To say that my sewing mojo has gone missing is an understatement. I have barely put needle to fabric since September. I had contracted a major league case of the creative blahs.Then it happened. I was able to go home from work early yesterday and as I was puttering around the house, it happened. I felt the old longings, the welling up of creative juices. I surveyed my latest vintage pattern purchases and Vogue 5611 sang a siren song to me. I chose some chocolate brown RPL from my stash, as I need a nice plain brown dress in my wardrobe. Then, I pulled out the pattern pieces and ironed them.
At this point, I noticed the bodice had a very large bust dart. Being the small chested gal that I am, I knew that this bodice, if left unaltered, would be ludicrously boobalicious. So, I knew a SBA (small bust adjustment) would be necessary. Unfortunately, this bodice piece is unlike any other piece on which I have done a SBA. So, some experimentation was in order.
I traced out the bodice onto some paper and started fiddling. My first attempt was a disaster. But, then inspiration hit and I believe I have worked out the SBA for this dress. I will explain the details in my next post.
In the mean time, I will be doing battle with a nasty head cold that has held my sinuses hostage since yesterday. Not only do I feel like hammered crap because of the illness, but I'm freezing my canoodles off because of the frigid weather that moved into the region. Right now it is -9 C and with windchill it feels like -19 C (that's 16 F and -2 F respectively, for all you heathens out there that haven't yet converted to the metric system or 264 K and 254 K respectively for all my science geek friends).
Can I just say that I'm sick of winter? Seriously, if I happen to see Mother Nature any time soon, I am going to put my foot in her ass!
21 comments:
I was so glad to read your blog today as I have the same sewing blahs. Not to good when I have to have two crazy, wild men's shirts done by the middle of Feb.
Vogue 5611 is a pattern I have been trying to find for quite some time. I use this pattern when I was in a sewing course at Michigan State University in the 60's. My grandmother brought back a cream, and brown checked plaid raw silk from India and gave it to me as a gift. I made this dress and jacket with that fabric using a very nice creamy cotton sateen for the bodice and lining of the jacket. I got an A by the way as it was more complicated that the class project required--no problem. I loved that dress and pattern and have no recollection of what happened to either of them. I am going to purchase that pattern and make a gold dupioni dress with a periwinkle blue lining (I think).
As I always tell myself, "When you get the urge, go with it!!" Usually, what holds me up is the cutting out - don't ask me why. I don't lack sewing mojo usually - it's the 'cutting out' mojo that usually hangs me up. But every once in a while, the cutting out gets me and I cut out several things at once and then I can nail my rearend to the chair and sew and sew and sew. I love it when I can do that.
I tell you what, let's swap houses for a week. We've had temperatures in the high 30s and low 40s(celsius - don't know what is in fahrenheit) and at night we're lucky if it drops below 25 degrees. We're in wet season, but there is no rain. It's hot, I'm grumpy and my lawn is crispy. I hemmed a skirt last night and just the weight of it on my lap had me sweating. I'm over summer, so if I see Mother Nature, I'll be putting the boot in, too! Hope Simon's keeping warm. Molly is not even interested in food, so you know it must be hot!
the blahs always set in during February, but it seems to have come early this year for me. Motivation is out the door. Maybe just taking a break.... Hang in there :)
Hi, I glad. I love seeing you styles.
Shannon, you'll snap out of it. It's just the cold and the malaise that comes with being housebound for so long. I actually stay in the house in the summer too (sewing is not an outdoor activity!!)...but the backyard is there when I want it, if you know what I mean. Now we need to think spring. Maybe that will recharge you. Get a jump on some spring sewing.
That is a FANTASTIC pattern. Cannot wait to see it stitched up.
I lost my sewing mojo in Dec. with the holidays. All I wanted to do was curl up on the couch and watch TV, which I never do. It was weird. You've been going through a lot lately, so it's not surprising that you haven't been inpsired!
Man am I glad I'm not the only one who is suffering from cabin-fever-induced sewist's block. That makes me feel slightly better about my complete lack of progress. I'm anxious to see what your creation looks like, since your stuff is always pretty cute. :-)
"that's 16 F and -2 F respectively, for all you heathens out there that haven't yet converted to the metric system or 264 K and 254 K respectively for all my science geek friends"
LOL. Thanks for the laugh. I'm glad you're getting your sewing mojo back.
It is cold in Michigan--5 degrees this morning. I blame it on Canada for allowing their cold air to blow down here! I find that going to sewing groups is what sparts my mojo. Sewing is so secular that it's easy to get it a slump if you don't have others to inspire you.
YaHoo!! Your creativity is coming back!! That is a great pattern - look forward to seeing you dressed up in it. I'll try to send a bit of our 70 degree (F since we're being precise) weather your way. You can keep the cold. My fingers get frost bite just reading about it!
Glad the MOJO is returning. Isn't it interesting how it just snuck up on you? Even with a head cold? That would kill all MOJO for me.
Had to laugh at your metric comment. I was a child in the early 70's when I recall a haphazard attempt was made to "convert" the US. Now, I wish it had worked. I think it's machine embroidery that convinced me. It's all in mm. Oh, how I wish I could "think" in those terms now. Of course the US has always had metric money (lookin' at you UK, pounds and shillings indeed.:-), why didn't we go all the way? Maybe if I force myself in the sewing room? Changed my laptop to metric since that's where my embroidery software was, then forgot when I was changing margins on an Office document. Whoo boy was I confused!
I'm happy to hear that your mojo is making a comeback. :) Really excited to see the dress - that is such a great pattern.
It's not so cold in New England (US) but living in a leaky, old house, once the temp goes below 30F (or about 0C), I never quite warm up.
I feel the urge to sew but thinking of sticking with small things that I can finish in one weekend, like hats, bags, pillows, quilt tops.
Thanks for writing as always, Shannon!
My mojo disappeared in November, halfway through a pair of pants and a skirt. These days, I'm 'thinking' sewing and 'doing' knitting. Time to get back in the sewing room.
Your dress pattern looks great, can't wait to see it finished.
How's Simon doing ?
This morning it was -20C when I got up, still only -20 now, windchill says -30 ! I can't wait for spring !
Glad to hear your mojo is back! That dress pattern looks great and I can't wait to see the finished product!
Did you seriously just translate to Kelvin? you big showoff.
I swear, I have your Vogue's twin sister sitting here! It's Vogue 7349, and its a beauty. Mine has a little V neck, but other than that its pretty dang similar. Hey, I've got the SWEETEST little 1940s pattern with a very interesting jacket. It's cut-on sleeves (yawn) but gathers onto a TIE waistband. I've never really seen anything like it. Bust 30. Since I'm too boobalicious (heh) for it, I wondered if you'd like to take a stab?? I could probably dig around and find a couple more non-boobalicious goodies to send with it too. Email me!
I get the creative blahs too - and it drives me nuts! Most recently I have taken to Turning off my computer and forcing myself into my craft room - and it has been working out great.
I think taking a break from my hobbies gives me a chance to re-energize and build up alot of creativity and momentum to complet things......♥
The super pretty blue nail polish Nat Robbins "Midnioght Hour" was purchased at " A Buck or Two" dollar store in mt town.
Do you have "A Buck or Two" in Ontario? And did you see my massive =Ontario Nail Polish Haul= blog post?
Love the pattern!
Haha, I'm ready for spring too. My creative juices flow and dry up...and change and fuse, chimera-like. I'm glad to know you're hearing the old siren song again, though. It feels so nice to DO, doesn't it?
xx
Made me laugh this morning! I can't wait to see this new creation, looove 60's styles.
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