Shifting Gears

No sewing this weekend, I've been knitting. I did start on McCalls 5672 but realized that I wanted it lined and I didn't have anything that would work so a quick trip to Joann's was in order. They are literally 5 minutes from my house, JoAnn's is my least favorite fabric store but they did have Simplicity patterns on sale for a buck.

The last thing I need is another pattern but you know what I always say; "I'll buy that for a dollar".

I like the brown one for Fall.

I'm trying to shift gears into Fall sewing. I reviewed what I've made since April and it's quite impressive I really don't need any more summer clothes but I just might squeeze in this pattern, I saw it on someones blog and I have a black/white knit that would be perfect.

I hope everyone had a great weekend.

Wearing Blue Belted and my Fabric Cue

Rachael requested a picture of me wearing blue belted and you can't disappoint a girl on her birthday. The fabric looks shiny but it isn't.

I really need to start hanging out with my girls more to work on that little muffin top thing.

I tried it with about six different belt/shoe combinations but my photographer was not willing to do all those pics. I will probably wear it with the gray studded belt and silver sandals.

Why do I always cock my head at such an un-natural angle lol.

This was going to be last weekend's project before the A/C died. It's only been cut out for almost a year. My first fall outfit but once the A/C died all bet's were off and I opted for one more summer dress. Maybe this weekend.

This is my fabric cue, really it's just a bunch of fabric piled on a bench. They're all fabrics I don't want to put away and forget so I keep them out until inspiration hits. The hounds tooth will be a fall jacket, I just have to decide which pattern.

I think I want to make the red view out of the purple/eggplant that I used for the jumpsuit, also for Fall.

What's in your fabric cue?

It Rained, I Sewed

And several other catchy blog titles, how about blue belted. I can't decide which belt to wear with it, this is the belt I made to go with the epic fail plaid dress, it does give the dress a punch of color but I'm not sure if I like it.

Misty Blue, they just keep coming, here it is with a grey studded belt, eh.

Blue belted, I've got a million of them, blue studded belt.

Stuck in the 80's (ok, that's the last one) the pattern is Butterick 4734 circa 1987 with the skirt pieces from McCalls 7787, the epic fail plaid dress. I only had 3 yds of this wonderful mystery fabric and didn't have enough if I used the Butterick skirt pieces both patterns have full skirt views so I figured it would work. I do remember I purchased it from JoAnns, it has some stretch to it and is very soft. Here's a view of the inside, as you can see it's not lined and due to my limited yardage I used a remnant from my stash for the back yoke and pocket facings. My serger was giving me a fit and I couldn't figure out the problem so my seams are less than perfect, it may be time for a tune-up.

I'm extremely thankful for the rain we've had over the past few days even if it did come in the form of some pretty powerful thunderstorms, it helped to cool it down nicely but I will be so very happy to see the heating/cooling guy tomorrow. I remembered that we didn't have air conditioning while growing up and it didn't seem to bother us, now I don't think I could make it through the summer without it, this weekend has been an ordeal.

I hope everyone else had a nice cool air conditioned weekend.

To Hot To Sew

The air conditioner died on Friday and I've been sweating ever since, don't think there will be much sewing going on this weekend. IT'S SO HOT!!!!!

I don't do make-up

Not so much anymore, there was a time you could have yelled "Fire!" and I still would have taken the time to apply eyeliner but today I felt like getting all gussied up.

The black and white screamed red lipstick.

Wait the peplum isn't laying right.

The concert was great, if you like jazz and ever have the opportunity to see fo/mo/deep or Joe Johnson live I highly recommend them.

There's still a little Sunday left I'm going to go see what I can get into.

Most Things Really Are Black and White

This seems to be the case in my closet. Last week I made the black/white maxi dress this week I finally cut the pique black/white fabric which had me wallowing in the valley of indecision.

I was inspired by Trina's black and white peplum top and then I remembered I had this pattern, circa 1988. I remember making this way back then in a loud red floral, I loved it. I really like old patterns the instructions and paper quality was a lot better.

I made view E the last one on the left, I added side pockets to the skirt. Believe it or not I didn't line it, the pique has a very good weight to it and at my age I have the appropriate undergarments so why not wear them.

The only thing that's left to do is add the buttons. I like the ones on the left but I only have two and I need at least three so that means I'll either use the ones on the right or go to the store, my money is on the ones on the right.

Tonight me and my GS will be attending this free outdoor jazz concert, we usually go every year but last year it was the same weekend as Macy's Music Fest so we missed it. They always have excellent musicians, we both really enjoy it and did I mention it's FREE.

Next weekend is the Midwest Black Family Reunion which I haven't attended in years but this year Rose Royce will be performing Saturday night and Sunday Regina Bell, I may just have to make my way downtown. Sing it with me; "get your car wash today, fill up and you don't have to pay", love that movie, it's a classic, Richard Pryor was great in it.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Macy's Music Fest Weekend Review (pic heavy)

FRIDAY NIGHT ROCKED! Teena Marie was awesome I really didn't take any pictures I was too busy having a good time, of course Charlie Wilson shut it down.

Jaheim was also really good but there was a, "things you will probably regret moment" when this woman (I use that term to describe gender only) who was obviously old enough to know better got up on stage and licked his sweaty chest, that's just NASTY! You know that's going to be on youtube, can't you just see how this will follow her. She goes to school for Grandparents Day and all the kids say; "your Grandma is a freak I saw her on youtube" or you don't get that promotion at work because they saw it too.

And then there was Saturday, hum, yeah. All I can say is I'm glad that Frankie was back this year, Raheem Devaugh and En Vogue were both really good, unfortunately we missed K'John. And I don't know what was going on with Ms. Erika I guess she wasn't pleased with our response to her incoherent babble and after about 20 minutes she left the stage, she didn't even sing "Window Seat" WTH. Oh well I've seen her before and she was awesome, everyone is entitled to an off night.
Now on to what I wore. Friday night I wore the eggplant jumpsuit and it became painfully clear why they're not so popular, I had to become a contortionist when trying to use the bathroom. Needless to say I probably won't ever wear it again but the wrap is great and I can see getting a lot of wear from it especially around the holidays with a LBD.

I did manage to finish the maxi dress for Saturday, it's Butterick 5489. I chose this pattern because I thought it would be simple and I could finish it quickly, which would be true if I didn't have to adhere to my sewing knits rule, which is it must be lined. Then I had an issue with the underarm, it was way to low. Thankfully I used a fix I read on someones blog (can't remember who's). I was lazy and didn't cut the extension pattern piece so it was about 4 inches to short to be a maxi I used the black contrast which turned that into a happy accident because it really made the dress. Here I am all hot and sweaty from a night of partying.

Jenise, Mo and Carlis (Mo's husband)

Me, Mo, Carlis

I said I didn't like this picture and my wonderful son said; 'that's cause you cheesein' all hard' gotta love him.

And now for the GTFOH, these are for you Adrienne.

No, the camera didn't mess up, he had on hot pink from head to toe.




When's the last time you saw one of these?



_____ You fill in the blank.

All in all it was a great weekend. My DD asked me if I had fun when I said yes, she said "that's good you go out once a year you should have a good time". Technically it's twice because I go Friday and Saturday lol.