Beaded Forest

What I've been up to

I've been doing a bunch of sewing lately, squeezing it in when I have time.  I've been thinking of Spring/Summer tops!!!  The main project I've been working on is this one:

It's from an out of print Vogue pattern (7999), and I should model it on myself...it's looking kinda bedraggled here, worse than it looks in real life (also, it's not finished).  I actually love the pattern, which is very flattering on me.  Emphasizes my waist and glides over problem areas!  There are a few problems with this rendition, and I need to make some adjustments to have it really fit right, so I'll fiddle with the pattern and make it work.  I'd been looking for a pattern with a side zipper, a style which has always worked for me, and this one fit the bill.

This is KwikSew 3419, and I've made it a couple of times.  Once again, it's fitting kinda funny on my dress form...I've got one of my bras on it, but there's still something off in the boob area.  Don't know what's up.  But it's a flattering style on me...has that nip-in-the-waist-and-glide-off-the-hips thing again.  I had to raise the neckline, because the first version I did was a bit too revealing!  Just like the Victoria's Secret top below:

I added the stretch lace inset for modesty purposes.  Who can wear these super-low-cut things, and where are they going in them?

This camisole (with an underwire bra attached!) is from Sahalie, but it was a little too long to fit right.  So I hemmed the bottom, something I've never done on a store-purchased knit.  It ended up a little wonky, but I think some additional steaming with the iron will help.

So, those are my sewing adventures for the week!  I'm going on a little vacation this week, so no sewing time...boo hoo!  But yay vacation!!! So it balances out.    

I'm back!

After a long creative dry spell, I think I'm back!  Or at least headed in the right direction.  I don't know what it was, but I just couldn't get myself to do anything craft-related for a month or so.  I managed to get a lot of eBaying done, which was an accomplishment (I've got lots of stuff sitting around that someone else could have more use for than I do, so I feel it's my duty to get it into their hands!  Makes more space, too!), so that's a positive.  There's still more eBaying to be done, but finally I feel motivated to get out the sewing machine and scissors and start doing something fun! 

I started out with a project that totally flopped...more on that another time...but now I'm doing some t-shirts using a TAT (tried and true) pattern, so they should work out fine.  I think I'm getting in the mood for warmer weather! 

And I ran across this gorgeous fabric while surfing the net:

Please click on the picture so you can see the detail...I love it!  It's a William Morris cotton from Waechter's Silk Shop, and I had to have it.  It has no assigned use just yet, but its proper place will become evident at some point!

I also have to remark on David's cooking of late...it's been terrific!  He made this fabulous shepherd's pie which came out of the oven so lovely I had to take a picture:

And delicious too!

More to come...I'm back in the swing of things, I can feel it!