What I'm working on - McCalls 6885

It's been a while. I've been sewing but not for myself. I'm still concentrating on my dolls. But a need has arisen and I need to sew for myself. The golf season has started and as I do every year I needed to look over my past season's outfits to see what still fit and what I still liked. And this is where the need for new golf clothes began. Remember the raccoon problem we had? Well it seems that before we were finally able to rid ourselves of the raccoon problem they, yes they, had taken up residency in the box with my golf clothes. Let's just say I told the husband to throw the whole box out. The thought of trying to clean clothes that had raccoon urine and feces totally grossed me out. I'll pass and just sew new outfits! Wouldn't you agree?

The first outfit of my new golf wardrobe will be McCalls 6885 View A.

I have the perfect fabric in my stash. It's a stretch cotton sateen, that should be comfortable in sometimes steamy golf course conditions.

If I have enough of the printed fabric I'd love to make the matching hat! After this I'll have to look through my fabric and patterns to decide what the second wardrobe piece will be. What are you working on?

McCalls's 5525 Review

This is the second time I've made this coat and believe me...it's not the last! You can read my first review here.

I was supposed to make this coat a couple of years ago right after the first but what had happened was...you know the drill. I really wish I hadn't waited so long. I love the pattern. This time I added a little to side seams but it really wasn't needed. I also added width to the sleeves and converted to a two-piece sleeve. Hated the sleeves before--love them now! Again I added to the pocket as the original piece is positively puny!


For this version I really wanted to add all the details that the pattern called for such as the epaulets and front and back yokes, but I did not have enough fabric. What a bummer. I planned to add metal buttons but as I was sewing began to envision large white buttons. Wouldn't you know I couldn't find enough of them locally? I sent out a cry to my internet sewing friends and lo and behold, Lynn of You Sew, Girl answered my cry.

The pattern is pretty straight forward for an experienced seamstress and a not so experienced seamstress could be equally successful with patience. I've already gotten lots of wear out of this coat and I know I'll get plenty more. Unlike the last version the lining is pretty boring. I used fusible interfacing on the sleeve and bottom hems--batiste fabric as the front and collar interfacing. I do wish I had used a more substantial interfacing but failed to realize that the denim wasn't as hefty as the home-dec fabric I used in the previous version. That's not a deal breaker for me. For that next version...and there will be a next version, I'll use something else. I'll leave you with more photos and hope you like the coat as much as I've enjoyed sharing the photos and wearing it.

 BTW this pattern has been discontinued! WTF. Somebody at the McCalls pattern copy doesn't know a good thing when they see it!

I Am a Phenomenal Woman

I've blogged about it on several occasions...age appropriate style and fashion. I'll be 57 this year and am always concerned that I might be making a fool of myself with my style and fashion choices! While checking out this link, I was in total agreement with most of it. The media has totally fooled us into thinking we can stop the aging process. They're are very few "old people" on television and in film. Betty White is an exception to the rule! But really, the media has made us feel bad about how we look. We all think we are overweight old hags that no man in his right mind would want. When was the last time you saw an actress on television with stretch marks, belly and or back fat? Don't burn up any brain cells trying to figure out that riddle!

You've seen me. You sort of know me. I don't know what you think of me but I don't consider myself, fat, chunky, chubby, overweight or plus size. I'm just me. While I've managed to escape stretch marks, I do have both back and belly fat. I've survived breast cancer and a knee replacement with a second replacement looming in the distance. I like who I am. I'm proud of who I am. I've been through more than you'll ever know and I'm still here! I don't allow anyone, not you or the media, make me feel bad about myself. Like Maya Angelou says " I'm a ...Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me. 

Maya Angelou

I'm aging as gracefully as I can. No one thing defines who I am. I'll continue with my sewing, golfing, bowling, violin playing, motorcycle riding, and anything else I so desire for as long as I desire. I'm my own woman. I'm not part of that tumbleweed rolling down the main streets of Dodge City who gets sucked in with what everyone else is doing because I don't have the where-with-all to stand away from the ground. Don't let anyone else tell you who you are. I think I know what styles and fashions work for me. I once read something in a Danielle Steele novel, "Fashion is what you buy, style is how you wear it!" and it has stuck with me. I say be your own "Phenomenal Woman" and tell the naysayers to go take a hike.