Faux suede

It's almost done! This fabric is working out beautifully. It does require a good bit of topstitching; the dense weave renders a flat pressing difficult. But the topstitching takes care of the problem, and it is appropriate for the style.
All that remains is to bag the lining and the jacket will be done. I'm on the fence about the closures right now....found some fabulous buttons, but I'm not sure they are just right for this project. I'll think about that tomorrow:)

Pulling from the stash

You'd think with the holidays approaching, I'd be making gifts. Not so. I'm selfishly making things for self! With the physician imposed weight loss, I'm finding that things just don't fit like they did a few months ago, and it's time to update some things in the wardrobe.

Not only the weight loss, but also the problem of dividing sewing into "I need to make this" and "this has to be done yesterday" keeps me from getting as much personal sewing done as I'd like. However, the sports sewing is done for another season, so I can be selfish:)

First on the docket were a couple of jackets. I've had Simplicity 4375 in the stash forever. The pattern is now out of print, but the jacket is one of those styles that will be around for at least a few more years. I've had a piece of burnt orange lightweight faux suede in the stash for awhile, and thought the pattern would work well in this fabric. I also had a great piece of corduroy with terrific silly-string-like yarns applied all over the fabric. This was destined to be the first of the two jackets.

I made the standard alterations, and found that I needed to lengthen the sleeves a half inch. The muslin looked good, so I made the first jacket from the corduroy, with the zipper front as the pattern indicated.

Looking at the pattern envelope was deceptive; I thought the jacket would hit me at the high hip area. It's almost at my waistline. Granted, I have a long back waist measurement, but this is really short! Version number two, the suede, will be at least three inches longer to have the proportion that is envisioned by the pattern envelope.

So I now have a jacket that is a bit short for my taste, but otherwise, I love it. It has just that spirit of fun that I like in clothing, without being over the top. The suede version is about 75 percent done, and it looks like it will be one of those staple wardrobe pieces. Photos to follow in a day or so when the suede jacket is finished.

Next up will be things to go with the two jackets. Those black pants that are seven years old.....well, it's time to retire them:)

Umm.....I expected a bit more....

Yesterday, I took a look at the new Simplicity "Project Runway" patterns. I had very high hopes for these, thinking that they would be fashion-forward, perhaps a bit edgy, and reflective of the creativity that comes to mind with such a title.
Sigh.
These patterns are okay, but they look like repackaged versions of the same patterns that the Simplicity line already offers. I expected more.
Granted, I have not looked at the instruction sheets...yet. Perhaps there is something inside the envelope that does not translate to the cover. I hope so. A good showing of these patterns could be a shot in the arm for the sewing industry.

Wouldn't you know it?

Now that football season is over....it's time to move to basketball. And, as you may have guessed, the guys need jerseys.
These will be easy-peasy.

Of course, I do have to make myself some new things to wear. A few weeks ago, I found some facile/ultrasuede in ice blue, and fell in love with the color. I'm anxious to get started on the jacket that is in my mind, made from that piece of fabric. There is a big luncheon coming up, for which I am the hostess, and it would be great to have that jacket for the occasion.

Also, a young-ish friend approached me this morning and asked if I'd like to take a small bag of antique lace off her hands. The small bag turned out to be the size of a large garbage bag, and is packed to the rim with interesting things. Among them is a Dritz bound buttonhole maker! There is also an old pattern marking tool, a box of belt buckles, and some silk-covered tiny snaps. The lace is pretty, too:)

A little home dec, a little personal stuff

With the move into a new house came the need to change a few things. One glaring change was with the chairs in the breakfast room. The wallpaper has ivory, green and poppy red; the chairs are oak, but had really ugly taupe seat covers. I've disliked them ever since we bought the furniture, but we've been in "moving limbo" for the last six months, not knowing what we would be buying or what the rooms would need. Now that we're officially in the new digs, I decided to use up some darker red geometric and cover the chair cushions. It looks LOTS better....photos to follow:)
I've also been in need of some new personal clothing. I'm in the process of what will be a significant weight loss (doctor's orders, so I know this will happen), and I'm leery of making too many things that will require future alteration. Here is the plan as it stands right now:
Two pair of one-seam pants, in khaki and black. These will last through about 30 pounds. I use a draw-cord elastic instead of the recommended sport elastic; as I lose weight, I can pull up the cord. The drape of the pants will be fine if I use a softer fabric.
Several colorful long-sleeve tees, in patterns if possible. I'll fit these fairly snug right now, and they'll be more comfortable as the pounds are shed. Prints hide the picky fit issues for awhile. Besides, tees are easy to run up on the machine; you get a lot of bang for the buck.
A few really beautiful shirts, which can later be used as 'shirt jackets'. This will pull things together and make things look like outfits. I don't want to invest time in fitted jackets until I'm within 15 pounds of the goal. I do not like to alter jackets.
Two skirts. I'm using a four-gore elastic waist pattern for both. I can use the drawcord elastic for these, too. One is complete; it's black "peachskin crepe", which is an inexpensive but very drapey fabric. The second fabric is still up for decision.
There are about half a dozen really nice sweaters in the closet that will work with all of this, and by spring, I'll be ready for a whole new wardrobe:)

Farewell

To the man who wanted opera to be for the masses....

The glorious high c...

The ebullience, the energy, and the presence.

Farewell.

Jerseys are done!

All 58 jerseys are done! Yippee!
Now I can do some "me" sewing!