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Friday, March 1, 2019

February Wrap-up and Future Plans…

This month I sewed 4 items for a total of 7.25 yards, all from “new”fabric.

My epic February plans were interrupted by the biopsy...between the stress and the pain, I spent a good 10 days not sewing. Add in the issues with the B6641 jacket and blehhhhh. I wish I'd gone with my plan to cut some stuff out.

Anyway, enough griping :)
  • New Look 6123 dress (WIP) in plaid suiting - 2 yards
  • New Look 6189 pants in tonal striped suiting - 2 yards
  • McCall's 7722 top in leopard sweater knit - 1.25 yards
  • Vogue 1411 pants in olive ponte - 2 yards
I'm not sure about the dress. It may be a wadder...I still have quite a bit of finishing left to do on it but am not very enthusiastic about it. 

NL6189 turned out very well!! I went back after this and made a tie belt for them. As soon as I no longer look crazy-eyed (hello prescription pain meds...) I'll get pics.

NL6189

Mehhhhhhhhhh. I liked the idea of this pattern and *loved* the fabric but, no. It looks super weird on me. It is a very fitted bodice and with the full upper sleeves + 34E bustline = NOPE. 

I know people mean well when they give suggestions for 'fixes' but I promise...when I'm unsure or looking to save something, I'll ask for suggestions. When I've decided it doesn't work on me, it doesn't work.  I will not be attempting to rework this garment and will likely get rid of the pattern.

M7722

V1411 has been made a few times before. After M7722 crashed and burned, I needed a final project. I should have just worked on the jacket or dress but...I also need more pants.

V1411


I love the topstitching on this pattern. And yay for having a coverstitch now! Speaking of...I found a fellow sewer selling the entire set of feet for the Brther 2340cv for an excellent price and I cannot wait to play with them when I am better!!!!


Butterick 6641 just needs (hand sewn) hems. They're all basted and ready to sew. I think this is something I'll be able to do sooner rather than later. I believe the impediment to getting back to sewing will be cutting things out (which is why I wanted to do so before surgery!!)

terrible pic of B6641 :)

I also bought fabric. I'd seen a cardigan (I can't remember which blog!) and when FM had knits on sale, I had to have some of this fabric.

distressed french terry
2 yds of laurel green
1 yd of white (for another NL6314)

1.5 yds yellow cotton twill for a pair of jeans

1.5 yds striped poly georgette

1 panel of this lasercut, fringed moleskin

I am so not a bag maker but...I am a very frequent user of the library and have an old gym bag that I use as my 'library bag'. Well, when I started my pilates and Zumba classes, I needed the gym bag for...going to the gym! :) As soon as I saw this fabric I thought, that would make a cute little tote! Something simple like this: HGTV Tote Bag Tute 

I have cute french braids for the next couple of weeks since I can't use my hand...we'll see where I am next week and if I need another longer term hairstyle.
This is also a takeaway from a fun photoshoot I did last weekend...More on that later!

Surgery was mostly uneventful - yay! Except for the tears from the 1st nurse's attempt at starting an IV. She bruised me up pretty good before suggesting she bring another nurse in. Hmmph. And, if you look closely, you can see the crazy bruising on my upper arm from the tourniquet.


Bandages come off Saturday, stitches are dissolvable, and I'm just trying to stay on top of pain management, work on "gently moving my fingers",  and binge watching shows and/or movies when I'm awake. (Highly recommend Homecoming and Sharp Objects if you haven't watched either!)

**Also, I'll be in Nashville early next month. It's for work but if you have suggestions for stores to hit up, or are a local and want to meet up, let me know! There's a 'contact me' option here on the blog.

16 comments:

Janice said...

So glad to see you blogging. How ivr missed your creations. Glad surgery went well.
I made as camp shirt, had to be cut out of single layer. (Sigh) I flipped one of the front pattern pieces over (like we do on double layer fabric). So, I had 2 right sides and no more fabric. It's beautiful fabric so I wanted a save. I'm adding a lace overlay on that side and opposite sleeve. The lace has horizontal pattern and shirt edge is curved. So, any ideas on how to meld them? I'm trying soft g as there at side seam but any ideas appreciated.

Faye Lewis said...

Re-coop quickly!!!

Queendeb said...

Thank you for sharing, can"t binge watch anything, though "thanks" for the recommendation.. in the house sewing on weekends with this unpredictable weather..

Vanessa said...

I am so glad surgery went well! Rest, heal, and recover! NL pants are amazing!!!!!!! The Butterick jacket looks fabulous already! I think I will make that too, and look forward to your review. Beautiful fabrics, and I agree that sometimes a project is just done and it will not be reworked any longer, lol!

Bunny said...

Ouch! that arm looks painful. I am glad it all went well and hope you are cutting and stitching sooner than expected but follow doctors orders. It never works out to rush things. Your braid look is darling and really exposes those pretty eyes!

Diane K said...

At Janice, I’ve made that mistake, too! It’s very humbling, ha ha.
To Keisha, as always, I am in awe of your productivity. Especially in view of your very busy life. Get well quickly and try to enjoy the change of pace. 😁

luv2sew said...

As a nurse, I wish your IV experience would've been better! As a fellow sewist, I appreciate what you said about asking for suggestions if you want them😁 I threw away the Tunic #1 pattern recently after making an effort to modify it into something wearable and flattering...end result, as you say, was a wadder. I love all the photos and the Vogue pants especially since I need a little push to make that pattern! Take good care of yourself while you finish recovering!

Dlawson said...

I am so glad that your surgery went well and that you are healing. You were smart in cutting out garments in advance of your surgery, and preparing yourself to keep a hand in (no pun intended) during recuperation. As far as hits and misses are concerned, I've been in that same situation and I agree - if it doesn't work, it doesn't work. I had a similar experience with a Butterick cap-sleeved dress pattern that was released when sheath dresses became commonplace; I'd inadvertently cut the dress out a size too large and despite numerous attempts to alter it and to make it fit me properly, it never worked. I even tried cutting the pieces down a size to achieve a better fit, but it was over and I was done. What I did next, though, was to get back on my proverbial horse and make another dress - similar in style, but definitely not the same pattern - which turned out beautifully. Like "Stella," I had gotten my groove back! Looking forward to more from you - but do take care of yourself in the process!

Sarah Liz said...

Glad you are going to be on the mend. And I agree, when something doesn't work for you, ditch it. After all, you are the one that has to wear the garment. It's how you feel that counts, not anyone else. Well meaning suggestons annoy me too, for much the same reasons

Peg Sullivan said...

Feel your pain with he hand surgery, and the IV wow. As a nurse hve experienced both. The pants have a very edgy vibe and I like the look on you. Be well, and the sewing will go so much better when you are better.

Linda L said...

I hate nurses that cannot take blood or insert IV needles without doing bodily harm. My veins are not pronounced so I know some find it difficult. I had to have cholesterol blood work today and the nurse did it perfectly. I was very thankful! Hoping you get well soon from your surgery!

Lori Bee said...

Best wishes on your recovery! Hope you feel better soon and can get back to sewing. Very frustrating not to be able to do it. These are all great makes, and I especially love both pairs of pants. Love your new hairstyle, too!

cidell said...

I want you to get hot chicken while in Nashville and tell me if it's everything I've dreamed it would be. I have small veins and nurses always have trouble sticking me. I've had some medical issues the last year and at one point was getting blood drawn every few days, I was ready to murder someone. I also don't 'fix' problems. It works or it doesn't. I'm just not one to go back.

Mary C. said...

I know how terrible it is to have your veins not comply with the nurses! After spending a week in the hospital, 3 different nurses tried to insert a new IV for what felt like a half an hour. They finally called the doctor to ask if it was still necessary. Thankfully, she said it wasn't. I love that fringed moleskin, I can't wait to see it used. You look fantastic with your hair in braids!

Let's Get Sewing said...

Wow these makes all look amazing! The trousers are great.

Tampa Bay Lisa said...

I hope you heal quickly and correctly! Love both pants on you, and like Mary I’m excited to see how you use that fringed moleskin! Please do a post on what you find in Nashville - we’re visiting for Memorial Day weekend! Also, I love your kitty! 😻