The Mad Seamstress

I can see my direction has changed since my last post in.....September?  I'm not a very good blogger. That is so me though, my mind always goes for a spin in another direction. I can't do all the things I want to do or have ideas for, etc.

But I should blog a bit, so I'm thinking I'll work on that before the end of the year, change things up, and freshen up the blog and actually use it.

I've been busy sewing for the Pattern Review Sewing Bee, having just finished up Round 3, though we won't know who passes on to Round 4 until this weekend.  It's been so much fun and so very motivating.

Challenge 1 was an A-line Skirt

Challenge 2 was reconstructing from men's buttondown shirts.

Challenge 3 was a knit dress from 2 fabrics (pattern given to us.)

Wish me luck as I do hope to pass on to the next round.

A new focus

I'm feeling slightly disillusioned, let me explain.  First of all, yes, I've been sewing.  I love sewing and it's my entertainment.  The other day I went thrifting and I bought loads of clothes, all nice and new and in my colors (a later post to come about that) and I spent a whopping $38.  That's what I'd spend on one new pair of slacks, and buying fabric for a nice pair of slacks is not much different.

I do need new bras as I've gained weight again, so my new focus is going to be bras again.  I really want to compare different patterns and shapes and such.

Reason this came to mind is that I recently downloaded a new bra pattern, took my measurements (as I expected) and made up my bra.  Now, to be honest, the last time I did that with a KwikSew pattern, it fit perfectly, obviously something that rarely happens.  But I did think I'd be close enough in size for some minor alterations.

Not at all, this bra was so tiny, I was just shocked.  I could tell while making it that the cup wasn't going to fit.

I spent this morning cutting out cups of different sizes, and it made me think about making bra muslins and such, so that's going to be my new focus -- bras and fit and patterns and such.

So of course I found a different pattern to download...so much fun.

More to come.

Vintage Sewing Notion Collage

Talk about a fun project I just did.  I was looking at vintage sewing notions on Pinterest and saw an idea for a collage, and then came up with my own idea.

A few of the notions I already had, and I bought a couple things at a local sewing resale shop.  The frame was one we had, which I spray painted and then dry brushed to make it look old.  You can find instructions all over for how to make a "vintage picture frame."

Isn't it just adorable, and it really didn't cost much to make at all.  And now I have some art for my sewing room.

Lots of sewing lately....and pants for the contest

I really need to do a little posting, but what I think I'll do it just post photos of some of my latest projects, all of which will have reviews on Pattern Review.

These slacks have been submitted for the Pants contest this month.  I would be grateful for any votes.  I used the SureFit Designs pants kit.

I did a couple cardigans from the Silhouette Patterns Twin Set, and used the instructions from one of her webcasts recently.

I made some cute linen capris, also from SureFit designs and did embroidery on the leg.

Cassiope - Shawl

I finished a cute and actually simple shawl this past week.  I know the words "shawl" and "simple" rarely go together, but  this one didn't overly tax me at all.

Here are a  couple photos:

A bit thanks to Jennifer for the skein of yarn.

Dressing Your Truth ~ Think I goofed already

Seriously, I must be a total nutcase.  I jumped off the dock without thinking hard enough, or learning enough.  I just assumed I was a Type 3.  Now I'm wondering why I thought that.  Simple answer is because I couldn't be any of the other Types....and now I'm sure I'm not a Type 3.  I keep watching more DYT videos and the people in them, and I'm just too mild mannered (or so I think) to be Type 3.  I think I'm a Type 2 now.  So before I do anything radical or cause any damage, I'm just going to step back for awhile and take it all in.

I tried clothes on at Macy's and the thrift shop the other day, thinking it would be easy to find some Type 3 clothes.  NOT!!!!

I looked and felt like a fool.  The colors were heavy and pulling me down and it didn't help that nothing fit.  I did put one top on in a pretty soft pine green and it looked great on me color-wise.  Funny thing is, it's the exact same color as the purse I bought a couple weeks ago.  I almost always buy a black purse and this time decided for a little color, just not too much color.  Maybe that's a clue.

So today I put on Type 2 makeup and my favorite comfy top in an animal print but it's blue and dark grey and I felt normal, kind of like myself.

This is not going to be an easy journey, that's all I can say.

I just wish I could be an exciting vibrant woman, and I don't think that is what I truly am.

Dressing Your Truth - Makeup and Hair

I love makeup and I wear makeup.   I do know as I've gotten older I've tried to tone it down.  I read blogs and books and they say to wear neutral matte colors around the eyes, blah blah blah.  I've tried that and it doesn't work and it doesn't make me happy.

I have lots of lots of beautiful sparkly colors from Bare Minerals.  I have eye shadows to last me for the rest of my life (oh, and lots of pretty nail polishes too...but that's another post.)

My goal for makeup is to go through it all, pull out as much of the Type 3 stuff I have and make it a little easier and simpler to go through, and put on.

And yes, I'm going to put the sparkly stuff back on.

My hairstylist is going to be so excited when I tell her to go bolder and more wild.  She's always wanting to put more copper colors in and make it chunky.  She always says it's ME....I tell her to soften it.  Ugh....I'm maybe not the smartest one around.

No photos for this post, nothing exciting to see.

Oh, I did paint my nails today, nice and dark and  rich and red....though they are short chewed off nubbins, they refuse to grow lately.  Spring and Summer should help a lot.