Monday Catch Up + GOALS!

Readers, I feel like we're at the point in our relationship when I can show you what I look like first thing in the morning, mouth full of breakfast to boot.  You've seen the parrot video so we're practically married.

That's me with Simplicity 4227, my 1953 dress and jacket pattern, in front of four yards of polyester brocade that will be sliced and diced within hours.  I know, that orange doesn't exactly flatter my naturally rosy glow, but a little Physicians Formula Le Velvet Pancake should take care of that.  For Cathy, I mean.

I know you're all wondering which of the 12 grotesques won last week's Uglerly pattern competition.  My natural sense of drama forbids me from revealing the winner just yet, but I will give you this hint: "Rita Hayworth gave good face."  If you DO figure it out, please keep it to yourself for now, as excruciating as that may sound.  You can leave a comment saying, "I know."

All right, let's move on.  Here's a summary of last week:

1) I have a new "meh" outfit: cotton twill jeans with puckered pockets, and a matching twill jacket with transplanted sleeves.  Less said, the better.

2) I came to the realization -- thanks to your invaluable insights -- that I am borderline bored with sewing for myself.  That said, there's a Pattern Review Sewing for Men contest just begun and I will enter something.  Lord knows what Trena is going to whip up; whatever it is you just know it's going to be flawlessly lined.

3) Having recently revisited fashion's dark side, I decided to take on something truly distant and exotic.  LOOK what I bought yesterday!

It's a vintage McCalls pattern from -- get this -- 1929!  I'm particularly taken with version A, the green print with the bow on the left shoulder.  I paid a bit more than usual (nothing ridiculous, don't worry), but these things come along rarely.   I'm stoked.

Now for the week to come:

1) I want to get started -- and maybe even finished -- on my 1953 dress pattern.  The fabric frays like nobody's business and, uncut, has already littered the rug with what looks like the remnants of a New Year's Eve party.

2) The shuttle race (where the bobbin case sits) of my Singer 15-91 has developed a louder-than-usual clackety-clack that's annoying.  I've de-linted and oiled and I'm wondering what else I might do.  It's working, but loud.  Any suggestions? 

3) I'm ashamed to admit I never did clean up my sewing area last week.  Let's add that to the list.

But enough about my clatter and clutter, how about yours?

makingtime: How's that fantastic red dress coming along and have you lost your mind hemming pants for a friend?  Maggie: We want the FULL story of your younger sister's 80's prom dress redux on your blog Stitch-n-Thyme!  Cupcake Goddess: Is your sewing mojo back?  We miss you!  Laura: What DO you do with all those quilts?  Mom2five: How big IS your stash anyway?

I'm not going to abuse you today, kids -- I'm too happy.  I found the long-forgotten remnants of a bag of Guatemalan coffee beans in the back of the freezer when I had resigned myself to having TEA this morning.  Oh, happy day!

Remember, if you're sewing, make sure you're fully caffeinated; it helps.  And don't forget to smile!

So, what-cha sewing this week?