The machine's are a humming

I have finally gotten back in the sewing room, though not all is perfect yet (I'll discuss that later.)

I finished up two skirts for my oldest daughter today. Both are just traced off skirts she already has and likes. The first started as the muslin, but I used a suit type of fabric (a polyester one from Joann's) and it fit right, so I've continued to finish it with a lining and kick pleat in the back.

The next was a knit skirt with interesting inset pieces on the side. It sewed up really easily, and I hope to have photos of both to share soon.

I also just cut out a sundress for my younger daughter. I'm just sewing up a straight size 12 and hoping for the best.

It's a super simple pattern, M5873.


Computers have died left and right in this house recently, and I ended up buying a new one today just so I could watch Netflix and other online shows while sewing. I've gotten addicted to the habit, and it's my favorite way to sew.

That was the other reason sewing hadn't been going to well.

A lot of discussion has been on PR lately about not wanting to sew for others, and seriously, what does it matter if you like to or not. I enjoy it on occasion, right now is the right occasion.

It's Tuesday, whoo hoo!!

Seriously folk, not much sewing going on here so I'll just chat about what is going on.

If you don't read The Selfish Seamstress, you are totally missing out. This is one of my favorite blogs, and I was even featured in a recent post.

Here's a little hint of what you'll see. An outfit I sewed back in 1981 for the holidays. The cute dude was later my husband. He passed away in 1997.

I'm back in weight loss mode and I don't know if others feel the same way, but sewing is darn tough at that time. I want to share a recent find. I've used virtually all different online calorie trackers from WeightWatchers, Fitday, DailyPlate, etc., but I've found a new favorite. It's actually a free download from the Calorie Restriction Society (I believe) and it's just darn terrific.

Here's the link: CRON-O-meter calorie tracker

What I like about it, over the others, is that it encourages one to weigh food. Weighing is so much easier, in the long run once you know how to do it properly, so tracking becomes more accurate.

Here's a video from my favorite health/fitness guru. Suggestion - click on the title link and view it on YouTube as it doesn't fit in my formatting.

Besides those things going on, it's Spring, and I just love Spring. I totally don't have anything to wear though. Guess I need to sew. And tomorrow I get company, my sister is visiting for almost a week, and I have a bunch of housework to do. It's gorgeous outside and I'm stuck inside cleaning....bummer.

Off for my nice long walk.

Congratulations Michelle

The trip to New York was a major success. Michelle had two job interviews, both in her field of Textile Design, and was offered a job from one of the companies, while we were there. There we were, contently viewing the exhibits at the Metropolitan Museum of Art when her cell phone rang. Yes, the was a slight "whoop" and a few overheard her phone conversation and gave a thumbs up to her. She graduates in May and then will leave me...I'm so sad, and happy all at the same time.

Here's a photo of me in Times Square, even in a top I've sewn.


I did make it to Mood and was totally overwhelmed, but did buy one piece of fabric. Found a few more items at Spandex World and some threads at a thread store.

New York, New York

Yea, today is the day Michelle and I fly out to NYC for her job interviews. Naturally I didn't sleep well last night and I was already so tired.

I'm excited and scared, and I know she feels that way times 100. Once we get there we can relax a bit, and once the interviews are over (tomorrow) we can have some fun.

I have a list of fabric stores printed out, LindseyT's list on googlemaps. I have no specific buying plans, just see what tickle my fancy. I will either come home with nothing from being totally overwhelmed, or have to pay for extra luggage, and we already have to pay just to check the first bag these days.

We don't have too many specific plans, hit a couple museums, things she studied in school, and luckily I have a friend who will help us out. No plans for a show or anything like that. We just want to have fun and not worry about getting it all in.

Obviously we all are wishing Michelle the best of luck and in our hearts know she will end up in NYC where she wants to be and then I can visit regularly.

Till next week....

Odds and Ends

Someone asked about nail polish and chipping. Honestly, I just think some chip more than others. Also, making sure the nail is totally dry and clean helps the polish to stick better.

Lots of little things are happening here. I try not to talk too much about my weight issues here, but I'm about to start a new program. I'm working with someone online, someone who's information and knowledge I like and respect. Her work speaks to me and her programs seem doable. I have a bunch of photos that need taking (ugh) and fitness testing to do, and stuff to write up, so I hope to get that done today. So yes, you might be hearing me talking about what's going on in that area.

Also, my oldest daughter Michelle, the one who's a textile major at the University of Kansas is having her first interview shortly, in NYC. AAAAGGGHHHH!!!! neither of us have ever been there, so it's going to be a small vacation. I'm scared out of my mind.

But guess what, I can go fabric shopping, which I think is cool.

On the sewing front, I wore the green t-shirt I made out dancing on St. Paddy's day. It was fine, the dart a bit too high. I washed the shirt and it shrunk and now the dart was even higher. I do think I had forgotten to prewash as the fabric had been in my stash for a year+. I will start washing knits 2x.

But, all that aside, the pattern is working out pretty well, I still need to work on that dart placement though.

Warm Fuzzies

It's evening....I had a massage appointment earlier this evening (I have a bad neck that needs to be kept in check.)

Dinner was yummy, stir-fry that was made to perfection. Now I'm having some wine, watching LOST, and thinking I need to share a bit of stuff with the few that actually read my comments.

I had three positive remarks on my nail polish today. I decided enough-is-enough and I'm going to get these darn nails to grow again. I KNOW how to do it, lots and lots of cremes and oils, and keeping them painted.

I bought 3 new colors the other day, and I've now worn a new OPI Jade is the new Black for 2 days. Since it's fairly greenish I will do a coat of a green glitter on top for St. Patricks Day tomorrow.

Here's how it looks right now, you can already see the grow out starting and my cuticles are looking so much better with tender care:


Yes, I'm sewing. Right now I'm trying to get a green t-shirt constructed to wear dancing on Friday night (green theme) and maybe I'll wear it tomorrow. No details to share yet.

I have 3 pairs of pants to hem also.

I've bought lots of patterns lately, but I have no plan.

Wearing my clothes

I'm happy to say I wore a pair of slacks I made, as well as a top and a jacket out to dinner last night. Hey, I think that's an accomplishment.

I do have a few things that still need reviewing, I'm just not in the mood yet.

I downloaded the Jalie t-shirt 2005 today and spent the day taping it together. Hmmm...not sure if all that work is worth the money. We'll see what happens with the shirt. It's an out of print pattern, here's the photo:

I'll be working on it tomorrow. Yup, I had to tape together 72 sheets of paper....like I said, not sure if it's worth it.

Nails, ugh is all I can say. They still refuse to grow, but I have so many pretty colors so I put on OPI's My Big Break:


Oh, yes. I've been working on my contoured waistband. I finally just did up a taped up version of my own waist. Here's a comparison to a patten I've been working on. As you can see, I'm far less curved. It was an easy technique for making my own waistband.