chemise experimentation

I have been experimenting with chemises.  So far, I would say nothing is perfect.  I have two wearable experimentations but nothing that I would say, yes, I may repeat this.  The first was a bit short and the neckline too high to go under dresses.  It is a good thing I have interesting fabrics that would make good experimental runs in my stash.

This one, I had to shorten so it would not show under my dresses.  The darts feel like they are at my waist which they really should not be.  And the lower edge of the armhole also feels like it half way to my waist.  Way too low.  

And the print.  Why did I ever buy this print?  It is so not me.  I was thinking beach dress but even then I do not think I would have ever worn it.  No wonder it was still in my stash!  It is a chemise in my world gets covered by another dress.  

I better ideas now.  I have another piece of silky print that I keep going, why did I buy this.  I know, beach dress, but I would have never worn it.  But it will allow the experimentation to continue.  At least it means I have chemises for the weekends.  Someday I will actually get the pattern right and be able to buy white silk.  White is my favorite colour for a chemise.

a current favorite

While I have been making quilt squares, I have been making other things as well.  There is still a lot of flannel being sewn.  Koda Bear still has more pajamas waiting to be made but I think he can wait a little bit. 

I have actually made a few dresses for myself.  Once I got that sheath style down without a zipper, I made two very light wool ones.  One in black and one in a grey green.  The fabrics were both in my stash.  The black is a great work dress and a great dress for layering.

The grey green got worn all of last weekend.  I even got some flour on it before this picture was taken.  I realized in a few places as I was looking at pictures.  Just a comfortable dress.  It moves with me.  I can throw a sweater over it and be warm.  I can put a t-shirt or blouse under it if I wish.  It just makes me feel elegant and there is not much I can ask for that.  There are other bits of wool and linen in my stash that are large enough to become more of these.  And they will! 

I am working on sanity here so it is quilts, yarn, or finding something else to sew and sometimes it just needs to be something different.  This works.  Stress release.

trying a new bag shape

I normally put handmade shopping bags in the Christmas stockings that I fill.  This year I did not get there.  My Mom mentioned that she felt like she lost a week between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I admit to feeling much the same and bags were part of what gave.  But I still had beautiful fabrics to use.  Even some I picked up on our Alaska travels.  Ones that I keep looking at and admire so that I am having problems cutting into them.  Soon though, soon.

I decided to try a new design with a flat bottom.  I am going to change the measurements up a bit but this is close.  Very close. 

This one I sent to my Mom for testing.  I think I will send the next one to the Tall Short Person for testing.  Probably with more flannel for Koda Bear in that package as well.  He needs cozy right now.  And letters.  I send those strange paper things in the mail.  Yes, please laugh but I do better with letters then the phone.  I am a strange lady.

I need cozy but tea and sitting at my sewing machine works in place of cozy.  Spinning wheel works.  There is nothing cozy about surfing currently.  It is down right cold, even in a wet suit, but it does bring calm.  Skateboarding someplace would help too.  Camping.  I am obviously rambling.  Calm is a good thing.

got it!

Life has been interesting recently, especially when it comes to work.  More layoffs have been announced.

I have been asked help do the impossible with the time frame given.  Which translates to many more unproductive meetings.

Because of these unproductive meetings, I have not had as much time to sew.  To remain sane.  To work on my sheath pattern.

But you know what?  Even with all those limitations, I think I got it.  I had another muslin I could wear out of the process.  One I could not.

I am wearing this dress right now.  I have already worn it to work twice and even days like today where my shoulder hurts, I can get it on and off.  I do not really think work or the weather are helping my shoulder!  It walks well too.  I walked home from work in it.  That is a good thing.

Maybe I will have more energy tomorrow.  Maybe I will laugh less because I really would rather cry.  It is all possible, yes?

playing with muslins

During all my Christmas sewing, there were times that I just had to be creative.  I sit at my sewing machine sewing something that I have done before many times and my mind goes off in interesting directions.  

I am still have problems with my shoulders almost two years later from when I injured them.  The problems come from when I do not stretch and strengthen the muscles around them consistently.  I am working on consistent but there are times when I am not.  I get to work and change from my bicycle clothes to my work clothes and I cannot quite zip myself up.  There is not enough stretch in my shoulders.  Yes, I like my A-line dresses but I also really like my sheath dresses.

I decided to take my t-shirt dress, so named by the young lady at Acme Ice Cream and Rocket Donuts, and modify it.  It goes over my head with ease and no zipper.  I added darts.  I changed the neck.  I made the sleeved three quarter length but Koda Bear approved.  He likes to put his hand on skin under clothes when he is tired or insecure.  These work.

The end product was very close to what I wanted.  The back neck gaped a bit.  I also prefer my sleeves not Koda Bear approved.  Just a bit tighter.  I also want the dress a bit longer for work.

But since I used fabric that was very wearable for the muslin, I had a new dress to wear.  In Christmas colors.  

Of course, I still have a bit of Christmas sewing to finish.  I had to stop because we were traveling.  But I think I am going to put a few more dresses together between projects for myself.  They take much less time then driving someplace to shop, shop, and drive home.  And much more meditative.