Happy fourth! Skirts, puzzles, and parties

A happy Fourth to those who celebrate, Good Tuesday to most of the world except the southern hemisphere where I guess it's Wednesday.

Speaking as a proud immigrant whose family came to New York State before the civil war, I had to get here under my own steam, I remember that "land of the free, home of the brave" is a goal, not a statement of fact. It's aspirational, a work in progress, sometimes progressing, sometimes staggering back. Hope springs eternal! Enjoy the day.

Yesterday in the middle of reading The Two Mrs. Abbotts, 

I was overcome by the need to sew. Sooooo, I went for the piece of batik that's been playing a portiere awaiting orders for clothes.

And whipped off a skirt length

Which I had the best time happily making up. One back seam, selvedges, easy, no need for more than one row of back stitch, then a casing at the waist to thread in elastic.I made a back vent, because this is a slim cut. 

And today I need to finish the hem, and I'll wear it for the Fourth. There will be patch pockets,  which may get done today. 

And there's still a portiere

The beauty of a simple Fourth, where my job is to put the oven on and find plates for the pizza and dishes for the ice cream I'm providing, is that I have the day free to do other things.

Ages since I made myself something to wear, but yesterday was hot

So I wore that yellow skirt you saw me make last year. I found two things, one that I liked it enough that I needed at least one more skirt, and two,  that my weight loss since last year means I have to adjust the waist, which now wanders down a bit. Also I found enough scrap matching fabric to finally make the pockets for this skirt, too. Yay. Ellen would be proud of me!

I do love hand sewing, peaceful, very pleasing, and definitely as sturdy as machine stitching if you know what you're doing.

I finished the puzzle, which had an extra piece after it was complete, just the back of a piece, probably a factory slip, which was packed along with the complete pieces. Took it back and the library lady was amused at the notion of a spare part.

And here's the latest. 

Note that I am promoted to 750 pieces. We'll see how this goes.

Last evening Gary came over with these brand new unused items, terry towel one side fabric the other, could I use or rehome them, or should he toss them. So they're here. 

What the heck are they? beach towels? Bath sheets? Knowledgeable blogistas, please advise.

Happy day everyone, Fourth or fourth.