New fall patterns-a fat chick's perspective

I just finished looking at McCall's and Simplicity's new fall patterns. Besides the fact that it's June and hotter than hades here in lovely DC, they just didn't do it for me. First, McCalls. I saw a couple I thought were ok, but they didn't go above an 18. Am I going to do major grading up on a pattern I barely like? I don't think so!!! Next, Simplicity. I found one pattern I might buy if/when it goes on sale. They did a better job at sizing, but not by much. I sew because I have a hard time finding RTW to fit. Now, my choice of patterns is limited. Glad I already have a stockpile of them and don't care about wearing the latest trends! I know this topic has gone around blog-land a million times, but I'm mentioning it again in the hopes that someone from the pattern companies read sewing blogs...

This starting a new business is taking up lots of my time, so no sewing is happening.. Eventually I'll find balance...

Happy Birthday to me!!!

Yes, another non-sewing post. I am 50 today. Still having trouble wrapping my brain around that number. I can now join AARP and you know they sent me info already. Yet I don't "feel" 50....what is 50 supposed to feel like anyhow? I've already had one birthday celebration, when my mom, another sister and nephew were in town a couple of weeks ago. Another one today, with local family and the BF...someone better bring cake!!

In other non-sewing news, my business is now up and sorta running. I formed an LLC, will start working with one client next week, have another one in the pipeline and have let my contacts know so hopefully will get some business that way. Exciting and scary at the same time... But hell, if I can't take a chance at 50 to do something I've wanted to do for a long time, when will I take it? In case you're interested, I'm a cpa and I will be doing financial/accounting work for nonprofits. The nonprofit world is my passion, and I will get to work in it full-time!!

I'm hopefully going to get some sewing done this weekend....

They're like crack.....

These simple skirts are just addicting. I made another one last night, and I still have more panels.... On this one, I just made a simple casing for the elastic. It literally took 20 minutes to make, including pressing. The nice thing about being tall and fat is that I don't need to trim anything off the panels, so only had to sew one seam up the back and make the casing... Wore it to the dentist today, where I spent most of my day...sigh....didn't really want to spend close to $2,000 on my damn teeth while still unemployed..Will not be unemployed much longer - will save that for another post as the details are still being worked out, but I'm pretty excited about the next phase in my career! Now, onto the eye candy, front and back views on a hanger since I have no live-in photographer....



The front view



The back view


Happy sewing!!

Another skirt

I made another skirt, using one of the African fabric panels mentioned in my last post. I used an elastic waist technique from the Spring issue of Sew Stylish. I liked it better (on this skirt) than the exposed elastic, but think will use multiple channels as shown on an Anna Marie Horner pattern. Also cut out a muslin today for a more work appropriate A-line skirt. And have plans to cut out a couple of "wearable muslin" items...And I also washed up a bunch of fabric this morning...Will have to go out later today in our unbearable heat to go get a mammogram and a dexo screening...ah, the joys of being female and almost 50....Well, here are pics of the skirt, it's comfortable and cool, so plan on wearing it lots and making up a couple more!!!

OMG, I made a skirt!!!!

Finally, an actual almost finished wearable item!!! I made a skirt today, everything is done but the hem - am letting the skirt hang overnight before hemming. It's a very simple elastic waist Simplicity pattern (I'd give you the number, but I'm too lazy to get off the sofa and find the envelope...) I got the fabric at Gorgeous Fabrics and really love it - cotton with a bit of spandex. And it is definitely not a conservative print - this CPA likes her colors... I took a couple of pics, sorry for the ultra-white legs and the t-shirt that doesn't match...Also took a pic of my dining room window and the other fabric from Africa. I think I'm going to buy some wide elastic and just make a few "20 minute" skirts that were so popular in sewing blog-land last summer..

I think I will make another 1 or 2 of this pattern - it was easy and it's comfortable. Plus, now that I've gone through the trouble of adjusting it to fit my rectangle body, I might as well get some more use out of this pattern!!!

Happy sewing everyone!!!





Curtain:


Fabric without the sun behind it:

Finally turned on the sewing machine....

This past Thursday was my last day at work....Now I'm off at least the rest of this month, or longer, depending on how long it takes me to find a new job...I finally turned on my sewing machine this afternoon and made a curtain panel for my dining room. My oldest niece took a business trip to Kenya and I had her buy me some fabric. She got me some beautiful panel pieces and I used one of them for my curtains. I think the others may get made into simple skirts - sew up the side seam and add some elastic. The skirts would be too long so I think I can use the extra fabric to make a wrap tie for the waist so they look kinda like sarongs, but way less chance of a wardrobe malfunction... I have alot more items to sew in the queue, so hopefully I will have pics to show of wearable items soon.....

Road trip???

Carolyn of Diary of a Sewing Fanatic fame, did her last post on a trip to Fabric Mart. I've ordered online, but didn't realize that it was also a bricks and mortar store. A store that is only about 2.5 hours away from the DC metro area (using my address in Alexandria as a starting point)... I left a comment about a road trip so thought I would do an actual blog post about it - since I need to post something more than once a month..... I have heard from one person expressing interest but was wondering if anyone else from this area is interested. Since I'm taking most of May off, I have time to both organize a trip and actually go on one!!! I thought driving up in the morning, doing some shopping, having lunch, doing more shopping and a leisurely drive back could be fun. Let me know if you're game!!!