After reviewing 2012, and not being too upset about it- I’m pleased to see makes from 2011 still getting some love (they didn’t fall apart!) and a lot more 2012 makes getting worn to death! Me thinks I might be getting the hang of this!
So in the spirit of Gillian’s Top 5 posts, I bring you
The glorious plans of 2013!!!
Fanfare, trumpets, cartoon bluebird circle overhead!
1- I’m keeping this short.
This past year I have discovered that sewing for a life I don’t have is just wasting fabric. I don’t do corporate takeovers, I don’t need a suit. Altho, this would be acceptable:
I am a fancy top/tunic and fun shoes gal. So I need to sew for it. Since this doesn’t really advance my skills much, I will alternate my staple sewing with event sewing to push myself. Hopefully this simple little plan will eliminate the ‘What on Earth’ make museum feeling that my closet was developing. I love fancier projects- after a hard day of my regimented job, a few hours working on a sleeve is really restful and calming- especially if it’s animal print, of course. But for everyday, I need washable, wearable basics- ok, basic for me still a little festive!
So I’ve taken a bold step in this direction by making a top this weekend that fits me to a t. New Look 3148 is comfortable, vaguely stylish and has 16 variations to try.
I did the yoked version, it added a little shape to the bustal area, I knew you wouldn’t be able to see it, but we know it’s there, don’t we!
Extreme Bust closeup!!!
I skipped the pocket. Meh. You know, I have a real hate on for little square pockets on girly blouses- if you put anything in them they just look like you decided one breast needed its own shield. it’s not that I am anti- useless things, I love the useless, I consider myself the patron saint of useless objects (look it up, you’ll see me in a cheetah print robe holding a pet rock and a flaming picture of Kim Kardashian) but those little pockets just annoy me.
I can see me making this one again and again- it fit well, right out of the envelope, it is easy to pair with things and it fooled my Motherinlaw- she thinks only poor people make their own clothes, donchaknow!
Lets discuss my shoes for a moment- I hate these functional laces- so droopy! Any support for grosgrain ties done in jaunty bows? suggestions will be thoughtfully regarded in the comments.
Psst- don’t forget- Jungle January draws nigh! Sew your own animal fiesta and be part of my fun and frolics- the button is even available on the side- so be one of the cool kids! 
photo credits: pattern review, meadhawg
Pretty Grievances 
Reblogged this on 1girl31dresses's Blog.
LikeLike
Heavens my mobile device is behaving like a drunk monkey!
However! You could write about grosgrain shoe laces all year and I’d love it.
LikeLike
Well, should the style well run dry, I will keep that in mind!
LikeLike
Love the new top…you look so slim!!! Match your new laces to the blouse…something metallic perhaps? Just wishing you a relaxing day filled with presents from dashies and hubby and some good eats! You keep us all entertained all year…put your dainty feet up and celebrate!
LikeLike
Thank you! I wish you the same- after work we are hoping to catch a movie before we trudge to the relatives house!
LikeLike
Merry Christmas to you, too!
Love the look and fit of the new top. And Hehe re: your mother in law.
It makes me think of my dearly departed grandmother who always thought people who had long hair were poor (AKA couldn’t afford a haircut).
LikeLike
I love that! Poor people with our long hair and fabricmart addictions! We need donations, dont we!
LikeLike
Right out of the envelope? Awesome!
LikeLike
Who could imagine such? No FBA, no praying- it just fit!?
LikeLike
That is once concise plan, Lady!
I love your new top, and I’m also giving you a thumbs up for ribbons in place of the shoelaces – maybe something sparkly?
LikeLike
Oh, sparkly, yes! You totally have my number with sparkly! Last year I had huge plans that were not so inline with my life and quickly fell by the wayside, so this year is about just going with it and not making my hobby so hard!
LikeLike
Love your top! Love the cameo! You’ve got me scheming now for 2013. January of course is booked as I’ll be frolicking around in animal print…
LikeLike
As God intended!
LikeLike
I can see why you’re imagining many future makes of the tunic, it’s lovely and really suits you
LikeLike
Oh thank you- it was so easy too!
LikeLike
I love those shoes!! Some people have the oddest beliefs about garment sewing and what it means…
LikeLike
We could all write a book about peoples reactions to sewing your own clothes, couldnt we?
LikeLike
Hi, I’m a beginning (but aspirational!) sewer, and I’ve been haunting sewing blogs. I love yours, because you’re funny, and I share your love for animal prints. I also love sparkly things, and printed material, I must confess. I am looking forward to Jungle January. I like the top you made here a lot. The print is nice, and the cameo is nice with it. Grosgrain ribbon shoelaces would look good, I think.
LikeLike
Thank you and welcome to my silliness! Favorite designer?
LikeLike
Clothing designer? Well, I like Tadashi Shoji, because of the draping thing he does so well. I think his dresses are beautiful. My life doesn’t involve a lot of need for evening gowns, though! I like Melissa Masse, and I like Shoshanna’s dresses even though they don’t, sadly, come in my size. (Not that i would be buying a lot of them even if they did, I don’t suppose.) Thanks for the welcome!
LikeLike
I think I will check them out for wearable wednesday!
LikeLike
Ooh aahh – I will have to try this pattern – looks great and it is obviously magic if no alterations are needed. I need myself one of those patterns!
Have a great Christmas (ours has now passed by – boxing day now)
LikeLike
I am a sucker for this neckline- so perfect for jewelry! Merry Boxing day to you!
LikeLike
Tried putting a badge for Jungle January on my blog but it is not working. I copied the HTML and pasted it but the badge is only coming out as a square. Am I doing something wrong? I have successfully put other badges on my site – but this one is not working for me.
LikeLike
Oh, Im sure it is a problem on my end- I will work on the evil thing!
LikeLike
Great top, I like it a lot. I wish I could make New Look tops out of the envelope. I think I’ll have to stick to Sewaholic. We all should make clothes for the people we are, not those we aren’t!
LikeLike
Such a good point! Most Indie company dont size discriminate as much! Now if we could get Victory to come in 18, Id be thrilled!
LikeLike
I agree with mrs mole, you look so slim. Digging the shoes!
LikeLike
I’m all ready for jungle january. Looks like your ready gor the new year too:))
LikeLike
Fierce top, sassy brooch and 16 pattern variations?! Epic win, I say!
LikeLike
I love brooches and finding un-old lady ways to sport them-I feel quite good about this one
LikeLike
Lovin’ the new top! And I love your new plan of making things that work for you, but also making things that challenge you. Sounds like a plan indeed!
LikeLike
Last year I tried too hard to match other peopls goals-cuz they sounded good, but I wear a uniform and dont need a lot of adult clothes!
LikeLike
Excellent new top and Merry Christmas to you too. Hope the Christmas fairy & Santa delivered treats galore to you and your DH and the doggies.
LikeLike
Oh thank you! I hope you and yours were adequately spoiled too!
LikeLike
I don’t like those little pockets either. I don’t need attention drawn to one breast over the other and they are supremely useless. Even as a design detail, they are boring.
LikeLike
Are they for condoms? Tiny packs of raisins? Just blech.
LikeLike
Love this look on you! I believe you’ll cause a run in this pattern.
The only time pockets are useful is (2) on a sheer top. Otherwise, so nasty 70’s.
LikeLike
Thank you! Who can find a pocket protector that small anyway?!
LikeLike
Love the top, LOVE the shoes (go the ribbon!) and laughed out loud at the image of you with your pet rock.
LikeLike