Butterick 5748 - Revisited

This dress may be a keeper now. I say *may* because some stress eating coupled with much less movement due to the ongoing sciatica pain has added a few pounds and the dress is now more form-fitting on my butt than I like. ;-) But the sciatica is gradually improving and I'm hopeful less stress is around the corner.

I removed the gathers in the skirt (which is another reason it is now more snug on my rear) and used that fabric to add a 2-1/2" band at the hem. I interfaced the strip with a fusible and left it raw-edged. The interfacing adds body so the unfinished edge won't curl  and also weight to get every possible bit of length from the skirt. It now hits right at my knee, which is my preferred skirt/dress length.

This is the bodice underlayer. You can see that the facing is turned to the outside to create a blended modesty panel, although you could also change things up a bit by using a contrast. The last thing for me to finish this dress today was to sew the darts I had pinned out a few weeks ago. Without them, the underlayer neckline flops and gapes badly. Something to be aware of should you make this dress as I've read a couple of reviews that also mention the problem.

If the Spanx is magic tomorrow, I may go ahead and wear this. Otherwise, it will remain in a holding pattern until I drop 5.

Un-Venting

First, thank you everyone for your support on my vent post. I've now removed that post, its comments, and any other comments in the previous post directed at one commenter. I didn't mean for my vent to be an attack on anyone in particular, which is why I didn't single out someone and direct my words toward them. I apologize to that person who ended up being a target. Some comments on my vent post reminded us all that what can come across as scolding or negative probably started out as good intentions. I agree. I still don't like undeserved scolding, but I do recognize the intention. Always have.

But I will say again, keep in mind this is my blog. I'm not stupid, and I've been public on the internet for close to 20 years. In other words, I know what I'm doing as it relates to ME. You don't have to like it or agree with me. And most importantly, IN THIS SPACE, vice versa. :-)

Carry on.

Drive by

I had the interview today that I mentioned last week. It went very well. There are pluses and minuses for me. More pluses, though. And they want me back for a second interview on Thursday.

Thank you sincerely for your good wishes and prayers. They've definitely been helping.

I promised a pic

I said I'd take a pic the next time I wore this outfit and here it is. It's after work, which has been busy all week and it rained on me as I was leaving so I'm looking a little wilted. But you get the idea.

I'm also overdue for a haircut, which I'll be taking care of this weekend. Because I have an interview for a real job on Monday or Tuesday (still working out those details). There may also be a possibility to stay where I'm currently temping but I don't know for sure. We're not yet at the point to talk about it, but I hear things. ;-) Right now, I'm just not picky. I need a  permanent job. I need my old income. I'll take just about anything that gives me that. Being a legal assistant again after 25 years probably isn't my dream job, but I'm good at it. And there's a lot to be said for the lack of stress, even in this very busy litigation firm, compared to my last job. I loved that job, yes, but I've come to realize it came with a lot of manufactured stress over which I had no control. I work well under stress/drama but if I don't have to, then why not. I'm not 24 anymore and I never have liked female drama.

On a side note, there's a woman where I'm currently working who sews almost all her own clothes. That gives us something to talk about and she asks me almost every day if I've made what I'm wearing. LOL. I think I could teach her a lot about internet fabric shopping, since she talks about Joann's all the time. Poor woman. And maybe one day soon I'll be able to fabric shop again.

Question for the day

Why is it that the no-thought projects become favs?

Sorry no pics of the remake outfit on me after wearing it today. I came home and quickly changed into my dog-walking clothes to hit the sidewalk with the pooches before the evening t-storms.

So, back to the topic ... I think the skirt and top took me 3 hours tops to make. Granted, I didn't have to do much for the skirt but even if from scratch that would've added maybe another hour. And after wearing them today, I know I'll be arguing with myself NOT to wear this combo every week. It's comfortable. It's pretty. It's flattering. I want to dig it out of the laundry basket and wear it again tomorrow. And I might even be tempted if a bright purple and yellow outfit wasn't just a little bit memorable. ;-)

A 3-hour outfit, comprised of pretty much scraps and basics. I think there's a lesson here.