Simplicity 2805

Ugh......and I don't mean the boots.
So I finished this top, Simplicity 2805, and I can't say I am too happy with it. Well I'm more unhappy with this picture......when did I turn into my Mother!? Maybe it's the fabric or the color or the style or I don't know what, but I'm thinking I look a little frumpy in this.

I will say the pattern was easy and I did learn something from this project. I noticed it gapping in the back of the right armhole, as I had been reading 'Fit for Real People' I remembered about the gapping from uneven shoulders and sure enough my right one is lower and slopes. This also caused the from where the vee crosses to gap open. Fix the right shoulder, fix the armhole and the front gap.

There was another problem with this top that had nothing to do with the pattern or fit. The fabric was flawed and I didn't even notice it until it was sewn together. The bright blue flowers faded across part of the fabric, and of course that part of the fabric ended up front smack dab in the middle of the top. You can see it a little in the picture. This is totally my mistake for not checking and paying attention.

So this little number will be put to use when I'm digging in the garden or washing the dogs. I'm not sure I will make another one.

Next I'm thinking about pants, I really need some summer pants. And I just got 'Pants for Real People' so I am anxious to try this fitting technique. Carolyn, at Diary of a Sewing Fanatic, was talking about her TNT (Tried and True) patterns (she really is creative!), and got me to thinking I need some, especially a pants one since that is what I mostly wear.

So that will be up next, but not until after the Super Bowl. I can't believe football is almost over!

Today Is My...................

Birthday

Happy Birthday to Me!!!!!!!

Lily turns 7

Lily, aka The Princess, is 7 years old today. Seems just like yesterday she was a feisty little puppy. She still acts like a pup when she plays with her stuffed toys, or charges the tv when she sees a doggy commercial. But she's showing a lot more gray on her chinny-chin-chin.

Happy Birthday, Lily-girl, may you have many, many more!

Hey Na Nee Na, My Boyfriend's Back!

The Husband is back from his trip!

We're all glad, I'm glad, the dogs are glad and The Husband is especially glad.

I finished Simplicity 2805 this morning and will have pictures and do a review in the next few days. We need a different cable to get the pictures from the camera to the computer. Looks like a trip to Radio Shack............

All By Myself

The Husband is still out of town so I've been entertaining myself with sewing and football. And I actually made some food that didn't require the microwave.

I tried a new chili recipe using chicken and white beans. Well, I misread the recipe (a frequent happening with me) and got 1 can of white beans when I needed 2, so luckily there was a lonely can of black beans in the pantry willing to sacrifice itself for the cause.

The chili was okay, pretty simple, but I gotta tell you, chicken doesn't belong in chili. The chicken breasts were pan-sauteed before going in the mix and were quite tender, but after adding and cooking for maybe 15 minutes in the chili it was like chicken gum - chewy. Really the only thing chicken is good for is frying or roasting, WITH the skin on. There is still enough left over for another meal so I will freeze it and force The Husband to eat it for dinner when he returns, maybe add some garlic bread. Garlic bread makes anything better!

I can't believe only 1 more football game left this season, what's a girl to do? Get a lot more sewing done, that's for sure. My dream Super Bowl match-up(Manning vs Manning) ended in the wild card round. Then my next best match-up (Giants vs Steelers) came to a screeching halt thanks to Philly. Then Philly ends the dream of an all PA match-up. At least the Steelers are still in it, Go Pittsburgh!

I've finally decided on my next sewing project. I was going to try a knit top, but chickened out and chose Simplicity 2805. Yes, it's so easy, but right now I think it's all the challenge I need. I've traced a size 12 but want to short it a little, I'm not into the tunic tops. I've got a nice cotton fabric from my stash that should make this a nice summer top.

Well, still got the aprons to finish off first, so I better get going.

My Man Done Left Me.....................

But he'll be back.

The Husband is out of town for business, which leaves me with no photographer and more importantly, no chef! My culinary specialties are - pasta with sausage and peppers, pan-seared salmon, rubber chicken, oatmeal, cold cereal and grilled sandwiches. I have never met a grilled sandwich I didn't like.......unless it has eggplant on it, yuck.

So while the blog posts may be somewhat lacking, I have not been idle. I've finished a quilt top and 2 pillowcases and started 2 aprons and a purse. These are projects that I need to get done before I can start on something for me.

Which brings me to my next project. I'm stymied, stumped, stalled, at a standstill. I'm just not sure what I want to do next. I've got some great new patterns and new fabrics, but nothing is jumping out at me screaming MAKE ME.

So maybe it's a good thing that I have other things to occupy me. I'm sure inspiration will come eventually.

Capellini with Shrimp

Tonight's Dinner

This dish is from the April 2008 issue of Gourmet magazine. Capellini with shrimp in a creamy tomato/vermouth sauce. This is the the first time The Husband has made it and it was very good. Accompanied by a nice salad and a glass of Five Rivers Pino Grigio and we had a nice mid-week meal.

Dress #1 New Look 6803

Okay, here it is my first dress using New Look 6803. The dress was super easy which is what I needed to start with to get back into sewing. I looked the pattern up on Patternreview.com and found a few helpful reviews.

I made version A and E (the belt) in a size 12 with no modifications. The fabric is a cotton quilting fabric that I had in my stash. The fit is what you would expect from a pattern that is labeled EASY. It has no darts and isn't very shaped, but it wasn't the total potato sack I thought it would be. I would never wear it without the belt. The front pleats do make it a little poofy at the bust but I'm small chested so any help there is appreciated!

All in all, I'm pleased with it and will wear it when it gets a little warmer or with an aqua colored cardigan, if I can find one.

Now my thoughts on my first web picture......let me just say this, I do not like having my picture taken. Don't know why, I just don't. And I am hardly ever pleased with the outcome. That being said I knew when I started this that I would need pictures and I like to look at the clothes people make on them, rather than on their dressforms. So I sucked it up and had The Husband take a few shots. This one was the best. It's not bad, I'll live. Although in my mind................I am much hotter in real life, ROFL!!!!


Tonight's Dinner


The Husband made one of my favorites....Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza. He makes the best thin crust pizza in my opinion. His crust is perfect, thin and crispy with just the right amounts of cheese, meats and sauce so as not to get soggy in the center. Honestly, I could eat it everyday.



Fido


This is Lily, aka The Princess, waiting for what
she thinks is rightfully hers ....a piece of pizza
crust. She got a piece, of course.

First Post

I am one of the most technologically challenged people I know, even though I have worked around computers for years. But after following some amazing sewing blogs for the past six months I have decided it is time to take the plunge! I am pretty proud that so far I been able to set this blog up by myself, but I know I will need help with the pictures when the time comes.

I hope to use this blog to keep me on track as get I back into apparel sewing after a 30 year hiatus. I've been an avid quilter for the past 16 years but have hit a BIG mental block where that is concerned and now hope to turn my creative energy into.....well, clothes!

That covers the fabric in my blog, the food part comes from The Husband, who is an amateur gourmet chef. And a pretty darn good one, if I do say so myself. I aim to show off some of his culinary creations with mouth watering pictures.

Fido in the blog are actually two BIG Rotties, Lily (the princess dog) and Ed (the all boy dog). They are cute and lovable and will show up from time to time.

So this is it, my very first post on my very own blog. How cool is that!!!!!