Well Hello!

 I have been busy with life and everything that goes along with living. 

I switched from trying to fit my body to sewing for men and I love it. Just keeping this little blog open for the day when I try to sew something for myself again...not the pencil case or the place mat or the velour floor cushion. When I figure out how to take photos and post them here - you'll see that I'm for real.

I'm going back to sewing my book blocks, sew later...sewists...you thought I was going to say bitches didn't you...Supernatural fan...can't help it...

Louise

Sew, I tried McCall's Classic Fit #2818 FW (18-20-22) and I survived, nearly. If you're not familiar with the pattern, it's a cute princess seam semi-fitted top with a back button closure. The pattern was particularly appealing because it promoted "Learn to fit a full bust".  Sounded like a promising place to start.
 First step in choosing a pattern is to fit either your bust measurement for upper body - like tops and dresses, or your hip measurement for lower body - skirts and trousers, etc. I start looking for patterns to fit a 48" bust, and you should know that  I am nearly always falling in love with patterns that are just shy of what I need to cover my girls AND I love fitted and semi-fitted clothes. This means altering a pattern to fit the most challenging part of our anatomy - the bosom. And, I needed to come up with 4 inches. Should I also remind you that I am petite - at least in skeletal structure, and this means that I have to get rid of 3 inches. Sew, follow the math:

                            +4" horizontal /4 -3" vertical * 4 = 12 hours and one messed up pattern

Just because I love math doesn't mean that I'm good at it.

My muslin is pinned to my dress form - her name is Maria if you're interested, and it's in two pieces  - Maria looks good in it, maybe if I add a zipper in the back and a zipper in the front it might work. Sew, I summarize my attempt at #2818 as follows: probably won't make this top, but I might finish the muslin Maria took a shine to.

Hello

Once upon a time I used to wear single digit sized clothing and I could shop anywhere but I also remember feeling uncomfortable in my clothes. Today I look at pictures of that woman and  I can appreciate the nudist lifestyle - what you see is what you get - must be liberating. But I digress, I must wear clothing and I am determined to feel comfortable in my clothes so I begin my quest to sew clothing that makes me feel good.

I was slim until was in my mid-twenties and then after having my children I noticed that my body changed. My slim waist became thick, blending in with my non-existent hips, and my breasts, well let me share a nickname a colleague came up with when I was pregnant with my second child: Mount Saint Louise Moonstone - yes, they're epic, sigh. Did I mention that I stand almost 5'2" in my bare feet? Oh I should mention that I'm perfectly healthy in every way and if I ate in such a way to justify my body measurements I would be perfectly happy with my accomplishment. I call my expansion "my accomplishment" because dedication and hard work offer the best explanation.

This blog is not about dieting and exercise and pity party feelings about body types and self image. Nor is it about trying to keep up with plus size fashion while daydreaming longingly about the good 'ole days. I am who I am, in the package I see every day. I like to say I'm sew much more today than I was yesterday and I wouldn't have it any other way. When I figure out how this blogging thing works I will post my measurements and pictures, not before and after shots, just who I am shots.

Thanks for visiting,

Louise