Simplicity 2633 Orangine

The first top made with Simplicity 2633 left me wanting more. So, with some super bright orange stretch cotton sateen I made another version. However, I was left with fit issues.

Here's the summary:

And here's the semi-finished product:

Maybe it's not too obvious, but the shirt is quite big in the waist.

Look how unflattering it is on me! It makes me do stupid things with my face!

And it makes me look heavier than I need to look.

Sigh. It's shapeless.

Funny story: When I finished this top and tried it on for TC, I knew I didn't like it, but I couldn't put my finger on why it was so blech. TC, after some thought, hit the nail on the head when he said, "That shirt makes you look like a janitor." YES! He was right! So we determined that in order to take the janitorial staff look down a few notches that it needed to be taken in a bit.

See? Just pinning it makes it look better already. And not buttoning a critical third button, while dangerous, also makes it look better.

And now with new side seams, it seems better. See what I did there? Seams and seems. Ha! I crack myself up.

Also, please pay no attention to the seventh buttonless button hole. I can't count. I had only six buttons, and yet made seven holes. Sigh. If I want to wear this shirt for real I will have to switch out the buttons. Sigh. Siiiiiigggggghhhhhhh. 

Now the shirt has some shape, but it is still a really ugly color. But at least, perhaps, maybe, possibly, I look less like a janitor.

What do I do?

It's been a while since I've just written about what's going on with me. And I miss it. As part of my 101 things I've been keeping a daily log, a summary of each day, and that has sort of taken the place of blogging. I do have a completed sewing project to show you, but it will have to wait. Today I just want to talk.

With my free time:

I've been baking bread, and keeping TC stocked with cookies (I've finally figured out how to prevent rock-hard, dog biscuit-like cookies).

I've been keeping a database tracking grocery prices with the intent that after a year or so of data I will be able to predict when certain goods might go on sale. Is this project a bit overboard? Yes. But I love it. Another part of the same database is keeping track of how long it takes us to use non-food goods, like shampoo, soap, shaving cream, etc. Once we have a good amount of data I will be able to figure out how much we spend per day on just grooming and cleaning. This excites me beyond recognition.

A screenshot of my little database.

I've made several playlists to provide the background music for my days: Toto's Africa, Til Tuesday's Voices Carry, Far East Movement's Like a G6, Astor Piazzolla's Adios Nonino.

I've been sewing, but not as much as I imagined I would.

I've made it nearly a full-time pursuit to research homes, neighborhoods, socio-economic data on surrounding areas, potential commute times for TC, reasonable prices for neighborhoods we are interested in, and the whole real estate process. I've realized how easy it is to be seduced by shiny new neighborhoods that would make for a long commute for the Huz. I've realized how little you get for the money in the neighborhoods I have always wanted to live in. It's an interesting process. On a lighter note, maybe someday I'll share with you a worst of real estate that I've started keeping track of (for example, a home that has a pond in the entry way, and stepping stones leading the way to the rest of the house; or the house decked out entirely in seemingly new royal purple carpet).

Last week TC was sick; he had a man cold of the worst kind. In all seriousness, poor guy was knocked out nearly all week. I've never seen him so miserable, and I've never ever felt so helpless and sad for him. He's better now, besides a lingering cough. I did my best to nurse him back to health, making sure he drank plenty of liquids, giving him his decongestant, and put a cool rag on his forehead when he had a fever.

I've been ironing TC's work shirts. I've been ironing my own clothes. I've been planning, scheming, plotting exciting things that I will share shortly.

That, in a few words, is what I do. I'm enjoying my opportunity to develop my domesticity and to serve my wonderful, loving husband. I enjoyed being able to focus all my attention and nurturing on TC last week. I enjoy baking bread, and the way our home smells when TC comes home. I enjoy taking walks in the middle of the day. I enjoy taking naps whenever I feel like it. And I enjoy being able to focus on making our home lovely and comfortable, clean and organized.

My contentment is a miracle. I tend to be so negative. Don't worry; I am still aware of what I lack. I'm just choosing not to focus on it. And that's leading to happiness. What a miracle! If only I'd known sooner that that is all it takes.

Simplicity 2337

Last week I finished Simplicity 2337. 

I ran into a few issues with this dress. Because I raised the neckline by 1 inch, it wreaked havoc on the area where the faux wrap meets the other side of the dress. I adjusted, and readjusted, and readjusted to get the overlapping seam to lay right. I played around with it for hours. Finally, I readjusted the pleats so that the seams met lower (basically almost where it should have if I hadn't raised the neckline). I suppose it's pretty much common sense that raising the neckline would make such a difference in a faux wrap dress, but let that be a word of warning to you.

Also, instead of doing facings on the neck and armscye, I sewed the lining to it, eliminating the need for facings. I hand sewed the armscye lining to the fabric.


So here's the result:

There's still a little bit of weirdness at the neckline, but I don't mind it.

I love the sleeves. I sewed one in with the pleats facing up, and one with the pleats facing down, so the sleeves lay differently. I think if I wanted to rip out one of the sleeves, I would sew them both in with the pleats facing up (opposite of how the pattern suggests). I like the way it hangs better.