a shirt for me

This is the first garment I have made myself in eight years. The last one was a maternity dress. I feel a little "maternity" in this. Garment sewing and quilt/other non-wearable sewing is different. Sewing something for a woman versus a child is also different. It's hard to figure out how to make things fit. This pattern got good reviews, and I still have hope for it--it even looks cute-ish in the photo. I made a size too big (I made a 12). I followed the package measurements, but it's still too big, and the back is puffy, so next time I won't put the gather in the back. I really didn't mean to make flutter sleeves either. I had wanted "view A", the cap sleeve, but I cut view B and had no extra fabric. Actually the whole construction process went as if it was my first sewing project ever: I cut the wrong view, I cut vertical stripes for the neckband when I meant to cut horizontal, I sewed the neck facing to the outside of the shirt, etc.

But I am not completely deterred. No. I want to sew myself some cute things this summer. I want to like them better than what I get in the store. I think this is possible. The next item on my list is vintage 1950s - less mumu, more darts.

You should know this about me if you don't already--I care a lot. I'm feeling like a bit of a horse's behind after my garage post. Elie says it's not as bad as I described it (I suppose I should leave my flair for the dramatic to describing trims and stitches), and I neglected to mention that he's digging out the top layer and adding truckloads of compost. I'll call the authorities and see what they do about dirty dirt. I'll let you know how it turns out.