Into the slow period.

I am now in the "slow" period - all the paperwork is in for the mortgage, just waiting for my approval to get the loan. Meantime, I'm thinking about how I want to arrange the small quantity of furniture that I own, how I'll set up the sewing room (and Home For Wayward Women). Having a space for a mini dye lab (the laundry room). Reviewing my inspector's report and thinking about the work that will need to be done in the not too distant future. With any luck I'll get to move from thinking to doing within a month or so - closing is between Christmas and New Years, I'll start moving stuff into the house after I get home from my New Year's ski trip (planned before I new the sale was going to go).

More sewing

Just showing several more of the tops I've made during my (soon to be over) basement dwelling. Since it isn't my house, I don't have many responsibilities right now, leaving time for crafts and sewing. I'll soon be helping my youngest daughter learn to sew, so she can make Christmas gifts.

On to the photos...

First up is the actual Jalie Scarf top, as designed. Only change was to raise the neckline about 1/2 inch or so (it needs to be higher...). The fabric was purchased at Mood LA a couple years ago when I was in CA on a business trip.



This top is the body from above overlay'd with a Kwik Sew pattern - 3658 from a couple seasons ago. I prefer the closer fit in the body and sleeves of the Jalie pattern, so I'm now using it as my Tried and True (TNT) T-shirt body. Fabric purchased from Treadle Yard Goods, for the express purpose of making this "wearable muslin". It is a basic rayon/lycra blend.


This is the patterns as I lined them up to trace. Since the front of the top is also dopped to the back shoulder, I had to figure out just how to line up the patterns. Took some minutes of puttering to line them up for tracing. I think the result was pretty good, no?


I have a couple more tops I've finished from the two Kwik Sew patterns, which I'll share once I get some pictures taken.

One step closer to home ownership!

Had the inspection today, and am thus one step closer to home ownership. The inspector tells me that the house has good bones, there are no deal breakers. Some maintenance will be necessary, as is the case for any home and especially an older house. I'll have to watch for ice dams, have the boiler serviced, probably replace the hot water heater in 3-5 years. Will need to replace the gutters earlier, as well as have some wiring handled (will have to get an estimate from the electrician who lives across the street from my parents...), a couple other minor things. Yippee!

Also have the interest rate locked (at 4.375 - conventional). Now to get the paperwork done - I need to provide a couple things yet, then the loan paperwork can be submitted to underwriting. It is looking like I'll get to move into my very own house! With the attic sewing studio!

Moving along!

The current mortgage companies have both approved the short sale of the home I'm buying! The cute bungalow near the south end of Lake Phalen will be mine by the end of the year. Woo hoo!

Sewing

While waiting for my house to become available, I am working on some sewing. The three tops below are a sample of what I have been doing.


Basic t-top, altered body from the Jalie Scarf Top, neckline raised to be a bit more "work appropriate" sort of...


Same top as above.


Kwik Sew (a new pattern - don't have the number at hand) traced off with the Jalie scarf top body (I prefer the fit of the Jalie body, including the close fitting sleeves.

The fabrics are all rayon blends from Treadle Yard Goods. Nice, soft, smooth knits.

I have another 4 tops to share, as soon as I can get the photos loaded. I also have the materials for a couple more knit tops, a couple of jackets (one to be a "wearable muslin"), and a blouse/tunic. I would like to also make/buy a pair of the close fitting jeans - to wear under the blouse.tunic... Have to wait and see - not sure they are my style...

Good news!

My realtor tells me that the Negotiator and sellers have come to an agreement, and the offer is being passed to who ever has the final say. With any luck I will get the final offer within the week.
Yea!

Still waiting, still...

The second mortgage co is to have their decision by the end of November. About 2 more weeks to wait. I've looked at other houses, but none of them have felt like a home to me. There is one acceptable "plan B" house, but... On paper it is perfect, the house just doesn't call to me like the plan A house.

So. Living in the basement is getting better - clothes tossed into the laundry come back clean and folded, meals are prepared. Given that there is minimal work for me to do here and scouting has wound down from the early fall chaos, I have started sewing again. My sewing area is a desk that three machines are on (or two on, one sits on the floor until needed). With this arrangement, I have completed 4 tops and mostly completed a dress (a wadder, I'm afraid...). Getting started on a couple more tops today.

I've now got my first "tried and true" pattern, the Jalie Scarf Neck top, which is now the basis for all knit tops I'm making. I did a version of the new Kwik Sew ruched neck top, using the Jalie as the body, adding on the neckline of KS 3915. Turned out fairly well. Today I'm working on KS 3658, same thing - using the Jalie to alter the KS pattern. Have the pattern traced, ready to pin & cut out. I'll have to search thru my patterns to see if there are any other t-tops that would also morph easily, since most of the fabrics I have here are lighter weight knits suitable for such tops. Not that "need" tops, but they are easy to sew and nice looking. I'll have to work on photos.