Sunday, May 31, 2015

Mortem's Tricks or Treats: New Lead, and "New Look".

You know when you've been knocked down for a while, you're not sure how you'll get back up?
And when something good happens, something really good, you're afraid it's some kind of cruel elaborate ruse in order to strike the legs from under you?

Well it's how I've been feeling. A dichotomy of bliss and anxiety.

About a month or so ago, my husband applied to a job in Texas. We hadn't heard anything at all, so I assumed nothing was coming at all, so I never bothered mentioning it to anyone at all. I tried not to get excited when we got a call saying they've just been really busy and they're going over the candidates.

And then we hear that we got it, and we barely had time to process it all before the ball really began to move quickly. I still haven't fully digested the fact that in a month or so, Texas will be home.

Well we started fixing things around the house to prep it for showings and get pictures for listings in the subsequent week. No more than 7 hours go by from when our listing hit the websites, and we got it under contract.

We were signing papers on Thursday of last week, and it was a particularly good day because it was my mother's last day of chemo, and her counts are all in the green. She now has radiation to do left, and hopefully all of this will be just a thing of the past. My mother has remained ever stubborn and strong.

In the meantime, I can breath a little. Other than all the house work, I have been a little overwhelmed by the fact I had to sew so many totes (these totes) for colleagues and friends of colleagues. I am currently on the last one; even though the last tote isn't done, I decided for a little mental break after all the constant work; I really needed something I could truly unwind onto/into.

Since we've still been budgeting all our expenses, I still haven't had full range to work on my own stuff... so my self imposed challenge seemed obvious. Create something that appears expensive, but having only $25 to spend on the supplies.

So off to Walmart I went-- even with my great discount at work, Walmart can still make my $25 stretch the farthest.


What I bought:
  • 2 yards of scalloped trimmed lace, $7 per yard = $14
  • 1 tube of fabric glue, $3.00
  • 2 spools of ribbon lace, $1.00 each = $2
  • 1 pack of glue-on silver pyramid studs $1.00
  • 1 New Look pattern #6286 $3
For a grand total of $23 before taxes.
If I went further into my calculations, I would have probably spent less, since I didn't use the entire tube of glue nor all the yardage of the lace... but that's reaching a bit, I think hehe.

I wanted to make something simple and light for the coming summer months; I may be a cold blooded individual who relishes in the heat, but there are still days when I feel as warm blooded as other homo sapiens living in the desert.


I chose view B; a sleeveless tunic with a hi-low hem. I don't know what it is about hi-low hems, but I love them and I can't get enough of them.


Since I was afraid the lace was too thin on its own to sustain the weight of the studs, I grabbed some of my scraps of black interfacing to glue them onto. It turned out to be the best thing for it, because indeed... the lace itself was too flimsy.


The studs were small, so it wasn't embellished quite to that point. So I used the thin ribbon lace trim to make a very subtle pentagram on the front. One you'd only notice if I turned at a certain angle. I probably should have stitched it on before putting the entire top together... but hindsight is 20/20-- at least it turned out perfectly.


Unfortunately I whipped this project out in a night. I didn't get the full immersion I was honestly half expecting. I didn't alter the pattern pieces after cutting out my usual size 14, so that probably had something to do with that. The only trouble the tunic gave me was of my own blunders.


It was fortunate that it turned out it needed to be done anyways because of how short my torso is and how long the finished garment unaltered ended up being. I just wish it was done in more ideal ways. 6 inches worth of fabric was chopped from the top portion of the gathered half of the top. First, I stitched the "flounce" backwards, with the long side facing front. Then I stitched it inside out. Lastly I didn't align the seams. After all that chopping and stitching back... the length turned out perfect, hahah!

My purple camisole has metal connectors, that confuse for misplaced studs.
Boy did I feel dumb having made that many mistakes on something so simple, but it was completely serendipitous. I almost forgot how short my torso was, having been so preoccupied with sewing handbags and totes.

I'd like to be able to make a waistbelt that goes with this dress, and I have the perfect idea... but lord knows when I will see that come to fruition, like so many of my ideas.

24 comments:

  1. It looks great! I'm glad to hear things are picking up for you. :)

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    1. Thank you!
      I'm very happy my mother is on track towards total recovery. =)

      Delete
  2. First and foremost: HUZZAH FOR THE MOMMA! Seriously, HUZZAH! Sending her lots and lots of strength and healing energy!

    Secondly, HUZZAH FOR THE MOVE! And congrats to the hubster. WAHOOOOOOO! Sending you both love and hugs.

    Thirdly, nice job on the project. Looking good, doll!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Indeed! The biggest reason behind my happiness is all due to my mothers steady recovery! Thank you for your thoughts, they mean so much!

      Delete
  3. Wow, great news!! ^^
    I know what a pain a short torso can be, but you did a really good job on the top and those totes are awesome too! ^^

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    1. It is tough to make things flattering with a short torso and a small bust, hehe... but I thank you! I am also really glad it turned out well.

      Oh the totes, they are really great... but I am oh so sick of making them lol.
      Funny thing is I'll probably make one for myself since they make great carry-on bags.

      Delete
  4. So much good news! :D I love the tunic. That pattern is perfect for lace. And those are cool shoes!

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    Replies
    1. I'm very happy for all the news, especially of my mom's steady recovery.

      Thank you! Lace is pretty versatile, I think, hehe.

      Delete
  5. Glad that things are looking up! I'm so happy that your mother is done with chemo, and that your husband was able to get the job. I hope that things will continue to get better for you. The dress looks fantastic!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much.
      I am very glad she's done with chemo-- I am praying with all my might it stays that way.

      Delete
  6. Excellent news about your mom! I still can't believe you're moving to Texas. :)

    I saw that pattern the other day and almost bought it. I'm a sucker for hi-lo hems too. If I could have gotten it for $3 I totally would have, but patterns prices have gone crazy up here. Like I was kind of astounded when I was in Fabricland the other day at how much they've gone up!!

    So now that I've seen the finished product, which looks amazing BTW, I'm going to see if I can't find it cheaper online somewhere.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I am sorry we weren't able to get with you while I was up there-- most of my time was spent at home tending to my her. It was a rough week and she wasn't up to going out at all-- I wasn't gone too long either, just long enough to get her errands done and come back.

      Well, heck if you'd like I could buy it for you and have it mailed to you =)
      It's just $3, and shipping is probably like $2 lol
      Just let me know!

      Delete
    2. Oh gosh, no worries, Madame MM - we'll get together next time you're up and your mom is feeling tip-top! Obviously, your priority was taking care of her this time. I'm just glad you were able to get up here to help her out.

      Thanks for your sweet offer. I should think about it long and hard before I say yes though. I'm slowly weeding through all my patterns right now, and I need to be ruthless about buying new ones - i.e. will I make them more than just once. :)

      Funny you should say shipping is around $2. That's what I figured too, so I asked an Etsy seller if she could lower the price from $15 to ship one pattern to Canada and she dropped it to $11. LOL

      Delete
  7. I love high-low hems, too. It seems to be the only cut that will cover my butt so that I can wear leggings without being terrified.

    I hope you like Texas. My husband and I moved here in December and so far we absolutely love it!

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    1. Haha, that is precisely why I like them too-- I get paranoid that I look naked under my leggings, though I can't stop wearing them as pants because they're as comfortable but more socially acceptable than wearing my pj's around...

      The more I hear about Texas, the more I think I will feel at home quickly. Thank you =)

      Delete
  8. Gaaah can't remember if I commented or not! I sometimes read on my mini browser which does not let me comment!

    So anyway, in case I didn't: Good luck and looove the top!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you!
      I think that's been going around a lot here lately. Maybe blogger is doing some weird update that bugs people out of comments.

      Delete
  9. I love that top, especially the "hidden" pentagram. I might just have to steal that idea some day.
    Congratulations on your mom and on the move.

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  10. It looks lovely, I love the subtle pentagram in the front! I may steal this idea in future, if this is okay for you?!

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    1. Thank you =)
      Go for it! I am not brave enough to make it a bold pentagram just yet, but this is my way of still showing my pride lol...

      Delete
  11. How immensely exciting! I really hope that the move goes smoothly for you guys and that you love Texas. I've never been myself, but I'd welcome the chance to see it one day for sure!

    This is such a great outfit! The way that the pentagram ever-so-gently jumps out at you after a few moments of looking at the dress is really, really cool. Plus, I totally adore your skull necklace!

    Have a fantastic Friday,
    ♥ Jessica

    ReplyDelete

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