So Many Patterns

I mowed the grass around the garden yesterday and was rewarded with four bags of grass clippings to use as mulch for the potatoes. The grass was almost a foot high in places. If only the vegetables would grow as quickly as the weeds do. I need to get out this morning and run the string trimmer. I’m a bit sore from this uptick in physical activity, but it’s a good kind of sore.

The piglets watched me cut the grass in the garden yesterday before heading out to nap under the trees. I always forget how sociable pigs are. On the way back to the house, I had to skirt two male turkeys having an argument in the back yard. Turkeys aren’t typically aggressive, but I’m not taking any chances. The bunny was munching on dandelion stems.

After lunch, I worked on the last Christmas stocking store sample. This is destined for the store in Missoula. I’m teaching a serger mastery class there next week and want to take the two samples with me. This is another coverstitch version:

I switched from the Glamore 12wt metallic to Accent 12wt rayon in the coverstitch section in the middle and it worked much better. The effect isn’t quite as dramatic, but I’ll take it if it means not fighting with the machine.

I haven’t had a chance to adjust the servo motor on the Juki 1541 yet.

A whole slew of new indie patterns have come out recently. I’ve resisted all of them except the Algarve Top from Itch to Stitch:

I bought it because a) it was on sale; b) it is intended for knit fabrics; and c) I like this style. From what I’ve seen in the brand ambassador videos, it is also a quick make. I know I’ll have to lengthen it, but that’s not unusual. I am hoping for some sewing time next week as it is supposed to be cool and rainy again.

My friend Cassie posted on Facebook last week that she was having trouble finding nice clothes for her (tween-age) daughter, and asked for recommendations. Her kids are in 4-H and know how to sew. I offered to help her daughter sew up a couple of T-shirts, so this young lady is coming over tomorrow for a few hours. I completely understand what it’s like not to be able to find suitable clothing in stores.