Hot Patterns: Weekender Chilled-out Sweat Suit

I made this pretty soon after it was released.

I made it up in a 16, with no alterations. I have a 43-44" bust and the fit is great. The front lays just right on my bust without falling to either side of my bust. The shoulders are a little dropped and the bodice is undarted. This is not a fitted item and I don't think it's designed to be, but it's close fitting.


This one shows the front (there's an optional zipper) held close, to show that the fit is still good.


The back is again fine. The hem is resting on my tushing because I forgot to pull it down. But again this is undarted and to be expected.


The fabric is a black terry faced grey knit, with at least a 50% stretch. I used light grey serger thread. It was easy and fast to make. And moreover, it's great to wear. It's cute, relaxed and kinda hip. What more could you ask for. I get appreciative comments and looks all over. Note: it's good to stitch the facings down at the shoulder seams for extra non-flapping security.

I also made up the pants, which have the L shaped crotch curve. I made them up in the same fabric in a size 16, although my tush lies between 16 and 18. They were close fitting, but cute and just right. 'Were' - because I nuked them in the dryer. Oops. So I made them up in a less stretchy rayon/poly/lycra. Oops again. With the tighter size, they really needed the stretch, so that pair got wadded up.

I'm waiting to get settled in my new sewing room to pull it out with the correct fabric.

Sorry about the awful pics. It's 5 days to moving and time is getting tight.

I came, I saw, I ... um... returned.

My Latin conjugation is awful, and my brain too mushy to google the correct phrase. Also I need to change my little intro to this blog, because we're leaving New England. Back to Colorado we go. It's a work thing.

We've loved it here and love it very much in Boulder, so everyone is happy. Connor and I were listing all the things we've enjoyed here - trees, grass, leaves, rocks, Walden Pond, school, bendy roads.... And for me, the very new sewing friends and relationships. I'm sad about all those things.

We're leaving at the end of the month and sewing has become a pile of wistful UFO's. I'll have to get a Halloween costume made now to use when we arrive in Boulder. But otherwise it's crazy packing time. For once, my procrastination has paid off and 60% of our things are still in boxes from the move in June.

The funniest thing is that two weeks after moving, I'll be flying back for Patternreview weekend in New York.

I might just get back to regularly scheduled sewing in December, or January. I'm just grateful that I took up knitting.

Bitty Blue Hat

Fall is mostly about my little boy, Connor. Halloween, his birthday in November, trips to London and Hilton Head to visit Grandmas and finally Christmas..... It's a long haul of celebration, family and fun. Most of what I sew and make right now are for him.


This is the my first completed knitting project in 16 years. I took up crochet last year and returned to knitting this year - I'm getting faster every day. This was a fun quick thing. And the big payoff:

"Mama, I look pretty!"

Now he wants me to sew him a dress. Boys do wear dresses, Mama. Help!!

Tim Gunn

I actually shrieked and jumped when I opened it. He's dapper and shiny and autographed. Now, he's gracing my desk. I'm so *happy*.