Sewing update!

I finished the blouse last night and I really like this one, the fabric is so much better.

I made a fantastic purchase this morning on my way back from Weight Watchers (another 2.4# BTW!!) at this garage sale. I bought 4 boxes of patterns and 3 rulers for $30....I had $100 worth of fun just going through the patterns. Even Mama looked through them, I think she had that much fun looking through them too, and she doesn't sew! Here are pics of what 2 of the boxes look like after I went through them. And here is a picture of the fabrics I bought last weekend in New Orleans.

The one on the left is a paisley knit, then a pique polka dot, navy linen and then the paisley cotton/stretch. I need to get them washed. The polka dot needs to sit in vinegar and water to set the colors so they won't bleed. This was suggested by the owner. And I did a little online purchasing during the week and all of it arrived in the mail today.

I bought more Palmer Pletesch interfacing, waist band interfacing, pattern tracing paper and then from Pamela's Patterns, The perfect Tee Shirt, The Perfect Tank Top and the T-shirt makeover pattern along with some Heat'n'Bond for the hems of the T's.

Also, I broke down and purchased Pattern Master Boutique 4 from Nancy's Notions and it has shipped so I should get it next week sometime. Plus I registered for the making pants better online sewing class at PR which begins in June.....whew...I'm going to be very busy!

I'm back in the sewing room!!!

Since I've been losing weight (31.4#!!), I was able to use one of those patterns that I was trying to sell over on PR.

I made 3 muslin's before the fit was right.
I used size 22 and made a FBA of 2" and I had to shorten the shoulder width by 1/2".

Here is the finished blouse.
I dislike this fabric very much, it is a rayon blend and it was very difficult to cut, sew and hem. After I finished it I threw it into the washer and dryer and all these little frayed edges stuck out from the hem. It was just too difficult to turn under without a wavy hem. I'm wearing the blouse today to see how it wears, but I'm thinking it will not be a favorite! I'm working on another one with sleeves that I will post just as soon as I'm finished.

This weekend my new PR friend (Jill) and I traveled to New Orleans to Promenade Fabrics on St. Charles Avenue. What a wonderful shop! The gentleman (that I'm guessing was the owner) was a character and he knew his fabric. The best selection of linen and silk that I think I have ever seen. All of his fabric is from Europe. I didn't know there were so many varieties of linen! I bought 4 pieces of fabric! A navy linen, a piece of cotton pique that is white with navy polka dots a really nice brown paisley knit and a wonderful stretch cotton with orange/green paisley on white. Jill bought a few pieces as well, but she almost bought this fabulous lime green silk, but she decided she just couldn't pay that much for fabric and then she would be afraid to cut it!!! I totally understand that because I have a $25 yard Italian cotton that I haven't cut either! The gentleman even suggested that we go across the street for lunch at Hoshun Restaurant http://www.hoshunrestaurant.com/accolades.html, and he was right. The food and atmosphere was wonderful! Then we headed back to Metarie to Joann's and Jill bought a few peices of this wonderful silky feeling fabric for some blouses. Then we headed home. It was a wonderful day and I was so glad to finally meet JillRN1995, we will be going on another fabric shopping expedition in the near future.