Vogue 8593: the photos

So the pleated nick red knit dress, in all its glory.

Take a deep breath Gordi.

I'm wound up. Tight. I came home from work yesterday really wound up. I found myself getting angry and swearing at dinner because it was ugly (despite its resemblance to vomit, it did taste good). I went to bed wound up. I woke up in the middle of the night wound up. I found myself clenching my teeth and tensing my muscles while trying to go back to sleep. (In case any of you are wondering, tensing and clenching do not easily lead to sleep.)

This morning, I'm finding I need deep breaths. I would love to be in a warm, good-smelling place that's quiet and peaceful. Just thinking about it helps. Ahh... Peace...

Okay. I'm done with the whining for today. Yada yada yada. Life sucks sometimes. Just deal.

Now on to some news: I ripped out the sleeves of the pepto pink ruffle top, made normal looking sleeves and sewed them back in. Much better. I took pictures to show you, but the pictures are in my camera, so for now, you'll have to use your imaginations. Imagine the shirt not looking like a clown shirt. TADA!

Other news: I wore the red pleated neck knit dress on Sunday and took pictures. But again, the photos are on the memory card in the camera still. But I like the dress. TC likes the dress. I think it's a hit.

Even more news: I have a What I Ate for you. We ate something I found exciting and wanted to share with you, and I even took pictures, but... Can you guess what I'm going to say next? ... The photos are in my camera. Pplltt.

And one more item: I have been working on the navy Cynthia Rowley ruffle dress and I had to rip out a TON of stitches last night because I realized that I cut the waistband too big (that was kind of a nice surprise). But in this case, the stitch ripping was a bit therapeutic. I think I may have found my niche as far as stitch ripping goes: do it while you're angry and wound up. It's more enjoyable. YAY.

Photos to come soon. I hope. I love you all!

Under pressure

Sinus pressure, that is. TC assured me that sinus pressure cannot break my cheek bones or dislocate my teeth, so I'm feeling a bit relieved (emotionally).

I finished the red pleated neck Vogue 8593 dress. It's fuzzy. And fitted. I'll take pictures when I lose a few pounds or something.

My impatience definitely interferes with my ability to really do a stand-up job on sewing projects. If I were more patient, I would sew up a muslin first, perfect the fitting, then sew up the item in the real fabric. But muslins just seem time consuming. And fabric consuming. So for now I cut things out of the real fabric, cross my fingers and hope for the best. Of course, I'm careful to choose the correct size and all. But sometimes that can be a bit difficult. Like in the case of the red pleated neck dress, I wanted it to be fitted, because that is the style, but I didn't want it to be TOO fitted. So the question was this: do I cut it out of my regular size (which is a 12 in patterns, vanity sizing has not taken over the pattern world) and hope that the dress will be fitted, but not obscene, OR do I cut it out a size bigger and scale it down where needed? Looking at the finished garment measurements on the pattern pieces, I determined that my body is not proportioned with the proportions of the pattern (My waist puts me at a size 16 while my hips and bust put me at a size 14, but if I actually make anything in a size 14 I swim in it. From what I've read this "disproportion" is common among women.) so I made my best guess, which was to cut it in a size 12, a size that normally works for me, cross my fingers and hope for the best.

The dress isn't obscene, just fitted. But I do feel like I need some Spanx or something underneath in order to successfully wear it. Like if I have a big meal, or drink too much water or slouch I'll have a pudge. I typically like a little more wiggle room in dresses, you know?

But now that I'm back to my normal routine, and not taking any more sick days, I'll get off my saltines and Sprite diet and start eating a bit better.

One other thing for this morning, I'm wearing the houndstooth skirt again. I tacked down the lining and am wearing a slip, and that seems to be doing the trick to keep the lining from clinging to my legs. No wire hangers needed. YAY!

Have a great Friday!

Plotting and Scheming

I've been reading blogs like this one, and this one, and have felt inspired by their loveliness and ability to complete projects, and sewing ability. It makes me want to create and make and be lovely like these ladies, so I planned some sewing projects.

First off, I actually finished something over the weekend:

This dress, Vogue 8028 in a navy cotton sateen. I bought the fabric in September when Fabric.com had a lot of great fabric on sale for $1.95/yard. The fabric is soft and warm and hangs well. It's a dream. I'll have the Huz take photos of the dress tonight and post them.

Next up are these little doosies:

Vogue 8593 in a red sueded stretch knit that is on it's way and should arrive today (I love packages).

McCall's 5323 view B (the pink ruffly one) in a hot pink stretch cotton. I have loved this top from the moment I saw it. I'm so excited to sew it up. I'm hoping to start and finish this one this week.

Simplicity 9825 View F (A line, knee length) in a black and cream houndstooth wool with black lining.

So here's my pledge to you (and me):

1. I will finish these projects.
2. I will follow up with pictures.
3. I will not weenie out of this.

I have some more advanced and involved projects coming up, like this one, this one, and this one, but I need to build up my confidence before I delve into those.