Welcome to Michigan

We made it!  

Paul trucked it through the night through rain across I-80 from Cheyenne to Iowa City where the rest of us woke up at 7:00 am in a Walmart parking lot.  After stretching our legs up and down the toy section we celebrated Clara's birthday back in the van where she opened her new strawberry shortcake doll and Dora coloring book then sang to her over bananas and individual wallaby yogurts.

I had a small crash onto my behind while trying to exit the van backwards with my arms full of sandwiches.  Lunch was saved but after 5 days I'm still suffering from a very sore tailbone - it made the remaining hours in the car almost unbearable.  My only relief was being propped up sideways on pillows. 

The only other notable episode from our journey was the CD player once again jamming just miles into our trip. This was especially disappointing because we just purchased the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Cd's to help pass the miles.  The sharp knife I had along for slicing cheese became the rescuing tool and after several stabs into the malfunctioning unit the Cd's eventually ejected.  I even mastered this move while driving and it never failed to get a chuckle out of Paul.

Now we are comfortably staying with Paul's parents while we wait for the arrival of all our stuff. The above photo was taken at Cranbrook gardens not too far from their home. We arrived just in time for all the beautiful fall colors. As we explored the gardens one of the children asked "is this a hike"? where's the trail?" they were answered with "there aren't many hikes in Michigan, here you just wander".

It is also colder than I ever remember. 45 degrees and raining here feels colder than it ever did in Salt Lake City, even in in the winter. But still it feels like home and we have already drank through gallons of apple cider. We are excited to get settled but not so excited about facing and dealing with a truck load of stuff. William graciously pleaded in his prayer last night "please bless that we can have an easy time getting back to normal".  My feelings exactly.    

Orange wool coat

This one is Burda 9596, it needed a bit of work.  The proportions were a bit off with the waistline placement so I cut off 2" from the bodice and added the band.  The fabric was picked up when fashion affair was clearing out their inventory.

I suppose I could say a lot more and rant about pattern companies and sourcing good interfacing but I'm so tired and just glad I got it finished.  She also wanted a bonnet and I actually cut one out but it is now somewhere in a bag, in a box, under junk, on a truck and on it's way.   

There's no time to post other projects but check out what I've posted on The Joy of Japanese Sewing Blog.

 

Purple coat and bonnet

Here are a few more - she looks very purple.

refashioned purple wool coat

The ladies wool coat was picked up at a Value Village in Spokane, WA - it was only $4.50. The pattern was purchased on Etsy.com for $5. I was willing to give Simplicity another shot since this one was vintage. Unfortunately even going down a size this pattern was frustratingly over sized! Clara looked like a football player at our first fitting. I also poked her with a pin and had to bribe her with chocolate chips with each subsequent fitting.

It took me days but I got through it. It looks especially cute with the matching bonnet and fabric flowers. Clara is still afraid of getting poked by a pin though so I'm still bribing her to wear it. Once it is really cold though the promise of keeping warm should be enough.

refashioned blanket to maternity coat

I've been bidding on wool maternity coats on ebay but I guess I'm just not bidding high enough - too much garage saling has made me kind of cheap on re-sale items.

My mom pulled out an old blanket wrap she got in Austria and suggested I use it as a coat. The edges were already finished and frayed so the transformation was simple.  The sleeves are not set in but sewn kimono style and the closure is just a tie.  I also added some inseam pockets, back elastic and fabric flower to prevent it from looking too much like a witch costume or even a bathrobe.

 I will have very fond memories of my mom helping me pin it and shape it late at night.  We were laughing so hard it was hard not to get pricked from the pins.   

refashioned sweater to toddler coat

Here's what I did with another wool sweater from Karen's Dad.  The ribbing was added as a collar and pockets and the hood is detachable.  I hope it keeps this little guy warm!  (pattern info here)  

refashioned purple sweater

Here is another project finished just in time, it was quick and no pattern was required.  The sweater was purchased for $1 at a garage sale.  It was first shrunk in the washing machine on a hot cycle then leaving the neckline in tack I cut a high yoke and attached a slightly gathered front and back.  The sleeves were cut narrower and shorter and the bottom ribbing was cut off allowing extra scraps for the added pockets.  The bottom was serged then turned up and hemmed with a regular straight stitch, the felting process kept it from stretching out.

This is "super warm and cozy" says Clara.  She also likes it because it is purple and she can hide things in the pockets.