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Sewing into 2017

Happy 2017, friends.

Doc and I, November 2014

I can’t move on with my blog without mentioning the loss of my best buddy, Doc.  He passed away on December 30 at the age of 14.  Doc has been in many of my photos on this blog since it’s inception and he’s been at my feet as I’ve sewn everything that I’ve ever posted in the space.

I got Doc as a puppy from a sheep/cattle ranch in the extreme northeast part of CA.  I had the pick of the litter and he was the smartest of the lot.  I did a little test with the pups as they followed me around and I walked over a little stream.  Most of the pups stood there looking at me whimpering and didn’t know how to get across.  Doc went down the stream by himself and crossed at the bridge and then ran up to me.  He was my best friend ever since.

Doc camping, Pescadero 2009

I love all of my dogs, but Doc was very special.  He was with me during my darkest hours and stood beside me during my happiest moments.  He traveled around the country with me and was my constant companion.  He joined me for archaeological surveys in South Dakota, caused me to slip and fall on ice and sprain my ankle in Wisconsin, and joined my family and friends as part of my wedding party right here in California.  He was a top herding dog and many ranchers tried to buy him from me, but he was more than a cowdog to me.  He loved to ride in cars and we often had to watch him as he would jump in anyone’s car if he thought it meant he could go for a ride.  He loved roadtrips and he logged thousands and thousands of miles as my co-pilot. He met so many people and so many dogs throughout his life and he loved dropping frisbees at your feet and forcing you to throw them for him.  He was a Canine Good Citizen and a TDI (Therapy Dogs International) dog.  He loved going to Oakland A’s Bark at the Park games, but sadly had to miss last year’s as his arthritis meant it was too difficult for him to walk up and down stairs.  He was diagnosed with dementia this past summer and it was a long trying time with him these past few months because of that.  At times, I would see glimpses of my Doc, but most of the time he spent sleeping as his body shrunk and his mind drifted further away.

Doc the ringbearer, my wedding, May 2011 (Photo by Lone Pine Photography)

Most of all, he was my best friend and my heart is broken because he is gone.

We buried Doc next to our pond, which he loved to swim in.  He’s surrounded by narcissus bulbs that my grandma planted out there long ago and right next to a cow trail, so he can watch them walk by.  He joins our other Border Collies — Tansy and Dusty — who passed away in 2016 at the ages of 16 and 17.

Doc at Fort Funston, San Francisco, June 2013

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I didn’t mean to bring you down and make this post so sad, but I needed to share and let my words out.  The rest of this post will be more uplifting, I promise.

The Classic Horror Film Quilt

I made my husband a quilt for Christmas this year.  It was a total surprise to him and I managed to keep it a secret.  I sewed this while he was at work, but when he was off for Christmas break (he’s a middle school teacher), I still didn’t have it done, so I worked on it late at night.  I had everything done except for the binding by Christmas Day, and I gave it to him, telling him it would be finished soon.

Classic Horror Film Quilt

My husband loves classic horror movies, with his favorite “monster” being Frankenstein.  I had meant to make him a Frankenstein shirt back when I made my Dracula Dress, but I didn’t…. And then when I decided that I would finally sew one — of course the fabric is no longer to be found! 🙁  Both the Dracula and Frankenstein fabrics come from the Robert Kaufman Classic Horror Films Collection that is now OOP (a link to a pic of the fabrics).  I could, however, find pricey listings for the panel print from that collection, but what would I do with that?  Well, I decided to make him a warm comfy quilt that he actually might use.  Along with the RK horror film panel that I found on eBay, I also used the current Kaufman horror fabric from the Pleasures and Pastimes Collection and the Alexander Henry “Favorite Haunts” from the Haunted House Collection.  I had some of the Dracula fabric left, too, so I used that as well.

Laying out the quilt

The novice quilter that I am (this is my third finished quilt, with one long-ago UFO unfinished quilt top in a bin somewhere, and one that I started cutting out this past summer), I thought the panel prints would be easy…. NOPE! At least not this one.  The panels are all different sizes and odd sizes, too!  The top two are one size, the bottom three are another size, and the two in the middle are different sizes…. I usually sketch out a quilt plan before I cut out squares (I pretty much just do easy squares), but I couldn’t see how to do it with these odd shaped panels.  I decided to cut squares to fit each panel and frame them.  Then I sewed them together, sewing little pieces to fit the gaps.

Minky backing

My MIL has made some kids/baby quilts with large panels and soft backings and suggested using this minky fabric for the back.  I wanted this quilt to be soft and warm as my husband likes to relax on the couch with a blanket at night.  The minky is soft, but it’s a pain in the ass when you’re laying out and smoothing the fabrics down.  I didn’t use batting, but instead used a blanket throw for the middle of the quilt sandwich.  I quilted it and then added the binding that I made.  This is the first quilt that I’ve actually quilted (the others were either not quilted or quilted by someone else) and that process took longer than the rest of it! I only outlined the blocks and panels — I didn’t get all quilty…. it was giving me a nightmare sewing black on black on black and stitching in the ditch…..

On the couch

Both of us are really happy how it turned out!  It will fit right in with my mid-century living room redo.  It’s sitting on the couch that I made a fitted slipcover for before Christmas.  I still have the loveseat to do, which I’ll get to after I finish some other sewing projects.  I plan on sharing all of it when I’m finished.  I just decided to make a quilt for the loveseat and just ordered another fabric in the OOP RK Horror collection — this Alfred Hitchcock panel.  All of those panels look to be the same size, so I don’t think I will run into the same issues as with this one.  I don’t plan on using minky or so much black, either!  Now to find some fabrics to go with it and invest in some quilting safety pins and wonder clips!

Sewing Goals and Plans for 2017

So, I thought about it and I decided to skip Gillian’s Top 5 and also the 2017 Make Nine.  I’m already making my way down my fall/winter sewing list and I need to finish that up before spring hits.  And I will!

I also have set forth some historical costuming plans for the new year as I begin becoming involved with the Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild and attend Costume College (!!!!) this summer.

  • 1920’s velvet dress/coat
  • 1920’s Egyptian Revival beaded gown
  • Late 19th century afternoon dress
  • 1930’s afternoon dress
  • 1890-1910 Halloween dress
  • Dickens Christmas dress

In addition to these sewing goals, I’m also planning to host a sewing challenge! I dreamed up this challenge a few years ago and I’ve been wanting to host it for a while.  I’ve decided that this year is the year and I’ll be sharing the theme with you next month. 🙂

I also want to take this time to thank you for being with me on this journey and reading this blog.  I appreciate you and the words that you’ve written for the past five years.

Comments

  1. I’m sorry about Doc. What a great dog and a faithful friend. Our animals carve out a special place in our hearts that leaves a void when they’re gone. I hope 2017 is a calmer year for you.

    The quilt is really fun. Those old movies have such a great style about them. I’m sure your husband will reap the benefits of your hard work!

    Whatever the sewing challenge is, I’m there! Costume college sounds like a dream! I’m sure you’ll walk away with even more knowledge and skills than you already have. Plus you’ll fit in well in the 60s era!

    • Thank you, Elizabeth. It’s so sad that they don’t get share our lives longer than they do.

      I’m putting my challenge together and will let you know what it is. 🙂

  2. Oh, that’s sad about Doc! Sounds like you loved each other well. 2016 sucked.

    Don’t know if your husband has seen “Penny Dreadful”. It’s on Netflix and combines a bunch of different horror stories into one. It has vampires, Frankenstein’s monster, witches, and even Dorian Grey!

    • Thank you, Lety. Nope, 2016 wasn’t a good year. Let’s hope 2017 is better…. I don’t know though….

      He hasn’t watched Penny Dreadful yet, although we have it on DVD and I know he’d like it if he had time to sit and watch it!

  3. What an amazing adventurous life Doc had with you! I was so very sorry to hear of your loss and our little fur family is sending lots of love and good thoughts your way. x

  4. Thank you for sharing your eloquent tribute to your partner in crime. Doc clearly was a well loved, significant member of your family. Having him 14 years is not enough. Doc clearly was a testament to his breed and species.

    • Thanks, Mariah. 🙂 I guess I hoped he’d be around as long as the other two BC’s, but I think the arthritis was the end for him as he got and went downhill very fast. It’s hard for the herding breeds to handle not being able to run and play like they used to.

  5. I was so sorry to hear about your Doc, and your words here are just so lovely they made me tear up again. I’m so glad you had such an excellent companion – as he did in you – and so sorry that you have lost him now. <3

  9. Such a sad but lovely story, a true doggy friendship that will last forever. Amazing quilt too!!

  11. So sorry about your Doc. I know how you must feel. It just tore me up to lose my Irish Setter buddy Clancy. On a happier note. I absolutely love your horror movie quilt. What a great idea. You did a wonderful job. Susan

  12. My kid learned to read because Therapy Dogs started coming into his classroom and they would read to the dogs. Thanks for sharing him with people in that way and with us today.

  15. I’m so sorry to hear about your dog. It’s just extremely hard when we lose them. It sounds like he had an exciting life full of love. Your husband’s quilt is great! I love that you used the panels and made it so personal. Everything I’ve read about using minky as a backing has made me afraid to try! I did use flannel on a few quilt backs and they are very cozy as well. I love the way minky feels so I might need to be brave and try someday. I’m excited to see where the costume making takes you. Happy New Year!

    • Thanks, Natasha. 🙂 The minky is slippery, but the quilt is much warmer than our Biederlack blankets, plus it’s snuggly. I need my own minky quilt now, but not sure that I want to wrestle with it again….

  16. It’s always sad when pets we love leave us even when we know due to age and health it’s probably better for them to pass. Much love to you. Thanks for sharing some of your Doc memories!
    The quilt looks lovely! And it fits in perfectly on your couch!
    Best for luck with your 2017 sewing plans and your challenge!

  17. I’m so sorry to hear about Doc! Dogs mean so much to our family. I freely tell people that my corgi Finnegan is my best friend, and I mean it. The relationships we have with them are so unique and special. Doc sounds like such a wonderful friend, I’m so sorry he passed.

  18. Your dog was lovely, I’m sorry he’s gone.
    Thanks for your blog – your work here has been very important to me in accepting my body and seeing its beauty. I’ll forever be grateful for that.
    Your words after the US election also meant a lot.
    Best wishes for 2017 – may it be grand.

  19. Oh Tanya, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. It always hurts to lose that special friend that a pet can be. Well I’m sure he’s in a good place now. Hugs, Kathy G. from Arizona

  21. Thank you for posting about Doc. I’m so sorry to hear that you lost such a good friend, and it’s heartwarming to know that you have many good memories. I’m sure you’ll have a large hole in your heart for a while. Maybe sewing can help distract you. All the best.

    • Thank you, Brenda. 🙂 Sewing has definitely helped me to cope with depressing things in my life. I’m lucky to have my sewing machine. <3

  22. Tanya, I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful Doc. Your description of all your adventures together–and the day you met!–brought a smile to my face and tears to my eyes. I hope you are able to find some comfort in your family and your other precious pets, as well as your sewing. <3

  23. So sorry to hear of your sweet Doc’s passing, he was definitely a fixture here on your blog! Losing a beloved companion animal is so hard. Hugs to you! I’m excited to see what your sewing challenge is!!

  24. I didn’t know the whole story of Doc and his time with you, but I can sure see why your heart is breaking. I’m glad you have other pets around, and a fabulous quilt to snuggle under with your mister!

  25. Tanya- my thoughts are with you, that is such a hard thing. My little guy has been with me for 8 years now and I dread the thought of losing him. What a special guy Doc was. Lots of love to you.

  26. Tanya, this post really brought tears to my eyes. I am so very sorry for the loss of your companion. Doc, was a beautiful dog and I am glad that you brought each other so much joy. It is very hard to lose a “pet”. They are a cherished part of the family. I know that he had the best possible life with you and your husband. Thank you for sharing this beautiful post. Xx

  27. Tanya, There is nothing worse in the world than losing a much loved best friend. No doubt his buds were all waiting over the bridge for him. Hugs to you, left behind for a time. We’ve lost our fair share over the years so tears are shed and shared. You provided him with a grand life. When you can, pick yourself up and offer another the same chance at a wonderful iife.

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Mrs. Hughes: A retro inspired, vintage garment sewing and plus-size dressmaking blog by Tanya Maile Hughes.