Beating the Thesis Blues...with SEWING!

I went shopping today.

I've been going stir crazy, staying at my parents place out in the boonies, and have been itching to do something creative. It's getting to the point where I just can't concentrate on thesis writing. A person needs an outlet!

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I really love the looks of Simplicity 2254 that, judging by the lack of any reviews on PR, is either really new or really unpopular. I'm going to give it a go anyways. Seems to be becoming a thing with me, trying out unreviewed tops!

I'm not a fan of the version the model is wearing (animal print and lace oh my!), but I like some of the others. V-neck tops are good for me, and I love the sleeves on versions A and B.

I'm planning to make version C out of the funky orange cotton something-or-other fabric below. (I really need to start paying attention to the fabric composition.) I think it'll be a fun and easy top to wear, and will go well with several of my brown and denim pants and skirts.

The beige-ish fabric below (rayon challi-something? can't remember) will be made out of version A. It's deliciously soft and have a lovely drape to it, so I think the sleeves will look better and not stick out as much as I think it would with a stiffer cotton.

I know next to nothing about rayon (although I'll do research in some of my lovely sewing books when I get home). Any advice on this fabric? Needle type? Washing/wearing advice?

And while we're at it, what is your favourite fabric to work with or wear? I love working with cotton blends. Depending on how it goes though, I may fall in love with this rayon stuff! So soft and flow-y!

Okay, back to the thesis. Not allowed to start this project until I get some writing done!

Happy sewing all!

Book: Pants for Real People

Look what arrived in the mail for me today! Thank you, Step-Sis and Boyfriend for the Chapters gift cards!

I've pretty much wanted this book since the disaster that was my first pair of pants.

This book is pretty amazing. It spells out all the alterations you could possibly need in an easy to understand manner, with tonnes of clear and helpful drawings.

They even go through multiple pants fittings on non-"standard" body types. What I really like is that they teach you to alter commercial patterns, rather than drafting your own. While drafting is well and good, there are so many great patterns already out there that would be lovely to sew, if you could do the correct alterations. This book teaches you that.

The authors have included so many useful tips and tricks throughout the book, and it's written from a knowledgeable but humorous angle.

Haha, whoops. Looks like I found one of the many errors I made when altering my pants. Silly side seams.

They even have a chapter on Pants for Men, in which they not only show you how to alter the initial pattern, but also on altering ready-to-wear pants. And yes, they have a chapter on that for women as well!

Just looking over this book for a couple hours this morning has proven that this is going to be a very useful book when I'm ready to tackle pants again. Without even using the advice in this book yet, I'd recommend it to anyone, beginner or otherwise, who needs to alter pants patterns. Which is probably everyone, in one way or another!

It'll definitely been a great addition to my sewing library, and go well with my copy of Fit for Real People. My wonderful Grandma sent me that one after laughing at me over the phone as I ranted about my fitting woes. Isn't she great!

Now all I need is a copy of Jackets for Real People, and I'll be set!

Happy sewing (and fitting) all!