Thursday, July 4, 2013

Some sewing

I started this dress (HP 1138 Metropolitan Verano) before that day which shall not be named and finally got around to finishing it up two weekends ago. I wore it to where I'm working temporarily and received compliments, which was nice. (It *is* a nice group of people in this office, and I have no complaints about personnel.)


It's an easy-to-sew dress but before I'd make it again, it needs some tweaks. Specifically, around the neckline and facings. HP necklines and facings are always hit or miss with me, and usually miss. I blame it on the drafting software they use since the home sewer version (PMB) always gave me the same problems without manual finessing. I used a lazy fix here and just took two darts in the back. Even if you could see them through the print, no one else would ever know they are a kludge fix and not a feature so I'm not going to worry about it. The front facing wants to roll outward on the hanger but seems to be OK when I'm actually wearing the dress but I did force it by stitching it down in the ditch of the CF seam.


It is a super-comfy dress to wear, and I'm sure it will get a lot of rotation during the summer months. In fact, I'll probably wear it tomorrow with flats for "casual Friday." I still don't like doing jeans in an office, especially in Florida summer so it's dresses and skirts for me.


I'm off today and not liking it because as a temp, it's not a paid holiday but instead of vegging all day, I started Butterick 5749.


I'm using this ITY knit, purchased from Gorgeous Fabrics while I still had money for fabric shopping.


I hope it works out because I love the print, but I didn't do any muslin-ing so it will be a crap shoot. I did add two inches to the skirt length after reading reviews but I'm worried it may still be too short. I also didn't follow the cutting layout and instead cut the pattern pieces as they would fit so I would  have enough fabric for them. I may be proved wrong when it's sewn up, but I couldn't see much point in cutting knit pieces on the bias even with more fabric, especially when those pieces seemed to need to be cut with stretch. Cutting this pattern was a pain, I won't lie. Single layer and pieces that were wider than my cutting table. But I pressed on and it's all cut out now and actually started some stitching. I'm not sure how much more will be done tonight since dinner is almost ready (Go Alex for grilling for all of us!), the dogs still need their walk before fireworks take over, and I've been hitting the bed earlier than my usual night owl self. I blame my increased need for sleep on a combination of depressed mood and a wicked sciatic nerve that's been KILLING me for a couple of weeks now and a diet of Advil makes me drowsy early.

Please no preaching about my depression comment. I appreciate concern, but it's perfectly normal to feel depressed in my current situation. It's not ruling my life and I know things could always be worse, but until things are better, I'm just not going to feel as happy as I usually do. Life has ups and downs. I'm in a down. I'm dealing with it. I have no choice. ;-)

Happy Fourth!

52 comments:

  1. Glad to see you blogging again...enjoy the fireworks!

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  2. Good to see that you are back sewing - love the dress and the next one looks like it will be lovely too - beautiful fabric. Enjoy the 4th with your family.

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  3. Love the HP dress and it's print. Glad to see you here, you were greatly missed!!!

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  4. I'm glad that you're sewing and that you wisely invested in a fabric collection. Thanks for checking in and letting us know how you're doing!

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  5. Love your fabric choices!!! Hope the nerve pain goes away soon.....

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  6. I'm glad to see you post again. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished post. I have this pattern and haven't made it, but I'm often inspired by something you've posted so maybe it will move forward on my list.

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  7. Glad you checked in, I've been concerned. Also happy that, as Carolyn said, you've invested in a fabric collection. Nothing like going to your sewing area in socks and a t-shirt and being able to start something. I think the new dress will be great (and yes, who wears jeans in Fla in July? Nobody.)

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  8. Good to see your post and read your sewing adventures. Where I become frustrated and quit, you find a solution to fitting problems. Love the fabric for your newest work in progress!

    Lynda

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  9. Looks like two perfect summer dresses. Sorry to hear about the dreadful sciatica, it is painful. Hope it's better soon. Glad you're sewing!

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  10. I love your new dress. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who has a few issues with HP Patterns. Keep sewing...the accomplishment of completing a project feels pretty good, doesn't it?

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  11. Happy July 4th. Lovely dress and glad to see you posting. You are not alone, my sciatica has me downing 800mg ib and not sure how much more my stomache can take. Feel better.. off to put on the heating pad.

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  12. Debbie, great to read your sewing post! So glad you have a stash to keep you productive. In my 70 plus years Sewing has always equaled Sanity in trying times. I hope this proves true for you, too.

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  13. I've missed your posts and am so glad to see you sewing and writing again.

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  14. Debbie : I'm so happy to see you posting again ! You are my knits sewing hero !!!! I so admire your cover stitch finesse !
    Happy Fourth to you and your family. Hugs from Nova Scotia, Aileen

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  15. It's good to see you blogging again I really enjoy reading your posts and seeing your sewing projects. Sewing is good therapy and has helped me through some tough times. Hang in there.

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  16. I'm glad to see you blogging and sewing. And yes, life has ups and downs and I'm sorry you are currently down. Hope things turn around soon. g

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  17. I'm so glad you checked in, Debby...it sounds like you are being pro-active in a difficult situation. Good for you!

    I hope your sciatica eases soon...BTDT...

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  18. HOpe the pain goes away soon so you can just enjoy your early nights :) Cute dress and hope the new one works out fine.

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  19. Hi Debbie! Glad to see you sewing and posting! I hope your sciatic pain goes away.

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  20. So good to see you sewing such a beautiful AND comfortable dress.

    Sewing is good therapy, and you get new clothes to wear!
    Hope the heating pad and Advil help, keep your chin up, you are an amazing survivor.

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  21. Both times I've had [lack of] employment stress, my huge stash of fabric gave me comfort. Cos at least I could still have new clothes!

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  22. Happy 4th of July Debbie. I'm so glad to see you blogging and sewing again. I hope you feel well soon thank goodness for medication.

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  23. So glad to see you post. I'm really sorry about you job situation right now. You are such a smart capable lady. I know you will find a great job soon. Take care.

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  24. Debbie--have been away for a while and was surprised to see that you are working temp again...what happened? I know things will work out well for you. I've had a terrible time secondary to a relationship with a man I found out is an ex-con. Have never been so shocked in my life. Now I feel really stupid...I'm sure you don't feel like that about yourself!

    Gail D.

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  25. Pretty dress, and what a cool colorful fabric! It's good to see you posting again. Good vibes coming your way that your sciatic nerve calms down.

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  26. I really love your two fabric choices for these two dresses in this post Debbie. They are so vibrant and pretty!!

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  27. Beautiful fabric for the latest dress,Debbie. I'm SO glad you're back- you have been my inspiration for many years now. :-) <3

    PS How are those boys/men of yours going?

    Aless (Adelaide,South Australia)

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  28. Someone once told me that you have to be in the valley sometimes to appreciate the view from the mountain top,

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  29. Hi Debbie, glad to see you posting again .... I love the finished dress. No wonder you got so many compliments.

    I'll continue sending good thoughts, vibes, prayers your way for a great job. Hang in there!

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  30. Love the fabric! Thanks for the update, and wishing all the best.

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  31. Debbie - so happy to see that you are sewing / posting. Love the fabric! Hope you had a great 4th!!

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  32. I was thinking about you yesterday as I started a sheer skirt with lining.

    I was looking for a tute on invisible zippers --ideas on how to handle the lining.

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  33. SO sorry about the sciatica! Hope you find relief on all fronts very soon!

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  34. Pretty dress. I love the print for both of them. Glad to see a new project from you. God Bless!

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  35. I love both of those knits. Your sewing always has a way of making me take a second look at a pattern I never considered up to that point. Hope things take a turn upward soon. They will, been there, and I lived to tell about it. Sewing is a great way to leave negative thoughts outside the door for awhile, and you have something to show for it at the end!

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  36. Really good to hear from you. Love the dress. I totally agree with you that it is ok and appropriate to be depressed when you've experienced a loss. I personally wallow. This too shall pass.

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  37. Depression sucks, and for me the best treatment is exercise, and now of course my sciatica is acting up, so no exercise for me. I share your pain, if only this little bit of it.

    I am so glad to have you posting again. Take care, and I will be thinking good thoughts for you and your situation. Take care.

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  38. Sciatica? Usually, that's just piriformis syndrome http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piriformis_syndrome
    Here are some very, very good stretches for it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip0xXylORVM what he's not emphasizing enough is concentrating on keeping your hips level (with each other) while you're doing them. Might hurt like hell while you're doing them, but should be all fixed up right away :-).
    Nice dress too :-). But watch what you say about work, compliments about personnel make it sound like other things are not so together.

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  39. Good to see you at the machine again. Sewing has always been good therapy for me.

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  40. It's so good to see you sewing again! I love the prints you use, but can't seem to make print projects for myself. About the depression....breathe in, breathe out. Keep on keepin' on. Life's downs lead to ups. (ok I'm running out of slogans :-) )

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  41. I'm so glad to see a post from you!

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  42. Love that dress! The fabric is so summery. I love that Butterick pattern and can't wait to see it made up!

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  43. Like the others, I'm pleased to see you're back to sewing and posting. Continuing to hope that things look up for you...!

    I cut almost all of my knits as a single layer. Too much shifting and squirming of the underlayer tends to leave one half slightly wider than the other. Another plus of the single layout, I can also check much more easily if I have a floral bullseye on the bust or center belly.

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  44. Glad to see you sewing and posting again. Good luck with the job search. Also want to thank you for your post on the FBA with a raglan sleeve. I just found it last week when I needed it. I think you are the only one who has this posted.

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  45. A big grin atcha! Hope the leg pain fades and the sewing continues. It's good to read your blog post. Thanks for updating. Rootin' for you!

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  46. Thanks for posting. Sew very glad to see you are in therapy (sewing) again. I check your blog every day, pleased to see your post.Love the happy print you sewed up and the next pattern, too. You sew inspire me.

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  47. I've gone through some rough employment patches the last few years, so I know what you're talking about. The up side of my oversized fabric stash was that it took me through some dry spells and sewing took my mind off my troubles (temporarily). At this point, even my fabric scraps are organized for quilt projects.

    Hope your sciatica and your employment situation both improve soon!

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  48. Thank goodness you are posting. I've enjoyed and missed your refreshingly honest posts about sewing. Life is a balance of bitter and sweet and it's the doses of bitter that bring the sweet into clarity. I hope your sweet returns with a quickness.

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  49. So great to see you sewing and posting! I've been in that valley, and it sucks. Sewing, friends and family help, esp sewing pretty fabrics in pretty prints! Love your choices, as always.

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  50. I'm glad to hear that you're doing as well as can be expected. I was worried about you. Enough sewing might change your mood! TFS

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Thank you for each and every comment. I appreciate them all, but I have to be honest and let you know that I'm usually bad about answering questions. I hope you understand that there just isn't enough time in the day to do everything I want to do.

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