Scenic Route

...and, OK, another vest.  We'll get this out of the way first thing: McCalls 7290 I'm not sure about this one.  The fabric is an oh-so-soft rayon/spandex knit from Joann's.  And oh-so-stretchy.  We'll see how much it gets worn.  Looks a bit like a lab coat.  Hmm.  But it's so soft! McCalls 7290 On to pants.   I am determined to get a decent pair of wovens with a contour waistband this year.  I no longer want to spend big money on pants that really don't fit so hot.  I just spent untold time o n McCalls 6361, a Palmer Pletsch offering.  I even have their Craftsy class.  I've had great success with other PP tissue fitting projects, but I guess I'm a bit dense because tissue fitting pants was nuts.   I'm going to skip the trauma and just state that the whole mess, including the muslin, ended up in the bin.   I've actually had reasonable success with pants in the past few years.  ...

Hey, there is dialogue between others like me who are 2 years late in joining in Collette's Wardrobe Architect!  I'm really pleased to see this as I had just planned to do this on my own and had even downloaded the worksheets in late December.  You can find more info on   Collette's blog I have to say that I have been reaping the rewards of narrowing my color palette the last few years.  Now everything seems to go together color-wise.  It's a little trickier with shapes, lengths, etc.; so am hoping to work on that with the Wardrobe Architect info. All that said, last week I finished up Vogue 8793 in gray & pink.  This is my 3rd make of this pattern though I don't get as wild and crazy mixing prints as the pattern suggests :-)  The fabric is a super soft cotton jersey from JoAnn's.  You know, I've had great luck with their line of sew classic cotton knits.  They're great to sew and wear really well I think that's the...

or...an obsessive interest in vests.   Since my backside seems to have migrated around to my front and I am still working on that perfect pair of pants for a flat behind, I figure the fastest fix for that is just to cover it.  With vests. The obsession took hold about a year ago and here's some of what actually got made in 2015: McCalls 7057 in a soft wool-y knit from Colorado Fabrics McCalls 6208  from a black Ponte and the white what I'm guessing is a scuba knit.  By tacking down the flapping lapels I gained surprise pockets!   McCalls 6208 McCalls 6208 Simplicity 2148 from a gorgeous lighter weight stretch velour I got in UB McCalls 6208 from a Ponte McCalls 6208 McCalls 6208 Vogue 1453 from a lovely drape-y and soft rayon from umm, can't remember Vogue 1453 Vogue 1453 There they are.  I think a bit more fitting--wide elastic along the back waist, darts, something, is c...

I have not blogged since November 2014.  2015 was a wild year.  Frankly, it's a blur.  Short story:  my sister was ill and I was blessed to see to her and her care before she passed away in October.  My husband repatriated back to US in August after 11 years in Asia.  There was not an ounce of time, energy or brain activity to spare   for blogging.   I sure didn't do last year perfectly.  I did, however, do it with lots of love.  Lot's of God's grace applied.   Now it's a new year!  God was/is SO good during all the extreme challenges of last year, that I am nothing but joyful and thankful and hopeful for whatever this year brings!  Because He lives, I have no fear. So!  Moving on!  I want to blog!  For so many reasons; but I think most of them creative.  Not so much travel right now--no international flights for over a year.  Yikes.  But lots of sewing.  Sewing for ...