Striped Maxi--McCall's 6559

There is nothing like a little life getting in the way of plans. A little (actually a lot) family drama and some spring cleaning put me in bed with a rheumatoid flare and a pair of worthless hands. My poor husband and kids were having to fend for themselves for dinner--not a pretty sight. I was also eating comfort food that wasn't helping me get better.

McCall's  6559
Striped Maxi

I attempted to stay on track with my sewing plans, but didn't do too well. I missed a few Me-Made days while in pajamas or sweats. But worse was that I couldn't type! It isn't very easy to blog without typing. Middle Son was also becoming annoyed at being asked to take my picture everyday.

So, I'm back. I'm taking it slow and attempting to pace myself. Pacing is not easy for me. 

Why can't Joann's carry decent fabric for men? My fabric shopping rant.

I had some extra time today and really needed a fabric fix. I was out and about and somehow did not have my ever present Joann's circular. I had a 40% and my Mystery 60% off coupons. I ran into the house, grabbed my coupons and a scrap of fabric to match some thread.

I wanted to get some fabric to make Mr. Toad the newest pattern from Thread Theory, their FREE Arrowsmith Men's Tank Top. Unfortunately, I could not find a jersey that did not have a feminine edge to it. Pink and teal is not a good color for Mr. Toad. Neither is a lacy or metallic strip or pattern. I couldn't even find a decent jersey. I finally settled, yes settled, on a blue ribbed knit. I really am not pleased with it and will probably order something from Fabric.com.

I think I looked everywhere except for the wall of fleece and the huge section of quilting cottons, and the special occasion fabrics for some inspiration.

McCall's 6559--The back up plan

McCall's 6559

One of the advantages to being able to sew is being able to whip up a dress when having one of those days that end up with most of your wardrobe thrown on the bed because you just don't want to wear anything you own.

Now, in the past, this would have resulted in a shopping trip. However, with the ready to wear fast, I only had my stash of patterns and my stash of fabric.

New Brother 2340cv Cover Stitch!

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Just when I had convinced myself that I can wait to get a cover stitch machine I had an interesting conversation with Mr. Toad.




Last week Mr. Toad had taken a day off and asked me if "those underwear (the Comox Trunks) would be easier to make with that machine you want." 

I wasn't sure how to answer. I just replied, "Maybe. I don't because I haven't tried using one yet." 

He polite responded, "Let's get it for you for Mother's Day, and get those attachments so you won't need anything later."

More Sewing with Knits--skirt and pull-over hoody

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Sewing with knits hoody.

I've been doing a lot of sewing with knits. Part of it has to do with Me-Made-May and needing some basics quickly and The Monthly Stitch March Challenge of Sewing Knits. I've been getting some of my knits from the Craftsy class, Sewing With Knits (affiliate link).

I've already written about the tee and the yoga pants. Here are two more, both were quick and easy. They are also quick and easy to wear. Comfy casual should be a clothing term.

Mrs. Toad is Getting Social

Okay, I've put it off long enough. I kept thinking that this social media thing is just a fad, but it just won't go away. So, I'm finally giving in to the pressure and have set up some social media.

Now, I gave in to my personal Facebook earlier this year. Since I was using my personal Facebook for everything, but have decided that my real world friends really could care less about flat fell seams and how many times I have had to rip out a seam to make it lay flat.

So, I set up a Mrs. Toad Sews personal blog page on Facebook.

Before I set up the Mrs. Toad Sews Facebook page, I had set up

Comox Trunks--Mr. Toads New Drawers

Cheetah wearing Comox Trunks watching
basketball. 

How serious can we be when sewing a pair of underwear for our guy? It is one of those delicate subjects that either needs to be discussed delicately or with complete humor. I will attempt to be mature in this matter.

This is the new Comox Trunk from Thread Theory. I wasn't sure if I would buy this pattern, but when they were having a sew along and it was discounted I just had to buy it. It is available as a pdf and as a downloadable pattern. I seem to be a glutton for punishment, so I downloaded it.

Of course I downloaded it and attempted to print before I realized I was almost out of ink. This stopped me in my tracks. I think my printer is almost as important for my sewing as my sewing machine and serger. I decided to use the horribly almost out of ink pattern and it took some guesswork in cutting out the pattern.

Sewing with Knits Yoga Pants

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With Me-Made-May started, I've been evaluating what I really wear. I don't wear silk jersey to clean the toilet, change the cat box, or drive kids to and from school. Being a Mom is not glamorous. 

My yoga pants have pockets!

In all honesty, I have been known to throw a coat over my nightgown and slide my wool sock wearing feet into Mr. Toad's flip-flops to run the kids to school. Yes, I do worry about having car trouble dress like this. I really try to be dressed and presentable, but this is the reality.

Me-Made-May is helping with this. The weather is also. What I really wear in this spring-almost-summer weather are jeans, yoga pants (the new sweats), t-shirts, shorts, and skirts. 

I have a few pairs of jeans and pants that are presentable and appropriate. I have now made a couple Sorbetto tops and a couple quick tees. I needed some super comfy hang out yoga pants. 

Two Super Quick Sorbetto Tops

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Sorbetto Top #1

Yesterday I said I started on a Sorbetto, a free top pattern from Colette Patterns. Can you say "quick and easy?"

These were tremendously fast to put together. The longest was in pinning the bias tape. I made both in less than 3 1/2 hours.

The first was from fabric that I bought earlier this week. I found it on the Red Tag table at my local Joann's. It was marked down to $5 a yard and was 1/2 off. So, for $2.50 a yard, I was okay with a potential wadder. A wadder is a project that is so frustrating or hideous that one wads it up and tries to forget it ever existed. 

Two Quick Tees

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Doesn't this fabric look like brownies?
One of my boys says it looks like
dinosaur skin. Maybe they need
brownies.

One Tuesday, with only a couple of days until Me-Made-May starting, I decided that the best way to avoid being topless in May, was to make some quick tops. I had made a list of what I have that I can be worn in May and what I need to have complete outfits. I then proceeded to the fabric store to fill in the wardrobe.

I am rather proud of myself, I have managed to sew 3 of the six fabrics that I bought. I have one more on the cutting mat and the pattern next to it. I also have one in the wash and one in the dryer. I'm on a roll.

A few months back, I had bought a Craftsy class called  Sewing With Knits (affiliate link). Its focus is on five wardrobe basics. There is a dress, yoga pants/shorts, skirt, pull-over hoody, and tee. The tee has a v-neck and scoop