Feeling better. Maybe will get some sewing done!

I'm feeling much better today.  I'm going back to work tomorrow.
I'm thinking about getting up and cutting out a skirt.  I need clothes so desperately, I really need to make myself do it.

Just thinking of an elastic skirt,  strait, no aline, but a little fuller than straight as I'm making it out of Challis.  I've got a purple top I can wear with it and it shouldn't take me long to do it.....

We'll see what happens.

WHERE DID THE TIME GO? WHAT HAPPENED ? A WHOLE YEAR, PRACTICALLY!

I'm not a very consistent person.....you probably already figured that one out.  I don't write well, and I've not been doing any sewing, garment wise.  I need to....I'm down to 3 dresses now.....need to take drastic measures!

I've been concentrating on trying to get everyone's quilts done for Christmas.

I've got one all but the binding done.  I had my friend LAQ it for me.  It turned out rather nice, if I do say so myself!

Then, I decided that I can't ask my friend to keep doing my quilts for free and I don't have 200.00 a quilt to have them done, so......I'm learning to free motion quilt and will do it myself!

Here are a few of my practice pieces:  well, maybe not.  I can't locate them on my hard drive.  I will have to transfer them over from my notebook.

I'm really fascinated with the Hunter Star block.

I think it is beautiful.  There is a special ruler you have to use to make it .
I also love the lemoyne block

They are both eight-pointed blocks, but I like the challenge of the Hunter block better.

I want to make my son a quilt.  His favorite colors are dk purple, orange and black.

I could do a purple and orange quilt with the Hunter star.  Or I could use a medium purple and orange for the star (the small one) and use black for the 1/2 square triangles that are red and white in the pic above, then use the purple and orange at the four corners.

I think that might look ok.  I'll have to get some test fabric and work on it.

Well, that's about it for now.   I've been off work today because I have developed severe osteo arthritis in my right knee and have the beginnings of osteoporosis.  The pain has been incredible since last Friday.  I went to the doctor on Monday after work, they xrayed and we had to wait until today to get the report back, since the radiologist had left for the day.  (there was a spot on the film and they had to determine if I had a fracture there or not.)  So out came the brace and the crutches with instructions to stay off of it.   Ha!  Like that was going to be easy.....anyways, no fracture...although I think it might have been easier as it would have healed.  So now I can learn to live with this.  

So, I'm off to bed.  I'm taking tomorrow off as I still can't stand or walk very far....hopefully one more day will make a big difference.  Night, all.

LO

One project down, 10,000 to go!

I finally was able to finish and deliver the coat I replaced the lining in.   That was a daunting task, but it fits and she is comfortable, no binding, etc.  So all is well.

Now on to the next project.    Before I can sew today, I need to vac and clean the carpet in the downstairs bedroom.  DS has decided to switch rooms, so he's moved everything out, I get to clean. 

Then I will cut out my dress.

30 OCTOBER 2013

Happy pre Halloween!

I spent the morning sewing! Finally!  but not for me.
I made a pair of pajamas in flannel to be part of a jedi knight costume for my dgs.

It turned out pretty cute.   I didn't get to see him in it as my ds delivered it for me...although he waited until 9pm.  So I'm sure my boy went to bed thinking Grandma failed him!  This made me very sad.  Hopefully it fits him!

Tomorrow I need to finish up the lining in a coat for a friend of mine.  
Friday I am cutting out that dress I've been talking about for the past two months.  I think my mojo is finally back.

I'm really excited.  My twin brother provided points so my son and I can fly back to KC for Thanksgiving!  I haven't been back since the summer after my mom passed away in 2007.   I really miss my siblings.  I've got a great niece I've not yet met...she's almost 2!  She's going to be a big sister in Feb to a little brother.   Then I have a niece that is due the week of Thanksgiving, so hopefully she'll be born while I'm there.  That would be cool.

I finished the afghan for my sister.  I just have to weave the ends  in.  

Now it is time to start planning for Christmas.   I have no idea what I'm going to do this year.  It won't be a lot as I have no money, no time, and no idea of what to make!

My gd is learning to sew.  I think I'm going to either put together a sewing box with fabric and patterns, or give her a gift card and she can do it herself.    I'd like to make everyone pj's.  Not sure they'd want them though........

I need to make me some pj's too!

Well, that's it for today.   Headed to bed with my notebook to make my lists.  Good night.

Almost ready to sew!

I measured again and I'm back down to what I originally wrote down for my waist.....so I don't think I gained inches I think I read the tape measure wrong.

So I've lost 16 pounds.   I went to the gym twice this week.   rode my pedals the rest of the week.

I did the weight machines at the gym.  My wrists hurt so bad I thought I would die!  My shoulders are hurting less, so I think the tendonitis is getting better.  

Now that I don't have to readjust my pattern, I will cut it out today and see how it fits.  Pictures will be coming.......

Lucky I didn't cut out when I thought I would!

I've lost 10.5 pounds now.   I hadn't cut out my dress yet, so I decided to measure.   I'm glad I did.  I was 5 inches bigger in the waist.  I either read it wrong or wrote it down wrong, so I need to add another 1/2 inch to each seam as well!

If I wait another week, maybe I won't have to, but, I don't want to wait.  I need clothes now and on the princess seam dress, I can take it in easily, I think.   I'll not stitch the sleeves in the round and that will help taking in the side seams.   I'm excited .  Hopefully I'll get it cut out this week, the muslin, then the fabric.  For this one I'm going to use a black ponte knit(the one with rayon in it, I just love the way it feels and drapes), then wear jackets and sweaters with it, until I look good enough in the style.  I have the fabric, at least I think I have enough of the fabric.   I'll have to check in my stash. 

I have to finish replacing the lining of a coat this week as well.   Busy week,  Still haven't mastered the sleeping part of working nights, but I've got the eating and exercising down well.

Last weekend, since I was awake at night, I exercised between Friday and Monday evening, 10.25 hours (I think it was that).   I have stationary pedals, and I'm sure they aren't as effective as a stationary bike, but they are helping because my blood sugars are 212 in the morning instead of 287-300.   I'm taking less insulin all the way around.  
This weekend I will have done 5.5 hours.   Not as much, but 2.75 hours a day is not a bad thing.   I'm happy with it.   I'm starting to lose and I'm starting to lose inches.......what more could a girl want!

So, I watched the Craftsy class on plus size fitting with Barbara Deckert again last night.   I decided to get out Simplicity 1586 and upsize the dress.

It wasn't too bad.  I took all the measurements (shell shocked!) but quickly recovered and started altering the pattern.  Tonight, I'm going to cut it out on an old sheet to fit it. 

I'm excited because I am finally getting my blood sugars straightened out I think.   Working the nightshift has been difficult trying to figure out what to eat, when to eat, when to sleep, etc.   I'm still not sleeping a regular schedule, but today when I woke up at four, let me back track,  when I went to bed at 9:30 my blood sugar was 133.  I decided to not take any insulin to see what happened.  I woke at 4pm and took my sugar.  It was 108!  I had also put myself to a little test.   I have a pair of stationary pedals (bike) that I ride. I've never been convinced that they do any good.  So last night I rode for 30 minutes.  When I went to bed at 2:30am my bs was 167.  (mind you I was also being very careful in what I ate).  I took 4 units of Humalog.  My blood sugar was 161 when I woke up at 6:30am.   I took 4 units again.   Then I rode the pedals for 1 hour and 20 minutes.    When I went back to bed, my blood sugar was 133.  Ok, so the insulin had pulled it down.  Not a lot, but so much better than being 278 when I go to bed or get up.   So imagine my surprise at 4 when it was 108!  Estatic to say the least.  I have to surmise that the exercise does indeed work, so I'll keep it up.     So I've eaten a meal.   I had about 3 oz of hard cheese, dill pickles and green peppers (grown in my friends garden).   I will take my sugar in about an hour and see where it is at.  In the meantime I will hop back on my pedals while I was the finale of Biggest loser from whatever season.   I'm bound and determined to get back on track like I was last year.  I can do this.  It just takes effort and time,  but I know I can do it.     I started back to the gym a month ago, and can now ride a regular stationary bike instead of the recumbent.   My knee doesnt' hurt too much.  But I can only maintain about 15 minutes on the bike at a good pace.  So maybe by working it at home too, I can work up time at the gym.   My membership runs out in FEbruary, so I need to really make good use of the time left.  I don't know if i'll sign up again or not.

Well, as you can see I ramble back and forth.    But i'm excited.  I think life might be turning around again and I just can't let it go back to what it was........

After I cut out and sew my test garment, I will try and take pics.....now remember, I'm a big girl, it won't be pretty, but something I need to do to motivate me. 

My last post was actually written on Wednesday, not Friday, but I forgot to hit publish....duh.

Yesterday my friend and I hit Hancock fabrics.   I just didn't see anything that impressed me.  But I did pick up some more patterns:

Butterick B5538

 Butterick B5827

Butterick B5861

 

 

 

Ok, I bought the Simplicity Amazing Fit pattern because it had different cup sizes.   I'm a C cup, and most patterns aren't an issue, but I convinced a friend to buy the same one because she is a D cup and I thought we'd have better luck making this pattern.  She is very narrow in the shoulders, big busted and narrow waist.   

 

B5538  I love view C.   She bought a pin stripe for hers, I didn't buy any fabric.  I am sure there has to be something in my stash that will work for this one.  Just have to buy buttons once I decide.

 

B5827  I'm not sure if I like the neck line on this dress.   I don't usually wear higher necks since I had neck surgery because I can't stand anything around my neck, but I thought it was a cute pattern so I'm going to try it.

 

B5861  You can't see the detail on this shirt, but to the right and left of the placket there are Pleats.  Not on this view, but on the other views on the pattern.    I thought it would be cute made up in a black and white print, maybe a rayon.

 

So that is my pattern stash...like I didn't have any others to work on......but I love those sales and I only paid 1.99 for each. So 8.00 for 4 patterns is pretty good.  Now I just have to get to work.

 





SEWING COMING UP!

I really didn't stop because I was lazy, my laptop blew up!   I tried posting with my tablet, but I'm a keyboard kind of gal and just couldn't master the touchscreen keyboard.   I guess it's true, you can't teach an old dog new tricks!

So, did I get the laptop fixed yet?  NO.......... I bought a desktop computer.  They tend to last longer for me than laptops do, however,  my laptop has a service warranty for 3 years and they are going to either fix it or replace it.   I'll give it to my ds, that way we'll both have machines.  He needs one for school.  I just need one.....because.......well.....hmmm......well just because!

I'm working the night shift.  9-5.   It's not too bad.  I work with clients in the Pacific Islands and since their daytime is our night time, it goes to reason I should work when I can contact them!   I haven't figured out a schedule yet on how to get much accomplished because I'm trying to sleep during the day and keep getting woke up so much that I actually don't get much sleep, therefore, I don't get much done!  Story of my life!

On the sewing front.......I've started a quilt (that's my new thing well, new for about 3 years now).  It is a quilt of valor for my nephew.    The design is by Mark Lapinsky...  I was able to get most of the fabric that he used in his, but not quite all.  It will look good though.  I'm about half way finished.  Pics to come once I get it put together.

Sewing for me:
B5053 Connie Crawford  T shirt.

This is my go to pattern for t shirts.   In store bought sizes I am a 3-4 x .   It depends on the length.  I use the 2X on her patterns and they fit perfect through the shoulders and bust.  Through the stomach is a little snug, but that will go away losing more weight.  The length is long, the way I like.  Gives plenty of shrink room (especially since everything seems to shrink, or I just get bigger ...lol and they get shorter!)

Not a very clear picture, sorry.

 

There are 3 sleeve options.  The first one I made it was a very short sleeve and my biceps are too large for that.  Hence, it sits in the pile of clothes not worn unless it is an emergency...like I haven't done laundry yet!

I use the sleeve that ends right above the elbow.  It is the most comfortable.    I don't put ribbing on the neck, I just fold it down and top stitch.  I have a babylock evolve (I think that is the cover stitch machine) but I don't know how to use the coverlock on it.  I really need to just get it out and practice....I'm sure it isn't rocket science!  It's that "old dog" mentality that keeps me from doing it...I think.

The most recent top is an olive green knit.  It came off the flat fold table at the Cotton Shop here in SLC.    It washes up nicely and feels like it has some rayon in it.   It isn't as thin as some knits with rayon though, so I really like it.   I'll see if I can get my ds to take a pic of me....horrors!.

I've got a navy blue knit, same as the green, to do next.   Since I work at nights, I don't have to wear dresses, I can wear slacks.  Don't have many of those either, since I live in jeans when I'm off, or lately, my night shirt!

But, I'll probably only work this shift through December, so I'm going to need more dress clothes.  So the next project in mind is:

This is a Butterick too.  B3039

 

 



 

I want to make the dress in a black ponte roma (or the one with rayon) Then wear jacket or sweater with it.    I have the knit, just nothing for the jacket.  I have a really cute sweater pattern and I have a light weight rayon knit in heather gray that would work perfectly with it.   

I also want to make a straight skirt out of the black ponte .   I don't know if pencil skirt would look good on me, so I'll just make it straight.   Then I can wear a shirt underneath the sweater or make a twin set out of the grey.  I have plenty I think.

 





 

 

 



 

 

/The sweater jacket is like what I'll make only there are pockets at the bottom right beside the lapels.    This isn't the pattern though....of course, can I find the one I bought?   Noooooooo......but I will.  
Well, that's the news.  Now that I have a computer again, I will post regularly...well at least more than once a year!

So, the question for today is "How many times have you started a blog, only to have abandoned it and have to start over?"

Shortly after I got out of the hospital last year, I stopped blogging.   I' not sure why.  I just did.  I stopped dieting, I stopped working out, I stopped everything!   As hard as I tried, I just couldn't get that mojo back and get in gear.

I've spent a lot of time trying to figure out why that happened.   First of all, my biggest problem is stress.  I don't deal well with it at all.  I've gone through a separation, let my teenager live to see his 18th birthday! and trying to adjust to being on my own again......has taken its toll on me.   

However, that being said, I am a fighter.  Once I've bottomed out, I start to rise again.  So here we are 1 year later, quickly approaching my 60th birthday, gained all but one pound back, and now starting over.

So, I went online and joined Weight Watchers.  I'v lost 17 pounds (again).   I tried all year to get back on the 30 day diabetic cure, but couldn't make myself stick to it.   So my sister and I discussed WW and I decided to    give it a tr y.  I'm adjusting pretty good to it.  I've started exercising.   I bought Richard Simmon's "Sweatin to the Oldies".   Oh to be a fly on my wall.  You'd roll on the floor laughing!      
I can only do a few   of  the dances, but I am tryin
g.    
IN the past 2 weeks, I have made a skirt and a top. FUNNY STORY about the skirt.  I went to Joanns and picked a basic skirt pattern.

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 .