Rose Colored Glasses and More

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, knock on wood, it seems to have worked!   So, this month, I've started going back to the gym to work out, and in general, am getting close to feeling like my old self again.  

And to express that in my sewing, I'm going all out bright red, coral, and pink.  Shades that will remind me to appreciate my heart and beauty of the world.  The color palette above is what I am going for- an explosion of color, anchored by black basics.

Here's what I have planned so far:

This was a chiffon from a Fabric Mart Mystery Bundle, that I thought I would never, ever use!  Ahhh, you should never say never!  I'm making it into Butterick 6713.

And another one in the same style from this fabric:

 And two chiffon blouses from these fabrics:

Using this pattern, Butterick 6710:

What am I going to wear all of these tops with?  Well, put your sunglasses on, because I'll be walking around blinding people in a neon bright reddish coral suiting:

I've already made it up into the jacket from this pattern- Vogue 2957, and I've got the pants cut out :

 And I've got this black and creme plaid crepe:

Which I'm making into Butterick 6787:

 

I have a black polyester wool suiting, that I'm making into a pencil skirt and high waisted wide crop pants. 

I've also got a black laminated twill that I plan to make into a raincoat:

Using this Burda Magazine pattern- 3/2019 #101:

Here's a preview of the red jacket:

And that's just the start- much more to come!  I'm so thankful to be feeling well, sleeping well and sewing again.  I know that there so many problems that are facing the world, but I am going to enjoy and appreciate having a peaceful, normal beating heart.   So, here's to looking through rose colored glasses!

Happy Sewing!

Ann