Paris: Strikes, Tarts and One Amazing Lunch

So I am back from my trip to Paris (and also Portugal which is why so long between posts) and I wanted to share with you the highlights of the trip I had. I was a great trip, it certainly tested my skills of "okay, if this won't work, let's try this" way of thinking.

Paris? Oui, s'il vous plait!

So I have to opportunity to go to Paris for a few days...and I have decided that it was a good idea. I leave today. Honestly, is Paris ever a bad idea? I did hear that there are some terrorists threats and they evacuated the Eiffel tower a few times, and that the whole city may still be on a transportation strike, but it is Paris. Paris!

Yay for Moms!

And for the USPS. It may have taken a little time, but my zipper for my skirt arrived. With the interfacing as well. Not that they don't sell zippers here in Italy, but I had already picked out the right color and size, and my mom was sending a package anyway....it all just seemed to work out.

Thanks Mom!

So, now nothing should keep me away from finishing this project. Onward!

Buttonholes are the devil.

So, if I had to pick things that I hate about sewing, I would say making buttonholes are at the top of the list. I know I said I disliked them the other day, but now I am at a whole new level of loathing. The torture that I endured to make three (only 3!!) buttonholes on my garment was vicious. They are the devil.

Ruffles and Dots

I was busy yesterday. I spent most of the afternoon getting to the point in the photo above. If you are just joining in, I am working on Simplicity 2053, which is basically a shirtwaist dress with options for ruffles, sleeves and two bodice choices. It is a Project Runway design, and I have only worked with one other pattern from that line before. Besides trying to figure out which exact pieces of the pattern to cut out (there are many "designer's additions"), I do like the way their instructions are written and I think their designs are exciting and easy to execute. At least so far.

Another day, another merceria...

But, my friends, this was one was different. I could tell as soon as we walked in the door. Well, after the lady yelled at us after we walked in the door, I could tell. Actually she didn't yell, per say, but I wasn't expecting to have to take a number when we walked in, kind of like a deli counter.

Birthday, Then and Now

Yes, I spent another birthday in the fantastic city of Rome. Last time was ten years ago and I turned 23. Ah, such a silly girl then. This time around, I spent it in a much different way. Let's take a comparison look at my birthday from then and now:

Fabric Heaven!

I told you I would do a post just on the fabric store, Fratelli Bassetti Tessuti, where we went on our hunt for fleece. In one word: wow. If I could do it in more than one word, it would mostly be expletives. If you have ever had daydreams of walking through room after room of fabric stacked floor to ceiling, than you have seen this store. It was amazing. We were on the search for fleece, so I didn't have too much time to explore, but what I did find made my brain buzz with all sorts of ideas and projects that I am fearful for my wallet ;)

Next Up: Simplicity 2403

While I am awaiting the arrival of a zipper and interfacing for my skirt (my mother was sending me a package anyway, so I had her toss them in) I decided to get on to another project. So here it is. Simplicity's Project Runway 2403. Basically a shirtwaist dress with different sleeve and bodice options. Shirtwaist dress...hmmm, that sounds familiar, doesn't it? Does anyone remember my shirtwaist dress that I abandoned in the states?

Fleece? Like from a sheep?

As I posted before, I have been set upon the task of making a Snuggie for someone in exchange for their knowledge of the Italian language. The end goal for me is to get to the well-known fabric store, Fratelli Bassetti Tessuti to obtain fabric for myself (which will have its own post—trust me).

Snuggie? Snuglet? Oh, the Horror.

To be honest, I do not own one of these things. And I am trying not to judge. Really I am trying. If you own one, then I am sorry to make fun. Sort of ;) One of the faculty here at school has made an agreement with me. She, whose husband is Italian so her Italian is WAY better than mine, has agreed to accompany me to the fabric store to translate for me and help me through it my first time, *if* I make her a snuggie. Or snuglet. Or whatever you want to call it.