Glassy-Eyed

So it's slow here peeps - cuz it's fast everywhere else - but I thought I'd check in to say a few things...

1. I got new glasses. Everyone says they look terrific - that I seem younger and French - but I feel vaguely clownish. Moreover, I am middle-aged clownish, having been prescribed (and having purchased) progressives. If you don't know what these are, then count yourself lucky. Effectively they're trifocals, designed to allow me to see my knitting on one plane, my computer on another, and the world at large on the third. That's the idea, anyway. Alas, I don't seem to be able to see anything at any distance (not an uncommon thing when introduced to this style of lens that, among other things, diminishes peripheral vision notably) and my depth perception is on a drug trip. This would be less concerning if I hadn't spent so much money on them that you'd be utterly horrified. Seriously, I'm rarely horrified and I'm horrified. More to come, natch, but (happily), despite the prescription change on all fronts, they aren't causing headaches.

2. Unfortunately, just cuz new glasses are not causing headaches, it doesn't mean I'm not totally on the edge for hormonal reasons. I've got my whole body muscle spasm prodrome going on. It's been tough on this front for the last month or so, but that's how it goes. I refuse to suffer in the name of pain. Pain is my body's resistance to its temporary reality. So be it. I've decided to approach all of my experiences with gratitude because this is the only life I have, the only body I have and I will not wish away the time. It's humbling to find that I cannot even lie over a bolster or do a forward bend that isn't stabilized by 2 cedar blocks under my head but it's a lesson in acceptance. If only I could accept the look of my stomach these days... (I'm working on it.)

3. And, a propos of body acceptance, I'm making the Nettie bodysuit. I couldn't wait. It's quite slow going cuz a) I'm slow and b) what's the rush? I had to modify the pattern, per my shape, extensively. I cut the 12 (recognizing that I should have gone up a size re: info from Heather Lou about sizing on the pattern purchased before May 10). It's fine, though, cuz I used my sloper pieces and I simply changed all the relevant bits. In shoulders I was a modified size 12 (10 in some parts, 14 in others) In the bodice, I am veering towards a 14 (I think) that goes to a 12 - and even a 10 - as I near the derriere.

I sense this pattern is quite forgiving, given that it's designed for very stretchy knit. But it is not drafted for someone of my proportions, out of the envelope, which is why I'm so grateful to know how to alter knit patterns to fit me. This one's a wild card because it's a bodysuit that snaps at the crotch. I recognize that I'm making a muslin and that's cool. Despite constant fabric purchases of the early part of this year, I have so little rayon jersey lying around that I had to cut my fabric in every direction possible. I'm ok with that. It's 4-way stretch and I'm not going to waste "almost enough" good fabric. Especially since this is a test garment. Apparently, I can't stock jersey fast enough... I did manage to cut the garment with about a yard of fabric, vs. the 1.5 yards that the pattern calls for.

I'll write more on this when the garment is complete, but I've made modified 3/4 sleeves (I didn't have enough fabric for longer ones) and a neckline that straddles the high and scoop necks that the pattern provides. I copied the Lady Skater neckline which, frankly, is the most flattering home-sewing pattern neckline I've found thus far. I also shortened the bodice by 1 or 2 inches (can't remember), equally on both front and back.

More to follow on this when I have an outcome.

Every time I mention that posting will be slow to non-existent, it seems to presage a phase of mad writing, but I'm going to say it anyway since, for the next 2 weeks, I've got much to accomplish that has nothing to do with sewing or knitting.

Once the vacay starts, I imagine I'll be so amazed by my new environment that there will be much to say.

Till next time...

The Way I See It

Remember that thing I said yesterday about looking leading to spending? Well how much more meta can you get than looking for glasses. I mean, Jesus, you can't even see what you're trying on!

But don't fear, it didn't stop me from finding my next pair:

You've got to appreciate glasses called Hellcat!

They're titanium and made in Japan but designed by a Danish company, Orgreen. The brand doesn't show a high-res photo on the website (from what I can tell). This pic isn't really the best...

How did it happen? Well, I took the day off and had lunch at food empire, Terroni. BTW, if you live in TO, the magazine they recently started publishing is irritatingly delicious and available to read online. Totally Queen Street. (Seriously, what self-respecting restaurant gets into publishing??)

At any rate, I've had the same glasses for 3 years and 2 months (I checked) and, though I've never loved a pair more - they're PINK people, I have to shake it up. I can't be that girl in pink glasses for the next 10 years.

Down the block from the restaurant is Spectacle, my go-to eyewear boutique. It is a delightful place with excellent client service, but man, that bill really hits you in the ass. Let's just say I probably shouldn't have spent quite so much money on lunch. (In full disclosure: My husband bought lunch.)

Totally off topic - my drink of the week is one the name of which I can't remember, sadly, but it's a composite of prosecco, gin and Campari (finished with a wedge of orange).

But how off topic is it, really? I mean the eyewear is orange, the drink is orange. Orange seems to be the name of the game today. You know I have no issues with the colour - see my handmade body of evidence. I wear orange tights, scarves. I even used to wear a bright orange plaid coat. (I loved that coat.) And, I'm kind of in a go loud or go home phase right now.

These look rather different than the current pair. They're not plastic. They're not pink. The shape is more rectangular than cat's eye (though not excessively so). They're vaguely more architectural (but not in that way one euphemistically refers to wacky, preciously-angular, embellished glasses). They're even a bit intellectual. Having said all this. I do not look like a librarian (sexy or otherwise). I polled everyone in the freakin' store to confirm this.