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Thursday, April 21, 2011

Mental Sewing...or why I ain't got nuthin new to show!

Somewhere a few posts back, I mentioned that my next project was going to be Butterick 5600...and nuthin' right!  Instead I use a kewl piece of fabric to make a knit version of my TNT dress (which garnered quite a few complimentss at work, btw!)  I know I shared that I came home from being a fabric piggy with a horrible cold...and I made the mistake of taking the pattern pieces out of the envelope while I was medicated and not feeling...so of course I was overwhelmed...seriously overwhelmed with the amount of pattern alterations that I would have to make so that the dress would fit my body.

I put those pieces back in the envelope and moved on.  Well I've been going to work these last couple of days and those pattern pieces have been haunting me.  Seriously taking up way too much of my thoughts on the way to work and on the way home...when it finally hit me that I should use my TNT dress pattern with B5600 so that I don't have to reinvent the wheel.

Well I was so very proud of myself for coming up with this revelation...and today I shared my heavy revy with Elizabeth (SEWN) who goes...well dayum I thought that was what you were going to do anyway.  Seriously deflated my bubble...but okay I'm gonna let her have that one because I'm busting her bubbles on the daily...so she was due for one! *LOL*  Y'know what I mean!

Anyway, I don't have to work tomorrow...thank heavens for Jesus!  We have Good Friday off and I plan on using my day to celebrate by working on this dress.  I mean I have a packed weekend full of celebratory events and I'm just stealing a little me time to work on this dress...I really think Jesus will understand...don't you!?!

So here is a picture of the fabric, pattern and the buttons I scored from GStreet in Rockville, MD.


The buttons are a little larger than the ones recommended on the pattern envelope but we decided that since there is a little bit more of me...it will be fine to use them.  Tho' I wish you could have seen me and the woman working behind the button counter at GStreet with my iPad checking to make sure that the buttons worked with the fabric.

Hopefully the next post will be about a finished dress...or at least something about the process!

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank EVERYONE especially the silent majority (that's what I'm gonna call y'all now instead of lurkers...sounds better dontcha think!) who left a comment on the last couple of posts!  Gosh, y'all make a gurl feel worthy...truly you do!  But seriously, I read each and every comment and want to thank you for taking the time to write...your comments were so appreciated!!!  There were a few questions and I will address them this weekend, promise! 

...okay...more later!

46 comments:

  1. I'm off tomorrow also - although I had to take it as a vacation day - and I'm certain He wouldn't mind us spending a little time sewing for ourselves.

    Sometimes I get overwhelmed with alterations on a pattern even when I'm NOT medicated and not feeling my best - LOL - just another good reason to have TNT patterns to turn to, right?

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  2. I would have thought you would start with the TNT too. I have to work tomorrow - but think we are heading out early - and I plan to work on a summer dress. g

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  3. That fabric is really pretty! I can't wait to see your finished dress. :]

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  4. Oh man, that fabric is GORGEOUS. I coveteth. :) And those buttons are PERFECT. Since I was there when you bought them (sans fabric) I am MOST impressed!!!

    Enjoy your day off tomorrow. I will be thinking of you as I work. :D

    Is it ironic that my word verification is "rested"? :)

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  5. Its Friday here already and I am working on getting a TNT jacket pattern. Oh the alterations! We have a 5 day weekend here thank the Lord. We always get Friday and Monday off at Easter but this year Anzac day (another public holiday) falls on the Tuesday. Good luck with your dress.

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  6. Mental Sewing! Love that, I think I do that a lot - probably more than real sewing LOL
    That fabric is gorgeous! Wish I was working on something like that but I will be spending my long weekend with a sage green for a villagers dress for Princess and the Pea. Costuming is really one of my fav sorts of sewing (after mental) but I would give it up for that material. Yuummmm

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  7. Ooo, I was eyeing up this pattern.
    Can't wait to see how this one turns out! I like your buttons and fabric choice. I have a hard time picking buttons, and can spend a ridiculously long time doing it.

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  8. That fabric is gorgeous! I can't wait to see it made up with those buttons :)
    Ashley x

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  9. Being someone of the "silent majority" finally I'm going to leave a comment ;) I'm one of your European readers (Germany) and I drop by nearly every day because I really love your blog and your beautiful dresses. Fabric and buttons for your next project are really cute and matching perfectly.

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  10. I meant to comment earlier when you were blogging about those who read and don't say anything. Um, that would be me:)So I want to say "thank you, thank you!" I finally figured out how to get my shirt sleeves to fit after reading about how you did the "bodacious biceps" alteration. Now your blog is one I check every time, and I am inspired to try and create TNT patterns for myself.
    so, once again, thanks.
    Joyce

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  11. (First time posting a comment after "lurking" these past few months! A direct result from reading "The Value of a Good Comment" posts!) I have this pattern. I have been seeing it in RTW in different versions; however, I haven't touched it because of all the pattern alterations I know are in store for me. As a beginning sewer, I find that's often my struggle. What to do???? In the meantime, I look forward to seeing what you create! I'm sure it will inspire me!

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  12. Can't wait to see if all made up! I'm up to lots of sewing this weekend too (oh and I think Jesus definitely understands...hehehehe)

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  13. I love your fabric and buttons. Looking forward to seeing the finished dress.
    I'm afraid mental sewing is the kind I do most. I love the browsing through patterns and collecting of fabric, but I'm not so good when it comes to putting them together. I do sew, just not as often as I could or should.
    However since you "outed" me as a lurker I have become a serial commenter. I needed that little prod. Thanks Carolyn :>

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  14. Good plan, I laughed about the mental pre-sewing you do too. I often feel that by the time I make a dress I have already made it up about 14 times in my head. Enjoy your time off.

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  15. Slap me! Like Elizabeth, I just assumed you would start with your TNT. Very pretty fabric and anxious to see the finale. Have a great weekend.

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  16. The fabric and buttons are breathtaking! You score such good stuff!!

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  17. One of my biggest sewing challenges is matching fabric to pattern, and I don't think I ever would have come up with this pairing. I'm so looking forward to seeing how it turns out. And those buttons are just perfect. Great color and a great size for the print.

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  18. That fabric is gorgeous!! (And add me to the Elizabeth camp re the TNT modifications...)

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  19. Funny, I never paid any attention to that pattern until you blogged it. Now I think I want it! I can't wait to see what you do with it- I know it's going to be fabulous! That fabric/button combo is gorgeous!

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  20. Hmmm...since I've been, er...lurking, I mean following your blog that fabric seems a little different for you. I LOVE it! Have a Happy Easter, thank you for Jesus indeed!

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  21. thank heavens for Jesus! I am off today, too, although I had to use an actual vacation day. Still!

    That is some beautiful fabric from G Street and I was just over at shams blog looking at her haul from Michaels. These are the 2 places I visit so often it is ridiculous, but I don't recognize your or most of shams' haul! So I guess I am not as familiar with their inventories as I thought I was!

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  22. Luscious fabric! Can't wait to see the finished dress.

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  23. I am positive that Jesus will understand! Enjoy your day and your lovely dress. Kelly

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  24. I think I end up doing a lot of mental sewing, especially when I have an issue that is a bit challenging. Often after stepping away for a bit, and even leaving it for a day or so, the answer just seems to come to me.

    And, oh, how I miss the button counter at G Street. Yours look fabulous with that fabric!

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  25. Such lovely fabric and a very pretty dress style.

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  26. Enjoy your sewing day today. I purposely worked today so I can have Monday all to myself. Today I would have to have picked the boys' up from my parents and attended oldest son's ballgame. Monday boys will be at Grandparents and I will have whole day to myself!

    I love the fabric you chose and can't wait it for it to be made up into the dress. Hopefully one day I will figure fitting out and have a TNT pattern to help me adjust fit on other patterns.

    Just one of the silent majority speaking, but do know that even though I don't comment a lot, I enjoy your blog a lot, it teaches me and reassures me and I love looking at your finished pieces!

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  27. Seems that the only sewing I do is "Mental Sewing". I am glad you do actual sewing. Can't wait to see your next project. Have a great weekend.

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  28. This pattern is on my list to sew but I don't have any cool fabric like that planned for it. I cannot wait to see the end results!

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  29. I don't have time for mental sewing, I'm too busy with mental home repair and mental gardening! I love the buttons and the fabric.

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  30. I've been doing lots of mental sewing lately too. I love this fabric and can't wait to see it made up. I am soooo wanting to do dresses for this summer & your are defiantly my inspiration on dresses.

    OK, so when were you in ROCKVILLE, MD. That's my stomping ground and I would have loved to know that you were near. I go to that G Street all the time, it's about a mile from my work. Next time you're in the MD/VA/DC area please let me know!

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  31. Mental sewing is just a productive...enjoy your day off. Loving the print.

    Angie R

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  32. I have days (and nights) like that too! Where a project just WILL NOT leave me alone. Keeps me awake at night and then while the juices are cooking overnight I have THE revelation of how to make it work. Which makes all the sleeplessness worth it, really!

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  33. No day off for me but I did enjoy reading about your plans! :)

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  34. You pick some of the best prints! I can't wait to see your dress!

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  35. Carolyn, your blog is the first blog that I read each week. I have about 100 saved in my "favorites" folder but yours is the one that I gravitate to the most. Have a Happy Sewing Easter weekend.

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  36. I actually bought this pattern b/c you posted about it a few months ago. I plan to make it in a khaki. SUPER excited to see your version, as I haven't seen any review of it yet.

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  37. I have this pattern in queue. I hope to get it make before the summer is over. Waiting to see what yours will look like.

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  38. I am anxious to see how you tackle the pattern adjustments as that is an area I have struggled greatly with. Your fabric is beautiful. Have a great weekend

    Marie

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  39. Hooray for hookie days! I was at home sewing today too.

    What a great summer/spring fabric.

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  40. that's a great fabric print- have fun hiding from the rain and sewing up a storm this weekend!

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  41. I love the buttons and the fabric. They look great together.

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  42. Like your choices - can't wait to see them completed!

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  43. I'm glad to read that I'm not the only one who does mental sewing. I swear some ideas just need to percolate before they are ready to go.

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  44. Toy made this dress a few weeks ago and I liked her version very much.

    I LOVVVVVVVVVVVE your fabric and can't wait to see your version. The buttons you picked out are an amazing match.

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  45. I just made that dress in a heavy, "slinky-style" knit for my daughter! It went together easily, but the way they have you put elastic in the casing -- attached to the sash ends! -- was the weirdest thing I've seen lately. My daughter is quite full-busted, so I peruse your postings to find patterns that you have pretested for me, lol.

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