Miscellany

So much life right now. Maybe I'll discuss later...at some point...Just think positive thoughts for me please!

At any rate, I've been doing all I can to keep busy (sewing, cleaning, family time...) I almost welcome work tomorrow!

I shelved my B6141 jacket for now. I wasn't completely feeling it and couldn't bring myself to work on it this weekend. But I did a whole bunch of other stuff.

Friday I went to see Mission Impossible, it was pretty good.

Saturday I muslined the bodice of B5030

I did standard Big4 adjustments for me; 1" bicep adjustment, 1" FBA, slight narrow shoulder adjustment. Obviously I didn't do a swayback adjustment! eesh.

I also need to lower my front darts a tiny bit.

I don't have enough fabric for it though :( Well, the fabric I intended for it. I'm almost tempted to order some crepe from FM while they're having their 55% Labor Day sale. We shall see.

I cleaned and redecorated my bedroom. The only new item is the dresser. It's an IKEA Malm that I found on Craigslist for $50! It's in great shape too! The rest of the stuff was all stored in the basement or garage. Why I hadn't been using my fun decorative items, I don't know.

The only other thing I want to buy is an area rug.

Because we have a TON of closet space in this house, dressers weren't that big of an issue. The plastic 3-drawer dresser housed my undergarments and socks previously and tank tops. I have a lot of tank tops; they're my favorite loungewear item.

Now, I have undergarments in the dresser, folded "real" tops (e.g, no t-shirts) and sweaters (because sweater season is coming) will be in the 2nd drawer. The 3rd is empty for now.

Those drawers are HUGE!

The ottoman is empty for now too. I haven't figured out what to use it for or if I need it for storage. 

The plastic drawer unit has workout gear and leggings/shorts/tank tops - e.g., loungewear. The basket on top has my belts, all rolled up.

This allowed me to move more of my shoes from down the hall into my closet. Yes, I have a lot of shoes...

The shelf has tshirts, shorts, casual pullover tops and jeans. I decided to take my jeans off of hangers. They're so bulky and seem to work better folded.

The over the door hooks have scarves, my favorite 'throw-on' sweaters and hoodies and my robe. I would like to get my robe closer to my bed though but can't think of a good place to put it. 

And I finally hung my little cheap-o mirror on the wall! It's behind the closet door that has the jewelry hanger on it.

Yay for better selfies!

And I bought new shoes (shhhhh!)

My ballet flats are so gross and ratty. I tried these on in store one day and knew I would buy them eventually.

Both are by Kelly & Katie, a DSW private brand

And then today I scrubbed the bathroom. Like, worked up a sweat!

And then I decided to start my Minoru. 

All of those &#(*#@ pieces to trace! grr! But I am happy that it has separate lining pieces, it really makes a difference.

Like many others I am completely appalled and offended at a casual outerwear piece without pockets. I scoured the stash and liked these 'fancy' patch pockets from M6531. That pattern has a gusset which would be nice, but I didn't realize that it was there until after I'd already lined the pocket pieces.

The buttons I'm auditioning are regular old Hancock buttons and the lining came from the Spot the Bolt table. I decided to go a little fun and funky :)

This picture is so askew! LOL! Sorry.

I basted this side to check the pocket placement but it's useless without the whole jacket on to see how it feels. So I'm just going to have a little tougher time putting them on after the side seams are sewn and the gathers are pulled in the shoulders/back. This jacket has a CLOSE fit. 

I will probably get this done in the next week or so.

And now I'm making dinner. And I still need to wash my hair today. 

And sorry not sorry but...I will be SO FREAKING glad to have a breather after Round 1 of the Sewing Bee. Hopefully Round 2 goes more smoothly.

Shorts Muslins & Other Plans

M6403 - pleated fail.
 
M6403 - straight shorts looked like hacked off pants -aka- the thigh opening wasn't big enough.

These just feel wrong. Too tight in front for the pleats to relax but too big at the hip and just unflattering at the butt. I do like the width of the thigh though.

 BSM 03/2012 #126 - Good. Pretty good...but not the pattern I want to use for several pair. I can see one or two in this style.

I think the Burda curve works for me. I had to add a very small (like 1/2") wedge at center back.

Thurlow - I debated sharing the pics because holy cow were they tight but...here goes

Spare yourself and don't look too closely at the front pic!

I cut a size 10 because the finished measurements were 35" waist and 46" hip.  But shorts need to be bigger apparently. They aren't intended to sit at my waist like trousers and the hip/thigh needs more room/ease. I measured a pair of RTW shorts and realized they were indeed bigger. And I also, apparently need more booty room. So I traced off a size 12 and altered the back crotch curve.

I realized that this pattern had a much deeper curve than my S2700 pants pattern or my RTW shorts. So I 'raised' the curve  to be less vertical (more "J") which seemed counter-intuitive but by raising the curve I added more fabric therefore there's more available to cover the junk!

EUREKA!

But I went too far because in the size 12, I had baggy butt. Ahhhh.

I have no more energy to muslin...but I have a thick cotton (drill??) fabric in my stash in a BRIGHT kelly green. The Burda's are in progress as a wearable muslin. I have enough to cut the Thurlow's from the same fabric.

I'd planned on making the Thurlow for the contest but it ends Saturday and I'm unsure I'll make that deadline.

Last night my son mentioned that he has an orchestra performance on Friday.
"Wash your shirt", I said.
"Ok. But I can't fit my pants", he said.

DOH!

But then he asked if I can make pants for him and of course I said, YES!!


This is from their latest release and is perfect for a twiggy 14 year old boy. And I had some 50/50 poly/wool (that I picked up for under $3/yd at Hancock) in the stash so I got to work!

This made me think about the awesome Kyle and her amazement at how much I sew. Which I don't think I sew a lot and I wish I could sew MORE!!! :-)

But last night was a perfect example of how things get done.
5:30 - got home
5:40 - went for a walk
--Because I live with people who are all bigger than me, I will not go to work everyday and do everything at home too. So while I went for a walk my daughter peeled potatoes for dinner and my husband cut them. My son started browning the ground turkey--
6:00 - started dinner (pants convo ensued)
-While cooking dinner I traced off the pants and cut out the paper pattern-
7:00-8:00 - eat dinner and do normal stuff like talking with goofy kids and playing ninja in the kitchen (yes, I know I said they were bigger than me...but we like to play kung-fu ninja)
8:00 - 8:30 - Cut out pants
8:30-9:30 - watch Breaking Bad on Netflix
9:30 - the husband decided to watch an episode of The Walking Dead.
9:30 - 10:15 - interfaced the pieces that needed interfacing, prepared the carriers and serged the cut edges of the pants.

So, yes, I am a busy body. I know! I just can't sit still! But I get a ton done in these little chunks of time.

Tonight I hope to get the zipper inserted and get them all basted so he can try them on.

**It's going to snow today. I still want my dang shorts!!!!