Monday, August 18, 2008

Garden Beds and Garments

I've shown you several pictures of my tomatoes in containers and I've talked about wanting a raised bed garden. This past weekend DH was such a wonderful guy. He designed and made these for me!
We still have to dig the sod out of them and then fill them with soil for gardening. Our area has awful soil. It is mostly clay and is also filled with rocks. I set a few of my pots with flowers into the beds just to see how it would look. Next spring I plan to plant my tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers in these beds and my barrel will be for flowers.

The construction process on these beds was quite interesting. You see, DH is a mechanical engineer and nothing is ever done without a scale drawing. He even figured out how to cut the concrete blocks to the perfect angle so everything would fit together nicely. He cut them using a chisel and brick hammer. I never knew you could do that!

I have been doing some sewing lately, but not quilty sewing. I've been doing garment sewing for DD. She wanted some button front blouses that are a little fitted. We found a nice pattern and here's my first attempt. It was going to be just for fitting, but it turned out pretty nice. She plans to wear this with dark gray slacks.
Those little tucks make it look a bit dressy and they were not difficult at all. I haven't done buttonholes in such a long time, but those weren't too bad to do either. I guess you never really forget your sewing skills....you just have to polish them up now and again. I'll be making at least 2 more blouses for her using this pattern. I also made 2 A-line skirts. Here they are draped over my ironing board along with the blouse.

Sorry about the blurry photo. I have 2 more skirts to hem for her. I've actually enjoyed sewing clothes for a change. I need to get back to my quilting projects, but that may be a few weeks away as I will finish the garments first. This next week there will be no sewing. DS is coming home from MD for a visit. I'm so excited! This will be his first trip home since starting his job a year ago.

4 comments:

Amelia said...

Wonderful to have son home for a change...now Mother are you going to spoil him just a little bit by cooking his favorite foods?

Sewn garments look great.

Enjoy your week.

Amelia

jovaliquilts said...

I'm very impressed with that blouse! I haven't made clothes for myself (just my kids when they were little), but now that I'm quilting I feel less intimidated by it and have been thinking of trying something. We'll see...

Enjoy having your son home!

Norma said...

You did a wonderful job on that blouse. Could I send you my measurements? LOL She will get a lot of use out of all the things you are making.

So next summer there might be tomatoes that make it into the house, not just gobbled up out on the patio? He did a great job, they are a very attractive addition to your yard.

Samantha said...

Looks like a lot of hard work went into those beds, they look great.
I have been meaning to do some garment sewing, I have a lot of patterns, but I have so many quilt projects underway I feel guilty starting anything new! The blouse came out beautifully, your daughter is so lucky!