Last week was school vacation and I decided to try something new and make a shirt. I had the pattern and fabric and just needed to allow myself time to create. Determined to ‘sew smart’, I began with zest! No sooner did I begin, the problems also began. Sound familiar?

The first issue was size. According to this pattern I was 3 different sizes based on chest, waist, and hips. The directions stated to hold the tissue pattern up to yourself and then squeeze the sides and pin to your desired fit. Lol! Piece of cake if I were only an octopus! I averaged out a size and then proceeded to sew. The shirt had options for kimono sleeve, dolman sleeves (3/4 length), or short sleeves. I opted for dolman but when I got it all made, I was unhappy with the way the sleeves draped. They wrinkled on the top part of my arm as you can see…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It turns out though, that all my shirts do that to some degree. But I thought I could somehow lessen that if I cut the sleeve length to short sleeve. So I did and it was much better…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then I remembered that Lindsey brought me a beautiful scarf from France last year and it’s perfect with the shirt!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The shirt was very easy to make and I’m eager to try again but with a rayon type knit because the jersey knit I was working with was a bear! It’s a beautiful color but the edges of the fabric curled so ridiculously that I couldn’t even get it folded on grain. It was a nightmare to work with. I have a dress pattern and some rayon’ish fabric and I’ll try that next then circle back to another shirt.

The other thing I did over vacation that was new, was to join Weight Watchers online. I am loving the new freestyle plan and the phone app that keeps track of all my food choices and even syncs with the Fitbit for added points! I have made several of the WW recipes including these blue cheese chicken burgers…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And even two ingredient bagels! They are made with self-rising flour and nonfat Greek yogurt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tonight I’ll make the dough again and use it for a pizza crust.

Have you started anything new this week? It feels like a time or revival with spring finally making an appearance here. Tell me what you are up to this week?