A little fun

Posted on January 29, 2024 by suebsewbyme

I was fortunate last year that a dear friend took me to The sewing Basket at Newington. I bought lots of fabric ,there and one of my favourites was this printed cotton.

Love the print.

There was maybe 1 metre in the piece but it was wide enough for me to get a top out of it . No shoulder seams I folded the fabric in half and cut out the neckline. I cut the sleeve shape and used the excess for the sides it was a zero waste make.

Fold over elastic finished

I used striped fold over elastic on the neck and sleeves.

It is easy to wear

It is a popover style so easy on and off. A little bit of colour to wear.

Another thing that works for me. Slowly getting there. My scooter is my way to get around ,my legs . Now my dressing is all about easy .

I am slowly getting more options..

Life is slower and my sewing is really slow these days my hands arms and legs fatigue so I always need to stop before I have finished, this is a really annoying part of my disease.

My life

The interesting part of the MND path is that there are no cures or treatments so there is no real communication between patient and Dr . They can’t help so they see you once a year to track your decline.

Life is no longer how it was . My days are somewhat regimented as my supplements and vitamins and protein intake to keep my body functioning take up lots of time. Standing is win , walking the small amount I can do is a win . I need to take them where I can . I day at a time.

Changes are inevitable and terrifying . One day at a time.

I hope you can enjoy your creativity in whatever way possible.

Happy Sewing ,

Sue 🙂

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These days ,

Posted on January 16, 2024 by suebsewbyme

Hi there,

Hope you have had an opportunity to enjoy some creative fun. Whatever that may be ?

This is so true

I saw this and thought it worth noting. I find my days mapped out depending on the energy I need to expend. Breakfast then shower needs recovery time. If I go to do some sewing then I need to ensure I don’t get to fatigued or standing up from my chair becomes an issue and if no one is with me I need to call somebody to help.

I am currently working on some jackets for my son for his birthday and some stuff for myself for my birthday later on this year. I can only do a few hours at a time which means just when I am making progress I have to stop , leave and rest .

It is very slow going but I get assistance from a carer twice a week who wants to learn to sew so that’s a big help.

Today she cut out a sequin jacket for me . That will be a pain to sew but we will get it done in time for May . I will post pictures when it’s done.

I hope you’re able to do whatever makes you happy.

Take care

Sue 🙂

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Let’s have Another 2 piece outfit

Posted on January 9, 2024 by suebsewbyme

Hi there,

Happy New Year 2024 , wow , at least we are still here, I hope you had a creative and wonderful festive season.

I made another 2 piece outfit in the pyjama style .

Top is from the Style Arc Archie pattern.

I used this pant pattern but again deleted side seams
My 2 piece set
The fabric was from The Sewing basket
Bottom band

This time when making the set I changed the top slightly , I added a band to the hem of the top to add length . I treated it the same as the sleeve band .

I haven’t worn it yet but it’s still ready .

The silk feels amazing , and I love grey and silver so it won’t be long until I wear it. I will put up a picture.

I hope you are able to be creative,

Happy Sewing,

Sue 🙂

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Merry Christmas Everyone

Posted on December 18, 2023 by suebsewbyme

I will be sewing when I can over Christmas, my carer will still come and I am staying home for the foreseeable future.

I saw this poem on Facebook and it really spoke to me ;

So very true

I am looking forward to spending time with family and friends over the festive season . Hopefully I will remain stable for a while.

I hope you can create and have a wonderful time with your tribe whoever they may be .

Sending love ❤️

Sue🙂

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A New Approach

Posted on December 9, 2023 by suebsewbyme

Hi there, I have finally worked out a style of dressing that is easy and comfortable and looks as good as it feels.

I had bought some navy and white spotted linen last year from Pitt Trading. My initial thought was to make a dress but that really is not practical anymore. So I hopped on the trend of what I call pyjama dressing matching button up top and pull on elastic waist pants.

The linen

I used at pattern for the top that I have made before it’s the Style Arc Archie shirt .

Fits really well

I have a dear friend who visits me and she offered to cut out my fabric. Then she returned with her machine and helped me to sew as well. Together we got all the interfacing done and the pants together and the top partially sewn.

This is the pant pattern

I got her to cut the pants on the fold so I had only the inside leg seam to do. I had sewn everything but the button holes and when my carer came on Tuesday I got her to help me by sewing on the buttons and pressing the outfit.

I wore it to a book club outing we went to the Sydney opera house to see the dictionary of lost words it was wonderful.

Me about to leave
Book club before the show

We had a lovely day and my friends were wonderful in helping me to manage it all .

My new normal means that I am now unable to stand from my wheelchair . So assistance is needed, I am unable to use the disabled bathroom by myself now so I need someone to help me if I am not home. A change that is very disappointing.

I have also got this exact outfit cut out ,but in silk ,so hopefully I can get it done this week.

I hope you are able to be creative,

Sue🙂

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Hi

Posted on November 28, 2023 by suebsewbyme
So true

Happy creating,

Sue🙂

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Another day in ALS world

Posted on November 21, 2023 by suebsewbyme

Today is my usual day to blog about my sewing or life or both . Today I awoke at 4.30am to noise. I have been sleeping in my lift chair for the past 2 nights , my bed was dismantled and my new electric bed arrives today. Sleeping in the chair doesn’t give me a restful night. Some people love it , me not so much.

I am also getting my accessible bathroom fixed today, the vanity and mirror that were put in are not wheelchair accessible. Also the door is too hard to close.

I also have a PT session and a few appointments at home with members of my care team. So I am sitting on my scooter at the front door waiting on the arrival of the bathroom guys.

I have a video doorbell but it’s just easier if I am close to the door.

How I think people see me now

I dream of my fabric and what I want it to be but my limitations make it frustratingly difficult.

I do some , but it’s not fast and possibly not as good as it once was . My recent makes are not ready to photograph but include a pair of pale pink silk chiffon wide leg pants . Also a bomber jacket for my son .

The knit lining fabric for the body of the jacket

The outer shell is a green denim so it should be interesting.

The denim it really is green

I am using grey and white striped ribbing for cuffs and band and it will have self collar. It is a work in progress.

I have a wonderful friend coming to sew with me tomorrow afternoon. She will help with all the fatiguing things . Hopefully we get lots done.

A thought that I had today is that my condition is terminal but we are unsure of how long I will have.

This resonates

I think about all the people who say they care about me and the small handful of people who really show that they do. I have loads of acquaintances but those that actually do make time to visit or call or text are few and far between. I have loads of family as well so being in this situation makes me see who really does care.

We are all alone in life for what ever comes along you just need to understand that .

Update on today,

The bathroom is not finished but will be tomorrow.

The beds are in sheets and covers to come .

I have beside me a silk kimono jacket that I am deconstructing so I can use the fabric . It will take awhile . I think that’s enough for today.

I hope you are able to be creative,

Take care,

Sue 🙂

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The view from here

Posted on November 7, 2023 by suebsewbyme

A few weeks ago I went to my first Sydney Spoolettes Frocktails event. I have been part of Sydney Spoolettes Facebook page for a number of years introduced by a fellow sewing enthusiast Anne Whalley . This is what I wore .

In my wheelchair
V9299

I made this a few years ago, the silk shirt dress using this pattern but I changed the sleeve to a wide sleeve and I had a thin self binding at the wrist. French seams throughout.

I finished the neck edges with self bind and the hem as well. I used shell buttons , with a covered button band . So they aren’t visible when done up.

The pants were purchased a number of years ago.

The experience of Frocktails was new to me . I had never been before , and it was new in my wheelchair experience. I rarely go out in it on my own to functions. I was the only attendee in a wheelchair and it was quite a crowded room.

Everyone was lovely , and I enjoyed seeing the outfits everyone wore but it was hard for me to move around the room. I ended up parked out of the way in a corner almost under a table. I don’t think I will go again as it was somewhat isolating. I found it hard to hear and couldn’t get around to see anyone I knew. I did meet some lovely new people however but I didn’t feel like I could really enjoy myself. My trousers were hard to put on , so I decided that I wouldn’t be able to go to the bathroom while at the function , as such I ate little and didn’t finish a drink.

Now I am also struggling to stand from the wheelchair , so I need assistance if I am in it.

I am no longer able to use the stairs , my legs have lost some muscle so that changes things. My hands and arms fatigue easily these days so I have to factor recovery time into every activity.

I am alone most days. My husband and son work full time . I have a carer a few times in the week and my trainer and physio each week. But I am stuck inside as I can’t get out of the house. I can leave if someone is here to let me out and back in , but if not I am just here.

My sewing area is now downstairs in our games room. I can only sew if I organise for someone to turn on the power points for me . I want to sew but need assistance to actually get enough done

I am not looking forward to what’s ahead of me, I am alone in this nightmare , whatever is coming, and I am terrified of what happens next.

I hope you are able to be creative without limitations.

Happy Sewing,

Sue🙂

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A Miracle

Posted on October 31, 2023 by suebsewbyme

You have three magic genie wishes, what are you asking for?

This prompt really hits home . There are currently no fixes for MND / ALS we are all terminal . So my number one wish would be a cure or a reversal medication for all of the types of MND no exceptions. We all want our lives back . Death by a thousand cuts is awful for us all.

Next wish is for world peace no more wars no more innocent lives lost to this scourge of humanity . The news is horrific every day and it is such a sad reflection of us all as human beings. So I want it gone.

Third wish is to stop global warming, reverse it if possible, save our planet from what humankind has done to it. This is imperative, we can’t wait . It is scary to think of the bushfires and floods that are part of the world now and their frequency is truly alarming.

This is what I wish for if it were possible.

Take care ,

Sue 🙂

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Experimenting

Posted on October 24, 2023 by suebsewbyme

Hi there,

I bought this fabric because I couldn’t not, it flows beautifully and the colours are wonderful. I bought 1.5 meters to make a top.

Printed Rayon

I then decided to try to use it all zero waste , so I folded it in half and cut my sleeves and neck hole, then I cut waist ties and the rest was the bottom .

A little big

I made it up but didn’t try it on . I wore it to book club and realised it will need adjusting. I am still working out how my clothes will look when I am seated . It changes so much .

My next plan is to shorten the sleeves a bit they are to long and as the fabric is printed I can line the sleeves a bit . I will also get rid of some of the length at the back it is tricky in the wheelchair and add some shaping . I wanted an easy comfortable top and it is but it swamps me a bit .

I will post the changes when they are done . With summer here rayon is lovely to wear but it does need ironing.

Happy Sewing,

Sue 🙂

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