bodner066

I'm pretty sure I've had this pattern (Simp 3768) for at least 5 years. I even bought it in both size ranges, which is why you see "1 of 2" across the top because back then I needed the largest sizes for the bottom half pieces. There's a number of new (and not-so-new) patterns out that I want, but since I'm still catching up on four months of unemployment/smaller temp paychecks, it will be a while longer before I feel comfortable spending that money. And, really, I have PLENTY of patterns that are still brand new, if not new releases. I was eyeing this one last weekend, and today it finally made it onto the cutting table. I'm starting with the draped-front top (View C) and am also thinking about trying the shorts. I'm severely lacking in weekend wear and these appeal to me. I'm more than halfway done with the top ... maybe an hour left of sewing, but I thought I'd take a break to share my pattern "alterations." First up is the fron...

It's still quite summer here and will be for a long while yet so I don't really know why I was drawn to this fall-colored fabric today. But I was, and this 2-piece "dress" is the result. I think maybe I just wanted to finally get it out of the stash. And even though the colors are autumnal, I will probably ignore that and still wear it to work this coming week. A good thing about a new job is that all your clothes are new again, but, really, they aren't to me and something new and colorful will be fun. The patterns are Butterick 5429 for the top and Simplicity 2185 for the skirt. I've made the top before, but with the sleeves. This time, I left them off per the red version on the envelope. I like it a lot and am already planning another. I wonder if I can get away with a few in solid colors for layering in "winter." I haven't hemmed the bottom and am still deciding if I will leave it raw, use a hem facing, or add a band. I'm leaning toward le...

You would think because I'm modeling this outfit that I wore it today, but ... you would be wrong. ;-) I'm actually trying on the two pieces together for the first time tonight after work to see how I like them and if they're contenders for tomorrow. I believe they pass. I'm thinking of leaving off a belt for sheer comfort. I've been walking at lunchtime and I think I'll prefer the floaty-ness of the unbelted top. Plus, I can tell already that I'd be fiddling with the front ruffle and side vents getting caught up and I definitely will not enjoy that. Sounds like I've made up my mind. Speaking of lunchtime walks, I passed by this little guy today. I've lived here 23 years and I'm still enchanted by the tropical birds that are as common here as crows and sparrows up north. And a couple of shots of the views from my office. Ironically, I can clearly see my old office from the new one. I hope they can see me back in the saddle and smiling.

I had a new skirt pattern out, tissue pressed and cut, ready to go and then the wild hair took over. Or should I say, the lazy hair. Instead of making the new pattern/skirt, I re-fashioned a dress and made yet another Ottobre tee. It's a no-face/bedhead day, so this is all you get. ;-) Weird angle too, because I look like a rectangle which is something I definitely am not. The skirt started life two+ years ago as this Walmart dress. I shrank out of the dress but I wasn't ready to give up the fabric. Before, when it was new Here's how it looked on me back then. (So glad my face isn't that puffy anymore.) 2 years and a few more pounds ago The top is my trusty Ottobre 02/2007, in a cotton sweater-ish knit, with some beads tied into a stitched-on organza ribbon (makes the beads easy to remove for laudering) . This outfit will be worn to work this week. It's nothing special or fancy, but that seems to be how I roll these days. I think it's the 3000% humidity we'v...

Did you ever have one of those projects? The one where as soon as you cut the fabric, you knew it was going to be a fight to the end? This was that. But I think I beat it into submission won. I added bust darts for fit and side vents for some interest. It's a fairly boxy top, which the belt is hiding.But it will be comfortable in our Florida heat, which will be sticking with us for a few more months. And I do mean sticking. I used an embroidery thread and a rolled edge with my serger to finish the neckline flounce. There was no way in the world I was going to narrow-hem this poly. It was hard enough getting a sewing machine needle through it for a seam. It's very floaty, pretty fabric but it was like sewing through a tin can. It's supposed to close with buttons, which would be hidden under the flounce anyway. I decided I didn't want to tempt fate even further by attempting buttonholes so I just overlapped the two front sides and sewed them together from the top side, ...

1. Thank you SO MUCH for all the nice comments, and continued support. 2. I am pooped. 3. First day today. 4. I slept like crap last night. 5. Wired, not nervous. 6. Will be sawing logs by 10:30 tonight. 7. If you know me, that's like 7:30 in dog years. ;-) 8. Things went well. 9. I'm a bit overwhelmed at the moment. 10. But I'll get there. 11. And my office-mates are patient, and really nice. 12. I will be billing some of my work out to clients. 13. I found out today that if I bill 20 hours in a week, I get to leave at 2:30 on Friday. 14. Can you say INCENTIVE? 15. :-) 16. There is a gym in the building. 17. I should really check it out. 18. "Should" being the operative word. 19. I didn't sew much this weekend. 20. But enough to tick myself off about what's probably going to be a bad match of fabric/pattern. 21. I'm giving us some space away from each other. 22. Maybe magic will happen while I'm at work. 23. I hate my cable provider (Bright House/...

Watch out fabric and patterns, here I come! (Yes, it means what you think it means. I start Monday.)

This skirt is done. Zillie has a crooked stance so the pockets look uneven, but I measured (after my first set of pics the other day) and they are truly evenly placed down from the waistband. One reason I like this skirt pattern is the partial elastic waistband. The front and back are flat; the elastic is inserted at the sides. It's nice to have a woven skirt which fits comfortably throughout the day without giving in to a fully elasticated waistband and additional bulk.  I lined the skirt with some cocoa colored rayon lining fabric, cut cross-grain so I could lazily incorporate the selvedge as the hem, which ends right above the back kick pleat. You know me and handsewing (blech) , so the lining is fully machine-sewn around the invisible zip. This is easy to do if you (a) leave attaching the waistband for last and (b) sew the lower CB seam of the lining *after* attaching the upper sections to the seam allowances around the zipper.You can see that I (cough:cough) carefully matche...

(My favorite knock-knock joke as a kid, so I couldn't resist.) Since I'm not working, I decided to spend some time with some old friends in the sewing room today. First up, my Viking 6010, which I dusted off and oiled, prepping her for some topstitching duty. Poor girl, I've neglected her for a year. Next a TNT skirt, Burda 8623, which I've made numerous times. So nice to just cut and sew. But, no, I couldn't just cut and sew. I had to change it up a little bit, by stealing the pockets from Simplicity 2152. The front half is done. The pocket bands don't look so contrast-y in real life. Just pics playing tricks. My 6010 never lets me down when using heavy thread for topstitching. Here, I'm using a salmon-y upholstery thread for both needle and bobbin, with a stitch length of 3.0. Tomorrow, I'll be submitting resumes, inserting an invisible zip (can you believe I have one in the stash to match this fabric?) , and then finishing up the skirt with a rayon li...