Distractions in needle & thread

I spent yesterday morning doing something I haven't done for years, but I woke up in the morning with a burning obsession. I sat in the lounge room, poring through my collection of clothing patterns, looking for something to sew myself.

I haven't sewn clothes for myself in years, since before I developed Anorexia, due to seemingly ever-changing sizes. But y'know what? I've been a size six, haven't gained significant weight, and have had fairly stable measurements for over 18 months now. I doubt I'm about to gain, and then lose again, 35kg within the next year. Or at least, I hope not. So what's stopping me?

If you haven't seen any of my sewing before, here's a link to my Facebook album (sorry there's not a more convenient format): 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1137725135176.20615.1588801566&type=1&l=9f26360d15

Historical reproduction, corsetry, and costuming were my areas of speciality. I own at least a dozen books on the subjects, my favorites of which are published by V&A Museum. Sewing was my passion. Before my ED, my goal was to study theatrical costuming and historical reproduction, eventually at a University level, but Anorexia snatched that away, for now at least. 

None of my beautiful clothes fit me anymore, not by a long shot. They were made for the girl with measurements of 38-31-36, not 27-21-31. My sewing dummy won't even go down to my measurements. I've been living in Kmart clothes because they're the only shop who regularly stock a range of size 6s, but I'd like my nice wardrobe back (even if I don't go out to wear it). My personal fashion style has wasted away; now it's "whatever fits".

Sadly, few of the patterns I own go down to a size 6. The ones that do, I'm not too keen on, and I don't feel up to resizing a pattern. So I prowled around the Vogue Patterns catalogue, and found a couple of nice coats. Mum went out to pick up a pattern for me (V8346, pictured), and I've rummaged around for fabrics and trimmings (I literally have a studio room full of supplies and equipment, all of which have been gathering dust). I'm hoping I can do a little bit each day, and stay motivated to do so. That said, I've always been crazy obsessive when I get the urge to sew, or do most things really, and I'll work non-stop for days.

So, maybe expect the occasional sewing picture (and I do mean rarely)! I haven't sewn in over three years, so this is a big step for me. In which direction, I'm not too sure yet. Have I maybe found the elusive thing known as a 'distraction'...?

Fingers crossed it sticks.

Tomorrow morning I'm off to see the dietician. My intake's been between 400-800 calories for the past two weeks, and I still have no good reason for not going to either of my appointments last week. It'll be uncomfortable, to say the least. 

xxBella