WIPS and I finished my flawsome and T shirt dress

[@michellem3899]

Great makes!

[@TodayinJensSewingRoom]

That Flawsome top - you look great in it and so have most people who've made it. I think that speaks to the quality of the pattern. I just don't care for the design so I won't be making it - but isn't it interesting when you can admire the fit of something on others and how well made a thing is and still not feel the design is for you? Hmmm. Again . . . quality design. Your tops fit so well. I still can't get fit right. I get the whole Christmas in summer thing. It's just . . . wrong. Sorry, but my brain just won't go there! My birthday is in June and I've always been a summer baby. If it were in the height of winter it would be, well, wrong! Good for you for adapting. I remember an episode of The West Wing where various people were able to present ideas to the White House. There were two guys who proposed turning the maps upside down so Antarctica and the whole southern hemisphere was on the top. While it made sense that we can as easily see the world what is in a sense upside down, Allison Janney's character just stood back and said "that's just wrong." Same for me about Christmas in the summer! No reason why it should be wrong other than it's not my experience.

[@SlapHappyRetirement]

Your fit looks pretty good to me Jen. I was a summer baby too - birthday in August, always had my birthday in the summer holidays and then moved here and I've a winter birthday - deep winter. So weird! I have a map on a tea towel I must show you. There are many mind blast things about living here. I must make a video about them!

[@cindycash1772]

Your flawsome is so pretty... great wearable muslin... looking forward to making one myself n thinking clear elastic in the bottom or even both band seams would be good... you are sooo pretty please don't disparage your looks... you look happy n healthy n are so sweet to share your positive nature with yes... always happy to see you posted n hurry to see what you have been up... the dress n the other blouse are great but the Flowsome accents your figure perfectly... have a lovely Christmas if I don't get a chance to say later in the month... 🙂

[@SlapHappyRetirement]

Cindy thank you so much for your kind comments and Merry Christmas to you also :)

[@Iamgone1961]

Flawsome looks awesome 👍👍👍👍

[@SlapHappyRetirement]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@nancyhilborn885]

Woke to a plethora of sewing Vlogmas to enjoy with my coffee but went straight to your video as soon as I scrolled down. So nice to start the day with a laugh. That sleeveless top turned out fantastic on you. Great idea to split the darts. Now you know how to perfect the fit, if you ever get your hands on a super drape slinky fabric, just once treat yourself to the bias cut. Use the scraps for scrunchies or make little rosettes to decorate a hat so you won't feel guilty.

[@SlapHappyRetirement]

I will try the bias cut Nancy - just that I need to find enough material! I once had a bias top and it fitted beautifully. Happy sewing!

[@sherrelstroot3034]

Love your blouses! The ties are a great idea! Happy Sewing!

[@SlapHappyRetirement]

Thank you! You too!

[@barbarawarner4645]

I’m a Southern California girl currently living in The Netherlands and I can’t get used to Christmas here which is cold, wet, and GRAY. If you Live on So Ca, you usually have sunshine at Christmas unless you choose to drive to the mountains!😂

[@SlapHappyRetirement]

Yes when I talk to my daughter in the UK it seems nearly always cold, grey and wet. I'm not sure I could go back to that. Thanks for watching!

[@letitiathomson914]

Great tops Deb. I’m not very good with the knit fabric. I made a dress recently but I think it will be used as a nightly. At the moment I’m making a dress for my teenage granddaughter, it’s a rayon linen blend. It tends to slip and slide and the pins don’t stay in place. The joys of sewing!!!!

[@SlapHappyRetirement]

Have you tried a walking foot? I bought one on AliExpress but I believe you can also get them on amazon very cheaply. They really do help!

[@letitiathomson914]

@@SlapHappyRetirement Hi Deb, yes I use a walking foot all the time. I have a twenty+ year old Pfaff and wouldn’t change it, it’s a great machine. I did intended to comment about Christmas being in the wrong season. I’m a Scot and have been living in Australia for over forty years now and still think the season is all wrong. Mind you I don’t think I’d be too happy back there in the cold and wet at this time of year. I look forward to your next vlog🇦🇺

[@sharon8942]

Love your makes, they fit well

[@SlapHappyRetirement]

Thanks Sharon

[@sewchilled22]

Enjoy your vlog 😊

[@suek7086]

I really like the Flawsome top on you. Even as a muslin in a nasty fabric it is quite attractive. Wear the muslin and enjoy it.

[@SlapHappyRetirement]

Thanks Sue!

[@nancyblackstock3278]

I appreciate that a garment cut on the bias take a great deal more of material but it would be worth a try as it will definitely hang differently and you might find it even fits better. Happy sewing

[@SlapHappyRetirement]

Totally agree! I've had some bias clothes and they are lovely. I just didn't have enough fabric in this one.

[@jennifermaddock4382]

Hi Deb. I love your Flawsome top. It fits you really well and is really flattering. I laughed when you said about looking down! You should definitively make another one - maybe in a teal or olive green which are great colours on you. I'm just finishing up my 23 year old daughter's flanelette Christmas pyjamas. She still loves getting them every Christmas Eve. She's 6 feet tall and very slender so regular pyjamas are always too short in the sleeves and the legs. She's finally learning to sew for herself now which is great. Cheers from snowy Canada.

[@SlapHappyRetirement]

Wow she must be stoked to get some well fitting Jammies. I will make another flawsome, but have a few things in the way first :)

[@tammymasson2343]

You are delightful! I like the ties, and as an apple shape myself, I agree with you about belts. The ties look quite flattering on you, so I think I’ll try to incorporate that idea in more of my tops.

[@SlapHappyRetirement]

It works well to "suggest a waist" :)

[@heatherpenman3906]

Hi Deb, loving your Flawsome, and the blue tunic you wore before you put it on. I know that neckline can be problematic, but you have nailed it. On my cutting table is a Christmas ✳stocking for my baby granddaughter (8 months) that I will make out of scraps from my Christmas Dress, fabric from Te Rapa, Backstreet Fabrics. I also have some plain red that I will make the letters of her name with, thankfully just three letters N O A. Heather 🧵🪡

[@SlapHappyRetirement]

That sounds like a beautiful gift for her to treasure Heather! Happy sewing :)

[@susanstaley6408]

Hello from Australia, all of the makes you have made do look very nice on you. I also have to do FBA’s. I’m just loving the Indie Patterns that already have the larger cup sizes included. I really enjoy watching, I often end up laughing at a lot of the things you say! All the best 🌻

[@SlapHappyRetirement]

Oh thank you! I love those cup sizes too :)

[@sarahmiddle5028]

Love the Chemanius top with the ties, it really suits you. And I think I'd feel the same as you about Christmas in the summer (I'm in the UK!). On my sewing table is a TATB Freya top in purple french terry. Also a black sweatshirt for my daughter that's on hold until I see her as I have put the neckband in back to front and I think it's too small anyway to go over her head (unless it's much smaller than mine which is possible). Good luck with the Christmas sewing plans :)

[@SlapHappyRetirement]

I like the look of that Freya, but usually won't buy patterns without cup sizes due to being well stacked!. Have fun!

[@robynlaszlo6128]

Love the blue top looks great the pattern emporium top also suits you not my style great video always entertaining

[@SlapHappyRetirement]

Thanks so much!

[@katehampshire8410]

I think your Flawsome looks great. It really suits you. We had 2019 Christmas in Nz and I must admit it just felt like a bank holiday. We stopped off in Sydney and they had really pushed the boat out with decorations so I was really disappointed with Wellington. I don’t think you could tell it was Christmas. I don’t think we’ll come again at Christmas but I love escaping the English january and February. I’m just about to make a chalk and notch fringe dress.I’m not really a dress wearer but sometimes I feel I need to have one for particular occasions.

[@SlapHappyRetirement]

That is a lovely dress, I recommend it! I did manage to put up a tree because its raining so much it doesn't feel like summer at all!

[@TheHaymeadow]

Great blog Deb! I am doing some sewing gifts, I’m making the Rebecca Paige, quiet books for my niece & nephew. That’s the priority and then something to wear to Christmas lunch 😁 Love you channel, have a great week!

[@SlapHappyRetirement]

What Rebecca Paige are you making? I haven't tried her patterns. Have fun :)

[@TheHaymeadow]

@@SlapHappyRetirement oops I misspelled, it’s Rebecca Page. Im making a dolls house ‘book’ and a car track play mat. They’re called quiet books. I haven’t made any clothes from RP yet, but do have a couple of their top patterns.

[@kckazcoll1]

hi Deb, your first Flawsome turned out much better than mine! I made 3 toiles and still haven't mastered the fit! :D

[@SlapHappyRetirement]

I usually do the shoulders in an 18 and the body in a 20, but when I looked at grading over that complicated front feature I thought I'd just go with the 20 all over. Thinking a narrow shoulder adjustment should bring the shoulders in a bit. As I said in the video I do wonder if that bottom band is tight enough. Keep me posted on your progress!

[@Seejaysew]

All your makes are lovely and fit you so well. Great way to adapt the Chemanius top - I’m going to keep that in mind for some tops I have. I’m just finishing some Heyday Dungarees which I love. I’ve recently retired and decided to have fun with clothes and wear what I want. Who decides what is age appropriate anyway? I’m just about to cut out a Harper cardigan because I’ve heard good things about it so we’ll see how it goes. Looking forward to seeing how the Magna Pants work out.

[@SlapHappyRetirement]

Yes I was recently watching a tv programme about Rock bands and none of them were dressing like old men. Who says you have to give up rockin' when you get older?

[@cathtaylor2771]

Love your makes, with the flawsome top couldn’t you put a bit of non stretch interfacing behind the bottom bit if it stretches easily xx

[@SlapHappyRetirement]

That might be an idea

[@Angela10226]

I love the flawsome top it looks great on you whether you tie it or not, although I do like it more when it's tied. I really like that fabric, interested to see how you make out with that crinkly fabric I told you my machines hate it. I can't remember if I said that I have a problem with twin needles as well but I think I'm going to try like you said with the walking foot, that would be great if I could do it. I always like seeing the things you make because you so inspire me of course it's winter here so I'm working on warmer things still haven't cut out my Oakley vest but that and the Whistler are the ones I want to make. As for Christmas in warm weather I loved it when I lived in Florida and even my children didn't mind it, now that I mind the cold so much more it would definitely be welcomed.

[@SlapHappyRetirement]

Yes do try a walking foot. It can help (but not always). You will love the Whistler, its very cosy :)

[@whatmandymadenext8120]

Your neckbands are so lovely and neat do you use a formula? Bra peeping 😂😂😂

[@SlapHappyRetirement]

Yeah I have managed to make a top that I can only wear with one bra, duh! I put all those neckbands on straight, I think I do a better job that way :)