Sewing patterns

We haven't had a proper frost yet, but it's getting very close and I've seen my breath on more than a few mornings. Our lawn is covered with fallen leaves, and we're taking in apples by the truckload from the big old tree in the back garden. Unfortunately many of them are bird-pecked or diseased (by what, I have no idea) so we are trucking them out to the organics bin quite frequently as well.

I am going through a clothes-making phase. Right now I'm trying to get a good fit from this (Simplicity 2917), which involves learning how to adjust it for my shape, sew princess seams, and make facings. I hate facings. Grrr. How do you make them so they don't flip outwards and just sit nicely on the inside of the neck opening like they're meant to? I have the theory, just not the practice.

It's obvious that this could be a very flattering shape on me once I get the pattern adjustments perfected, and my sewing techniques of course. Although I still love my old Singer sewing machines, I do think longingly of zig zag stitching abilities and wish I had an overlocker. That would make finishing off the seams so much easier...

I also dream longingly of being able to sew something like this (Vogue 2903) and have it look good on me. In my head, wearing a dress like this will also give me a figure to suit. Isn't it a pity clothes don't really work like that? Still, I'm buying this pattern and might give it a go at some time in the distant future, when I have become skilled enough to put it together without wasting the 10 metres of fabric it requires!