Home improvement
Mar. 27th, 2024 08:50 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
blythelySewing
Worked a little more on the current dress project on the weekend, but I was VERY slow. C took a while to decide if she wanted proper long sleeves or just long short sleeves, as the pattern has different shapes. We went with the long sleeves, but because I was worried about not having enough fabric I hadn't cut out pockets, plackets and belt until the Sleeve Decision was made. So instead of sewing it was mostly catch-up with the cutting out and interfacing.
I did do the placket, and wish I had gone with my gut about construction rather than followed the pattern instruction, as their version was messy and I'll have to do bit of handwork to get it tidy on the inside. I don't mind, I'm not in a rush, but I do like to be efficient. I could unpick, but it's lightweight viscose, and too much handling won't be good.
DIY
This Easter we're going to clean and paint the laundry nook, finally. We've been promising ourselves a reno of the space to put in storage shelves for years, stymied by the pandemic and then by inertia. But recently I have been using the space so much for pressing while sewing we've decided not to go hard on storage and make it more functional for "clothes care". So painting is the first step there, then a it of decluttering and rearranging of the storage we already have. Then I'll look for some kind of drop/flap shelf and get a proper ironing pad rather than using the small board on top of the washer.
The other "outstanding" bit of renovation that we've planned to do since we moved in is the bathrooms. We planned to renovate them once we'd saved enough for a nice job, then pandemic tradie shortages delayed everything, then we had to put aside savings for potential other costs, then those costs didn't eventuate, and then all of our energies were focused on the allotment. One of the issues was that, aside from minor aesthetic quibbles, and a few small plumbing issues, there is absolutely nothing *wrong* with the bathrooms. They are functional and nice. So we finally arrived at the place of realising we were really uncomfortable with ripping out all of the perfectly functional, good quality fixtures, just for new and shiny and "our choice". When we had the kitchen redone (which was not functional at all) the amount of waste created was awful, and it just feels really irresponsible for us to be prioritising aesthetics.
And that has made it all so much easier to consider! We'll get a plumber in to fix some drips and one shower fitting, and maybe replace some stained lino, but otherwise, we'll just work around what we have. Some very nice cabinets and shelving will probably cost a fraction of what we were considering spending, even if we pay others to do the installation. I used to be very into the idea of acquiring more DIY skills, because that's what my parents taught me, but my parents had low-stress 9-5 jobs, mates to come and help out and share skills, and a giant garage in which to store all of stuff you need to do DIY. I on the other hand am fortunate enough to be able to pay experts to come and do the job properly, and then take all their equipment away with them. Specialisation of labour, I am a fan.
Worked a little more on the current dress project on the weekend, but I was VERY slow. C took a while to decide if she wanted proper long sleeves or just long short sleeves, as the pattern has different shapes. We went with the long sleeves, but because I was worried about not having enough fabric I hadn't cut out pockets, plackets and belt until the Sleeve Decision was made. So instead of sewing it was mostly catch-up with the cutting out and interfacing.
I did do the placket, and wish I had gone with my gut about construction rather than followed the pattern instruction, as their version was messy and I'll have to do bit of handwork to get it tidy on the inside. I don't mind, I'm not in a rush, but I do like to be efficient. I could unpick, but it's lightweight viscose, and too much handling won't be good.
DIY
This Easter we're going to clean and paint the laundry nook, finally. We've been promising ourselves a reno of the space to put in storage shelves for years, stymied by the pandemic and then by inertia. But recently I have been using the space so much for pressing while sewing we've decided not to go hard on storage and make it more functional for "clothes care". So painting is the first step there, then a it of decluttering and rearranging of the storage we already have. Then I'll look for some kind of drop/flap shelf and get a proper ironing pad rather than using the small board on top of the washer.
The other "outstanding" bit of renovation that we've planned to do since we moved in is the bathrooms. We planned to renovate them once we'd saved enough for a nice job, then pandemic tradie shortages delayed everything, then we had to put aside savings for potential other costs, then those costs didn't eventuate, and then all of our energies were focused on the allotment. One of the issues was that, aside from minor aesthetic quibbles, and a few small plumbing issues, there is absolutely nothing *wrong* with the bathrooms. They are functional and nice. So we finally arrived at the place of realising we were really uncomfortable with ripping out all of the perfectly functional, good quality fixtures, just for new and shiny and "our choice". When we had the kitchen redone (which was not functional at all) the amount of waste created was awful, and it just feels really irresponsible for us to be prioritising aesthetics.
And that has made it all so much easier to consider! We'll get a plumber in to fix some drips and one shower fitting, and maybe replace some stained lino, but otherwise, we'll just work around what we have. Some very nice cabinets and shelving will probably cost a fraction of what we were considering spending, even if we pay others to do the installation. I used to be very into the idea of acquiring more DIY skills, because that's what my parents taught me, but my parents had low-stress 9-5 jobs, mates to come and help out and share skills, and a giant garage in which to store all of stuff you need to do DIY. I on the other hand am fortunate enough to be able to pay experts to come and do the job properly, and then take all their equipment away with them. Specialisation of labour, I am a fan.
no subject
Date: 2024-03-27 12:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-03-27 02:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-03-28 08:13 am (UTC)Good for you not ripping out the bathrooms. If the current fittings and fixtures are good then why change them? And tbh, some new flooring will make all the difference!
no subject
Date: 2024-03-28 05:14 pm (UTC)It's been a filthy day here, with icy winds, multiple hailstorms, and constant rainstorms. So having a bit of DIY lined up for the next couple of days is a good plan - it's not like it's going to be pleasant on the allotment!
no subject
Date: 2024-03-29 06:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-04-03 08:02 am (UTC)