Can I Be Honest With You.....Reallly?

This is so out of my comfort zone, but I have to get my emotions out. I hope some of you will lend a listening ear to me for a second. Here goes:

I feel so small lately. I feel incapable and inadequate. I have had a rough week and by no means am I trying to complain. I am merely stating the facts.  I feel angry and alone, mostly because of the problems that I am having to deal with and the feeling that no one empathizes with me.

It all started awhile ago when I began loathing my job. Not so much my job as much as the way the private business was ran. I felt like I was getting the short end of the stick and that the owners did not appreciate me as a worker. So I began looking for another job. I have been searching for another job for months with no avail. This is the hard part for me: after I have been at that place for well over two years, I was fired. for. no. reason. at. all. I knew the owners didn't like me; they didn't like me from the moment I walked into the door. That is totally fine with me. I wasn't thrilled about them either. The reason that they didn't like me was for the fact that I am not one that takes beatings lying down. I spoke my mind openly when approached and didn't allow anyone to run over me. My "boss" was one of the types that ran an establishment in fear. I do not respond well to things of that nature. I do believe you should choose your battles, but I also believe that you should not allow anyone to step all over your toes.

So mostly I feel hurt, disgusted, angry, betrayed and unappreciated for my great work ethic.  I have been battling with my emotions all week.

Earlier this week late one night, I whispered to myself, "Lord, I am tired." When I awoke the following morning and read my daily devotional, God responded with Matthew 11:28-29, stating, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."  All I could do was cry. God has been plainly answering and talking to me this whole time, and my ears were stuffed.

I complained about the unfair treatment I was getting at the sour place.  I started getting anxious because I was anticipating something but wasn't sure what. I shared with my mom these feelings, and she said to me "You better get ready because something is coming, then." I told one of my coworkers one day that my days were numbered there. I had no idea, whatsoever, was going to happen, but God put those words into my mind and my mouth. God truly was preparing me for something bigger than me.  That place was a wonderful experience, but it disagreed with my being, my spirit, and my morality.  I am trying to look at as a blessing and not a curse.

I noticed that every day this week my devotion was speaking straight to my sinking heart. Wednesday I was told, "'Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I willnow arise,' says the Lord. 'I will protect them from those who malign them.(Psalm 12:5)'" This came in particular handy because I have been an actual verbal battle with my previous employers for part of this week.  They went so far as to take screenshots of my private Facebook profile and email to my former coworkers attaching a warning to it and forbidding them to speak to me.  Now I don't know about you guys but private means private for a reason. And as I explained to my coworkers who felt the need to share this with me, my business is my business; my FB profile is mine; and I shall share whatever it is that I please.  It is not my fault that the owner's wife decided that she was going to stalk me and misconstrue the profile picture that I had set.

To me it was entirely to trivial, especially coming from a person that I no longer spoke to the entire time that I worked there and no longer worked for at all now.

Whew!!! I am starting to feel so much better. I think this little breather has helped me see that God will do just what He says that He will. He will never leave His children's side, as I will never leave my daughter's. I just have to fully trust Him, love Him, and praise Him at all times because He is beyond worthy.

Thank you guys for listening to my broken heart ache. I am greatly appreciative of everyone of you!!!

{Tutorial} : Using a Binder Video

As I promised before, I made a video of how to use a binder foot. Take into account that I am using a vintage binder foot that uses the aid of an attachment foot to be added to my machine. If you purchase a newer binder foot, it may snap right on to your machine. However, I do believe the actual use is about the same.

I hope this little video helped you out. If you have other questions, contact me and I'll try to answer best of my ability.

Floral Blossoms Blazer

As I mentioned be for in this sneak peak, I made myself a blazer. I drafted up a quick little pattern from a basic bodice pattern I had created awhile ago. I used a corduroy dress that I had purchased for 50 cents from a thrift store. I had originally intended on making a pair of shorts with the dress fabric but decided against that because I wouldn't wear a pair of corduroy shorts. Then I actually tossed the dress into my donate pile and left it there. But before I took off my donate stuff, I rescued the dress again and reasoned that fall was coming and it would be nice to have a light blazer to wear.

From This...

...To This!

I made it with a sort of asymmetrical hem with the front being longer than the back. I added princess seams in the front and a split in the back to go over my derriere. I'm debating a closure, however. I think I am going to do a single button closure, but I'm actually okay with it not having a closure just yet. I also did a three-quarter sleeve because it doesn't really get super chilly here in the fall. Besides I have plenty of long sleeve cardys and jackets. 

I am totally in love with this print. That was the main reason I picked up this tacky dress. One other reason being that it was only $0.50. I figured I could mess up a half dollar piece of clothing and not feel bad about it.

I barely had enough fabric to make this work after I ripped open the many seams that made up the original British dress. So I had to use the original sleeves and just widen them with strips of the fabric (which worked out marvelously because I didn't feel like gathering puff sleeves.) I also didn't line it, which I may should have done at least for the lapel pieces. I think I can get away with it though.

That red mini polka dot blouse that I am wearing I also made. But there will be a post about that later as well. I cannot wait to wear this baby out. I have so many things that I want to pair it with, including some things that I still have to make.

Speaking of things that I still have to make: my goal is to make as many clothes as possible for myself this fall. For one I want to save money, secondly retail clothes sometimes ill-fit me, thirdly I need to deplete some of my fabric stash, and lastly I want to push myself harder in my designing, drafting, and sewing.

What have you been working on lately?

Hope you guys have a fantastic weekend!!

How About Some Fall Sewing..

I have been busy designing patterns and sewing things out for the past week. I have to take photos of everything soon.
I have made a babydoll peter pan top, a floral corduroy blazer, ikat print shorts, and I'm working on a knit and lace peplum blouse and wool peplum jacket.
I do have a couple of pictures of the shorts and an unfinished photo of the corduroy blazer (I will have more on this piece in a future post.)
The fabric for the shorts is a ikat print stretch twill that I purchased from Joann awhile back.  I bought it for this purpose but wasn't sure when I was going to make them.  The shorts feature "tuxedo stripes" if you will on the sides. I just added a stripe of the same fabric cut in a different direction on each side. I added to front pockets, a mock fly opening with zipper and button closure, and elasticized back waistband. I even finished all of my seams!
These shorts turned out extremely well and are comfortable to boot. I sort of wish that I cuffed the legs, but I think the hem suffices.
What type of projects are you working on for autumn?