McCall's 5815

I'm enjoying my weekend home alone but have not gotten as much crafting done as I expected. Yesterday I hit the local sewing and craft stores and made a few purchases. My main goal was to hit JoAnns 50% off clearance fabric. I did find a couple of pieces that I plan to use for dresses. One I hope to be cutting later this evening. It's in the dryer now. I managed to get the laundry done and some minor housekeeping. I slept in and unfortunately didn't make it to church. For the rest of the day I think I'll just stay holed up sewing, relaxing and whatever else I want.

So far McCalls 5818 us coming along nicely.

My bow isn't looking quite right so I need to work on it some more

As with everybody else that reviewed this pattern on Pattern Review, my pockets aren't draping either.

After I decide on buttons, I'll just use a smaller version and sew down a pleat on the pocket where I've place the pin. After glancing at the pattern envelope it seems that the proportion is all wrong on the pocket pattern piece and is why nobody is able to get it to drape correctly.

I didn't realize until I couldn't get my pocket placement quite right that because I'd made a 1" FBA I probably should have made my pocket 1" wider. Instead  I adjusted the placement. I may or may not change it. After I insert the sleeves I'll better be able to see if I need to many any other changes. I haven't seen anyone my size make this pattern so it'll be interesting.

So far I'm sticking to the Weight Watchers program. Friday was my first day and I was starving but I stuck it out. Yesterday was better and while I wasn't hungry for dinner I forced myself to eat. They suggest you not skip any meals.

Have a good one!

Crafting free-for-all

In my previous post I said I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. In my case it is caused by cysts that are on my thyroid which may have been caused by the radiation therapy that was used to combat my breast cancer. I just felt the need to clear that up. I managed to convince my husband that I didn't want to go away for the weekend so he is going without me. Yippeee! I'll miss him but I am going to have my very on crafting free-for-all. I'm going to sew, knit, and scrap for the entire weekend!

A little bit of everything

I haven't posted in a while but there hasn't been a lot of sewing going on around my way and my computer has been acting up. It just burns me up that some people have nothing better to do than to create viruses to unleash on us poor unsuspecting souls. The only sewing I've done this month has been another pair of slacks from my TNT Simplicity 2860 pattern. I think they are made out of a tropical weight wool. Not quite what I'll be wearing this summer but they were on my list. This morning I cut out McCalls 5815. It was all the rage last year...what can I say...I'm behind. I spent quite a bit of time altering the pattern and will be taking it with me in the RV up north when we leave tomorrow. I just love sewing in the RV. It will probably be too hot and humid to do much else!

Before I live tomorrow I have to clean up this mess...

 

...smack-dab in the middle of my dining room. I'm still scrapbooking my wedding photos and it's never-ending. The table has looked like that for over a week and it's driving me crazy. If you all recall I had to downsize to a much small craft room when I got married and I've just recently taken up scrapbooking. The husband is dragging his feet about finishing up my much larger craft room. Maybe if he has to look at this long enough he'll get inspired. On the other hand it's driving me nuts and I'm cleaning it up tonight!

I started out making the pages 8 x 8 but have since gotten my nerve up to go 12 x 12. So far I'm loving it.

On the health front I am still gaining weight...35lbs as a matter of fact. I can't fit a thing I made this time last year. The PA in my doctor's office thought it might be my thyroid. After the tests came back negative she said I just needed to go to Weight Watchers! I wasn't happy about that and didn't go. About a week later I mentioned that I thought I might have a thyroid issue to my oncologist. He immediately set up an appointment for an ultrasound of my thyroid. Guess what? I do have a thyroid issue...hypothyroidism as a matter of fact. Take that, you mean ol' PA. Seems the radiation not only zapped it but I have cysts on it as well! Yikes! I've said it before and I'll say it again, "the cure for breast cancer may be what actually kills you!" If you get a chance Google hypothyroidism. It's really an eyeopener. I've been on Synthroid for only a couple of days but I feel better already. My joints aren't aching and I already seem to have more energy. I'm hoping that I won't have any more issues and today I did join Weight Watchers for a 20 week program. We'll see how that goes. Hope everybody has a great weekend.

The Great Coverup

Sometimes something goes wrong in your sewing that lends itself to a wonderful design opportunity! Yesterday I was stitching up a simple knit cardigan to wear to work today. I was nearly finished when I was summoned by my husband to make a Smoothie for him. Being the dedicated newlywed that I am, I put my wants on the backburner to take care of his needs! When I got back to my sewing this is what I discovered!

I was amazed at how calm I was. My first thought was "what can I do to fix this?" After mulling it over for a few hours I decided to just cut another lower back section, finish it with the same lettuce leafedging, shorten it a bit and stitch in place just above the burn.

This is how I wore it today. The dress was purchased on clearance in 2008.

The pattern is Simplicity 2560 and it is the second time I've made it. The full review can be seen on PR. The first review can been seen by clicking here.

Simplicity 2894

I'm not sure what attracted me to this pattern but it came out just as I visualized. I did get a compliments when I wore it although I was self-conscience that it might look like I was pregnant or wearing a house dress!

Pattern Description:

Misses'/Women's dress or tunic
Pattern Sizing:
10-28W
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes and no. The instructions were just fantastic until it came time to put on the facing. I'm not sure a beginner would be able to figure it out. I was only able to get it sewn because I have sewn plackets in the past.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I like the it looks like a shirt dress but without the button down the front.
Fabric Used:
Brushed twill w/spandex
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I took a chance here. After measuring the pattern I decided I could have a go at the pattern right out of the envelope. I made an 18 and while I did add 5/8 at the hip to make sure that there would be 3" ease as the pattern suggests...I didn't need it. Had I gone down a size it would have not fit as was intended. I originally thought I would wear a belt with it but my fabric is too bulky. In a way it does have a "housedress" feel, but I still love it. It's extremely comfortable.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I might sew it again but will steer clear of any florals as it would absolutely look like a "housedress."
Conclusion:
With the right accessories this is a guaranteed winner.

I haven't been blogging a much as usual and it's all Adrienne's fault. She has gotten me hooked on scrapbooking. I really enjoy card making as well. Cards like this one is what I've been spending a lot of my spare time making.

What do you think?