Do you curate a clothing museum? You know what I mean? You sew things that don’t have anything to do with you, your coloring, shape, lifestyle- then refuse to part with them? I’m getting better about that. I used to buy clothes that were great sales, but matched nothing. So they hung out in my closet and admired my shoes. I got into the bad habit of buying fabric the same way. Now I curate a Modern art museum- nothing matches the sofa or makes any sense.
So I’m trying- trying, trying, to be responsible.
Sew what you know you like: Tunics, crazy art teacher togs
Sew what you look good in: Tunics, tapered crazy art teacher togs, less brown, more soft shades.
Blue has always made me feel sickly. But I think it’s me- our relationship needs to change. So I bought 5 pieces of blue fabric from Fabricmart. Here we go:
Vogue 1496- looks like a pool cover up. But it’s the back that sells it. It’s got this wrap around, backs seam- wait- what did they call it? Very loose-fitting, tapered, pullover dress has V-neckline, optional pockets (stitched in place), front extending into yoke back, no shoulder seams, back armhole openings with narrow hem, and stitched hem. Hot Buttered chipmunks- that’s me!!!
No, that’s a size 4 dehydrated model.
Here’s me:
Breath-taking! I know, right? It’s like a sexy hospital gown on a sexy hunchback. I made no changes- it’s so easy and comfortable and despite it maybe not being the most flattering look I’ve made- it’s summer in the south and I’m liking it! Here’s a dandy picture of the sleeve/armhole/slashy business:
Do you want to meet my friend? Ms Holloway is sporting my left overs- done up in a sassy Simplicity 2599- the staple shell pattern that is perfect for all occasions. I got all kinds of frisky and gathered bias strips on an angle to make her more fun. Now I have to stop myself from mindlessly fluffing my breastal area all day. It’s worse if I’m wearing this blouse of course. Just let that settle for a minute.
So I have a dress I’ll actually wear and a shell that is perfect for the 7:15 ‘what the hell don’t I need to iron???’ mornings. Here’s a bonus action shot- me doing the 100th throw of the purple toy since I got home from work. Last nerve fraying like cheap costume satin.
photo credits: Pattern Review, little me
Pretty Grievances 
yes yes yes to blue on you!
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Oh thank you! I don’t need a liver scan?
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I absolutely ADORE the top on you. And your comments make it all the more enjoyable.
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Oh don’t egg me on! It’ll just get worse!
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I have that museum! Some of my really special things are wrapped in acid-free paper for archival storage because I just know some niece (or nephew maybe) will definitely want to wear them.
“No shoulder seam” does not compute, even with helpful illustration. However, I love the dress on you and I love the idea of immediately making the leftovers into another wearable object rather than dumping them into a bottomless pit of good intentions. (Mine is right next to my clothing museum.)
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I have a bad habit of ordering planless fabric- so I try to immediately cut out a 2nd with the leftovers. While I’m still excited about it.
I couldn’t explain that back if I tried!
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Ahhh, ‘planless fabric’ !! One of my major guilty pleasures – 3 giant plastic bins worth, at current count. I like to lie to myself and say it’s for when I eventually retire, so I’ll have something to do. But really, if you’re retired what’s the point in even getting dressed in the morning. The tshirt and yoga pants you crashed in last night are all you need. OTOH, there’s a lot of tie dye and batik in one of them. I suspect I will need some mu-mus 🙂
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Who can resist the joy of a never sick in your gut lifestyle??
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First, you’ve made me want to sew that dress. It was 95 degrees today and nothing like heat and 75% humidity to make you long for anything that doesn’t cling. Second, that fabric looks great on you! Your foray into the blue zone is a success. I have the opposite problem. I realized over the weekend sewing binge that about 80% of my fabric is blue or has blue in it. The remaining 20% is either black or fabric for the grandkids. Puppies, unicorns, dinosaurs and race cars being the dominant motif. I definitely need to expand my color palette.
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Agnes, you have my fabric collection! Even when I hang out the clothes, they are all blue too. And I’ve decided that my granddaughter’s puppies, unicorns and llamas don’t really suit me. Greetings from a very chilly Melbourne Australia.
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It’s so hard to break the color habit! I have so much autumnal fabric in my closet you’d think I was an oak in another life.
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I like your version of the dress better than the version on the model. It looks fabulous on you.
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That drawing kind of looks like a festive oven mitt on her. Maybe it just needed hips!😏
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It’s a good color on you. I don’t think it makes you look sickly at all!
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My liver thanks you!
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Hilarious description of my many wardrobes. How did you know. In the purple you picture I thought you were playing darts. In an English public house. With warm beer. In the 1940s. There you go.
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In my mind it’s always the forties and the beer is warm…..
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I’m always so happy when I see an e-mail about your sewing adventures. You made my day!
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Oh you are too sweet- I’ll throw in a pup picture next time!
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Bias ruffles in the breastal area – I’d be fluffing them too. I like blue and it looks good on you.
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First it was about placement and evenness of gathering- then it just became a pastime…..
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My Spaniel is called Blue, and he looks good on everyone.
I love both of those.
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Hah! I love that!
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I have your body, please keep on so I can asess what looks good on me.
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I think we need to support each other against these horrible line drawings!
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Your dress is awesome! The color does suit you and the shape looks modern and relaxed, insouciant even! But i hear you, I have exactly the same affliction. Add to that the fact that i keep buying very similar fabrics (oh i really want a navy polka dot dress, let me buy the 12th perfect fabric for one instead of just sewing the first darn polka dot fabric i bought!) my only solution of sorts so far is to only sew dresses, so they can just be worn on their own. As for the stash, it just keeps growing, sigh…
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I keep a Pinterest board of mixed prints to inspire me to think harder about what I can put together!
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Blue definitely suits you. Am just as guilty of growing my fabric stash, and gave myself the same dress pattern to procrastinate over. If mine looks half as good as yours (whenever it gets made) I’ll be best pleased!
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It’s a fun sew!
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I like it – don’t see any problem with blue. Careful who’s around while you’re fluffing.
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I may build a fluffing suite onto my house….
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Good idea 😀
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