Backon track!

June 1st.

Well, I'm back in action.  After struggling so with this heart issue, I finally am feeling much better.   I stopped "dieting" so strictly for the past month.  I gained 4 pounds.   Yesterday I started back on my program and am doing great.   No cravings, not hungry....etc..   I had eaten so much sugar this past week during my birthday,that I don't think I could eat another bite of sweets.
that's a good thing, right?

I've joined a fitness challenge for the summer.   My goal is to ride 225 miles on a stationary bike or walk on the treadmill.   For the bike you can only count one mile for every 3 you bike.  Walking is 1:1 ratio.    I'm having issues with a heel spur and walking isn't a cool thing at the moment, but I can bike.   So starting tomorrow morning, I will hit the gym and get on the bike and go for it.   I'll keep it posted here. 

I haven't sewn anything lately.   One of my bff took me shopping for my birthday and bought me a ton of clothes.  They are beautiful.   Down to a 3x.   Hopefully won't be there for long, kinda on the border line of 2x-3x.

During this past month, I sort of got discouraged.  I wasn't losing weight, I wasn't eating right,   so I took my measurements.  I've lost 9 inches in my hips, 5 in my bust and 4 in my waist.   So I guess I plateaued for a reason!

Well, here;s to watching the numbers go down.  I'm deteremined to stay on this for another 3 months ,perfectly.  Hopefully I can do that.  I did it the first time,   I can do it again. 

Well, I'm tired and I think I'll head to bed.  :)

Not much progress this week

I haven't done much this week, except work.  I'm excited because I'm starting into a new phase of my job...change is always good!  :)

I went to the doctor today.  Potassium is back down, too low....so back on potassium and lasix as my feet or gigantic.......plus i keep fluctuating 8 pounds.....it's killing me.  I've been so good on this plan.....tonight I broke down and had a hamburger (off the grill) on a whole wheat bun, with onion and mustard.....oh it was so good.    It will be interesting to see what it does to the weight.  I don't feel like I
ve cheated, I just discussed with the doc about not eating hardly any carbs....aside from vegetables.  No bread, no refined flour, nothing except eggs, cheese, nuts, veggies, some meat, more beans than anything.......and more veggies...did I mention veggies....o my.......I need to plant a garden.  But he said I should eat more calories and it should push me over the edge, then I can drop back down again.  Sometimes the metabolism needs a shock to the system.    So I ate the bun tonight.   But it wasn't white flour.  Every once in awhile, I'll eat someting not as nutritous as usual, but according to the guide I'm following, it's ok to add these foods in occassionaly.   I just can't do it often.  It sends my blood sugars up and I'm not willing to pump more insulin just to eat.....no way, no how!  So tomorrow, it's back to the usual....and I'm good with that.....I still haven't had any sugar, or high glycemic carbs....so I'm doing great.
The doc also gave me a b12 shot....it was way low and he said that could be the reason I'm so tired, and the neuropathy in my feet being worse than usual.  Hopefully he is right and I'll start feeling better.  I still haven't exercised since I was in the hospital on Easter.    One thing at a time....I suppose.

Now on to my favorite subject....sewing.    I did finish the pink top.  It is a little big in the neckline, but it will work for now.   I still have to finsh the skirt....I know, that was the plan last week......it didn't happen.  But my old clothes are getting ridicoulsly too big.    One of my co workers came up and asked me if I was losing weight.   He's the first person who's really noticed, or said anything.   My boss has been very supportive and cheers me on.    so that was a fun experience.  You can see the weight loss in my face more than anything.     Sorry I digress........   I need to finish the skirt, and cut out another dress.   I want to make one like the ones I've been wearing.   I'm not sure how to describe it, but I'm going to pleat down 18inches  across the bodice in 1/4 inch pleats, then lay a pattern bodice on top of it and cut it out.  I think it will work.  If I can photo it as I'm doing it, you'll get the picture.   They are so comfortable and I can't find the style anywhere....so I'll copy it.  Wish me luck.

Progress

I found a minute to put the dress on inside out.  I have to take in about 2 1/2 inches through the bust.  When I put my underwire bra on, the bust sits in the right spot, just too big.  So instead of lowering the bust point, i'll just take it in.  I'll do that tomorrow night, hopefully.

Then I put the hot pink t shirt on and I don't think I'll have to lower the neckline, I'll just make a facing and go from there.  Hopefully I can get that done tomorrow night too.  then I have to take the waist off the black skirt and reattach it, but there is enough fabric that I think I can cut off what I don't need and make a casing....that would be so much easier than moving the waist band down.  It won't matter because I dont wear my shirts tucked in.

So that's what I  need to get done this week.  Plus take my son around to job sites, grocery shop, laundry, and I changed my hours to 7:30am to 4:15, so off to work 45 minutes earlier.  whew.....busy week.  I also need to get to the gym and use the treadmill for an hour......oh I have to stop making my lists....it is exhausting!

How to make this dress fit properly!

So I've been thinking about how to alter this dress so I don't feel so frumpish in it.  I really think if I can take the bulk out of the bodice it will feel much better.
I'm going to put the dress on inside out, then pin the princess seams to follow the curve of my bust so everything will hit in the correct place.  In theory it should work because I"m taking it in.......
I'm thinking I won't have to do that in the back as it fits pretty good, just the front.  But I'm ripping out a section of the shoulder seam so I can take in the back to match the front just at the upper back.


Yesterday I went shopping at Kohl's.  I've been looking for a nice pair of dress shoes in white.  I don't typically wear white, but for some reason they appeal to me this year.  I've worn mary janes for the past 7 years. they have a wedge heel, but not very high, about an inch.   I bought them at a specialty shop and they cost over 100.00, but , they are really starting to wear, and I've gotten my money's worth for sure.  they were super comfortable, but I'm ready for something new.

So I was just wandering through Kohls and stopped in the shoe department.  Now mind you, I've not been big on shoes.  Comfort is my thing......but I think I've found some stye and comfort....
I ended up buying 3 pair of shoes for 94.00, saving 111.00.   I love Kohls!

One is a loafer looking, with patent leather top in alligator print, with plain black sides.  It is a wedge 1 1/2 inches high...and I walked all over the store in them, my feet didn't hurt, my back didn't hurt,  they were a keeper.
The second pair is a brownish bronze loafer, (same style) just alligator all over.  They were a close out for $27.  the color is not my favorite, but it is something different, and I think they will be just as comfortable.
The third pair (and my favorite) are White strapped, open toes, sandals, with a 2 1/4 inch chunky heel.  They are super comfortable as well.  Probably not as comfortable as the other 2, but certainly dressy and they look wonderful on my feet.  (pictures coming as soon as someone lets me know where my camera disappeard to!)
THE MOST WONDERFUL PART OF ALL:    I've always worn a size 10 shoe.  Medium width.  Now that I've lost weight, my shoe size is a  9 1/2 B.  What a shocker, I've always tried the smaller size on , and in sandals, could not get my toes through the entire shoe and in pumps my toes hit the end of the shoe..  Now they fit perfectly.  So exciting. (can you tell it's the little things that get me going)
I think I'm going to have a shoe fettish......but hey, that's better than a food fettish!  Right?!!!!   I have to give credit where credit is due!  Debbie Cook, I follow her blog, has been losing weight this past year which really inspired me, as well as Sherril Miller, but Debbie has taken to ordering shoes from Zappos....and she has gotten some of the cutest shoes!  Now she has a great blog.  Very informative, she shows how she does alterations, ect.....someday I hope to be as good as she is.  Sherril, also has a great blog and shows alterations, etc.   

Now on to sewing.......I still haven't finished my hot pink t shirt I made over a month ago.  I tried two different neck bands, and I hate them.  So now I have to draft a facing after I lower the neckline to make it look more like a blouse instead of a t shirt.  I'm just draggin my heels......ok...you're right, I"m just getting lazy.
Then I have a black, straight skirt, my mom made me 15 years ago, that I hardly wore, because I started gaining weight so fast.    Well, now I'm in it.  It's too long, so instead of redoing the hem, because there is a slit in the back, I need to lower the waist band and put new elastic in it.  Again, dragging my feet, but the new black shooes will look really nice with the outfit.  Not too dressy as this is a more casual office wear look.  (whatever that is).

 

Simplicity 7558

I finally made myself a dress.   It is from an out of print pattern Simplicity 7558.  I used a size 26w.  the only alteration I did was to cut 6 inches from the bottom.   I used a rayon challis I bought many years ago, so it was in my stash.  I didn't have to buy anything extra to make it.  So that was a plus.
I like the dress on me, but it is now too big in the neck line.  I don't like me in the picture because it makes me look very frumpy.
This is a super easy pattern. No zippers, easy neck facings, princess seams.  Really easy to sew and the instructions are written very well.  I've made it once before 16 years ago, and loved it.  I didn't refer to the pattern instructions this time, because it was pretty straight forward.
I don't think I'll make it again.  This style looked great on me 16 years ago, but not so much now, however, it is a super comfortable dress.  Please forgive the state of my living room.  I have a lot of my sewing stuff in there going through it.  I have my machines in the kitchen until we get the sewing room recarpeted.

Finally, hemmed!

Last night I finally got my coverstitch function to work properly.   I hemmed the t shirt bottom and sleeves, then attempted to put a bank on it.  The band was too short, so tonight I"ll unstitch it...and recut the band to the proper length.   Sew it on, then coverstitch the neckline too.

I am also going to fix a black knit skirt I have where the elastic has pulled apart.  (provided I can find it).  so pictures are forthcoming.....
I've got the fabric ready to cut out a dress, that is next on the docket.

I sewed the t shirt as is.  It fits absolutely perfectly!  I was shocked.  I still have to put the hems and the neck band on.  I pulled out my serger/coverstitch machine, but haven't got it working quite right yet.  I'll keep at it because I really want to coverstitch this shirt.  It is a knit, hot pink.  I have a black knit skirt I will wear it with.  I'm going to get it done this week, by hook or by crook.
I've washed some challis and will cut out a dress tomorrow evening.   I'm going to use the straight 26.  Hopefully it will fit well.  The last time I made it I was around this weight, so it should fit reasonably well.  Then I'll have two new outfits.   I've got to go find some rayon to make the same dress and a matching jacket with a white inset and white lapels on the jacket.  It will be a very pretty outfit. 

I've been looking for some new shoes.  I havent found anything I like yet.  Everything has such high heels and I'm not able to wear those anymore.  I think I'm going to look at naturalizer and see if they have anything dressy and comfortable.

I went to iron the black  poly /linen fabric....it isn't poly linen blend.  I don't know what it is but it won't work for my jacket.  It doesn't iron up nice a t all.  Looks old and used.  blah....
so I cut out my pink t shirt in a 2x but forgot to lengthen it.  :(  I'm going to sew it up anyway and I think it will be long enough to wear with a black skirt I have, that I am finally into.   So I wound 3 bobbins from the cone thread , then took my son to supper for his birthday.  I've sat down now and that was a huge mistake, but maybe I'll get it sewn up tonight.  I'm anxious to get it done so I can see what modifications I'll need to do .

Ok, I've tried the pattern tracing on.  It is still too big in the top, so I'm going to take 1/2 tuck in the front and back across the width and lengthen 1 1/2 inches in the torso, and lower the bust point 1 inch.  Then I'm going to cut it out and see what happens.  Oh and take 1/2 inch out of the sleeve of course.  Hopefully it will look like I want it to  :)
I'll try and post a pic when I've got that much sewn up.

I'm going to modify the pattern I traced last week and then cut it out today.  Hopefully I'll have a new outfit by Sunday.

Not much in the way of sewing this week.

I didn't get any sewing done this week.  But I did get another pattern traced off.  I'm working on Burda 8108 the Jacket A.  I traced off a 26 in the bust and gradually went to a 28 in the hips.  I pinned the pattern fabric onto myself and it looks pretty good except the back neck has too much fabric so I think I need to decrease it and the sleeve to make it lie smooth.  I'm going to try that a little later today and see what I think.   I'm doing my muslin in a very inexpensive poly/linen black that I got from Fabric.com I think about 2 years ago.  I bought 10 yards thinking it would make good muslin fabric.  I think I got it for less than 2 bucks a yard.  Cheaper than real muslin....
Ive been going to trace off the 2x on the tshirt I did earlier this month, but I misplaced the pattern.  My hubby found it last night.   So I have that to do as well.

Finally sewing again

I got up this morning and put the hem in my shirt.  I double needled the neckline.  I'm not really pleased with it as it tends to stretch, but since this is a muslin (wearable, but not on purpose) I'll wear it with my jeans.   I put steam and seam 2 lite on the sleeves and pressed them up.  I still have to hem them, but that will only take a few minutes.  Pictures coming as soon as hubby or son is here to do them.
Last night I took Jeff to Rue 21.  They were having a sale on jeans, so while he was shopping I went and got my nails done.  I had them french manicured and they look very nice.  a tad short, but they will grow.  she evened them up but they are my nails and not acrylic.   Big step for me as I have chewed my nails all my life.  I'm quite pleased with myself.   It is incredible to me how much of a difference it has in your attitude about yourself.  
Pictures coming of that too. 
Grand kids are coming this afternoon.  I'm going to cut out my denim muslin and make myself a new skirt.  Really excited about this.  then I will cut out another muslin t-shirt a smaller size and see what it looks like.  Oh this has been a lot of fun.

And again, I had great plans, but once I sat down to eat, I haven't moved.  I'm absolutely hopeless, but today was a difficult day.  3rd day on antibiotics and i didn't feel at all well.  So i'm off to bed.  Maybe tomorrow.

No sewing tonight

I'm still pretty trashed, so I won't be sewing this evening.  :(
However, today I was going through my closet and found some clothes I haven't worn in years!  I have an old jeans dress that is way too big in the top.  I think I stopped wearing it because it had a tear in the side.  I am going to cut the top off and make a denim skirt out of it. 
Nothing like repurposing old clothes!  Way cool.
I have a red dress and jacket that I might be able to do resize smaller.   Maybe Friday night I'll get some sewing done I hope.

NO sewing...:(

I've been sick for the past 5 days.   I finally caved and went to INstacare......hate doing that, 35.00 ....ugh
I have a sinus infection, which I knew, but didn't want to go if I didn't have to.....so I'm on antibiotics and hopefully tomorrow I'll feel better and want to finish my t shirt.   
I also want to cut out a denim skirt as well........until tomorrow.

Last night we went to a sweetheart activity with a couple who used to leave across the street from us.  Carla and Dale.  We sat with a bunch of people we knew and had a pretty nice visit.  Carla had brought a baby gift for my new great niece Ava, so I'll need to get that off in the mail tomorrow.  She also wrote several poems.  She is really good at that.  Very nice.

I thought when we got home I would go right in and sew  ....but no.  I watched tv instead.  Sigh....old habits are really hard to break. 

During the day Iwent shopping with my bf.  We went to Joanns' and I picked up the steam and seam 2 light 1/4 inch so I could finish my shirt.  I also got some matching navy blue thread and a twin needle.   So I really have no excuse not to finish this shirt!

However, I don't think it is going to fit me for long!   Kinda of sad, but really exciting.  But tshirts are something you can wear for some time while losing weight until they look too big and sloppy.   Thank goodness.

Butterick B5215

Finally, I have started sewing for myself.  I have been looking at this top for over a year.  My sewing mojo for myself has been gone for 16 years!  I'm not sure that it is back, but due to necessity, ie., no clothes, no money to buy clothes, nothing fits., etc.....yadda yadda yadda,  I've had to start sewing.

I have a piece of navy blue rib knit that I decided to use for a muslin.   I have to remind you that I'm a large woman.....so when I tried to determine what size to make, I range between 4 sizes..   I guess I'm a pear.
But I buy 3x in the stores (mostly) and Connie Crawford's patterns are supposed to be RTW sizing, so I took it at face value and traced off the 3X.   Cold turkey!  Much to my amazement, it fits!  I only have to make a sloping shoulder adjustment about 1/2 inch and it seems to fit pretty good.  As soon as I get the sleeves in, I'll take pics.  Just fair warning,  it an't gonna be a pretty site.

I just needed a starting point and I guess I guessed lucky!

Since the pattern indicated it wasn't suitable for stripes, of course, what do I use,  rib knit that is striped (all one color of course),  But it doesn't look bad.  At least not to me. 

The quandry I am in now, is how to finish the neckline.  I do not like the binding they put on.  I am hoping that i can take wonder under and press down the serged neckline 3/8 inch and use a twin needle to top stitch it into place.  I just wonder if it will be stable enough?   I guess the only way to find out is to do it.   I've also thought about making a facing, but then wonder if I need fusible knit interfacing, or if regular fusible interfacing will work.   It has been so very long since I've sewn garments, other than infant and children wear.  I've posted the question at patterreview.com and hopefully, someone will answer.

I have enough denim to make a skirt to go with it and hopefully will get this all done by the end of the weekend as I would like to wear it to work on Monday.  I'm grateful it fit so I dont have to toss the fabric, but it wasn't expensive when I bought it umpteen years ago, so it wouldn't have been a huge loss.   I know you aren't supposed to count on your muslins to be wearable muslins, but hey, if they do.....BONUS!

Hopefully I can upload pictures on it tomorrow and do a review.

The next item I will make is a hot pink one.  I picked up a really nice poly/cotton blend knit at Joann's last week.  On sale it was 6.99 a yard.  I remember the days when 6.99 was so expensive, now it's normal.  How sad. 

Then I will trace off the pattern Burda 8108.  I fell in love with this pattern.  I have a black poly;/linen blend that I got from Fabric.com two years ago.  I bought a great quantity so I could use as a muslin then for the real thing.  It was a very low price, can't remember, but reasonable.  So tomorrow, I am washing that fabric, then one night next week I will trace the jacket.  The pink knit top will go under it, as black isn't my best color, but now that my hair is all white, it doesn't look too bad.
Here is a picture of that pattern.

I've finally gotten my act together and have found a program that is working for me on losing weight.  I am doing the 30 Day diabetic cure.   So I thought this would be a good outfit to wear while I'm losing.  I hope.

No Sewing this week!

Jeff and I are heading to Thousand Oaks, CA to visit relatives.  We are leaving tonight or tomorrow.  I do have plans on sewing when I get back.  Jeff is enrolled in mainstream school again so my nights are freer and I can sit down and sew.

What a mess!

I've been going through the stash brought up from the storage room.  I've gotten rid of quite a bit of junk.  the fabric I had down there is mostly fleece, baby knits, cotton pieces for kids clothes, etc., nothing really that I can use.  :(  At least not for me.    I have a great niece that is due Feb 1, so have some ideas for her, but will have to go to my other stash to see what I can use for me.
We are heading to San Diego next weekend, so I need a couple of new tops.  I have no clothes that are decent any longer, including my working wardrobe.   I need to become Sherill or Debbie Cook!  Give me your mojo  pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee..  Just kidding.  I admire those two.  They are always getting things done.  Another one is Michelle in San Diego.  Maybe I can meet up with Michelle and Sherill.  I'll have to ask them.

STASH!

I knew I had more stash somewhere in this house!  My husband checked the back room and lo and behold he found about 10 more crates of boxes of fabric and such!  It was like Christmas last night, going through it.
Now tonight, I will go through it again and decide what to keep and what to give away.   Looks like sewing is being put off until Saturday (again).

Also, Thanks for the advice Sherrill.   I am thinking maybe I should switch over to my black poly/linen that I have oodles of to make this up.  I think it will drape ok.  I've washed it and will have to drape it when I start on that project.  Also, I will wash the denim multiple times in hot water, then put it away with a note on it that I've done that, so I won't do it multiple times again.   I tend to forget what I've done at times! 

On another note, I found a Mary Duffy pattern in my stash that might be an option for a straight skirt, although, I'm not sure my apple shape will look good in it, but it's an option.  I could modify it into an A line skirt too.  Just a thought.

The first Monday of the New Year - what's the plan?

Well, I've been up since 4 a.m., so I might as well get started on something.
First thing, I will clean off the kitchen table so I can actually do something.
Ok,  I've got the area organized again.   I'm trying to decide what to sew.  I need new dresses, as I have already mentioned.  But  I'd like to make a denim skirt and a knit top.  I found my stash of knits and so I'm thinking that is the direction I want to go in.
This Connie Crawford pattern keeps calling to me.  Do you think the skirt would work in a light weight denim?   I've got a lot, and I mean A LOT of denim that is lightweight enough, I think I t would work for a skirt.   I think that'll be the plan.

Happy New Years Eve

I hope everyone has a very good evening and stay safe.
   I have the grandkids tonight.  They didn't come last night.  We are watching Cars 2.  I am  blogging.
Kya brought her Nintendo DS.  I had bought her a couple of games for it.   I had made a bag a long time ago and her Nintendo fits in it perfectly.  There is a pocket on the inside for the charger.  Tonight I threw together, a book type folder that will hold 12 game cartridges.  It's very simple, not very professional, but it serves the purpose.  She seems happy with it.
Jeff is going to the movies with his friends.  Other than that, not much is going on in this household.  I had to run to Joann's today and get another skein of thread to finish this afghan I started.  They didn't have any lavendar which is what I needed.  I thought that was weird because that's where I bought it the first time.  So I started searching through the bins and I found one skein.  Good thing it is all I need!  So I was happy about that and I had a 40% coupon to boot.   Then I picked my husband up at Trax and we went to the grocery store.  After that we stopped at McD's and got lunch to take home.  By this time, it was almost 2:30.  We watched the end of  The Ghost and Mr. Chicken with Don Knotts.   Cute show.   Then the kids came.  So that's been my day in a nutshell.
After the kids go down to sleep, I will start working on the afghan again.   The colors are tangerine, soft white and lavendar.  Odd, but strangely pretty, I think.  Hopefully she'll like it.