panel is after the fabric releaser.

As I was finishing everything up, I decided to remove the two smaller panels and just stick with the 4 panels sewn at the center seam. It's not as full, but with the ruffle at the top, it works.

I like it! Protects my ponies and neutral enough not to distract me. Just want I wanted.

Okay, that's it for me and my random post. More to come!