Winning Streak

I finished the New Look 6543 top and tried it on. I think I have cracked the code. It fits perfectly. Lengthening it and repositioning the bust darts before tracing the pattern made a world of difference. I can’t think of anything I would change about the fit:

I’m a bit disappointed in the fabric, which is why I used it for a muslin. I bought this rayon challis at Pacific Fabrics. It’s hard to tell from the photo, but when I washed it—in cold water with several Color Catchers, as is my habit with new fabric—the blue ran all over the white background and turned it a sickly gray color. I’ll still wear it, but the print is not as fresh and bright as it was off the bolt.

This is a dead simple pattern. It allows the fabric to shine, though, and will be perfect for some of the bright printed rayons I’ve acquired. I’m going to make the V-neck version next.

I’ve reached a point where I doubt I will buy ready-to-wear clothing again unless it’s an item I just can’t make or I find something I like in the Liz Claiborne tall department. Most RTW will always be too short and only offered in muddy earth tones.

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This is making me a bit nervous:

That’s the temperature right now, at 4:23 am. The forecast was for a low of 42F, so I didn’t think about protecting anything. I may have to wake up the husband and have him help me go throw some tarps and covers on the tomatoes and squash and hope for the best.

Gardening in Montana is not for the faint of heart. This has been a challenging spring and early summer.

We got some small hail and thunderstorms yesterday, which called a halt to work in the herb garden. The husband decided not to move the fence line after all. We have room for a few more raised beds now. (He wants to plant lettuce.) I’ve also planned for a seating area and a birdbath, so I’ll have to start shopping for those soon.

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Based on the number of e-mails I’ve gotten lately about their clearance sales, it appears that Joanns is attempting to clear out as much deadwood as possible. I’m still cautiously optimistic that they can save the sinking ship. What a case study in bad management that turned out to be.