Merry Christmas Sewing

This year I did not do the usually Christmas sewing. It has been a very bittersweet experience. I certainly have not missed the anxiety over getting Christmas projects done, or the frustration when an idea or design does not work out as well as I had hoped. But, I am missing the joy of a completed project, and the excitement of giving a self made gift, a gift made just for that particular person, which really does make giving better than receiving. Yes, I know the answer to this, start Christmas sewing earlier. Christmas in July is not just an advertising gimick. Maybe with the lack of Christmas sewing this year, I will start sewing for Christmas 2008 earlier. Sounds like a great new year resolution to me.

To Yoke or Not to Yoke

This is the question I have for you. Pictured is my first attempt at a bowling shirt for my husband. I made up the pattern from his t-shirt pattern, so the shirt has no yoke. I know what the purpose of the yoke is (to give a better fit in the shoulders and more room around the middle), but if the shirt fits without a yoke, is it still better to have one or not? My previous thought was that a yoke made for a dressier shirt and no yoke was a more casual look.
I would not question this except it seems that all of the professional shirts we have bought him over the years have a yoke regardless of how casual or dressy the shirt may be. I guess I will let the wearer decided. After wearing his new shirt, my husband can tell me if he likes the yoke in his boughten shirt or the lack of a yoke in the shirt I made.

Dad's Doings

As I have mentioned before, my mom is an excellent seamstress, but the talent in the family does not stop with her. Beside his wood work, Dad is pretty creative with a latch hook. When my parents were here, I showed them the bathroom that I am decorating in Snoopy's. So, Dad made me this toilet seat cover to help me decorate. It is so cool. I would have him make rugs to match, but he has made me rugs before and I hate to put them to the floor. I don't want them stepped on. But, we have already talked about different Snoopy patterns and different Peanut characters he can put on more toilet seat covers.