Frustration........

noun:  "a deep chronic sense or state of insecurity and dissatisfaction arising from unresolved problems or unfulfilled needs, often accompanied by anxiety or depression."

This kind of sums up my sewing experiences this year (and late last year, now that I think about it).  Of the few items I have managed to make the only one I am truly pleased with and wear is the bathrobe!

In January I made two pairs of pants, from  two different patterns.  On initial wearing they weren't bad, on the next go round they both seemed baggy and ill fitting, possibly due to changes in my body from daily workouts.  Sure I am happy with the fruits of my workout labor......but it is playing havoc with my sewing labor.  Both pairs  now lie waiting to be altered.  They are winter wear, they can wait.

My second attempt to make B5331 ended in a UFO.  I'm not sure why, all that work with just the buttonholes to go and I just couldn't look at it anymore.  The color just didn't seem right, it was taking to long to finish, I just didn't want it anymore.

My second attempt at the capris from B3717 hasn't gone very well.  My first pair was made from 100% cotton and even though was prewashed shrank a little, but the fit was nice.   This version was made using a stretch twill, prewashed, plus a little extra added to the sideseams.  It turned out to look like jodhpurs, pooffy in the place I least need it! So I took the side seams in at the original seam.  They looked better but not great.  I don't know maybe I'm hypercritical or maybe the fabric wasn't right, it seemed right when I started out but got stretchier and heavier as time went on.  These capris now reside with B5331, in need of a waistband and hemming and I don't know what else to make them right.

The little short sleeve jacket I am making from S4182 is almost done, just sleeves and facings.  It's okay, fit isn't too bad although I don't like the gathered bodice in back but it's not horrible.  I'm just not loving it, maybe wrong fabric again or the style is too young for me, I just don't know.

I revisited a UFO from last April, S2896 .  I needed a dress for a party and thought that since I my body has shifted fat around, it might fit.  But no, apparently that only works with the pants I made, the dress was still a little snug and this time pooffy in the stomach......another place I can ill afford any pooffiness.  I finished the dress, but still had to go out and buy a new one, which looked great and fit great and only took about 1/2 hour of my life to find.

Here is my frustration, after all the hours and money spent on these items I'm not loving any of them except as I said my bathrobe.  I am on a very limited budget and thought I could make some nice garments at reasonable prices, but it's not turning out that way.  Working 2 jobs gives me limited sewing time and the time spent sewing has not resulted in much.  I'm thinking my money and time would be more well spent at a thrift store or Target!

I don't know, maybe I'm just tired, maybe I just need a break from sewing.  Maybe I enjoy the thought of sewing all my own garments, of picking out patterns and fabric....but not the actual process of sewing them all
I don't know I'm just frustrated!

Fido Friday

Ed in his bed.

Happy Tax Day, America!

Taxation with representation ain't so hot either! .....vanya cohen

What at first was plunder assumed the softer name of revenue......Thomas Paine

Did you ever notice that when you put the words "The" and "IRS" together, it spells "THEIRS?" ......Author Unknown
 

Fido Friday

Ed has been hogging the blog Friday feature lately so here is Lily.

I know she doesn't look very happy about having her picture taken....maybe that is why there are more pictures of Ed!  She still is a beautiful little girl, if you can call 104lbs little!

Spring Sewing

There hasn't been much sewing going on here.  One of my brothers' and his wife came to visit this past week.  It was great, we haven't seen them in 6 years, so there was a lot of catching up to do.  They have never been here so there was a lot of sightseeing going on, too!

But things are getting back to normal and I've started two new spring projects. First up is B3717:

I am making View F, the capris. I wanted to make View E the ankle skimmers but I didn't have enough fabric.  I've made these before so they should go together fast. I am trying to "refine" the fit a little. We'll see how that works!  I am just using a cream stretch twill.  I've got all the darts completed so far.

At the same time I am working on S4182:

Also in View F (what the F???)! I know this pattern seems a little youthful for someone of my advanced (haha) age, but I like the lightweight jacket style worn with a tank underneath. Kind of like a summertime cardy.  I did add a little length to it so hopefully I won't have a "muffin top" peeking out!

Here is the fabric I am using:

I thought it looked very similar to the fabric used on the pattern cover, only a little softer. I have actually got the top bodice portion done:

I even have the seams finished already!

I would like to get them finished at the same time as they go very well together. Just add a light pink tank and I'm good to go!

You know you are a dog lover when.........

a load of laundry looks like this..................................