Thanks to Janie's Sewing Corner...

I finished the first project I've made for myself in over a decade.  And I have Janie's Sewing Corner to thank for that.  Visit her website at www.janie'ssewingcorner.com.  Janie's is this wonderful independent fabric store in Cleveland.  She has some of the most beautiful fashion fabrics you could possibly want -- wools, silks, and satins.  Beautiful, rich fabrics the likes of which you will not find at Joann's.  (Not that there's anything wrong with Joann's.  All fabric stores are good!)  Janie has one room devoted to fabrics and notions and another room for lessons, seminars, speakers.  She has hosted Peggy Sagers of Silhouette Patterns, Kenneth King, Jan Bones, and Lois Cutting, to name a few.  She gives lessons and takes the time to talk and help.  If you are within the sound of an irate Indians' fan who does not understand what happened to the team over the last month or a fearful football fanatic who fears the new Browns owner will move the team to another city, then you should check out Janie's.  I doubt you will be disappointed.

I went to Janie's to buy some interfacing.  The vest I was going to make required the front two panels be interfaced.  I always had trouble buying interfacing.  My garments seemed to be able to stand on their own, literally.  I knew I was not marrying the fabric and interfacing properly.  I had been watching Peggy Sagers' webcasts and wanted to try something different in interfacing as she had discussed interfacings in one of her webcasts and I new Janie would have it.  Of course, even though my goal is to eliminate the fabrics in my stash, I had to look at what she had to offer.  I mean, come on, it's a fabric store, right?

I had been struggling with finding just the right fabric to use to make the vest.  Nothing was popping for me.  I was afraid I was going to settle on something from the stash just to get this first project out of the way.  Until ... TA DA...  there it was.  A beautiful teal, tone-on-tone glen plaid.  Holy cow, it was beautiful.  And immediately I thought of the fabric I had in my stash for the lining.  Suddenly it all came together.  Do I dare buy more fabric?  I needed a sign that I was supposed to get this fabric. Come on, Lord.  Just a little hint.  

Janie to Rita:  "You know, fabric is 40% off."

Do I hear angels singing?

Rita to Janie:  "I don't know how much I need.  I'll take 3 yards."

I was excited driving home.  It had been so long since I made something for myself.  I had a floral polyester which I had bought from Vogue Fabrics many, many years ago when they were in Cleveland at a sewing expo.  It will be perfect for the lining.  The pattern is a Butterick from about ten years ago.

The finished product.  (Sun from behind streaming through the window makes for a lousy picture. Colors appear washed out.)  My friend at work loved it.  She told me I should consider wearing it inside out because the lining was so beautiful.  I like it just the way it is.

I love wearing this best with a white shirt and black pants.  I'm thinking a white turtle neck for the winter will be great, also.  Next project is also an old Butterick pattern.  I like the tucks in this top.  I have a white and blue pinstripe in mind.  Hey, two fabrics from the stash gone.  And Sew the Fabric Goes.

Another picture which better reflects the vest's true colors.  

       Thank you for reading.  I appreciate it.

Rita