There are no words

There are no words to describe how great I feel. The song that comes to mind is the theme from Aladdin--A Whole New World. "A new fantastic point of view, unbelieve sky, indescrible feeling, soaring, tumbling, free-wheeling etc." best describes where I am now. I don't think I truly knew how blessed I was and probably took too many things for granted. Having cancer was not the death sentence I thought it would be but was more a journey into darkness that now has made me more appreciative of the light! God is good to me!

Is there a reason I didn't know until after 9 pm last night that it was the holiday weekend! And I was preparing to get on the highway today. Well a call to my sister confirmed that she too, didn't realize it was the holiday weekend. Neither one of us wanted me stuck in traffic for hours and hours so we have postponed our sewing weekend to the first weekend in June. Now I have time to work on my PR Mini Wardrobe.

This is what I'm wearing today. I absolutely love wearing twinsets, especially when I make them myself!

Welcome home old friend

Today I picked my serger up from repair. I've had this machine for over 20 years and I totally abused it. It was not outright abuse but in the 20+ years I've owned it I never, I repeat, never oiled it or even took it in for a routine cleaning. It still had the original light bulb that was working just fine. A few weeks ago it started making a weird sound so of course I doused it with oil. Last week it started really laboring so, filled with shame, I took it in for repair. Then I did the unthinkable...I starting looking at the Viking 936. The only thing about the Viking that was attractive was the coverstitch capability. I was almost hoping the this machine was unrepairable...some friend I am. I was ready to kick this little machine that I've used like a borrowed mule to the curb and spend $1500 just for coverstitch capability. Yikes! Today when the repair guy called and said my machine was ready I forgot all about coverstitching. The complete cleaning and tuneup was only $134. I am oh so glad I came to my senses.

I made two muslins today. The pattern is Butterick 5941. It's probably OOP but it's a simple unlined jacket, below the waist with a collar. It has a horizontal dart at the side seam at well as vertical darts in front and back. I tried making it about a year ago and was not happy with the results. It's a pattern I had a duplicate of so I decided to start over from scratch. Now that I've spent a considerable amount of time studying and learning fit, as I was trimming the pattern I immediately spotted a stumbling block. On what planet is this back and front pattern piece supposed to fit together??

A back armhole is supposed to be only about 1/2" longer than the front armhole! Even with the shaping of the front armhole there is almost a 2" difference. I took a tuck across the back and that did the trick. I made a FBA, wide and high round back adjustment but still need to add about 1/2" at the front armhole notch. I have solved the twisted sleeve problem I was having. Solved that myself as everybody's solution was to rotate the sleeve in the armhole. The problem was that my wide upper back was stealing fabric from my sleeve. Problem now solved. So far this is what I have. After some bust dart adjustment, I plan to cut my fashion fabric tomorrow.

I made a dressform cover

I've used a duct tape dressform for about 8 years and always wanted a cover for it. When I had my first one made, the person that has since become uber famous for them had not started covering them yet. Body changes necessitated a new one. Late last year my fiance' and I made another one (actually two but he screwed the first one up...gave too much attention to the boobs). It's a near perfect replica of my body...lumps, rolls and all...but I wanted a cover to make it look like more than a huge wad of duct tape! After viewing my first pattern review photo I was more determined than ever to make a professional looking cover. I had one failed attempt last year, but started again yesterday with renewed resolve. This is what I came up with. Why did it take so long?

From this...

To this

To this

Friday Gadget Review...3rd Hand

Ever seen one of these? I've had this for about 20 years and it's a permanent fixture on the end of my sewing table. It's called a "3rd Hand". Ever been sewing and needed just one more hand to get the job done? Well this it it. It has some kind of almost spring-type loaded mechanism that clasps onto your fabric and holds it while you use both your hands for something else. I wouldn't be without it. I think I paid about $6 for it and it was worth every penny!

Yipppeeee! I've been awarded

A special thanks to Faye and Julia for nominating me with the Sisterhood Award.
The rules are:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post
2. nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and /or Gratitude!
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received your award.
I'd like to nominate:

1. Lisa at http://www.sewonandsewon.blogspot.com/
2. Aminat at http://www.sewfit.blogspot.com/
3. Susan at http://www.knitters-delight.blogspot.com/
4. Julia at http://www.juliassweetandspecial.blogspot.com/
5. Monique at http://www.stitchesandstrings.blogspot.com/
6. Andrea at http://www.knit-knac.blogspot.com/
7. Faye at http://www.fayessewingadventure.blogspot.com/
8. Karen at http://www.stitchesandseams.blogspot.com/
9. Omega at http://www.sewhooked.blogspot.com/
10. Angie at http://www.jemimabean.blogspot.com/

Remember don't feel sorry for me, but pray for me that I might have the strength to make it through. I've got cancer, but cancer doesn't have me. Off to the machine...I still gotta look good!

Butterick 5138

I'm working my blouse today. I've got to make several alterations to the pattern before I can cut my fashion fabric. The body is cut on the bias so hard to get a good idea out of muslin but I'm giving it a shot.

I've got to make a small dart on the v-neck in front and in back.

Then need to make a high-round back adjustment, let out the back underarm seam and I should be good to go! It's not supposed to look like a maternity top!

Since the top is lined using the same pattern pieces, I think I'll cut and sew the lining first. Once I fine-tune the fit of the lining I'll use the lining as the pattern for the fashion fabric. Sometimes...I think I'm a genius!

Please don't feel sorry for me

I made mention in an earlier post this week about going through something right now...well that something is that at 9:51 a.m. yesterday morning I was informed that I have breast cancer. I had a breast biopsy on Monday. I've been home all week waiting by the phone for the results and when do I get it? about the same time I locked the keys to my new Cadillac in the car in my purse. I could see the keys through the window. Excuse me! You're not supposed to be able to lock the keys in the new Caddy's! Did I mention I was in the parking lot at the bowling alley! WTF! And yes I do have Onstar. Yikes! There's a recall on the unit in my car and it's on backorder. I might as well be using public transportation! Oh, got the call from the Imaging Center while I was talking to roadside assistance! When it rains it pours. But you know what...please don't feel sorry for me because I have a wonderful life.

What has kept me going through all of this is sewing, blogging and reading sewing blogs. I want to thank, Omega, Lisa H, Carolyn and especially Faye. I check your blogs frequently. Faye thanks to you I now have perfect fitting slacks. Since Monday I've made six pairs of slacks--one muslin, three pretests and two finished pair! The photo of your slacks looked so good it made me want the same.

The jacket I recently finished matches the pants.

I'm also working on the muslin for Butterick 5138. Since sewing keeps my mind off of my plight, I expect to have the blouse done in a few days and then it's on to other projects. I might have cancer but I still gotta look good! In the meantime you all keep on blogging but remember...don't feel sorry for me because I have a wonderful life!

Friday Gadget review...Tilt'able sewing platform

The Tilt'able™ is a moulded sewing platform that tilts the machine forward and allows you to maintain a better posture when sewing. It comes with extra little feet to allow for height adjustments.

At first I was skeptical when I saw this at our local sewing expo. Even after I sat down for a test run I waited another year before I bought it. I think the price was right around $100 and although I had the cash...I wanted to be sure. So I simply stuffed a book under the backside of my machine. It wasn't the same so at the same expo a year later I bit the bullet and I am not sorry I did. I love this thing! No more sore back and shoulders from craning my neck . It also comes with a neat little mat to place under your presser foot to keep it from sliding around and another accessory to place your left foot on so that you are sitting upright.

If you get an opportunity to get one, run don't walk

Scissors Row

I made a comment about "scissors row" in my blog yesterday. Here's a picture.