Plato says, "Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."
I wonder if this wise man would include a mockingbird's song as music worthy of such praise. My front door is standing open as I work for I am not wanting to miss a moment of our much adored Mockingbird's performance from atop the power pole in the front yard. I feel sure Plato wouldn't have wanted to miss it either.
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I am currently working on a jacket from a pattern I have drafted myself which has taken me much time, and is, in fact, still a work in progress. I have used an old linen sheet for my trial-and-error experiments. I now wish I had used a nice crisp piece of muslin, but at this point I will not start over. I will have more on this later on but will just say that I think it is going to work. And, if it does, I will eco-dye it, India Flint style, and wear my wild jacket over the hill with Millie.
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Here I am inside my closet modeling my wild jacket as it is today. I am anxious to add the sleeves. I hope my seamstress mom is looking down on me and nodding her head in approval. I sewed on Mother's Day and thought of her.
However, sewing may be taking second seat for a while for haying season is here. It is quite dry here, so the weather is perfect for making hay. Here's the first bale of the season.
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Here we are already on Walk # 411. "Where go the days down that tunnel of time..." (Louis L'Amour)
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17 comments:
I am so incredibly impressed that you are creating a jacket....including the pattern. Wow. I did a bit of hand tailoring back when...WAY back when...but I have forgotten all that I ever knew...although I still have the winter coat I made as my first project. But never, ever, have I made my own pattern for clothing. It looks like it will be quite smart...and I like the softness of the old linen. It somehow seems perfect for its intended purpose. Anxious to see the dyeing. That last photo of Millie. Wow...no words. ~Robin~
Wow I am impressed you came up with the pattern too! I am not much of sewer I always make a mess of things.
Your walks are lovely and happy haying.
Cathy
You're a brave woman to make your own pattern. I'm not a clothing sewer (sewist?) so find it all quite mystifying even WITH a pattern. Re the 'old linen sheet' not being crisp, could you starch it really well?
I don't think haying has started here but haven't taken a drive out to the country to see. It's still cool here and they're calling for frost again tonight. Poor Resident Chef is getting tired of hauling all his plants in off the balcony every night.
Beautiful post Mary and I loved seeing you in the photo My Mom was a master seamstress she could make anything at all. I was never good at figuring out how to adjust patterns so I commend you for taking this on-will be wonderful for sure!
Happy long holiday weekend coming up.
Hugs from the lake
I'm quite impressed with your pattern designing. I used to make my own clothes and those of my son and husband but always used a pattern. Now I don't even like hemming pants, lol.
I had to research India Flint to know what you meant about your future dyeing of the jacket. I anticipate your reveal when it is finished! The baling of hay hasn't started here and many farmers still make the square bales which have to be put up into the barn. It takes so much labor away when the upgraded equipment is like yours.
I so wish we had Mockingbirds. Your jacket is awesome I could never sew something like that. Both my mom and grandmother were great seamstresses. What an honor to also sew on Mother's Day. Your mom was definitely looking down and smiling. I also remember haying days on my grandparents farm. My cousin lost half a wagonload when he forgot to slow down for a culvert. I almost went tumbling into the pond with the hay. Needless to say he was never allowed to drive the tractor again with a load of hay attached. Janice
I'm impressed with your sewing and pattern-making talents. I like the design. The perfect jacket for your walks. I'm sure your mother approves of your work.
Haying has not started here yet. Your bales are nice and green. It's been a mixed bag of weather here. Right now it's cold and raining. My corn was planted on May 13 and still hasn't emerged yet. I may have to replant it as it's been cold with a few warm days.
We normally don't get mockingbirds here in our northern area but one year, I saw one on the power line by our house, mimicking all kinds of birds. I was mesmerized. I watched and listened until it flew away and never saw it again. You are so lucky to have them in your area.
I have a couple of books on pattern design, from back when I sewed a lot, making costumes for the children, etc. One of them tells how to make patterns based on ready-made clothes one wants to copy. I used to have items in my wardrobe like that, that were so perfect in fit and style.... It's not the case so much anymore. But I still expect to sew for myself in the future.
So wonderful that you showed that picture of the first bale of hay. It makes me think I can smell it! Yum.
I am so impressed with you making that jacket. I have no talent at all when it comes to sewing!!!
Love to see the rolled hay.
Nice photos. Sweet peace. :)
We love our mockingbirds too. My son lives near D.C. and has heard these birds mimic cell phones!!! Our lovely catbirds here are in the same family, and have sweet drifting songs that go nowhere but sound like a familiar tune.
Your mock-up jacket is beautiful! I love linen clothing, but I can understand how it might be too 'floppy' for pattern making. I have altered and made simple patterns, but yours is the work of a highly skilled seamstress!
Your flowers are gorgeous.
what a lovely jacket, I like the crumpled linen look, it will be much enhanced by the eco dyeing as well, the prefect thing to wear on your walks, I Look forward to seeing it finished. I had to look up mockingbird, not having them here in the UK. What an amazing and varied song it has, no wonder you are so enthralled by it.
I miss hearing mockingbirds. When we lived at the opposite end of the county--a mere 25 miles away, they sang day and night. In more than a dozen years in our present location I've not seen or heard one.
For years I did a lot of garment sewing, altering patterns, sometimes combining elements of two for a custom look. My sewing for many years now has been mostly quilt-making, and I suspect I've forgotten some of the little time-saving tricks that once were useful.
I have a battered galvanized tub like yours planted to a clump of chives and whatever annual herbs I can fit in.
I have never heard or seen a mockingbird. Maybe someday. I am impressed with your seamstress skills. Mom tried to teach me, but I am too impatient. The jacket looks great. Hope you are enjoying good weather for your walks.
My sympathy goes to anyone without mockingbirds. They are my favorites! And those who don't like them must not appreciate hard work. They work so hard at their concerts, once they've done their listening.
Do you actually do your ironing outdoors? Or, at least near it? I am in raptures at that photo.
I have found the story of your jacket!
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