I Can Sew a Notched Collar Jacket!!! YES!!!

I completed the Simplicity 2446 jacket and, it turned out GREAT!  What a relief to get a notched collar to actually look like its supposed to.  I feel so much better knowing that I can do this now.

Next, I'm going on to McCalls 6172.  I hope its not as HUGE as the Simplicity 2446.  I'm going to give away the Simplicty 2446 jacket and the pants I made out of the same fabric because they are both MUCH too big for me.  This is NOT a bad thing.  I am thrilled to put something on and find that its too big!!!

After the McCalls 6172 jacket, I am going to give the Kwik Sew 3715 jacket a go.  I am so anxious to get a tried and true jacket pattern.

Also, I've got the skirt part of Vogue 8543 cut out and, I'm thinking I may make that before the McCalls 6172 jacket.

So many patterns, so little time!  (It feels so much better to complete something that looks good.)

A Successful Jacket? It could happen!

While I am not done yet, so far, the work I've done on Simplicity 2446 has turned out okay.  What I have done differently on this project is --- hand basting.  Normally, I just pin baste and sew because it is SO much faster but, after a goodly number of wadders, I realized that hand basting is necessary for me.  It has taken me all week long to work on this jacket because I have resolved to sew slowly and really be careful with every step.

Prayerfully, all this "carefulness" will pay off and a successful garment will result.

I'll let you know!  Back to work now...

Long Sleeved Tees -- LOVE 'EM!

I have been T-shirting all week using Kwik Sew Pattern No. 2900, its definitely a tried and true favorite.  I selected the round neck and use the long sleeves.

Now, I have 4 new long-sleeved T-shirts: peach, blue, yellow and orange.  And, since I can get the knit fabric for $2.79 at my local Jenny's Fabric Store, there will be several more to come in the near future.  The only concern is shrinkage.  I am sure this is why the fabric is so inexpensive but, knowing that up front,  I simply make the T-shirts and the sleeves EXTRA long.  When they've been washed and gone through the dryer, they are perfect.

Its great to be thrifty and productive. Also, I like seeing those new tops in my sweater drawer which are nice for every day and, can be styled with the appropriate accessories to dress up for church.

Now, I'm fortified to tackle my next challenge, cutting into that expensive fabric I got from The Cloth Merchants -- can I do it?  I think I can, I think I can, I think I can....

Donna Karan for Fall

This is STYLE and you can call it old fashioned Grace Kelly if you want but, I think these clothes say: "This is a lady." 



I hope that we will see some great patterns published from these designs SOON!

Wadders and Self-Esteem

Two wadders in a row is not helping me get back into sewing with a smile on my face.  But, getting the wadders out of my house and GONE helps immensely!  How about you?  I love to get rid of the wadders and the UFOs as well.  With the UFOs, if they have languished more than a month, out they go.  When I open my closet door, I only want to see the successful results of my sewing adventures -- NO FAILURES! 

Next up is a simple long sleeved T-shirt in a thick cotton knit. I am praying that I don't ruin this garment. 

I received all the fabric from the Cloth Merchants that I need to complete the two jackets and a skirt I have planned.  That fabric was really expensive, I am actually a little bit afraid to start those projects. 

After all these years of sewing, you would think I would get good at it somewhere along the way!  Is it possible to have two left hands (like two left feet in dancing) with sewing? 

Gotta Get Back in the Saddle!

Finally, I am well again.  It is high time for me to get back into my sewing projects that have been waiting patiently.  Also, after seeing myself in that huge wall mirror at church, I have got to get serious about my weight and become skinny penny once again!  I DO NOT want to make elephant size clothes.

A new order of fabric arrived yesterday from The Cloth Merchants and it is so beautiful.  Too bad its only half as much as I need.  I did not know that some stores are selling their fabric now using unit pricing, instead of simply selling by the yard.  This old dog was forced to learn a new trick.  SO, I will have to place a second order to get the rest of the material I need to complete the planned projects.  I'm still living and learning.

As I get back into the saddle, the project I am going to begin working on is a long jacket (McCalls 5938).  The pattern has instructions that don't make any sense to me so, I am going to ignore the pattern instructions and see what happens.  Thank God for my sewing books from Claire Schaeffer and Sandra Betzina to help get me through.

Until next time -- as you go, sing and sew!!!

Will I Ever Be Well Again?

I have been sick with some kind of virus for several weeks and it is STILL hanging in there. 

My sewing sits waiting for me to be able to concentrate long enough to do something with it but, I don't want to make a mess so --- not yet.

Yesterday, I wanted to get out of the house for a little while so, I went on to Church.  I wore one of my recently made outfits, a wine boucle jacket made with Kwik Sew 3680 and matching boucle fabric straight pencil skirt made with an old TNT skirt pattern See & Sew 5378.   I happened to see myself in the full wall size mirror hanging on the wall in the bathroom at church.  OH MERCY!  Talk about hideous.  I did not realize just what an enormously overweight cow I have become.  And, the boucle fabric did nothing to slenderize.  This too has set me off my sewing a bit. 

So, while I spend the day sneezing and blowing my nose, I will consume only "lite" hot chicken soup and, I will try walking in the sunshine for some exercise and fresh air.

Also, I have put a full-length mirror to go on the back of our bedroom door on my shopping list.