What is Happening to Me?

I hate having my picture taken. Why can't I look all fab and glamorous like Erica, Beki (even without her head) or any of the Diva's. But no, I always look stupid. Plus - I really look like I need some sun! That would be Miss Abigail at my feet - she always has to be the center of attention. This skirt was great fun to wear all day. Didn't wrinkle at all! I felt feminine and swooshy.

shy! Hubby didn't do a great job with the photography and you can't really see how cool the print is! Trust me ~~ it's a great black cotton with white swirls all over it! I ran out of the skirt and trouser type of waistband hooks, so it is held shut with a safety pin - but nobody knew that until right now!!

I'm wearing it with the yellow t-shirt I made last summer and think it would work well with any bright solid color top. Eventually it will be worn with Vogue 2561. That top will be made in a white cotton pique with black gingham trim. This is the top done in green and white on the cover of the December/January 2007 Vogue Patterns Magazine (sorry I wanted to link but there was no photo!).

Okay, so back to the title - what is in the world is happening to me. I love to make clothing, but once they are made I'm done with them. I rarely alter anything - ever! Don't care how much I love it. If there is something wrong with a garment after it's finished, well it doesn't get fixed, it just doesn't get worn.

I finished the Pink Vogue dress and posted a photo of it hanging on my fabric cupboard a few posts back. When I tried it on - there was a ton of excess fabric right at the small of my back! It was icky! I felt uncomfortable. Well I love that fabric and the dress would be very fun to wear - full skirt, shawl collar. Didn't want to give up on it. So last night, before falling asleep on the couch at 8:30, I unpicked the back waist seam. This morning I adjusted the bodice only to take out some of the excess fabric from the bodice, sewed the seam and tried it on. It fits much better - unfortunately, the waist seam is now much higher than my waist in the back. I think this is a much better option that the extra fabric - at least now I'll wear it. And because I only took the excess fabric out of the bodice - the hem is still even. I might still need to find/make a belt to wear with it to hide the rising seam (not that anyone but another seamstress would ever know). But I think I'll wear it to work today - I'm happy. I actually altered something after the fact!!

Today I will leave you with a photo of Miss Abby trying to suffocate herself in an ice cream bucket! I know - dogs aren't suppose to have people food, but mine have always got to clean the empty ice cream carton and it was her turn. It's funny, because she deliberately sets the carton upright and then puts her head in - clear up to her eyebrows! She can only lick the carton so long before she has to come up for air. Silly dog :)

Black Graphic Skirt

is finished! Got it done in the past two morning of sewing instead of surfing! I used the El's technique for inserting an invisible zipper and it looks great!!! I am wearing it with a yellow knit top I made last summer. Hopefully, if I'm not too wrinkled when I get home, I can have a family member take a photo. Although I did have a Doh! moment. I forgot that on this skirt pattern I have adjusted it so it falls gracefully over my baby bearing hips, and that my waist is considerably smaller. So what I generally do is cut the waistband 2 inches larger than my waist, baste the top of the skirt and then ease the skirt to fit the waistband. All's good. Did it on this skirt - the Doh! moment - forgot to do it on the Daisy Skirt. Since I cut a good 4-5" off the waist band pattern piece I can guarantee the skirt will be too big! So, guess what I get to do tonight? Right! Pick out top-stitching and some stitching-in-the-ditch so I can take the waistband off, make it smaller and then reattach it! Sometimes, I need to stop and think.

A Little Show & Tell

So - who knows what this is? Right, it is a shot of the bathtub in my masterbathroom. I was getting creative with photos this morning! But what else is it? Anyone? Anyone? It's the finished Man Sweater! Except for the front each piece of this sweater was knit twice - including the neck band. I then let it soak in a vinegar/water solution for more than 24 hours in an attempt to set the color. Then it got a gentle wash in cool water and baby shampoo. Now, it's resting. I might toss it in the dryer for a very few minutes on the fluff setting in an attempt to 'shrink' it just the tiniest bit. This Saturday is the Annual Basset Bash and JB is hoping to wear The Man Sweater - weather cooperating, Sunday will see lots of dog photos and action shots of the sweater! Next up - last night I finally finished the handwork on the Pink Dress. This is fabric that I bought at Expo. I tried it on last night and don't love it. I was right in thinking that it needed a slight alteration in the bodice for a sway back. It'll be fine and I'll wear it - but I might look for a belt. There is too much fabric in the back waist. Moral of the story - always go with your gut! In the Queue: *This morning I rethreaded the machines with black thread - since I already have the black graphic print cut in KS 3337 - it doesn't take long to assemble and this one has nothing fancy added to it - just down and dirty a new skirt. *After that I want to make a lining for the next version of the above skirt. I have 2 wonderful pieces of black and white print - one predominately black the other white. How I see this coming to life is with the black as the top portion of the skirt. I plan on binding the lower edge with a solid white fabric. The border will be the white fabric bound with a solid black. Instead of putting the two pieces together with a traditional seam - I will lap the seam so the white binding shows over the white fabric. This skirt will be lined with a lightweight white cotton. The reason the lining is being made next is because I then see a very pretty cotton lace showing from the bottom of the skirt. This lace has to be attached to the lining and has to be fairly substantial so it doesn't look like my slip is slightly too long, but like I intended for the lace to show. I couldn't find what I wanted - so over the next couple of tv nights - I will crochet the lace directly onto the lining all by myself! *While I'm crocheting the lace for the black/white skirt the actual project will be the dress from the purple box prints also from Expo. This one I have muslined, complete with a swayback adjustment, and won't take long to sew. I have way more plans - but that should keep me busy for awhile. So - I'll leave you with a parting shot. Abby was standing in the dining room this morning waiting to see which way I was going - into the living room or downstairs - come on Mom - make up your mind!!!