Its true, what they say

About how everything comes around again. I bought this pattern in 1994 when it first came out. And now, in 2015, I can jump on the high-low hem wagon with it.

5 feet of fierce!

I will tell you I bought it because that girl on the envelope is just plain fierce!
Too bad I'm not 6 feet tall like her!

I do like it though and think I'll make it again with some black Sophia double knit. This time, though I made it with some incredibly unnatural double knit polyester. (there was a note on it saying it was from Carol B. So, Thanks Carol!)

The pattern is intended for a woven, but I think it worked out great with this stable knit.

back in action

I've been back in the sewing room with one of the truest of my TNT patterns: the Textile Studio's Santa Monica tee. I just can't stop making these!

Black Stretch Velvet

Jersey from Fabric.com

ITY from Fabric.com

I've been sticking to the tried and true just because it's a bit easier for me for right now. And I love this pattern anyway. I feel like I have most of the dexterity back in my hand. Except for one thing. You know how you can just tell if you've got the right numbers of layers under your hand, headed for the needle or serger blade? Well, I can't. So I keep accidentally sewing an extra bit of something where it doesn't belong. I know I just need to slow down and pay extra attention.

And the other thing: I was never a good typist and I'm even worse now. Thank God for right click and replace in Google Chrome. Thank God for many things!!!

Finally, here are a couple of things I made before the Stroke but never blogged about. Too cold to wear them now. Both fabrics are a really light weight cotton with embroidered dots from JoAnns.

vogue8657

 I am so happy and grateful to be back sewing and to all of you taking the time to read my posts!!

The Rugby Skirt

Thank you all for your lovely comments on my last post.

I think its a good idea for me to stick with my tried an true patterns for now.

So I made this skirt from trusty old Butterick 5539. Really, what else could I do with this fabric?

Dust the furniture?

A Life-Changing Event

Dear Readers:
some of you may have noticed I've been absent for three months.
I went into the hospital August 20 for what should have been routine gall bladder surgery.
And I had a stroke.
I'm doing pretty well, Thank God. If you met me in person you probably wouldn't even know it happened.
I've had some excellent physical therapy.
And psychotherapy for the crippling depression an anxiety. That's getting better now too.
I am still, however,  dogged by Chronic Daily Headaches , which I've struggled with now for 15 months.
It's one day at a time for me.
I have sewn a couple of things, one I will show you later this week, the other was a total wadder.

The Dressing Gown: Butterick 6176

A couple of months ago, my daughter and I did some actual retail shopping. I noticed two ladies who appeared to be wearing a beach cover up over their street clothes. My daughter told me it was 'a thing'. Well, I think it looks a bit strange to wear a beech cover up over your street clothes, but instantly, I realized I had just bought a pattern for that same garment! It seems like one of those fast fashion trends that will quickly be on its way out and will soon be showing up at the thrift stores.

I used the pattern (Butterick 6176) to make a dressing gown for my daughter out of my strange cocker spaniel/ Stanley cup fabric. Its a crepey, medium weight rayon. Only 35 inches wide, only fumes were left when I finished.

I added carriers, a belt, interior ties and side vents. I finished the neck and front edge with lime green bias tape for a little pop of color again the tan fabric. I sewed the sleeves in flat versus the instructions which have you sew the lower portion of the side seam, then set the sleeve in. I think that's a bit strange for a kimono sleeve. I made the length halfway between view C an D.

My daughter is happy with it, it's a nice weight for summer and its already makeup colored so you don't have to worry about stains. I'm happy because I have found a purpose for this crazy fabric.
 

WTF

What the fabric!

This is the fabric I'm working with right now. It came from a yard sale. It's a hideous color and has a very strange print. It has....

Allstate Hands 

Teapots

Cocker Spaniels

and

The Stanley Cup!!

If your eyes aren't broken yet, take a look at this fabric I saw at Joann's this week:

Really????

That's what you're calling your company?

Welcome back Y2K: Vogue 8907

I bought this pattern (Vogue 8907) intending to make view B but never got around to it. Recently though, when looking through my pattern hoard, I noticed view C and I was, like, OMG!!! It's just like one of my favorite tops I ever made: Style 2891

I had made it with fabric I bought on my honeymoon in Aruba in 2000. I loved that top. It was a sad day when it no longer fit and we had to part. Thankfully, I still have my husband and he still wears the shirt I made him from the same fabric.

Though this was intended to be just a wearable muslin, I really love this top. I love orange! The fabric is a slubby polyester linen look-a-like inherited from Gwen.

It was a bit wrinkled the day we took these photos (on just as beautiful as Aruba Belle Isle) but then the wind blew them right out!

I bought the Lrg-Xlg-Xxl pattern range which is too big for me. I made it smaller by taking an inch out along the front and back centers but then added an inch to the front with an FBA. I also raised the armholes up an inch.  I had pre-washed the fabric and was surprised to see it shrank a bit more and fit better after it was washed.

Hopefully there will be enough summer left for another one!