Keeping My Fingers Crossed

I need help with a dress I'm making, Simplicity 2922. It just won't cooperate and I think it may be because I chose the wrong pattern for my body type. It was nearly finished, just needed to hand sew the yoke facing. I lined it, made a fancy hem and installed the BEST invisible zipper I have ever sewn in my entire life. I really don't want to take it out.

The lining had to go for two reasons: 1) the fabric was a poor choice. It was a thin cotton but still too much with the polyester. 2) it was too small! Duh, I used the actual pattern pieces for the dress for the lining and didn't add any ease (this is my first non-pattern lining.) That darn thing even got flat felled seams...need to use it for something else.

The hem was a 1" strip of the yoke material folded in half and a 5" strip of the dress material, also folded in half and pleated. By the time I had it all together it was waaayyy too stiff for a summer dress. So...out went the hem as well.

Then I started on the alterations. After the perfect invisible zipper was in I tried it on and realized you could send a small child down each side....well, not really but it was too big on top. I took in the yoke & facing about 5/8" on each side and removed the back gathers. No joy - it still makes me look like a line-backer and the gathers on the back made me look like Quasimodo in training. I pinned it all together and got the following pics: (I can't even pick out a not too hideous pic to put out here. Whenever I see photos of myself cringing happens with unbidden gagging noises. The blog photo was an accident; the only good pictures that exist are pure accidents.)

I adore the dress fabric (polyester), not so crazy about the yoke fabric (cotton with a little stretch, interfaced) so I'm thinking I'll take it off the yoke and find another top to add it to.

Dang, another bust. Someday, hopefully soon, I'll sew something I like and look good in.

Thrift Store Finds

Ok - Here are the 'befores' as promised. I'm not sure what any of them will be yet.

One Giant Step

I've finally done it...purchased fabric on-line. Now, just so you know, I am no stranger to Internet shopping. It's convenient and can be fun but I don't understand how anyone could buy fabric on-line confidently. You can't touch it, you can't see the true color, it's weight....way too many variables here for me, thank you very much. But...so many of the blog-land sewers seem to do it without any qualms that I figured it was time to jump in. Fashion Fabric Club was the site of my 'daring attempt' and this is what I bought:

Ivory Print Jersey Knit - 3 yards













Light Green Swiss Dot Gauze - 4 yards












Aqua Pique - 2 yards

On the one hand, I can hardly wait until it gets here. On the other, fear rules my psyche ... I just know I'll be bummed...dealing with buyer's remorse is such a drag. No.... I'm definately excited :o)

I just thought of something...what if this turns out to be a great experience? Good Lord, I have so much fabric now....

Turtles, Birds and Boats

Today was a dandy day thanks to the Bubba. We started the day thrifting on post; I found a few things to refashion...hopefully. A blouse for Nicci, a dress for the fabric and a scarf. Never having travelled this route before, I'll photograph the "befores" just in case there are "afters".

We ate lunch, I bought a hula-hoop (supposed to be good for burning fat) then strolled around the BOSS lot looking at campers, boats and trailers. We spotted a pair of turtles on the way off post, I said "Turn back!", not expecting him to turn the truck around because I always say "Go back" or "Let's stop" and he rarely does, but he did this time. In his defense, most times its either impractical or clearly dangerous to stop or turn around. He's such a good guy, good to me. I got a few pictures of the big one to send to the kids.

Then we picked up our electric pontoon boat, took it home to charge it up and exchanged it for the kayaks. We took them into the Occoquan and Bubba fished while I floated and paddled. We saw so many herons, they look like pterodactyls with their feet hanging behind them. I wish I were brave enough to take a camera out there. I've yet to turn the kayak over but with the kind of luck I have it would be sure to happen with a camera on board.

We ended the day with a fresh pot of coffee on the deck watching doves hop in and out of the gutters on the garage. Its amazing how many different species of birds you can find in one small lightly wooded area. We have robins, cardinals, blue jays, doves, a giant hawk (no joke - there's a short anecdote here for later) and some small bird with a feather that sticks up on its head.
All in all a very good day.

Questions

1. Where and when were you born?

1964, Brooklyn, New York

2. Do you have siblings? If yes, tell us more.

There are 6 of us. I'm the eldest, then Rasputin (Florida), Carmella (Georgia), D'Artagnan M. (California), Klaus and Dash (both in NY). No, those are not their real names. Using real names would require their permission and getting in touch with all of them with any kind of speed has always been challenging at best. Additionally, I'd have to tell them about the blog....not yet.

3. What are your parents’ names?

D'Artagnan J. & Josephine (what do you think? Real or Faux?). Parents of 6, grandparents of 7.

4. Did you (or do you) know all four of your grandparents?

I was lucky enough to know all 4 of them and to have many wonderful memories as well. I'm not a baseball fan but every spring I'll put a game on the TV, open the windows and instantly be transported back to my grandparents home when I was a child....when life was easier...slower...simpler. Grandpa loved baseball.

I feel bad for Klaus and Dash, they're many years younger than the first 4 of us and have few to no memories of my mom's parents. They did know Grandpa Buster. A kind, gentle, loving, intelligent, devoted man was my Grandpa Buster. He called me Allie. My children remember him as well, the only "Great Grand" they knew.

5. Do you have children? If yes, tell us about them. If no, do you want them?

I have two great kids. My daughter, Noodles, is 21, in the Air Force and currently living in Ohio soon to be in Vegas. My son, Toodles, is 20, going to college, and playing junior hockey. Being only 18 months apart they've always been close to each other. I am blessed.

6. Do you still live in the general area that you grew up in?

No, I've lived in many different places since leaving home. South Carolina; Texas; Colorado; Germany; Texas (again); North Carolina; and currently Virginia.

8. How often does your family all get together? Is your significant other close to your family?

It's been many years, 11 I think, since all of my siblings have been in the same room, at the same time. Grandpa Buster's funeral and the bar afterwards. My Hubba-Bubba loves my family and they love him. He really is a great guy. Again, I am blessed.