Last night, the temperatures dipped down into the 50’s! Sleeping with open windows is just the best and I am so happy that horrid heat stretch is over…at least for the time being. Meanwhile, I am reveling in the respite and enjoying time outside!
I spent time on “Sleeve Island” this week – a very different kind of Sleeve Island but, can I just say that it was entirely enjoyable?!
I finished the sleeves on the second Uniform Tunic Dress – this version with a more “AC-friendly” 3/4 length sleeve. I used the instructions posted here but cut out full length sleeves and used a 6- and 3/4-inch hem. I love how they turned out. This fabric has a bit more body to it (it feels a little like a cotton twill) and I love it! Bonus points that this white dress is not see-through! I think that my modifications to the Uniform pattern have been perfected – both the 2-inch bust adjustment and the “fat” quarter inch reduction to the bodice shoulders. This “white” dress is going to get some heavy rotation in the coming days – and that is something I could never imagine my overweight self ever saying!
The other “sleeves” I finished are those of Early Bloomer…Okay, so they aren’t really sleeves but they are done as is the neck and I have more than enough yarn to finish the body of the sweater which I did and will begin the ribbing today. This will be done soon and then I will be back to knitting the shawl I abandoned for Early Bloomer.
Some weeks ago, I started this sweater and as I mentioned here the shoulder increases did not work at all with my gauge – so the project was abandoned. I have had this pile of yarn sitting near my desk wondering what on earth I was going to do with it… and then Romi’s new sweater appeared and I began swatching. The yarn just screamed – YES, that is exactly what I want to be! I will be doing version #2 and will start once that shawl is finished!
Now, how about some reading updates?
If you can’t tell… I am just LOVING all the different colored “X’s” – it might be the best part of Summer Book Bingo!
I finished Bingo Books: Hunger and Song of Solomon, as well as non-bingo We Were Eight Years in Power.
Oh my. I loved them all for different reasons.
Hunger was hard to listen to at times. It stuck close to home with several things, but despite those hard to hear parts, this book is excellent! 4-stars.
Song of Solomon was incredible. I listened to Toni Morrison read it. It was powerful, moving, and incredibly beautiful. 5-stars and I highly recommend.
Finally, We Were Eight Years in Power – this book made incredibly clear to me how unfair life is for Black American’s in the United States. I thought I had an idea – but truly, I am so clueless. It brought tears to my eyes, it made me so mad at the blatant unfairness, and it showed me how much more work needs to be done for this ongoing unfairness to end. So.much.more.work. 5-stars and this is a must-read book.
That is all I have for this week, but I want to know – where did you find success this week? In making? In reading?
As always, if you wrote a post to share today – please leave your link below and thank you!
What a stellar week you’ve had – both in making and reading! I absolutely LOVE this Uniform Tunic Dress! I am not a sewist, but if anything is going to make me sit down at the sewing machine, it’s this pattern and the wonderful ones you’ve made. Early Bloomer looks just great, too. Enjoy wearing that lovely white dress!
You’ve been really productive. I love both the dress and the sweater. And I think I’m going to make a list of the books you’re reading and try to find them. They all sound wonderful.
Both my making and my reading are very slow, but I am enjoying it, so I guess you could call that success too 😉
Your latest Uniform is Fabulous Kat. The fabric is beautiful and I love your 3/4 sleeves. Well done. And Early Bloomer! Can’t believe you are on the home stretch of this one. Wow! And your Bingo card is almost full. What a great week you’ve had (and thank God for cooler temps).
Oh I love your new dress – the fabric is just so pretty! Wear it in good health. 🙂
love your sewing and knitting, you have been VERY productive. that sweater is going to be fabulous when it’s all finished. I adore the yoke detail 🙂
Your new dress looks fantastic and incredibly wearable. I hope you get many good wearings out of it!
I can’t believe you are almost to your bingo cover-all — you inspire me with how much reading you get done! Someday, when I don’t have a day job sucking up all my time, I hope to be able to read as much as you.
I love that dress. And yes, 8 Years in Power is a tough but important read. I am SO*CLOSE to finishing a pair of socks, that’s my success for this week!
Hooray for all your successes in “sleeveland” and your book bingo! And yes! Indeed! WAHOO for cooler temps. So very much appreciated!
Enjoy as long as this reprieve lasts.
Cheers~
This break in humidity is glorious!!!
I love your sleeve journey. The tunic is really pretty and bonus points for not being see-through.
Sleeve island was good to you. I love the dress – the fabric, the sleeves with their cuff. The dress looks comfortable and wearable. I bet you wear it often. The sweater is equally as lovely. And hooray for a break in the heat.
I just love the new dress! It will be just perfect for the summer days ahead. And the sweater is so fun! You’re going to love it. XO (Song of Solomon is the first Toni Morrison book I ever read . . . long ago. I just loved it. I think it would be even better listening to her narration.)
Oh my, Kat – that dress is stunning! I LOVE the pattern and knowing that it fits you perfectly … I saw someone post on IG this week “sewing is my superpower” and I think she’s right (it’s not mine yet … by you??!!)
Your Early Bloomer is awesome, too … and Romi’s new design is going to be perfect for you this fall.
Yay for celebrating successes, too – my biggest one was leading a very productive and inspiring planning meeting for our women’s ministry’s upcoming year. I was especially pleased with the input and leadership coming from our new Vice Moderator – who I recruited last spring, so I guess that’s a success, too!
Your dress is beautiful and just perfect for summer weather! I hope you enjoy wearing it!
I love the fabric for your dress! And your sweater is moving along beautifully!
You’ve inspired me to LISTEN to the next Toni Morrison book I choose – I would love to hear her voice for long stretches of time. That’s just brilliant!
You’ve been reading some heavy books lately… yikes!
So many gorgeous projects Kat! Enjoy the heat…it’s so short lived!