S2560 Cardigan & Capsule Update

Simplicity 2560

Have you ever had a pattern that summoned you to purchase it? Every time I perused the Simplicity catalogue (either online or at the store), I stopped at this pattern:


At the time, I did not find it particularly interesting. The garment on the model is not flattering and the colours in the drawings do nothing for me. But for some reason, I just could not stop looking at this pattern. So, I recently picked it up for a $1 and gave it a try. I made view A with a 100% acrylic knit purchased from the Fabric Gallery during the 2009 American Sewing Expo.


I absolutely adore this knit! I love the colours and the feel. Since it is acrylic, I know it will eventually pill. Still, I couldn't pass it up when I saw it. Here are some pictures of the almost-finished garment (hems aren't done).

The front and back look good on the dress form. The side, however, is another story. It looks like a maternity top or something. I don't think this pattern is for the ample-busted woman because the front folds pop out with the chest. Add to that the junk in my trunk and...well...the story pretty much writes itself. =)

Will I wear it? Yes, with jeans. Will I make another top from this pattern? No, not unless I find another way to make this more flattering.

Capsule Update

In a recent post, I mentioned that I intend to sew smaller sized coordinated capsules instead of 10-garment wardrobes. So far, I've made progress and had a couple of setbacks.


Unfortunately, the red-cream-grey pinstripe pants did not work. The fabric is a stretch woven and completely in appropriate for the pattern I used. The fabric stretches too much and clings in a weird way. I am not even going to bother with trying to fix it. Moving on...




I wanted to make a scooped-neck top out of this ITY knit, but the two pieces I have are not wide enough for the pattern. Instead, I may attempt to do a tank top if I can find a suitable pattern.

I have two projects in queue. First is Simplicity 2556 in this red scratchy wool-blend woven.

I've already cut out the muslin for view A and hope to get this sewn soon. I am optimistic about this as the garment has no sleeves! Fitting bodices with sleeves is my ultimate sewing smoke monster (cue from LOST)!


Next is Butterick 5421 (view D) in a lightweight black wool woven.

Until next time,

L~

Just Let It Go

On Sunday, I was sitting in front of the TV watching the Jets-Colts game and grading papers. While grading, the brand new green gel pen I bought (in a pack of other additional colours) began to skip and act as if it was out of ink. No matter what I did, the pen just would not write. Annoyed, I rose from my comfortable seating position, went to the office (only to immediately hear the game's commentators announce some major play), and retrieved another pen. I sat back down, maneuvered myself into another comfortable position, motioned for my dog to sit beside, and resumed grading. About 20 minutes later, the new green pen began to write like the last one. Grrr. I got up, slammed the papers down, retrieved both pens and tossed them in the trash.

Before this moment, I would have attempted to save those pens and make them write at some later time. I have oodles upon oodles of pens that are waiting for me to help make them work properly. It was at that moment that I realized letting go of these two stupid pens was completely okay. It was okay not because I can afford to buy new pens or because I have some space to house the two that don't work. It was okay because I no longer have to deal with any mental attachment or connection to those pens. I know that sounds weird, but the lesson I learned applies to more than just those two menial objects.

I am enduring some difficult personal drama at the moment. This drama all but consumes my mental, physical, emotional energy. Couple that with the stresses of everyday living and I am on edge - I mean Grandmaster Flash don't push me 'cause I'm close to the....EDGE...edge. Throwing out those pens, as futile as that may seem, made me realize that there are some things that are just not worth holding on to: pens, fabric, people, relationships, etc. At some point, one must realize that if letting something go makes you less of a nut, then do it. Trust me, the world is in no immediate shortage of stressed out folks.

So, whatever it is you're holding on to, let it go. Just let it go. I am no guru. Tomorrow, I may be saying something different. I know that in this moment, this is what is. Some parting words from Deepak Chopra:

“Be willing to stop judging against yourself. Bad urges don’t make you a bad person.”

L~