Vogue Patterns On Sale

Hey, just a heads up.  I went to Joann's today because Lynnelle called and asked if I wanted to go and lucky I did.  They had Vogue patterns on sale for $3.99 plus 10% (with a coupon, but none needed for the patterns) off your total purchase.  It was not advertised and the sale is on tomorrow as well.  Consider yourselves enabled.  Happy Shopping!

That Mojo Is A Slippery Creature

You know why I say that...I've lost mine, AGAIN! I think it happened in New York. While I love going and looking at and purchasing fabrics for the store (which are all posted on Fashionista Fabrics now), I just didn't enjoy what I was wearing. I know it's all about me and my ongoing struggles with my weight but I just couldn't stand how I looked the whole time. Part of this is due to the differences in mirrors. Now here's a bit of history. I grew up in a house full of mirrors, as my mother was not only a model but a really awesome sewer. She needed mirrors to check fit, check the back, check the make-up, check the shoes. I, being the rebellious child that I am, decided to eschew mirrors in favor of a more crunchy, hippie kind of vibe. I moved in with a man who had 2 mirrors, one over the bathroom sink and one on the bathroom door. Well that's always been just fine for me because those two mirrors seem to have magical capabilities. They totally make me look taller and slimmer than I actually am. As I gained weight, it didn't really matter because my mirrors told me I looked good. Well, cut to New York and Lou's apartment. Lou, my dear sweet brother-in-law who lets me stay with him, has exactly two mirrors as well but for some odd reason, his mirrors make me look shorter and fatter than I actually am (or maybe not, I can't tell now) so as a consequence, I looked TERRIBLE in absolutely everything I put on except the Simplicity 3887 top. Of course, it didn't help that I went to Macy's and I tried on some things that actually looked good on me (I ended up buying a trenchcoat in bright yellow and I almost bought more clothes, thank goodness they're ridiculously expensive for something I could make in not too long a time. Anyway, when I got home, I got so busy with the store and whatnot, that I didn't have the energy to sew. It's been a godsend to have people to sew with because at least I haven't completely given up.

As we've been working together, Lynn is working on her mini swap and Therisa is working on lingerie and Elnora is working on a million different things. I can't seem to decide and I'm sick to death of having failures, things that are just a little off. Therisa is the bra making champ of the group and after much discussion, we don't think my bra is correct and because of that I'm reluctant to start something until I can get a good bra. I ordered some from Bare Necessities and I'm hoping they'll be here soon. I ordered three different sizes in the hopes that I'll find one that fits and looks good under clothes. Plus too, I want to make a bunch of different things and it's hard to decide on one thing to start.  Here's what I'd like to make soon as well as the Simplicity jacket:
This is of course, all because of Carolyn.  I never even thought about this dress until she put it on her blog, now I think it's the most perfect beautiful dress EVER!

On the more proactive tip, Mick and I started doing the Body For Life Challenge together and so far so good. We haven't missed one weight lifting day but aerobic days can only get better. I feel very positive about that, I feel that my body has already changed a bit and I'm for sure feeling stronger.  And hey, at the very least, I need to make some new gym clothes.

Inspiration, But Not From Me

So yesterday, just as I finished writing the last post Mick came home and the first thing out of his mouth was that he knew what I should make.  Apparently he's been thinking about this as much as I have.  He said I should use the Turkish Delight fabric to make this jacket.


I looked and looked and I couldn't find the pattern, well long story short, I looked where it was supposed to be and to my delight it was there. I'm taking that with me and a couple of other things. I want to do something quick and dirty but with all the pattern alterations I have to make, I have a feeling there's no such thing. I'm taking a couple more things with me and the girls can help me decide.



I'm very lucky to have such a wonderful group of friends to sew with. You know it's funny, I asked the universe for sewing friends and lo here they are. I am a big fan of "ask, believe, receive". Next up, I'm winning the lotto!!!!

Pattern Sale, But I'm Not Biting

Yesterday, today and tomorrow, JoAnn's has Mccall's and Butterick patterns on sale for 1.99 and I won't be stopping by.  Mick's probably going to check to see if I have a fever or something, but I'm perfectly fine.  I simply don't like the new patterns enough to rush out and buy them when I have new patterns at home that I haven't yet had the chance to sew.  Tomorrow, we're having another sewing get together and I don't have anything planned.  I'm going to go look through those million patterns that I already own and find something to make.  I've still not made the cosmopolitan dress, there are so many possibilities really.  Regardless, because of the whole sewing day scheduled, I know I will come up with something.  I don't want to squander the time sewing with buds.  It's really quite nice having a group to sew with because I'm not allowed to flounder and my mojo doesn't get that far from me.  I know I need summer clothes and this is the perfect opportunity to get them going (that and the fact that I donated a  bunch of last years clothes).  Well, I guess we'll all see what I come up with, huh?  Maybe I should go "snoop shopping" to kinda help myself out.

Back From NYC

Well, Mick and I went to NYC to buy fabric and to have our anniversary dinner.  We arrived and hit the garment district first thing and I loaded up on cute summer fabrics.  They all just arrived today and the UPS guy just left them outside, I'm so mad.  I had to schlepp them all inside by myself, well not quite, my friend helped me with the last package but dang those were heavy, like 70 or 80 pounds a piece.  Anyway, we had a very productive trip; two days scouring the district for fabulous fabrics and of course I had to stop at the bead store, and I'm sharing some of my loot with my cousin Sharon, who makes beautiful jewelry in her spare time.  I'm excited about the fabric and I can't wait to get it photographed and up.  I happened upon a lovely piece of silk charmeuse that Mood bought most of (but not all) so that was a bit of a coup and I got a cotton faille and a printed voile and some pastel cotton lawns with stretch (that's a new thing I think) and some really cool jerseys.  I would photograph them right now but I needed to take a little sit down from schlepping them inside.  I'll probably get the lions share of it photographed and up this evening with a little help from my reluctant business partner. WOOHOO!!!!!

Blogoversary?? New Butterick

I think it's my blogoversary! WOOHOO! Anyway, new Butterick patterns were just recently posted and surprisingly enough, I have a few favorites.

Here they are:

I really like this dress, it's a very simple classic shape but with some interesting details. The sleeves are pleated and the band is a good opportunity for contrasting or complementary fabrics. I can see wearing this for more than one season.



I like this dress, not because I think its going to be something that will be enduring (I mean I have a picture of myself in a 70's house dress that looks suspiciously like this dress) but because it is a very current look and shape in dresses lately. I can see this in a lovely pique or linen, I don't know that I would do contrasting bands with this one as for me, it brings back the house dress vibe. I do love those little buttons at the shoulder. Very cute.



The pants are cute enough, I don't know, I probably already have something like this so I won't purchase this one but I can see wearing these this summer. It's like 1978 all over again.



I've been resisting this style of jacket since the SewStylish version came out last summer. I thought it might not be the best shape for my shape. This one has that nice back interest on view C. I can see wearing that jacket with the pants in the previous photo with a cute tee and wedgie sandals, I'll be good to go.

At the moment, I've put the coat muslin away, it's too hot and that means summer will be here in 15 minutes and I won't have anything to wear. I've cut out two Jalie 2005 tee's and I'm going to cut out Simplicity 3887 (see review on sidebar) with added length and a nice lining for my anniversary dinner dress, I'm hoping for the best, I'm using this really gorgeous fabric. I'm hoping to have it completed over the weekend.

Flashback And Seven Random Things

This is me and my brother and my dear friend Tracy and her late sister. Her sister is holding her face and of course, my brother is holding me. We're sitting on our front porch at the house in Detroit that I grew up in. I was telling my brother in law that my hair still looks like that. At least I wear more clothing these days. I just had to post this, I found it and I couldn't help getting that wonderful nostalgic feeling one gets when reminded of simpler, sunny days.

Now to the seven random things for which Michelle tagged me.

The rules:

* Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
* Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
* Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
* Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.


1. I am a feminist.

2. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a broadway star.

3. I sing all the time.

4. I Love, Love, Love Barbara Stanwyck, she's so tough.

5. I will put up with nonsense for much, much longer than I should.

6. I am overly cautious.

7. I'm a bit of a germaphobe, but not so much that I have a really clean house, just really clean hands ;~)

Now I know I'm supposed to tag seven people but I think everybody's already been tagged. If anyone wants to reveal seven random things, please do. I'd love to know more about you.

Love and kisses!

McCalls, Um Nope

Well the new Mccall patterns for summer came out the other day and I am happy to report that I won't hardly be adding a thing to my stash. You notice I said "hardly". While I thought most of the patterns lacked style and were too youthful for anyone but my 14 year old neighbor, I did like a couple. No, no I take that back, if they weren't too youthful, they were frumpy and dowdy. Yeah, sorry nope, not buying it, not making it, not wearing it. In fact if someone made up some of these aforementioned frumpy garments precisely to fit my body in my colors, I still wouldn't have it. Sorry McCall's this was a big fat miss as far as I'm concerned. I know there are others who may feel differently about this line but its just not hitting it for me.

I do, however, really like these two patterns.
I would make view B of the dress (were I to have an occasion) and I would do some fancy beadwork on the neckband. It's just asking, no begging for embellishment.


Now this top is just a great all purpose tee. I thought of making this with a lovely silk charmeuse. I really love this one, it's a classic.


Thanks McCalls for not adding to my stash (that much).