Take Two

This is the second version of Butterick 5028. This time I used my favorite full skirt - Kwik Sew 3337. I graded the top down so the armholes were a size 14, I shortened the shoulder length and cut front piece with the edge 3/8" off the fold. I also lengthened the bodice by 1". It's still not perfect. I wore a cardigan over it all evening and it was perfect. But the front gapes and man do I have cleavage in this dress! Which is amazing because I normally don't have cleavage. Feels rather uncomfortable if you're not used to it. Although the camera doesn't lie - I feel skinny wearing this dress. Other than the issues with the bodice it is very comfortable to wear. I still need to find some new strappy heels. I don't like the look of the flip flops with the dress - but we were headed out and I knew we would be walking once we got downtown. These shoes were the best option other than wearing my Danskos.

Anyone have ideas on how to fix the back? I don't know what to do. I really like this dress and may attempt one more version. It's pretty distinctive so I can't have too many of the same style in the closet, but I would like to work out the back issues. I think it looks so much better with this skirt, rather than a full rectangle skirt. I love the look of a dress with a full skirt. Claire has been telling me to try a slimmer skirt. While I'm not sure I want to go pencil skirt slim, I do like the way this skirt looks and will attempt more pattern frankensteining.

Jumbled Thoughts

Every time I go into the studio - I see the stack of fabric that was purchased with Carolyn while on vacation in New York. To date ~ 3 months later ~ I've only sewn one piece. And that one was a simple skirt that takes me about 3 hours from cutting to hemming.

Also, while in New York I saw this beautiful sheath dress. I love it. I think it's Ann Taylor Loft but I can't find a photo on-line. I'm sure something in that stack would be suitable for this dress. But that's another thing - and this not a statement to hear "but you look great." Of course, we all do dressed! But it's how I'm dealing with how I look undressed that's the story

here. I have mostly dug myself out of the depression from this past Winter/Spring. I have gone back to Weight Watchers, I am standing up for myself when it matters and I've hired a personal trainer. I don't want to use 'good' fabric for a dress that I might not be able to wear for more than a season. I wear my clothes to death - that could be because I don't make enough to replace them, but that's another topic altogether. I also know myself well enough to know that if I make the dress to fit now - I . will . not take it in when I lose weight. So, I might as well wait.

Finally - I told you the thoughts are jumbled. I got this yarn last weekend with the Cashwool I ordered. I had to throw this is the virtual shopping cart because it was half off! Ever since it arrived in my house all I can think about it knitting it. It really wants to become plain stockinette ankle socks with garter stitch heels and toes. It's even been divided by weight and wound into pretty little cakes. The problem with this - well I just started the heel flaps on the Mockery socks; I have the Malibrigo Lace that I'm working on; the chocolate raspberry twinset which is on hold until I rework the neckline on the tank; and it's charity bear knitting season for Great Yarns. Like I need another project.

Well JB and I are going to see Batman tonight. I need to get ready - I'll be sporting me new sundress and will see if I can get JB to snap a photo or two.

More Mockery

So, I have been slowly working on the mockery socks. I have them both on a US0 40" Addi Turbo. I am working them from the top down, both at the same time. I absolutely love this yarn. It is Claudia's Hand painted fingering weight in the colorway Pistachio and was a gift from Chan. For some unknown reason - my inclination is to make socks from gifted sock yarn for the person who sent the yarn. However, both this yarn and the yarn I received for the girly-girl (raverly link) are being kept by my - color me selfish! I wanted to tell you all about something really cool that happened at knitting on Wednesday night. Fontelle hosted Joe - owner of SouthWest Trading Company was at our knitting night. He claims to knit, but we never saw proof. We did however see lots of their new fabulous yarns, all made with some non-traditional fiber. My friend D was drooling over the 24 Karat Shell made out of bamboo. The feel of that yarn was spectacular and the drape - wonderful. She'll be knitting it soon and maybe even adding it to her Ravelry page. They had tons of new stuff and I love feeling all of it. The colors are vibrant and if the products feel anything like their tofutsies then I'm sure they will be a dream to knit with.