Happy Father's Day.

It's so hot here, 90s F, even so, lasagna sounds good to me! I did make good use of yesterday by making chicken stock, roasting and long slow simmering, which I canned today. Your jam sounds good. We just keep eating all our strawberries : )

... And, yes, Happy Father's Day to you. Both sets of parents gone, no kids, and I doubt the cats are planning anything special for us.

You never know with cats. And speaking of cats, His Grey Eminence sends regards to Snowball.

I like the extra light in my sewing area, and so that has been helped. There is no gardening to do here, but I expect that the extra light will help my brother water and take care of the plants in L.A. I'm going back there later this week.

Wintercat, I do love cat photos! His Grey Eminence looks quite regal! Tell him Snow sends her regards as well, and to continue holding court... 

Lars, my sewing room is still a nightmare from remodeling as I've got unpacked boxes still. I envy you!

It's so difficult to even take note of the longest day...each time I see the title of this thread it switches to "The Longest Year." And it's only 1/2 over!

Here's my current sewing project, as of today. I'm going to make the buttonholes tomorrow.

It took me a while to create this pattern to my liking, and I plan to use the pattern again.

Really nice Lars, but I expected as much from you : ) Being terry cloth, and from the design, I'm guessing that's a lounge by the pool top. I love that you put in pockets, and the terry cloth fabric design is gorgeous! I don't think I've ever sewn button holes into terry cloth. I don't sew a lot of button holes, so when I do, I practice on an extra piece of fabric : )

I did practice a lot of buttonholes until I got ones that were right. I ended up making them white on both sides because I could not manage to make them black on one side without black showing on the terry cloth side.

Thank you for the follow-up Lars. I had been wondering if I just had a poor sewing machine - it is ancient, and someday I'll pick up a nicer used one - but wondered because when I sew buttonholes I can't use 2 colors without one being seen on the other side : ) And though I don't have the good taste you do, I'd have used white thread for both the button holes and black buttons too.

I use a small dress form and make my own patterns (or used to), but I don't have anywhere near the sewing skills as you. Still, I do enjoy it, and even hand stitching, although my older fingers sometimes complain. Again, that's a beautiful fabric, and you've done it justice with your design and skill.

If you get a used one, I would recommend that it not be computerized, as it would probably be out of date and difficult to repair, if necessary. If you can find an old Bernina that is completely manual, that would be the best choice, I think. Mine is a Viking Husqvarna 230, which I've had probably 25 years by now, and you can find those for cheap now, although it was fairly expensive when I bought it. It's pretty good for making buttonholes but probably not as good as a Bernina.

And yes, the top is made for the pool. We have hooks by the pool where we hang our robes, and so I added the loop so that this would be easy to hang up - otherwise it would fall off the hook, especially in the wind.

I wish I had a dress form!

bragu— I’m glad you acknowledged the solstice. The world, the US and my few yards of homestead have been keeping me busy. But earthly and celestial dates are interesting.

Lars — you are amazing. Very nice pool jacket. Cool fabric and good decision to use white thread on the BHs.

2MDs — (and Lars & others), I am near addicted to sewing machines. I wish I could sew better, but getting there. I am enthralled by (mostly vintage) sewing machines. Not autistic, but I can relate ;) I love fixing up some of the classic gems. My “autistic” sympathies come from watching and listening to them stitch — some exceedingly fast. I’m in awe of the machinists who put together their ideas and execution of classics like the Singer 201, 15- series, Necchi BU, Supernova; the all metal Whites, Bernina, Kenmore.

2MD — what sewing machine/s are you using? As Lars said, some of the non-computerized (no circuit board) machines can be a good investment. Often easy peasy to maintain yourself. It depends, as you know, on what you want to use it for, what you want to sew. Some modern machines (sm = sewing machines = machines) offer many interesting stitches, but most sewists use only a fraction of the offerings. Most people sew with the following stitches: good straight stitch, zig zag including good sating stitch, good buttonhole feature or attachment. Stretch stitches for (mostly) synthetics like Lycra or knits; blind stitch for hems.

I have a few of the electronic circuit board sewing machines and they are cool 😎 . One even threads the needle and later cuts the thread for me — with a nice electronic sound. Does nice stitches as well as a good auto buttonhole. I am in the process of teaching it cooking and baking techniques. I never leave it plugged in.

2MD, I am decent at troubleshooting SM problems and helping people locate SM possibilities that work for them.

—Back to the celestial / seasonal calendar: roses blooming, including wild or species roses. Clematis in bloom (Margot Koster, Jackmanii, other). Blueberries 2-3 weeks away; milkweed in bud (exeecingly fragrant!). In bloom— rose campion, catmint (nepeta), sage, foxglove (digitalis), peony in bloom.

Wednesday already! Have a good week, stay happy, thinking and safe.

petalique, ha! teaching a sewing machine to cook and bake... well, some do quite a lot, don't they! Also smiled at your almost autistic comment. Before we got married, DH warned me he snored. The man snores louder than anyone I've heard! But oddly it lulls me to sleep. A running vacuum cleaner (when run by someone else, which I don't hear often) is almost dangerous to me as I can nod off to the sound of one in no time. Sewing machines do make a nice humming : )

l tend to use the basic stitches mostly, and the one I have likes to mess up those stitches in no time! I say unkind things when that happens... The one prior, also an old used machine, never did that, and the tension was nicely adjustable, whereas not so with this one. I have no idea how to 'fix' it, so I'll take you up on your offer, and perhaps we can get it better running. But that will need to wait. Covid happened towards the end of a partial remodel, and the 'sewing/spare bedroom/everything else room' is packed with furniture and boxes. Bed disassembled and so forth, so I can't even get to the machine to see what it is. I put it under a table, and it came in a case. My old one was a Singer, because I found one of the bobbin containers in our garage as we were cleaning it out earlier in the month. I'll give you a heads up when things calm down : )

I envy you your peonies. I think my blueberries will be ripe in 2-3 weeks, but I am not sure. They are laden, and I'm most anxious. Most my flowers bloomed way to early this year... April and May! I have no idea what got into them. Mild winter I'm assuming.

The man snores louder than anyone I've heard! But oddly it lulls me to sleep. A running vacuum cleaner (when run by someone else, which I don't hear often) is almost dangerous to me as I can nod off to the sound of one in no time.

—-

when I’m really tired, I can fall asleep next a a jet engine or while skipping rope. I once saw a true story episode about a guy who fell off a ship that kept going. He treaded water for days, even while nodding off, apparently.

will need to wait. Covid happened towards the end of a partial remodel, and the 'sewing/spare bedroom/everything else room' is packed with furniture and boxes. Bed disassembled and so forth, so I can't even get to the machine to see what it is. I put it under a table, and it came in a case. My old one was a Singer, because I found one of the bobbin containers in our garage as we were cleaning it out earlier in the month. I'll give you a heads up when things calm down : )

I think of doing the dishes and cleaning the fridge as a remodel.

the 'sewing/spare bedroom/everything else room'

We used to say, “the guest room,” the cat’s room,” the room where I can find anything.” Now I just say combo room x, y, z. Like junk drawer #3.