In full bloom - a spring skirt from McCall's 5984

If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you know by now that I like to sew skirts. They're simple to sew, they're easy to fit and they're versatile with the ability to be dressed up or down.

While I don't like super tight clothing, the pencil skirt silhouette is one that I think works on my my figure type. Even though I've only sewn this particular skirt pattern twice previously (here and here) it's my latest fave skirt pattern. The pattern is McCall's 5984, a Palmer / Pletsch wardrobe pattern.

The latest is a navy and white floral print skirt - perfect for spring. And for my navy polka dot shoes, because remember? I'm all about the shoes.

The skirt will also work well paired with a white tee and flats for a more casual summer look.

Another thing I like about slim skirts? They don't require much fabric! This fabric was found in the remnant bin at JoAnn Fabrics for a whopping $4. I used an invisible zipper from my supply stash and faced the yoke with white cotton from my fabric stash.

After sewing the skirt I then tried to get a photo taken of it being worn.

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of my photo shoots? And I use that term loosely.

That's because I take all of the photos myself using the self timer on my Canon PowerShot SD790 digital camera.

Why you ask?

Because the last time I asked my dear hubby to photograph me for the blog he responded "what?!? not another photo for the sewing blog! how many do you need anyway?" LOL. That was about three years ago. Needless to say I just quit asking and take care of it myself.

It takes quite a few shots before I get one suitable for posting. Here's a few shots showing you what usually happens "behind the scenes".

I set up the camera on my cutting table in my little sewing studio, set the timer to 10 seconds and quickly try and get in place in front of the white closet curtains.

Sometimes Abby just can't resist checking out what I'm doing.

Sometimes I have Sophia in my arms and I can't manage to put her down and in position before the camera snaps the photo.
Sometimes I have Sophia in my arms and before I can put her down Abby plops down right in front of me. And of course the camera goes off right at that moment.

Finally I manage to get a semi-decent photo, which I then crop off my head and post it to my blog.
So what happens behind the scenes in your photo shoots? Pin It

Kinda like riding a bike - back to sewing

It doesn't' really matter how long it's been since you rode a bicycle. You easily pick it up once you begin again. The same with sewing. I feel like it's been ages since I've had the chance to sew, but of course it's only been a few months. And I was able to whip up a knit dress in the usual few hours.

So I'm officially back to sewing.

Today's dress was sewn using Simplicity 2369. A recent release for a pullover knit dress with a faux wrap front and side tie or buckle.

This is one of those garments that looks better on a body than a dress form. The dress form just doesn't do it justice. Well, that and the fact that this lovely fabric didn't photograph well at all. It's a beautiful shade of turquoise with soft red and brown daisy flowers scattered all around.

The fabric is from Emma One Sock , purchased either last summer or the summer before. I honestly don't remember. It's a super soft rayon knit that photographs horribly but drapes beautifully. It was so easy to work with also.

And while I'm on the subject of easy - this is another one of those easy to sew designs. With everything else going on in my life at the moment simple is just what I need.

I questioned the layout of the right and left front pieces as shown in the instructions. I turned my pattern pieces printed side down although they show them printed side up. As shown you could easily end up with the right and left fronts switched, meaning the buckle or side tie would be on the right not the left. The instructions also have the right fronts illustrated on two different sides (compare illustration on step 4 and on step 22).

I originally cut the longer length sleeves but after trying the dress on decided it was too dowdy looking on me so I cut them to the cap length.

Simplicity included a pattern piece and instructions to face the entire neck edge instead of just turning it over and hemming it. The end result looks nice, but I've never had difficulty getting the other method to look nice also.

A 2" belt buckle is called for but I substituted a 1-1/4" buckle mainly because it's what I had on hand that coordinated. I had come across a bag full of old belt buckles - probably old store stock - at a thrift store some time ago. Of course they found their way home with me even though I had no use for them at the time. Now that I actually used one I feel better knowing my $3 was not wasted *lol*

A full review is on Pattern Review (here).

In other news:
The benefit for my son was very successful. Many people came to the event, the silent auction raised a lot of money, and my son was feeling really good that day and was able to be there for the entire event. We posted some photos on my Flickr account.

My son continues with his radiation and chemo treatment. He's past the halfway mark with only three more weeks to go. Radiation is five days a week with chemo seven days a week. The first two weeks were awesome as he had zero side effects. However his hair is beginning to fall out where the radiation is targeted and he's getting fatigued. He spent all of today mostly sleeping.

As a mother it is so difficult to watch him go through this. Although he does inspire me with his attitude. I admit I grow weary. I'm so thankful I have my church family and small group to lean on. They lift me up when I hit bottom all the while keeping my son covered in prayer.

Please, please, please don't forget to continue to pray for him. The textbooks say this will never go away and he could only have a few years to live. BUT there's no reason he can't be one who experiences a miracle of complete healing. Only God knows His ultimate plans. My job is to be faithful and pray.

Next up in the sewing room:
McCall's 5818, a turquoise jacket and white (or print) dress.





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It's a beautiful day for a benefit

*** Non sewing post today. Feel free to pass on by and stop by later this week ***

Today's the day. The benefit for my son starts in a little over three hours. I'm amazed at how quickly his friends were able to pull this together - after all, it's only been six weeks since we first learned he had brain cancer.

If you're in the Twin Cities area you certainly invited to stop by. It's at Jersey's Bar and Grill in Inver Grove Heights from 1 to 5 p.m. For a $25 donation ($10 kids) you'll get unlimited taco bar, beer and soda, entry into the door prize drawings, and a chance to bid on one of 40 silent auction items ranging from a television to loads of sports stuff to gift certificates to hand-stamped greeting cards. Kids can get their faces painted and everyone will enjoy the entertainment by Jeff Loven.

Some of you have asked about making a donation. A PayPal account has been set up for that as well as an account at a bank. Either email me privately for the information (sewingbysharon at gmail dot com) or send an email to RobBenefit at gmail dot com for the details.

DISCLAIMER: This feels a bit uncomfortable to post this as if I'm begging for your hard earned dollars, but please know I'm only posting this in response to some private requests I received. You are under NO OBLIGATION whatsoever to participate. I still luv ya :-)

That being said, I'm really looking forward to today. To meeting his many friends and co-workers, to reconnecting with people from our past, and to spending time with family and friends.

The other positive report is that Rob is one week into his radiation and chemo treatment (radiation five days a week with chemo seven days) and has yet to experience any negative side effects. Yea!

Continued thanks to all of you for your positive thoughts and vibes sent his way and to you prayer warriors who continue to lift him up and pray for complete healing. Let's see you fight against that you ole brain cancer! Pin It

A new spring dress - Butterick 5454

The knit dress I sewed from Butterick 5454 is finally done!

It just needed the hem finalized and I was able to get to that last week. Even wore it to work. Decided after a day of wear that I love the fabric but only like the dress. The knit is just too soft for a wrap dress as the tie belt ends up pulling down during the day. I think I'm going to remove the tie belt, sew the bodice down making it a mock wrap and wear it with a wide brown leather belt. Besides a brown leather belt will go great with my shoes - because we all agree that it's all about the shoes, right?

This super easy knit dress took a few weeks to complete, but hey, I've been busy battling that ole brain cancer that decided to pay a visit to my boy.

By the way, he continues to do so well. I'm certain it's the power of prayer and positive thoughts everyone - you included - have sent his way. He finally received the okay to drive - just days before the radiation and chemo began. He began that four days ago and so far no side effects. The benefit his friends have planned to help him pay the ever mounting medical bills is less than one week away and we're hopeful many, many people will come out to support him.

During this past month we had a chance to spend a lot of time together. That has been such a blessing as we've had time to talk about things most people don't talk about. Like what would you do if you only had a short time left on this earth? While he battles the cancer, he's also realistic knowing it could very well come back sooner rather than later. But, like he said the other day, "Mom, I could sit on this couch and feel sorry for myself and tell everyone I can't do anything because I have brain cancer. But that won't change the fact that I have it. So I'm going to fight it and just continue to live my life."

That boy sure is an inspiration. Not only to me, but to many others. I hear it over and over from people I talk to. I hear it from his friends. I read it in the comments people leave on his caringbridge site.

So together we continue to battle his brain cancer. He battles it with radiation and chemo while I go to my knees and battle it with prayer. Pin It