Hello, Hello!  I have been sewing some. I have been embroidering tons and I have been so bad on blogging and taking photo.,  I will try to do better from now on.

I have been sucked into an embroidery mystery quilt block of the year thing since Jan and some months are 8 blocks where some months are 16!! It has taken all my time I feel, and even though I love the outcome and I’m almost done, I don’t want to commit to such a big project again!  It just takes up way too much time.  Here is a sneak peek into what I have on that up to October (I warned you, it is a labor intensive piece, lol).

Now lets move back to sewing.

Pattern: Paper Theory – Peppermint Pocket Skirt

This is my first time making this pattern, by the way, it’s FREE!

I was drawn to the cool pocket design.

I figured it would accentuate my already large hips, but I didn’t care, the skirt pattern looked cool.

Measurements at the time: Lower Waist: 39   Hip: 49

Size Sewn: Straight 20 – the pattern told me to make a size 22 but I sized down one due to the finished measurements list.

Date started: no idea. I think maybe Nov 22. Date finished: DECEMBER 6, 2022

I used 1.5” elastic in the waist, 33” long and overlapped 1” .  I used a 2” waistband height measurement and a 1.5” hem

I bar tacked the edges of the pockets and topstitched when 3 sides were sewn together, not when all 4 were in a loop. It was easier to topstitch most of it when it was flat and then just do the last one when it was a loop.

Fabric: A lovely Linen blend. I just barely squeaked this out of 2 yards. It is a Valori Wells fabric by Free Spirit called Jenaveve. My notes on it are:  FabricMart PRE-CUT SALE, 4 YARDS- Sangria/Pink/Tangerine/Coral Cotton/Linen Leaf Print Woven 56W, purchased Feb 2018 for $6.40 TOTAL. I miss those sales. And I just realized I have 2 more yards of this awesome fabric. 😀

Thoughts: I love the look of the skirt; I do feel sort of large in it and I don’t know how to wear it. Do I wear it over my hormonal belly up on my natural waist? Or do I wear it down under that belly where I am comfortable?  Do I tuck in my shirt or do I leave it untucked? Do I tuck in and then pull some shirt out? So many questions.

I love the big pockets of the skirt and the fabric is so cute for fall.

I must add that the pattern did not give an elastic measurement for the waist. This kind of drives me nuts. I understand they want you to find your own measurement for it but give me a rough idea?

Thoughts:  I love the LOOK of the pattern.  I don’t know if I love the look on me. I also used a stiffer linen and I hope it softens up.  I’m not sure how to wear it, or what shirt to wear with it.  I like the evergreen color with the skirt, but that tank is way too small for me now (Jalie 3245 sewn 2017).  I just don’t know and now fall has become winter so I’m not sure how much wear it will get.  But I will keep it around because I seem to end up wearing things and loving them when I originally didn’t like them.

Pattern: Love Notions – Classic Tee

Made previously one other time: Navy Floral in 2020

Measurements at the time: High bust: 38.5  Bust: 42  Normal Waist: 36  Low Waist: 43  Hip: 48

Size Sewn: Bust/Waist Large and Hip XL, Scoop Neck with Short Sleeves Options

Alterations: Added ½” to backside of pattern to make more room for my hips and rear, this made the back piece 48 hip, front piece 46. I added 1” to the hem because I now have a hormonal belly to go over. I hemmed sleeve at ¾” not 1” because it would have been right up in the armpit with topstitching.

Date started: 9/24/23  Date finished: 9/26/23

Fabric: a Black Double brushed poly I had in my stash from who knows how long and where.  I tend to collect Black DBP whenever I find some cheap.  I like to have it around.

Thoughts: I love this top. It is classic, it fits well. I like it a lot. I needed a plain black tee in my wardrobe and this fit the bill perfectly. The shirt looked great with these pants!

(Turquoise pants are Jalie 3355 sewn 2020)

That’s it for today but I have lots more to blog, so stay tuned.

Happy Sewing!

Kristin