WARNING!!! This is a very, very long post....................

Is there anyone as undecided as I am in making a decision about what to sew? I seem to get hung up on the process all the way through. I can buy RTW without blinking an eye. I know what looks good on me, what fabrics I like, what goes together, but when it comes to sewing I freeze. This is how I end up stockpiling fabrics and patterns without sewing much of anything. I'm going to try to change this and unfreeze myself. Carolyn left a message stating she was going to be all over me like white on rice to be sure I work on this capsule. Thank you Carolyn, that's just what I need....keep kicking my butt!!!!

I think I've narrowed the fabrics down for my capsule. Of course I changed my mind about a 100 times and I may change it 100 more times before June 1st. Sigh....I don't pay attention to "signs", but I have to think all this indecision has *something* to do with being born a Libra.

For the moment I'm thinking of a retro 50's, summery, cotton capsule. After taking a good look at my closet I decided that I have enough navy, tan, beige and white for main colors. I have a ton of black also, but that is taboo for this capsule. ;o) One of the colors that is in short supply in my closet is red. (yellow is also in short supply, but I'm in a red mood) I did buy a red shirtdress recently and I love it. I also hit Ebay an bought a couple of pair of red shoes. Now I must add to my red palette. I also bought a red, patent handbag, but I'd like to make my accessory, if possible.

I'll post a storyboard when I make my decisions on patterns. I'm narrowing it down, but I'm not quite there yet.

These are the fabrics up for consideration: (of course they weren't in my stash. Thank goodness the prices for the cotton fabrics were more than reasonable on Ebay)

Cherries on white: 50's style sundress. Probably a modern pattern with a 50's "flavor".

Red polka dots on white and white polka dots on red: I'm torn between a flippy skirt and an A-line. I want to use both fabrics in the skirt. This decision will be made when I determine which jacket and top pattern I'll use.

Red fabric: possibly a jacket. I don't have a red jacket. I already own several white jackets and a couple of denim and several navy jackets.

White swiss cotton or a white eyelet cotton (not pictured, as I already have these in my stash): a top of some sort. This will have to be something that can be worn with the dress to comply with the rules of the contest.

Navy or denim: I still need to work these into the capsule.

Dress patterns under consideration are:

I'm totally in love with the Retro '57 pattern. I love the neckline and the full skirt. But if I make it, I'll feel like I have to put some type of crinoline under it. I really dislike the look of a big skirt just hanging there, without the support of a full slip. It reminds me of taking an 80's jacket and removing the shoulder pads, without altering the shoulders, in the hopes that one could get away with wearing it....not!! Although, (light bulb moment) I have an evening skirt which is underlined in tulle to give it body. Hmmm....maybe underlining in tulle and stiffening in the hem would keep it from just hanging there, then I wouldn't have to feel silly in a big, puffy crinoline. I'll have to give that some more thought.

Skirt patterns under consideration are:

Jacket Patterns under consideration are:

Top patterns under consideration:

New Buttericks are here!

I was on Patternreview.com, which led to Candyo's blog, which in turn led me to pictures of Butterick patterns I had not yet seen. I'm not sure how long they've been up. Maybe I missed them since I've become so obsessed with Vogue lately.

Here are some of my favorites. (My computer is acting up so I'm crossing my fingers that I'll be able to get the pictures posted)

Chetta B wrap dress. How many of these patterns do I really need? I have this style in Hot Patterns, Vogue and I scored some vintage wraps on Ebay. On top of that it's not my most flattering look since I lack the body parts that make this dress flattering. ;o)

I like this dress, but again if not made correctly, this too is not my most flattering look. I actually look much better when I add a cami or modesty panel...go figure!!
The jury is out on this little jacket. I have a weakness for jackets in general, and most especially for little jackets, but my gut instinct says this will hang like a paper sack.
Again, like wrap patterns, how many tee-shirt patterns do we need? I do want to see how this fits, but I will have to change the neckline. This "U' shaped neckline is one of my worst looks.
Yes indeed, I do have a weakness for short jackets. Add puffed sleeves and I'm sold. ;o) I will be adding this one to the pattern stash.
I never care for the "See & Sew" line, but this dress I like. I have a similar dress in RTW and it is surprisingly flattering to my pear shaped figure. The empire waist draws attention to my shoulders and smaller upper body and the gathers hide the bottom half. The fabric needs to have a lot of drape. Rayon/lycra or a lighter poly/lycra would be a good choice.

Butterick 4855 & Cotton Lycra Fabric

Everything has a beginning......

....and thanks to all the wonderful blogs I read daily, or almost daily, I decided to dip my toes into the water and give blogging a try....so this is my beginning.....

I spend way too much time on the internet anyway, so I might as well be productive. I'm hoping that by blogging I'll hold myself accountable for completing projects and not just talking about completing them.

I'm finally taking another fitting class and my first project for this class is a simple Butterick blouse pattern (4855). Yeah, I know you're probably gagging at my choice of pattern, but I like it. ;o) I wanted something simple and summery...no placket..no collar and stand...no set in sleeves. This fit the bill. I'm making View D, with the simple open collar and I'm using View A's shorter puffed sleeve. Hmmm..... mutton, dressed like a lamb...I hope not, but we'll see...! LOL!!!!

This is the fabric I'm planning to use. It's a wonderfully soft cotton lycra that I purchased at http://www.fabricmartfabrics.com/ last winter.

Please see my next post for the pattern and fabric pictures...sigh...don't ask. ;o) Anyone who knows me, and my computer skills (Holly, Carol & Theresa) understands the previous sentence and why my pictures are in a different post...sigh...it's a curse. ;o)