Doctor T Designs

Ok, so I had super ambitious plans for this month, making a full outfit to wear to a fancy event on Halloween! But this month was absolutely crazy so everything did not fall into my expected sewing timeline. And since I’m pre-writing this post (because of my Halloween event) even I don’t know if I made it in time or what I’m ending up wearing! Exciting, no? I’ll hopefully do a catch up post in a few days, but for now it shall be a Halloween mystery. In the meantime, let’s see what I actually did manage to get sewn this month!

Sewing Progress

It seems like I did a lot of sewing this month, but really a lot of it was at the tail end of September and very start of October and just got posted to the blog a bit later in the month. I did end up with a lot of finished projects though, and one partially started one. I was mid-way through working on the pattern for Vogue 1616 when I decided to change my plans, mostly because I ran out of time and I want to actually do the pattern justice and take the time to fit it. So, it’s staying in the on-hold current projects pile for now.

In the meantime, I pivoted to making a much quicker dress to sew, McCall’s 8340 (same as McCall’s 8339). I’d already traced out the pattern a long time ago, and I think I abandoned it because I didn’t have quite enough leftover velvet from my crazy jumpsuit, but I decided I could live with a tiny bit of piecing on the back sleeve, which I don’t think anyone will really notice. I love how fast this dress has been coming together, especially since past me did current me a solid by already tracing and cutting out the pattern!

Sewing Delays

I feel like this month has been nothing but sewing delays. For once I wasn’t traveling, but I was sick quite often this month. It’s ranged from completely throwing out my back (doing nothing) to food poisoning, and every weekend I’ve been bed (or floor) ridden. There’s also been a lot going on with work (I’m actually going to be starting a new job soon, and possibly no one is quite as shocked about this revelation than I am), and that took up a lot of time and energy too. I honestly think I could have made V1616 this month if I hadn’t been dealing with everything else, but sometimes life does what it does and best laid sewing plans get pushed to the back of the queue.

Finished Projects

Despite the lack of sewing, I actually have a lot of finished things to show off. First, of course, is the Cherry Lingerie Wardrobe. I had previously made the Mysa Bralette with the self-drafted panties and the Bravo Bottoms #2, but I added a Maya Bra, a Josey Bra, and a Friday French Cuts to the mix and got those finalized this month.

My sister is also making the coolest Halloween costumes! I’ve been giving lots of sewing advice, but she’s done all of the work – I hope she’ll let me post photos so I can brag about it. I did contribute one small piece to the costumes though; I digitized and embroidered a Batman patch for her boyfriend’s costume and sent it to her to attach. (And because we don’t trust metallic thread or me with a hot knife, I made 3… just in case.)

I also made a super quick crafty thing. I collect pins from some of my travels and I display them by hanging them by my desk. I’ve run out of space, so I made another quick ribbon display to hang my pins on – basically just a ribbon attached to a keyring. It was a super quick project – it took longer to wind the bobbin than it did to sew the seam.

Finally, I made the Marei Strapless Bra and matching Bravo Bottoms #2 to wear under the incomplete V1616. I’m still happy I made this project, even if my overall sewing plans didn’t work out!

WIPs & Upcoming Plans

So, with any luck my last minute sewing backup plan worked out and I had another finished project sneak into the mix! If so, I’ll post more on that next month. Vogue 1616 is obviously a WIP, and even though the urgency has been lifted, I still really want to make it since I have all the supplies and the pattern halfway worked out. I don’t expect to have much (any?) sewing time in November (I’m presenting at a seminar, attending a different seminar, and starting a new job), so I’m not really going to put any pressure on myself by adding more to the wishlist. I’ll regroup in December and see where things are at. I do want to use up some of the fabulous bra kits I’ve been hoarding now that I’ve got a few really solid patterns, so maybe I’ll do something fun in December. But for now I’m going to be focusing on other things and sewing is going to be a bit on the back burner.