SewBaby News

So, 2019 was a bummer of a year for me.  I developed a heart condition called atrial fibrillation (or Afib for short) and spent the last half of the year in and out of the ER and doctor's offices trying to control it.  If you've never heard of it, it's when your heart rate suddenly goes 100 miles an hour.  It's very unpredictable, scary, uncomfortable and exhausting.  So, needless to say, I didn't get a ton of sewing done the last half of the year.   Rubes® cartoon used with permission © Leigh Rubin www.RubesCartoons.com In August, I was put on a medication that had scary side effects, didn't work, and led to horrendous insomnia.  I felt like a walking zombie.   But after 3 months of that, in November, I had a procedure called a cardiac ablation which froze the heart cells that were causing the problem.  Thank God for modern technology- this procedure has only been available in the last 20 years. I'm 3 months post procedure now, and,

I've been contemplating looking for a new job, and realized that I don't really have any outfits that I would feel comfortable interviewing in.  I've got a lot of semi-dressy tops and dresses, but nothing in the "suit" category.  So, I've decided to focus on making a few items that would be appropriate for an interview, but not so "stuffy" that I wouldn't want to wear them for anything else.  For this suit ensemble, I used a Red-Violet Poly/Rayon/Lycra Stretch suiting for the jacket, a Dark Navy/Light Blue Pinstripe Wool Crepe suiting for the pants, and Pearl Polyester/Lycra ITY Knit for the top (Vogue 9006), all from Fabric Mart.   The pinstripe wool is really nice- not a bit scratchy.  It's Italian, and you can feel the quality.  Here is a closer look at it:

Happy 2020 everyone!  This is my first post of the year, and I'm looking forward to a great sewing year.  I've got all kinds of plans!  I had been thinking about making some new turtleneck sweaters, when I saw the Talvikki Sweater pattern from the Finnish pattern company- Named.  It had some really interesting shaping darts at the neckline, and I liked how boxy it was.   So, I decided that it would be a fun take on a turtleneck and gave it a try- actually four tries!  This is a version that I made for my daughter from vintage velour.  I've actually been holding on to this piece of fabric since the 70's!!!!  Doesn't it look great on her?