In Search of Warm Clothing

I need a new computer. My iMac is eight years old and appears to be getting overwhelmed by all the AI-associated content out there. Simple tasks have slowed to a crawl and the number of random freezes and spinning beach balls of death have increased significantly in recent months. I clean it regularly so I know it’s not getting bogged down by garbage files.

[I got my first Mac in 1985 and the ten years that I was forced to use a PC for transcription were agonizing, so don’t bother telling me I am on the wrong platform. I am, and always will be, a Mac girl.]

Fortunately, we have a great Mac guy in town. He installed and maintained all the computers at the elementary school my girls attended so I have known him for years. I contacted him and told him what I need and he is going to put it all together for me. I am going with something more powerful than an iMac this time.

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I caught up on paperwork yesterday morning, ran to town to do some errands, and was home by lunchtime. I am still desperately in need of some cold-weather tops. I would rather be sewing with wovens, but they don’t keep me as warm as knits, so it’s back to knits.

I mentioned the McCall’s 7349 raglan/princess seam dress pattern in a previous blog post but noted that it didn’t come with a copyshop file and I was not about to tape together 56 pages. Then I remembered that I have the Sinclair Patterns Libby:

I got it out yesterday and traced it. I love Sinclair Patterns because they come in petite, regular, and tall versions. I don’t have to lengthen the tall versions. (Janet B, did you finish your Juno?)

After I finished tracing all the pattern pieces, I went stash diving. I’ve got quite a few very nice pieces of French terry and athletic knits, but I don’t want to use them until I am sure I like the fit and style of the Libby. I found a mint green French terry that came from the Walmart remnant rack and it will work fine for a wearable muslin. Making the muslin is today’s project.

My Janome 3000cpx coverstitch machine has top coverstitch capabilities and I have never used them. If I like this pattern enough to make more, I want to try a top coverstitch over the seams. That makes a decorative line of stitching that is very similar to what you find on the seams of athletic wear. I’ve also got some smaller pieces of coordinating French terry that would work for a colorblocked version.