Reflections of...

~ Sewcialist Reflections ~

Through the mirror of my mind, time after time, I see...myself continuing to withdraw from...a world that's a distorted reality...

~ paraphrased from The Supremes "Reflections" 

I do believe it's part of my getting older.  I'm not interested in giving away my time or breath on just anything any more.  No.  Not even Maybe.    This attitude encompasses a lot of people, places and things that seem to be taken as status quo.  Well, I guess I've always been eccentric.

Anyway, I see myself continuing in this vein of being ever more selective of where I focus my energies.   Of paying attention to what makes me feel swell and what doesn't, and traveling toward the former as much as is possible.  And minimizing the latter as much as is conceivable.


Is there a picture for this?

~  of course there is ~

Can I still party with Patti @ Not Dead Yet Style?  I'm gonna try and make it happen.

I've Got Highlights for 2019!

Wow!

~ Sewcialists Top Highlights ~

Yeah, at first I thought "huh?"  But upon further consideration, I came up with some really good ones.

I officially retired this year, 
signing up for social security, medicare, etc.  And I also retired all my licensures, registrations, certifications, memberships and insurance for practicing as an Art Therapist and Clinical Counselor.  (phew is right)

Although I am still teaching a painting class at the local college (30+ years).

~ end of year class photo ~

That's me in the dress.

I finally organized some stuff this year, finally!  

And they're still organized!  That would be the junk room which I've completely cleared out.  Now all my gloves and scarves are organized by color in those clear hanging pouch-like things in the hall closet. Purses, bags and totes are arranged by size on shelves in the same hall closet.  Winter coats in there too, with light coats/ jackets in the spare room closet.  

I could go on and on here, but you get the idea.

Someone made me a quilt! 

It was completely unexpected and quite a thrill to receive.  Made out of fabric scraps from clothes I had made...and I still had no idea that it was going to happen.

~ Thanks Jackie, it's a nightly affair ~

I upped my exercise regime and monitored my nutrition intake in January 2019 for 3 months.  

And have kept off the weight and inches all year!  I've continued my regular exercise and eating program after the 3-month intensive and I'm at my lowest weight/inches in decades, decades, people.  Thanks to all the support from my coach, sister exercisers, friends and especially, my True Love.

~ I feel great! ~

And writing all this down has made me feel even better.  What a great idea Sewcialists!

I'll be linking up to Patti @ Not Dead Yet Style and Catherine's I Will Wear What I Like when they go live.  Come on by.

 

What Was I Thinking?!

~ Sewcialists Top Misses ~

in no particular order that I can tell...

~ Yes, the picture tells the story. ~

You can read more about it here, oh my.

~ Oh boy, another black, white and gray one. ~

This was actually on two posts!  You can read/ see more here and here.


And now for ones that never made it to the blog...

~ A Miyake Mock-up ~

~ made out of a bed sheet ~

~ Egyptian, no less ~

Nevertheless, no matter what I do, I cannot get it to fit right.  I believe I've tried every possible iteration.  It's Vogue 2315 if you haven't guessed.



Another uncompleted masterpiece (ahem).

~ A Sparkling Organza Rift on a Tina Givens Slip Pattern ~

~ by the way, it is assymentrical ~

Last, but not least, etc., etc.

~ I have been working on this thing for months on end ~

Pathetic, isn't it.  Yet, I've persisted.  With brown plaid linen in stash for a lifetime.  Believe it or not, I used Vogue DKNY 1461 which I have to say wins the award for the ULTIMATE in WHAT WAS I THINKING?!   P.S.  I also decided to make it longer than micro mini.

It has plaid pleats, people! All the way around the front and the back, from the shoulders/ neckline to below the hips.  And the entire width and length of the sleeves.

~ a close-up of the fact that you can't see the pleating when it's plaid ~

Especially if you make sure you match everything up as you go. 

~ oh, there you go, the pleats make an appearance  ~

 Finally, some excitement.

No, but wait, I could stand it no more.  After putting in the not so invisible 22" zipper, I added lace on either side to really show it off.

~ yeah, bay-bee! ~

 It's not over yet...


There's still lining to put in.

~ Not to mention, hand sewing it down the zipper area. ~

Then, instanity inspiration struck, ala Chanel. 

~ All I need is more zips! ~

  All the way down the sleeves

~ Even down the skirt! ~

From the hip to the edge of the skirt.  Oh, and pockets, if I can think of where to place them.  Of course, there would be lace surrounding the zippers, just like with Chanel my first zipper. 

Who knows, if the dress ever gets out of TIME OUT, maybe it'll make it into my Top 5 of 2020.  Or not.

Thoughts?


I'll be showing up at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style and Catherine's I Will Wear What I Like when they go live.  Hope to see you there.

 

My Top 5 Sewing Hits for 2019

in reverse chrono order

Sewcialists Top 5

A Tina Givens Trip Dress made in challis, with modifications seen here.

One of 5 "Hot House" Dresses using Simplicity 8332 made in challis as seen here.

Jumpsuit from McCall's 7936 made in challis as seen here.

My first jumpsuit from Vogue 1617 made from deep stash as seen here.

My first African Wax Print from Mood Fabrics made from Sandra Betzina's Vogue 1356, modified as seen here.

My favorite pants pattern (Candace) from Tina Givens made in cotton as seen here.

Tina Givens Elena Jacket made in canvas from deep stash as seen here.



I was actually surprised I had this many wins this year.  It didn't seem to me I had sewn that much.

Oh yeah, I'm heading on over to Patti's Not Dead Yet Style while I still have a chance and Catherine's I Will Wear What I Like.  See ya.

What a Day Trip Dress!*

~ I woke up to this today ~

January in November.

~ See that tree behind me? ~

No, not the two evergreens on either side...

~ The one in the middle with all the green leaves that haven't turned yet or fallen off. ~

It's 22 degrees out, the other day it was 50.  Oh my.

~ Meanwhile, this is my Trip Dress* from Tina Givens patterns ~

I won the cape thingy at a raffle. 

I threw on some extra clothes with it so I could wear it outside.  Like a stretch mesh T-shirt, wrist warmers, obi belt and stretch jersey straight leg pants that I've made and worn previously. 

The scarf, gloves and beret are so old I don't remember when 
or where they came from.

~ a rear view ~

~ obi-less ~

Which was how I intended to wear it.  

Too bad you can't see the collar, but it was too darn cold.

~ and a side view ~

Let me tell you, this Trip Dress was just that - a Trip! (ha). 

   

The fabric is challis.  I decided on a size S (my last one was XS and worked out fine), but I was worried about the wrap bodice coverage so thought more is more.   

If you're not a sew-er, you can skip to the end pictures.

One With the Fallen Leaves

Yep, I have the perfect coat for standing beside them.

 Made out of embossed velvet.  mmmm.

From the Folkwear Poiret Cocoon Coat Pattern.

Previously seen here.

~ and my newly made dress ~

It's Tina Givens Nani Lee Dress pattern made in cotton twill (with orange thread going one way and olive green going the other way).  It's really quite lovely, but none of the pictures came out.  So this is as good as it gets.  Modifications made were:  longer sleeves, added side-seam pockets, lower bust darts, higher waistline in the back, and longer length hem.

Heading on over to Patti and the Visibles at Not Dead Yet Style, then Catherine's I Will Wear What I Like when she goes live.  Come on by, won't you?

Yea for Fall Layers

~ It feels good ~

~ Just relaxing into it ~

~ the side view ~

I'm wearing all stuff I've made awhile ago.  But never worn altogether before.  The hat is hand sewn from old t-shirts and seed beads a la Alabama Chanin. I've made at least 2 so far.  The beautiful scarf was given to me from a friend via the Salvation Army.  And the sunglasses are from the $ store.
 

The coat is from The Sewing Workshop Thai Coat pattern made in black and gold brocade.  It's the second one I've made.

The overdress is from The Sewing Workshop, the Verenda Dress, much modified and made in a scuba knit print.  The underdress is from Tina Givens Sam Dress pattern, much modified, made in striped georgette.  Also the second one made.

~ I made it so I can wear it backwards or frontwards ~

~ with my lovely shoes from ebay ~

And that's a wrap.  I'll be linking up with Patti and the Visibles when she goes live at Not Dead Yet Style.  And Catherine at I Will Wear What I Like.  Also Judith's Hat Attack for October.  Hope to see you there!

Is It Black or Is It Blue Now?

~ you know,  ~

~ Wearing this reminds me of that quote. ~

I discovered the top and matching pants in the deep recesses of the archive, tried it on and it fit.  It's made out of a dark midnight navy faux suede fabric.  I cannot for the life of me remember making it, much less wearing it.  It's so, so, ultra plain, minimal even.  Because of how small it is, it must be over 30 years old.

~ it's an utter mystery ~

I dashed of the mesh damask lace under shirt to wear with it cuz it was just too darn odd without it.  I left the little toggle unbuttoned at the mandarin collar neckline to expose some lace.  And added a small antique brooch.   I didn't want to over do it either.

I'm sure if I wore it as it was you wouldn't have recognized me at all.

~ with my Doc Martin Mary Janes from ebay ~

I'll be joining Patti and the Visibles at Not Dead Yet Style and Catherine's I Will Wear What I Like when the time is right.  Come on by.