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March 30, 2015

Today's Harvest

去年は植えてすぐに何者かに食べられてしまって育たなかったインゲン。
今年は食べられないようにケージをつけたら実がなったよ!
さやえんどうと一緒にゆでてマヨネーズで食べました。
Last year, our bush beans got all eaten by some creatures before they grew big enough. This year, however, we put a cage around it and we now got beans!
Ate with my snow peas.

Weekend Duffel Bag: Zipper

ファスナー着いたよ。

March 29, 2015

Weekend Duffel Bag: Strap

細々とやってます。

March 28, 2015

Weekend Duffel Bag: Pocket

ポケットひとつ完成。柄をあわせようなんてこれっぽっちも思ってないとこが素人。
One bellows pocket completed. Pattern matching was totally ignored.

March 25, 2015

Spanish Lavender

花壇のスパニッシュラベンダー(フレンチラベンダー?)が咲きました。
Is there a difference between Spanish Lavender and French Lavender?
Anyway, our Spanish Lavender in the flower bed has started to bloom. Very pretty, and 3 times the size of last year.

March 24, 2015

Weekend Duffel Bag: Cutting

かばん作成のため、布を切り始めました。
3種類の布と2種類の芯でパーツが多すぎて、切るのも一苦労。おそらく実際に縫い上げるよりも時間かかる。
Cutting the fabric for my weekend duffel bag.
(Many parts) x (3 kinds of fabric, Soft & Stable, and fusible interfacing) = A lot of bits and pieces to cut.
I have run out of fusible interfacing, and I realized I forgot to cut 2 pieces of Soft & Stable.

My major concern: I should have cut a bigger seam allowance. The pattern calls for 1/4" seam allowance. But with lofty/spongy Soft & Stable, 1/4" SA is very narrow to catch...

March 23, 2015

First Swimming of the Season

散歩から帰ってきたら暑くてプール開き。もちろん犬のみ。

March 22, 2015

Kimono to Wristlet

着物リサイクルプロジェクト、ちまちまと進行中。
計画中のかばんに取り掛かる前に、布の感じを確かめるために、かばんに使う予定の布と同じ布で、ポーチを作ってみました。
一応携帯電話と小さい財布が入るサイズ。内側のナイロンの布はすべってとても縫うのが難しかったです。
My kimono recycle project is going very slowly so far because I have been binge watching The Great British Sewing Bee. Oh, how I wish I could be an apprentice under Patrick. I want to learn tailoring at bespoke level.

Anyway. Before I start making the actual duffel bag, I wanted to see how the fabrics behave, so I made a wristlet using the kimono fabric, Ripstop lining, grey accent fabric, and Soft & Stable (batting) that I am planning to use for the duffel bag.

I messed up the zipper ends and the exterior bag did not turn quite cleanly (I do not like the dimpled corner. I want a squared corner) but I'm happy with the result.

I bought this Ripstop nylon fabric because it is water proof. I did not want the contents of my bag to be wet when the bag gets rained on, especially a duffel bag that may be exposed to weather more than a small purse. This was my very first attempt to sew a nylon fabric and, well, it was difficult. I never thought it was that slippery.

Also, this was my first time using Soft & Stable. It is a thin sponge covered with fabric. I quite like it. It gives the bag structure and the fabric that is stuck on the sponge sticks to the bag fabric very well without fusing.

I think I am ready to begin cutting the bag material now.

March 21, 2015

Morning Excursion

まだ涼しい朝のうちに、うちから30分ぐらいのところにある砂漠地帯にオフロードドライブに行ってきました。
オフロードと言っても、広大な荒地なだけで、放し飼いになっている牛が沢山いる以外は特にこれと言って坂や岩があるわけでもなく、ただただ巨大な空き地の中を走るだけです。
散策したのは1時間ぐらいだけだけど、犬ははじけていました。もうすぐ12歳、頑張れ。
Went for a little drive in the desert. The little one, who is almost 12 years old, was still going strong showing her wild side.

March 18, 2015

Completed: Jalie 2921 #2

かばんを作るのにミシンの針を換える前に、もうひとつカットソーを作ってみました。
ちなみに後ろはグレープフルーツの木です。もう花が咲いていい匂いです。
Jalie 2921 . Ignore my ill fitting pants.
 この型紙、前にも一回作っています。前のはノースリーブだったので、今回は七部袖。
スカーフ部分は胸元の内側から前身ごろの穴を通って前に出てくるんだけど、穴が大きすぎたみたいで、みれば見るほど肛門から大便が出てきてるようで、ちょっと微妙。茶色いだけに特に。
あとで穴のとこだけ縫い直そ。

I wanted to make one more knit garment before I change my sewing machine needle, and I made a Jalie 2921 Scarf Collar top again. My previous version was a sleeveless so this time I made a 3/4 sleeve.
Last time, I cut a size S (6), and I made a note to go down a size, and I did. This time I cut a size R (4). I think I should stick with S. It is tinsy bit tight at the chest. I also need to shorten it.
I also shorten the scarf collar again by 4". I originally planned to make a bow tie version but the fabric was a bit too heavy. I like this collar length for this version.

Fabric was poly crepe knit with 10% Lycra.

The big issue that I have with this particular version is that I think I left the center front slit (where the scarf collar goes through) too big. Because of the pulling at the bust, the slit gets expanded side ways, making it look like a butt hole with poo coming out. The color of the fabric does not help. I will have to stitch up that center front a bit.

Not much more to say. Simple construction and I like the shape very much. Very work appropriate, yet so comfortable to wear all day. The pattern uses very little fabric. I would like this top in a variety of color.

March 17, 2015

Wild Flower Galore

今年は冬の間の雨が多かったためか、砂漠に咲く野花が今まで見たこともないぐらいわんさか咲いています。

March 16, 2015

Disassembling a Kimono

かばん作成のため、お母さんにもらった着物をほぐしました。
 着物は、ほぼ全部、直線縫いで出来ているのですね。
そして肩に縫い目が無いのね。前身ごろの裾から後ろ身ごろの裾まで1枚の布で出来ているのね。
ほぐす作業は面倒くさかったけど、興味深かったです。
洗濯機で普通に洗って、アイロンかけました。手荒な扱いで失礼。

本当は、この布でワンピース作ろうかとも思ったんだけど、さわり心地がざらざらしてかゆくなりそうだったのでかばんに変更なのです。
ただ問題は、着物の布は幅が狭いということ・・・。

I have disassembled my mother's kimono in preparation of making a weekend duffel bag.

It was very interesting to rip all the seams of the kimono. I did not know that the kimonos are made of 8 panels of rectangular fabrics. They are totally rectangular so perfect for recycling the fabric.
Also, there is no shoulder seam. One long panel goes from the front hem to the back hem. Although I am assuming this is only when the fabric is not directional.

In a way, a kimono is a couture garment if you think about the amount of hand sewing involved. Except for a couple of long vertical seams, everything else was hand sewn. My mother definitely had good even hand stitching.

I originally planned to make a shift dress type structured dress (since the fabric does not have a good drape). But the fabric has very rough texture that my skin does not like so the duffel it is.

The only issue with using a kimono fabric is that it is only 15 inch wide...

March 15, 2015

Dog Walking Volunteer

動物シェルターの、犬の散歩ボランティアに行ってきました。
実はボランティアのオリエンテーションは何年も前に行ったんだけど、今までボランティア自体には参加せずに終わっていたので、今回実際に参加できてよかったです。

2時間ばかり、シェルターに保護されている犬をかわりばんこで散歩させてきました。
シェルターに隣接する公園をぐるっと回って、1匹30分ぐらいの散歩。

写真の犬は、アニマル・ホーダー?過剰多頭飼育者?(世話できないのに動物を何頭、何十頭も衛生的に良くない環境で育てる人)のところから救助された犬らしい。

今後もまたやりたいけど、これからの時期暑くなるのがネックだわ。

Went to a shelter for dog walking volunteer. I actually did the volunteer orientation years ago but had never actually participated so I am glad to have done it finally.
I walked for 2 hours, changing dogs, about 30 min walk per dog.
I would love to do it again and I am planning to, but the only things is that it is going to be HOT for the 6 months...

March 14, 2015

Kimono Refashion: Weekend Duffel

しばらくニットが続いたので、ここらで一発かばんを作ってみたいと思います。
材料はこれ。
I have been sewing knit a lot recently, so I have decided to make a duffel bag next.
A kimono refashion project.

March 10, 2015

Read: Harry Potter Book #1

サクサクっと本を読みたくなって、何年かぶりかで「ハリー・ポッター」を手に取りました。
サクサクと言っても、夜寝る前にちまちま読むので2週間ぐらいかかって読み終えました。
読むの3度目ぐらい?1度目は映画が出る前に読んだので、もう10年以上たってるのね。
大人の今読んでも結構楽しめるけど、子供のころに読んでいたらきっとものすごくはまったと思う。

1巻は短いからいいんだけど、やっぱり1巻読んだら全巻読まないと気がすまないし、2巻以降は分厚くなるばかりなんだよねぇ・・・。読むのが2度目でも3度目でも、読むのが遅いのに変わりなし。

I wanted to read something light and I picked up Harry Potter from my meager book shelf. I don't own many books so if it's not Harry Potter, then it would be The Game of Thrones, which would take me 4 months to read. Of course, it still took me a couple of weeks to read Harry Potter but it was stress-free reading.

I read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for the first time over more than a decade ago, right before I watched the first movie adaptation. I still remember vividly that the movie was exactly, exactly what I imagined while reading the book. Now that I have watched all the movies, it's really fun to read the book with visual aid of the characters and the setting from the movie in my head.

At my snail's pace of reading, by the time I get to the last book it will likely be half way through the year. Do I want to spend the next 6 months reading the books that I have already read before just because I finished the first book of the series, or should I take on another book?

Well, for now, I will have to move on to the Harry Potter book #2, since I got no other books to read and my library holding queue is completely filled with DVD reservations.

March 9, 2015

Wearing the Gathered Top

天気が良かったので、しばらく前に完成したカットソーを着てみました。
前身ごろと袖、後ろ身ごろと袖の後ろ側が一枚で出来ているデザインで、英語ではキモノスリーブと呼ばれています。(でも着物は袖と身ごろ分かれてるよね)
ちなみに髪切りました。
前身ごろの中心部分のギャザーは紐で縛ってあります。
Now that the weather is nice, I wore my finished gathered top.

Summary:
The pattern is Butterick 5495.
I made a View C, which is a short, kimono sleeve shirt.

The fabric is some poly ITY knit.

I cut a size 12. This is a very tight fitting bodice and I had to let out 3/8" at sides.
Since the short sleeve version had a center back seam, I added some shaping.
I also sewed about 2" at the center front for modesty. I will still wear a tank/cami under it because the fabric is pretty thin, but it hangs better.

The pattern called for a loop to keep the front gather, but I made a long spaghetti strap and just tie a ribbon. This actually helps to loosen the front bodice since it is still pretty tight fitting.
Also, I think the ribbon, instead of a loop, will make a great maternity shirt since you can adjust the front bodice ease.

When I finished it, I wasn't sure whether I like it or not, but I think it's ok. I will wear it. It's just the front looks so messy with all the gathering and extra fabric from the kimono sleeve.

March 8, 2015

Completed: Strathcona for MOTH

なんと、初めてオットの服を作りました。
服っていってもただのロンTだけど。無地だし。
For the first time, I have made a piece of clothing for the Man of the House.

Summary:
Pattern is Strathcona Henley from Thread Theory. I purchased this pattern for the Henley but I wanted to test the fit so made a T-shirt version.

I actually made a short sleeve T-shirt version first as a mock-up to conserve fabric. Had some issues with fitting, and the long sleeve version is my second attempt. I will reuse the ill-fitting short sleeve version to make a T-shirt for me sometime later.

I cut a size M. Shortened bodice by 1.5", narrowed shoulder by 1/4", raised neck 3/4", cut a horizontal wedge at upper chest by 1" and 1" from back bodice, and shortened sleeve cap accordingly. I thought I shortened the cuff band as well but it's not in my notes .

The fabric is a 4-way stretch cotton jersey with 5% Lycra. 

Because of my alteration, I had to make up a neck band different from the pattern piece so I did not have any notches to match. I made an error on neck band placement so the neck band end that's sewn together, that I thought I had placed about an 1" behind the shoulder seam, was actually about an inch in front of the shoulder seam. If you look closely, you can see the seam from the front.

I like the fitting of the bodice and Thread Theory's usual unusually long sleeves. However, I can't seem to make the arm hole right... It is hard to explain but the shape of the arm hole makes it very restrictive to move arms... But I don't know what to do with it at my current knowledge.

For now, it's a pass. When I find a suitable waffle knit, I will try the Henley version.

One complaint from MOTH is that it's hard to know which side is front and which is back. Do I need to add a tag so that he doesn't accidentally wear it backwards?

March 7, 2015

Binge Watching Anime Days

ご無沙汰しております。元気です。

しばらく仕事が猛烈に忙しく、基本的に残業禁止なので勤務時間中の仕事密度が非常に高く、家に帰ってきたら全くやる気無しな毎日でした。

そんなわけで、映画見る気もおきないぐらいやる気無しな時に、ちょうど良く、利用しているストリーミングサービスで大量に日本のアニメが加えられて、毎晩アニメばっかり見てました。

ストリーミングサービスのいいところは、シリーズ全話一挙同時公開なので、どか食いならぬ、「どか見」で、いやになるまで何話も見続けられること。
もちろん逆を言えばマジでいやになるまで見続けるという罠にはまってしまうんだけど。

見たアニメ:
1.サムライチャンプルー動画
パチスロもあるらしいね。
江戸時代のお話。
「面白いよ」とお勧めはしないけど、ヒップホップ調にかっこよく仕上がっていて、暇つぶしにはいいです。

2.シドニアの騎士
宇宙を舞台にロボット戦闘機に乗って繰り広げられるSFです。
っつかこれ、結構新しいのね。日本でも公開が2014年で、アニメシリーズを凝縮した劇場版がまさにただいま絶賛公開中とか。動画
そしてシーズン2が4月から始まるらしい。日本では。気になるな。
これは結構楽しめたよ。続きが気になる、ぐらい。
でもストーリーが非常に「エンダーのゲーム」に「マクロス」を足した感じで、新鮮味は無かったです。

3.マクロスプラス
そんな感じでついでにマクロスプラスも見てみた。これはストリーミングじゃなくて、オットが個人的に所有している、おそらく彼の最も好きなアニメです。動画

4.デスノート
昔、藤原君がやってた実写映画を見ようとしたけど、あまりにふざけた出来の映画だったので最初の10分であきらめたりしました。
アニメは全部見たわよ、全37話。長かった。動画
最初は結構続きが気になってみたけど、後半は無駄なストーリーで惰性、という感じでした。
ま、主人公が悪役なんで、後味良く終わらせるのが無理な話なんだけど。

まとめ。
私はやっぱりアニメを見るよりも漫画を読むほうが好きです。
あぁ、なんか新しい、面白い漫画よみたいなぁぁぁぁ。

I have been binge watching anime on Netflix.

1. Samurai Champloo.
Well, this is not something I would highly recommend to other people, but it easy watching to kill some time.

2. Knights of Sidonia.
Basically, it was Ender's Game plus Macros.
I liked it. I'm looking forward to watching the second season.

3. Macros Plus.
After watching Sidonia, the Man of the House had to watch Macros Plus. It is one of his most favorite animes. So we watched it, for umpteenth time.

4. Death Note.
I enjoyed the beginning because well, it was interesting to have a main character as the bad guy.
But they should have ended when the 1st stage ended.
Kind of like the TV series Dexter. I enjoyed the first couple of seasons but then it got boring because you'll never catch the murderer because if you do, you end the story.

Conclusion:
I like watching certain anime, but I prefer reading manga much better.
Oh, how I long for reading good manga...