Laundry Day Tee-Twice

I have never made the Laundry Day Tee, though it may have been one of the first PDF patterns I purchased. Since the original draft, there was an update in 2017. That was the first one I used to print, tape and trace. I tried on the pattern and was very concerned about how it was looking.  I had used a Medium/Large for this. I was either going to have to spend a lot of time making numerous adjustments or print out the Large/X-Large.  Yes, I have put on some weight during Covid.

I decided to go to Pattern Review and read some recent reviews of this top. After reading through a few, I hit on one review that talked about using the full bust bodice piece. I went back to my PDF file and found I did not have that option. So off to Love Notion's website and yes there had been an update in January 2020. I was only a year late in taking advantage of this. Since I own the pattern, the updated one was in my previous order file with Love Notions! Yeah!

I again printed off the medium/large sizes with the 2020 updated version. I then taped and traced my sizes. I tried on the pattern and a much better fit with the full bust bodice piece. Yet I still had to make an FBA with this one. I added an inch. After trying on again with other usual adjustments-forward shoulders, high round and swayback adjustments. I found that I needed a deeper swayback adjustment from 5/8 to 3/4.

The changes have been made and I ready to cut out the fabric. 

I hate that I had to use a lot of paper and ink. I have thought about using a projector file but I am not wanting to spend the money. I need to find a local source for copy shop printing that could save me some paper, ink, and wear and tear of my printer.

More to follow!

Fabric Purchases for 2020

I did not break the bank with fabric purchases last year. I actually purchased four fabrics for the year. That in its self is a record for me. My goal for 2020 was not to make any new fabric purchases and to focus on fabric stash. I certainly do not feel any guilt about these purchases.

I purchased two fabrics from Sly Fox Fabrics in June. Both are ponte knits and purchase to make the Calypso top from Sinclair patterns. By the time I was ready to start on the project, I lost my sewjo and decided in September that this was more for spring. 

 I ended up using double-faced fabric in December for that fabric!

After Christmas, I took advantage of a sale at Fabric Mart and purchased two knit fabrics at a truly great price.  One was a black knit crepe fabric. The pic below does not do this fabric justice. This looks like a faded black when it is really a true black knit.

I think I may need to upgrade my camera. 

The second fabric was blue lapis fabric with a distinct pattern, that pattern does not get captured at all in this pic. The color is correct.

The pattern is rectangular blocks that are horizontal and vertical throughout.  It is a double knit. I have no real plans for this one. I just wanted a blue fabric.  The black is going to be top either from Style Arc or Helen's Closet. That too is subject to change.

I decided to post this as I had to reprint the Laundry Day Tee as I had not updated my pattern to the newly drafted 2020 pattern. After more printing and taping, decided I needed a break before tracing this one.

More later.

Last garment of 2020!

 My sewing was not my usual for the year. Sewing was up and down!  I signed up for the PR Fabric Stash contest in an attempt to push me to sew. It's starting to work for now.

I made another Sinclair pattern. The fabric used was a double-faced green/blue knit from Sew Much Fabric, 2017.

It is a more muted shade and I prefer something brighter. I remember the plan was to sew a McCall's pattern. However, as with my sewing, I change plans frequently. 

I have enjoyed sewing Sinclair patterns, so decided this was the fabric to use from the stash. I made an error in printing this top and ended up with larger pieces. I did not trace the pattern print out and decided I really need to go back to "team trace" Taking that extra step would have reduced the fitting adjustments with cut out fabric.

There are many makes of this pattern on the web with much prettier or brighter fabric mixes. Since it is now officially winter, I felt this fabric was a perfect sew.

I used a 12 upper chest from and back, changing to 16 for bust and then changing to 14 below the bust to hip. I did not need the 16 bust and found that the shoulder width was too wide, ended up taking a 5/8 seam with the sleeve at the shoulder and a 3/4 seam from bust to the end of the sleeve. 

Here are pics of my wearing to make a Walmart grocery pickup.

The back is solid green and the front is blue and green

The strips are sewn first and then topstitched using stretch sew (lighting stitch), zigzag or cover stitch. I had planned to use my cover stitch machine for this, yet did not as  I lost the tiny screwdriver needed to remove the needle for replacement or moving to a wider or narrower stitch. Amazon to the rescue as I searched local stores for this small screwdriver and the only sewing related store was closed for the holidays. I was able to get a screw set for small sizes but a nice handle grip.  Link to this on left side label under Amazon. Full disclosure- I am an Amazon associate and could receive a commission if you were to use this link. 

I used the lighting stitch what I normally do not use for the topstitching. For the sleeve and top hems, I used my cover stitch machine, once the screwdrivers arrived two days later after ordering.

My first project for 2021 will be the Laundry Day tee with fabric from Fabric Mart, 2013. 

I am moving forward with my sewing for 2021 as I work on improving my positivity into the new year.

2020 IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR

 2020 was not the best year for me as it wasn't for many. I started the year continuing to reflect on my 50 year HS Reunion and the fun we all had. Then came Covid.

I watched and cried as I saw so many lose their loved ones and seeing so much death, with freezer trailers being used for storing bodies. Then Covid touched my family making it all the more real. My sister-in-law and husband both became infected with the virus; she asymptomatic and he became very ill. He was admitted to the hospital on November 7 and into ICU the next day. He spent a couple of weeks on a ventilator and then they performed a tracheotomy to help with his breathing the day before Thanksgiving. I remember talking to my SIL on Dec 12th about how much he was improving and the plan to move him to another hospital specializing in weaning people off the ventilator and into rehabilitation. We were all so happy and prayers being answered. Yet the next morning I got a call from her telling me he had passed away. I couldn't believe it and though prayers did help it was not meant to be. We could not travel home for the funeral making it even harder to accept this death.

Earlier this year my DH was diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia or Alzheimers. Both of my parents died from this illness and I know what to expect. This was not how I saw our retirement years being for us. Life is funny that way.

All of this has thrown me into a huge funk this year. My favorite thing to relieve stress is sewing and that wasn't happening much either.

So I am truly glad that 2020 is in the rearview mirror. I am determined to face 2021 with hope and some positivity. I am working and will continue to work on my getting out of the depression and funk that I have been in for several months. I saw a report on how young people are struggling with online schools and a follow-up they conducted a few months later. One young person said she told herself to deal with it and move on. She was very positive and her grades had improved.

From her mouth to my ears-I am going to deal with it and move on.