I could kick myself

Or at least I could if I hadn't dislocated my ankle and still had a foot to kick with!
I have been so revved up ready for the one pattern many looks contest and now I can't walk to the sewing machine let alone sew!

I was at a client's premises yesterday and they had a hole the size of a large bread plate in their floor cleverly disguised by an overlay of carpet! They did at one stage have a board covering the hole underneath the carpet but that had migrated off the hole. Trying to escape being trodden on no doubt! Needless to say - I stepped in the hole and turned over on my ankle. An old injury (I would like to say an old sports injury but I would be lying) has left a weakness in my ankle and thus it dislocated and I had to put my foot back on my leg! Ouch!

Ugly foot picture from yesterday

Today - swellings gone down a bit - bruising starting to come out

In a strange coincidence the topic I was training was "Monitor a Safe Workplace" a core unit in the qualification I was teaching. I would like to think that my new client had been kind enough to arrange the accident for me so that I could have plenty of fodder to discuss during training - but alas - I think it was just my bad luck coupled with a hole in the walkway!

So  here I am feeling sad and sorry for myself and they do say that a burden shared is a burden halved (or something like that) so as I sit here befuddled with pain killer that just hazes the mind but doesn't actually take away the pain, I thought I would share with any one who is looking for a few minutes to fill in...... I am also in the mood to share my plans for one pattern many looks.

Now - I am entering this competition - not in any misguided deranged thought that I might win, but to challenge me and get me thinking outside of the square. Being so new to sewing I haven't experimented at all so this will force me to think of changes and I have been doing a lot of that.

Base pattern

Simplicity 2344

I have chosen this because it is in line with my level of skill at the present moment - it will still challenge me but not be too hard (I hope).

First example will be made in this knit border print but no changes to the pattern. I see my main challenge as being getting the print to be placed correctly. I have never worked with border prints before so this will be a first:

My second copy will be changed to a woven but one with a bit of stretch. A midnight blue stretch chiffon that will be self lined (not sure if that is the correct term but I want 2 layers of fabric of the front and back and one layer on the sleeves). I will also be leaving the sleeves unbanded so that they are nice flowing sleeves. I am hoping to roll hem it on my overlocker - never done this before so will be a learning curve. I am also hoping (ankle recovery permitting) to get out to a trimming store and get some sort of beading as shown in the sketch below. I have never tried trimmings either.

This gives 2 items which is enough for the contest but time permitting (I've already lost this weekend with my ankle and visitors coming) I would also like to make it in a white stretch (with a little sparkle) with no other changes:

And maybe a lace:

And --- if I get very adventurous I could even try a sample in the dreaded horrible mistake purchase of gold lame - just for fun: I hear gold is very on trend - this should be hilarious if I get to it.

Is anyone else entering?

Time to take more drugs and lie down.