Time for Spring

Geez, seat cushions for the patio are expensive, and many are ugly.  So I'm deciding to make my own.  Found fabric and cushioning today.

The before photo of the table is just to show how horribly obnoxious things are before being fixed up.  Let's see, hangers were from recently unraveled yarn, which you can see hanging on the chair.  A few odd tool are there tool.  I already have the spray paint to repaint the black tables and chairs.

Knitting and Guilt

I haven't sewn in ages, and yes, I miss it. I don't see myself getting back to it with a passion though, at least not for awhile...it's faded away. Last year I had lost a bunch of weight and dreaded refitting, plus shopping was just too much fun and easy. Oh, and yes...weight is creeping back on, so there's more guilt to deal with. I've had problems with my neck for years after an accident, and this past December had an extreme flare of my herniated discs (lots of arthritis and facet issues, etc.) So I got some relief with spinal injections and physical therapy (which was the best) and am at what is my new "me." I hurt a lot and sitting at a sewing machine hurts.

But I do want to get back to it.

I've been knitting and having the time of my life. I started with finishing up two scarves I had started 2 winters ago, then went on to a few pairs of fingerless mitts and a couple hats. I began my first sweater in January, and just started my second one last night. Oh, and socks are so much fun, go figure.

   

This is the Equinox Raglan, the link is from Ravelry, and I guess that's just how I'll post these things. The yarn is Noro Silk Garden and I used 8 full skeins.

 

These Hermione's Everyday Socks were a breeze to knit, I'll do them again some day. And here's an updating photo of Penny and my daughter. Penny is all grown up now and still a crazy Vizsla.



Now to see if this all posted, I hadn't been on Blogspot in so long everything has changed. (eek, it's horrid, I'm going to have to relearn this all.)

Got an idea swirling in my head - S2154

Jeez, I don't blog in awhile (okay, so ages) and I come back and absolutely everything is different.  Hopefully this will work out.

I've complained in the past of having ordered a bunch of fashion magazines and then doing nothing with them.  Most the time I thumb through them, see something that does catch my eye, but I forget about it and once again, nothing is done.

Ah ha....a cute little jacket caught my eye yesterday as I've been thinking about a small jacket/sweater to wear over sleeveless summer dresses.  Here is a photo from an ad in Elle magazine.  The jewelry the ad is for didn't catch my eye, but look how sweet the eyelet jacket is.



So off to hunt down a pattern and I see Simplicity has a cute match in their S2154, a retro outfit.  Also, take a cute at the little top.  I think it is a beautiful classic and I can see myself possibly wearing it too.  I'm not much of a bow person, so that might have to be left off, but the lines are pretty.

A new top for a new body

Today I went to buy a new sports bra at a really nice Running Store. While there I took a quick look at tops and shorts, dreaming of when I can wear something so skimpy and adorable. I had on a t-shirt I had made recently and realized it fit me quite well and would be a great basis for a tank.

So I got home and literally just whipped it out.

Hot dog, how cool am I?

It's the top in the post below this one, though the 2nd top I made is a size smaller and better fitting. I made the tank exactly the same though I took out the center back seam. The armholes are the same size as well as the neckline, I just turned those under about 3/8" and basted them down by hand, pressed well then used the coverstitch close to the edge.

Oh, and the material was one I got over a year ago from Fabric.com that was specially for fitness garments. I have enough for another top and want to try to bind the edges. I'm still not too good at binding, but I have to learn some time.

And yes, I'm flexing my muscles and showing off how much slimmer I am now.

New Look 6735

I haven't done a PR review yet as I need to make this a 2nd time, without the alterations I started with (silly silly me.)

I decided to sew a size 12 then do the pivot/slide technique to add at the bust, waist and hips. The top fits well, just not as well as it might have had I left well enough alone.

Pivot/slide at the bust causes too much width for me right above the bust, at least in this fabric, which seems to be growing. It was an ITY I bought at Hancock's once.

So the plan for the next top is this, cut a size 12 above the bust, and a 14 at the bust and hips with a bit less of a waist curve than the pattern has. I also will do about a 1/2" forward shoulder.

The fabric could also use a bit of stablizing at the neckline seams I believe.




And here is top two of the KwikSew pattern I have shown in the post before this one. I sewed the top one size smaller than before, so I think it is a Small. It fits better. What I'd like to do is extend it to a dress length and wear it with a simple belt for summer.

KwikSew 3593

Ha, I sewed something finally.

Okay, I do have to explain why I've not been around. I've been busy working hard on dieting, and sewing and dieting just don't go well together. I still have a good 10-15 yet to go, but I got back down to my Weight Watchers Lifetime Goal, so I'm pleased. I've lost about 25 so far, and 37 since my all time high some time back.


I'm really satisfied with the new Points Plus plan and definitely recommend it to you if you're at all interested in something new.


Also, I love my new toy, the Fitbit. You can look for that online if interested and also if you end up getting one, let me know so we can be "friends." It's a type of calorie tracker, like the BodyBugg or BodyMedia. I had the BodyMedia GoWearFit in the past, and LOVED it...but I was allergic to the metallic contact.

Here's the top I made, review is completed and up on PR.


As anyone knows who's lost weight and sews....it is so darn difficult. It's starting new. I haven't had much luck sewing, but I wanted to start up again. I'm pleased with how it turned out.

Merry Christmas to you all

I just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I've not been doing much sewing at all lately as I've been working and the last few weeks have been pretty much full time. I haven't quite figured out how to fit sewing in with working. Oh, and I've gone back to Weight Watchers, which mentally takes up my time too.

For the New Year I really want to learn how to prioritize what is important to me, which is sewing. I'm so very happy when I'm holed up in my sewing room with a Netflix movie playing and working on a project.

The last bra I was making has ended up in the trash. I think I need to continue to work on the pattern that fits me right now. Though it won't fit as I drop weight, but that's easy enough to deal with also.

So for now I leave you with one of my favorite family Christmas photos from 2001.