I'm just not that into you

This McCall's 5657 started off so well.

I was pleased with the way the bodice was going in the intial rendering, and the fact that it came together rather quickly was a plus. After I attached the 5 (!) panels of ruffled skirt... well, it kind of lost me. Maybe it's because I know spring isn't right around the corner. Or maybe I know I need to get to the gym more before I'd ever even wear it in public. At any rate, I've cast off the strappy poppy dress and moved on to bigger and better things.

Leather :)

I have juuuuuust enough of this forest green suede for the BWOF 08-12-118 skirt.

The suede has a beautiful silky softness that makes you want to rub your cheek against it. The piece measures about 50" square, and I got it for only $25 during the Philly get together last November. It's so light and drapey, I love it. I'll need to find a funky contrasting remnant for the waistband, because I definitely don't have enough for that.

Still no AB bag fabric. I got all the interfacing at the BigBox sale this weekend, and I had two rolls of clearance home dec on the table to be cut... but I chickened out. I actually stopped her just as she opened the shears. I'm just not sure what I want the bags to look like. Do I want a funky print? Do I want sophisticated black? Do I want red? (don't I always?)

Speaking of red, Happy Love Day all ;)

Little extras

I found this nifty tutorial sheet when I dug into my new french curve ruler:

Is this standard with all rulers? What a golden nugget of info! I feel like this is the kind of little extra that just brightens my day :) This is the Project Runway edition 4 in 1 ruler that BigBox sells- regular $19.99, black Friday price: $7.99.

And perhaps you'll recall the PR lined jacket un-contestant? I added a little extra buttonage.

(notice that little guy in the corner of the pic? He's waiting for me to turn my back so he can run to my sewing machine and play with dangerous things...)

I'm showing on Lizzie, because Beth is currently having a little extra stress on the side seams- much like her real life counterpart.

I'm going to cover the whole thing in masking tape. It doesn't give like the duct tape. She's already expanded like an inch and a half everywhere.

Speaking of PR contests, I was thinking that my wardrobe could use a little extra oompf in the coordinates department. I also notice that there is an "endless combinations" contest running right now, and there's nothing like a PR contest to get that little extra motivation.

So to do all this sewing, and get all these presents done, all I need is a little extra time :)

Black Friday at BigBox

I'm almost ashamed to admit it. The bottom of the receipt actually said "You saved $171.32". Let's just say I went with a C note and came home with enough for 2 pairs of shoes (yes, new ones).
And it must be told that this was the most pleasant shopping experience I've ever had at a certain Mt. Laurel JoAnn's. Everyone was super friendly, the red tags were neat and organizedish, and they had most everything in stock. I even got brave and went in the quilting section.

Let the giftmaking commence.