I am pleased to report that it has been a great couple of weeks of getting things done. The small pile of projects to complete in the former pit of despair has become considerably smaller!
One project I did from start to finish was a ball gown for the RSCDS Toronto's 50th Tartan Ball. I found the pattern (picture below) years ago, and was just waiting for the perfect opportunity to make it. I don't yet have a picture of the finished project, they are all on other people's cameras. It turned out beautifully, and I got many, many compliments! Vintage Hollywood glam saves the day again.
Remember this project? Well at long last I got the binding stitched and it is out of the house! I am so happy with how it turned out.
Next on the list was a mountain of mending that had built up around me. I have all the hand sewing done, which included darning several pairs of socks, combining the stuffing from two old pillows into one to make one very comfy pillow (and save us some money by not having to buy a new one), replacing a few buttons and fixing a ripped peacoat. I was very proud of that particular mend, as it is almost invisible. The before and after are below. The poor coat was a victim of an over-excited dog and a misplaced leash. Now it is almost as good as new. The mend is a little more obvious to the naked eye than it is to the camera, but I am proud to say not by much!!
I would usually cry uncle after all that, but I decided to tackle another job that I had the fabric purchased for, and got left lying around. We were given a dining room table and chairs by my adopted Auntie's daughter when they redecorated. It is a lovely set, but the chairs have not been reupholstered since the chair set was originally bought by my Aunt in the early 70's. While everything was solid in construction, man made foam was not meant to stand up to 30+ years of use, so there is not much cush left for the tush!
Yesterday my mum took me to a little company in her neighbourhood that cuts foam to measure while you wait. I borrowed her electric staple gun, and we came back to my place and started ripping the old coverings apart! The end result is much friendlier on one's bottom. And it is rather more aesthetically pleasing! I have three done, and three to go....so hopefully they will be finished fairly quickly.
I also got some new foam cut for this wee chair that is part of a writing desk set that I inherited from my Grandparents when they passed. It is a cute little set, but again it has not been re-coverd in many, many years. Now I loved my grandmother, but I never really liked the fabric choice for this chair. I took the red cover off, thinking I would find old foam, but I was pleasantly surprised to find........
....this lovely green velvet. It is a bit dirty from use, but the material still feels like it is in good condition. I am going to attempt to clean it so I can re-use it with the new foam I had cut for it. I can't wait! I have alternate material just in case the cleaning doesn't turn out, but I have my fingers crossed never the less. I just love beautiful surprises like this! It makes the hard work worthwhile.
All of that in a two week period....no wonder I am exhausted! Although I did find some time sunday morning to curl up on the couch with my favourite gal, a good book, and a cup of tea.
Life is good!
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