Miss Celie's Pants

I had a few hours to kill in Georgetown in Washington DC before I met up with my friend for my speed date. I strolled in to Benetton and lo and behold:

Ummm, yeah. That’s an almost exact replica of the BWOF cape that I can’t seem to seal the deal on. It has the same welt pockets, the same slit for the belt, the same top stitching. But, it’s not as comfortable because the cape is not full in the back. So, arm movement is limited.

Why can’t I finish mine? I’m seriously working on it this weekend. This is out of control. Not as insane as the price tag for the Benetton version

As for the speed date, it was fun with one surreal experience. One guy told me “You’re a very attractive woman…. No disrespect, but you could afford to do something with your hair. ” Did your jaw drop? Because I had to pick mine up off the table. I am not even kidding you. You can ask my friend whose name I am not allowed to use on the blog. She was sitting next to me.

At any rate, I did get to see Trena/NiceGirl, she met me after for a pizza dinner since I was in Washington, DC.

Now, it’s three hours past my bed time!

I liked her shoes.

Oh, wait. I liked the French curves on the wall for decor.

Now, I’m done.

Ok. One more thing. This is a woman who teaches you how to make your own Fabergé eggs and practically raise livestock in your studio apartment. Yet, all she tells you about ‘sewing’ is how to embroider?

I still love you Martha. But, let’s not do this again, eh?

I’ve been tagged by Nancy. Since I’m a baby in the blogosphere, I still think tagging is fun. So, here are 8 things most of you don’t know about me, or likely care about.

1. Wednesday I am going on a speed date. Chortle. My friend (whose name I am not allowed to use on the blog) and I thought it would be a gas. We tried to do it a month ago, but, um, more women then men signed up. Shocking.

2. Cidell is pronounced like Suh-Dell. And it’s my middle name. But, vasts swaths of my family still call me that and that’s what I go by online and I like being called that still. It’s a unique and pretty name. Thanks mom!

3. I’ve never really had to apply for a job. I hear about a job through a friend and send over a resume or people ask me to come work for them. I am blessed that way and I wouldn’t change it for a thing.

4. Despite my online carefree persona, I am horribly Type A.

5. I do not suffer fools lightly. Which is why I change boyfriends faster than I change jobs. Probably why this speed date thing on Wednesday will be good for me.

6. My bedroom has been so messy the last few days that I’m only sleeping on one side of my bed. I really need to put away that laundry.

7. My mom lives in Panama. Did I already say that here?

8. I am exactly the same in person as I am online. At least that’s what my friend Jess said. But honestly, I’m not as tall in person. Or as well dressed. Or as pithy.

I’m tagging (and you don’t have to play of course):

Reethi from Weekend Crafting
Chicago Sarah from Chicago is 1230 miles from Maine
Katrin from Sew Mad
Tini from Tini’s World of Fiber Arts
Christina from Assorted Notions

Now, I need to go sew.

I got home this evening and settled in with some leftovers and my Tivo’d Martha Stewart Show.

After reminding me in the first segment that the only thing growing in my garden are weeds and mint on steroids, she goes to commercial. The promo for Monday’s show comes up and IT’S ALL ABOUT SEWING.

Martha, girl. You musta lost my number.

“September is National Sewing Month, and today on “Martha,” you’re going to learn all about sewing! Fashion expert Tim Gunn is back to give Martha the inside scoop on his new show, “Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style,” and to reveal a trade secret for designing stunning clothes. And, artist Julie Dunbar joins Martha to show how simple embroidery can transform a plain T-shirt into a fashion statement. Then, go behind the scenes to see some of the sewing projects Martha is working on now, and get a lesson in choosing the right sewing machine for you.“

Now, I’ve emailed Martha more times than I can count to do a sewing show and put me on. I’ve tried to get to her with my love of vintage machines and notions. No reply. I asked her to help me spring clean my sewing room. Nyet. I tried to email her about how fabulous Blueprint magazine was and how I loved how each one had a little sewing project. Natch. I comment on the Bluelines blog whenever they have a sewing project. Denied. I create brilliant back stories about how I sew by the light of a single candle hoping she will call.

Clearly, she’s lost my number.

So, come Monday, let’s watch her sell her Singers and welcome Tim Gunn.

She’s going to be so embarrassed when she realizes I wasn’t invited. I just hope no one gets fired over this.

I really enjoyed reading about how you guys like to sew. Thanks for telling me. Funny how we develop our habits and need a certain environment, huh? Common thread is that if we can’t be sewing, we’re thinking of sewing.

In April 2007 I went on a mad fabric shopping spree with with my Aunt in NYC. I bought nine pieces of fabric and I am happy to report, I have sewn all but two of them!! They became this dress, this dress, this skirt, this dress, this dress, these pants, this dress, and this jacket. I spent twice what I wanted to spend. But, it’s averaging out to just $22 per garment! Who says sewing can’t be cheaper than buying RTW? I’m planning on going back to NYC for PR Weekend in November. But, to be allowed in the City limits so Carolyn can help me build a real stash, this weekend I will work on the next to last piece of fabric. Note to self: email Carolyn today to see if she’s free that weekend.

Won’t this be *great* to travel in??

This month’s Threads has a column on what the music you listen to while sewing says about you. I did notice that hip-hop was not an option. *cough* But, the story got me thinking about how I like to sew.

1. In privacy.
Only in the last year did I acquire a sewing room all for myself. I had roommates before and as soon as the last one left I took over the smallest bedroom. I have a roommate again now, but you would have to pry the key to this room out of my stone cold fist. Now, I sew before I wash my face, do my hair or get out of my pjs. I need the privacy. Mostly, I need to keep the door closed so no one can see the state that I sew in.

2. With sound.
I love to sew on the weekend because I can listen to Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me, News and Notes, On the Media and What Do You Know on NPR. Because my dislike for A Prairie Home Companion manifests in a physical reaction, I listen to Slate’s Daily Podcast when it interrupts my NPR line up. When all that is done, I pull out my iPod and just put it on shuffle.

3. In long bursts
I get far more done when I can just get in the zone. But, I have tell myself to take my time otherwise I act like I’ve taken some meth to keep me going. So, while I enjoy long periods of time to sew, I have to take breaks.

4. All the time
I try to do something every night when I come home (or in the morning when I can’t sleep). I trace and cut patterns when watching tv or movies. I’ll do all my interfacing in one night, or sew up the darts another night. This helps me get more done when I can get to the aforementioned long bursts.

So, it makes me wonder, how do you sew? What music do you listen to? Do you like to be on the phone, chatting with other people? Do you like it quiet? Do you watch movies or TV? What do you do to get in the zone? Do you want to sit down and finish a project all at once or you don’t mind if it take a couple of weeks?

Many thanks for the compliments on the BWOF dress. I really needed to make it. Today is the first cool day in Baltimore and I wish I had my cape. But, I’ve put it away until I thrust it upon someone wiser in the ways of inserting a BWOF collar comes along. I was starting to hate it and I have other things I can work on in the meantime. I shoulda done a muslin.

And thanks for noticing the hair, lol!

I did in fact straighten my hair over the weekend. Temporarily. I actually like it better natural, but I was tired of people at work asking how long it was and I wanted to see if I needed a hair cut (I do). Quite frankly, the smell of a hot comb and pressing oil made me feel like I was 10 and my mom was about to burn my ear.

So, it’ll be gone in a few days. Which is good. This getting up 30 minutes early to do my hair is nonsense.