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Thursday, July 28, 2011

I Don't Sew....Sewing Is Women's Work!

I guess it is up to us women to finish the pavilion. The above was Zar's announcement at the beginning of the tent top and curtains....In other words, anything fabric related.

It's not really a wise idea to antagonize women with needles and pins. Doesn't he know that?

I couldn't find the larger pin board, so I am having to make two curtain panels at a time. It's OK though. Each wraps around a corner. There are only four to make that way. I measured the side 7 1/2" wide by 8" tall and added a half inch to each way for hems. I only hemmed three sides with glue, turning under a quarter inch. I used Aleene's Tacky for this. Then starting at the bottom I did the usual pinning in of pleats. I won't go into the whole process, since it is covered in several tutorials elsewhere on the blog.

While the first pair were drying, I covered the four triangles of the roof with matching cotton fabric. Then I put them together with strips of fabric on the inside of the pyramid shape. That leaves it flexible for getting it square in the next step.

I cut a square, 1/4" larger all around, from the illustration board that I am using. I covered the bottom side of that so that the ceiling in the pavilion would be covered. I left 1/2" extra to wrap around to the top on all four sides. This will be mostly covered by the pyramid.

I put fancy braid on all of the seams with glue.

By that time, the curtains had dried enough for Tessie to bring one in and try it out. I will be adding a tie back to match the trim above. Over the top of the curtains, there will be a valence. I will probably have that finished for tomorrow's blog.

You may be wondering about the wood around the bottom. I am going to use that as the bottom of a railing to keep Tessie from having another spill over the side.

I am debating keeping the stained glass in the tower roof. Once I get this pavilion on top, that will be part of the view. I am not sure that Zar will want to look at that 24/7. It might be better with a plain shingle or slate roof....Still thinking about it. That was one reason that I didn't glue it on.

Now. You may be asking what manly men do whilst the women sew....No wait....We didn't do any sewing at all! Zar does gluing all the time. I think that we were had. He just wanted the morning off....

I found Zar and Spike(also manly) on the roof where the pavilion will be, trying it out...

Tessie left for parts unknown...It's a good thing that she did! It seems that Zar, with his spare key(for emergencies only), took it upon himself to raid Tessie's Tea Shop.

There he was on the roof, hot chocolate in one hand and a book in the other. He had three chocolate cupcakes, a plate of chocolate chip cookies and a fresh out of the oven pan of cinnamon rolls. He is in so much trouble when Tessie gets back!

I asked him why in the world he would do this? His reply? "I was depressed because these pants do make me look fat. I needed something to cheer me up. Chocolate does that, you know."

And that doesn't sound an unhappy girly thing to do???

I think that sounds more like Tessie than Zar. I am going to have to make some adjustments on his latest attire quickly. If I don't, I may have to make even larger clothes for him...And I had better make more cookies, cupcakes and cinnamon rolls before Tessie finds out they are missing....Woman's work is never done!

See you tomorrow.

5 comments:

dalesdreams said...

The tent is so cool! I've been toying with the idea of making one, ever since I saw a red and white striped tent for dogs in a magazine.

This is going to be so great when it is finished.

Is there any more chocolate? ;)

Minka said...

You are just charging forward, aren't you! Bravo! Love that blue fabric. Where did you get it?

Phyllisa said...

Hi Casey. I just knew Zar was raiding
Tessie's Tea Shop for cupcakes!
Phyllisa

Kathi said...

Love this fabric. It looks great!
I'm watching your work closely so I can make an awning for my garage deck. IF I ever find time to get back to working on that...

Caseymini said...

Minka, the fabric is some that I purchased at Walmart for two dollars a yard several years ago. Our Walmart used to have great mill ends of expensive quilting fabric. This was one. Unfortunately there is no information on the salvage edge. Sorry.

Kathi, an awning is much easier that this. Just two side triangles, a front piece and a couple of pieces for the frame. Maybe I should put that in the blog...