Wrapping Up Loose Ends

     This summer has been productive yet a bit overwhelming.  I have decided to become very self-disciplined about my hobbies.  Cleaning out my sewing room in order to make it a room in which to actually sew has been quite the reality check.  
     The reality is that I purchase new patterns and fabric because of the current trends .  Then I feel guilty about all of the projects I have started but never finished and put off the new projects.  I tell myself I can work on them as soon as I finish the old ones.  Truth is -- that will not be happening in this lifetime.  I am going to change my whole philosophy -- determine what I am most excited to work on and make it NOW.
     How do you get rid of perfectly good fabric with no purpose in mind?  Do you donate it, give it to someone who also may not know what to do with it, or just keep it like I do?
     Well, to wrap up another loose end, here is a picture I meant to post when I lost my camera. (Still not found)  This is the pajama top I made to go with the pants during Karen's first Pyjama challenge a year ago.

I have worn these pajamas more than any other because they are soooo cool in the summer.  The fabric is lawn by Lisette.  I had to iron the top for the picture but it is a fabulous fabric.  The thin cotton makes sleeping at my parents lake house endurable.  McCalls 6249 is a simple make and I will definitely use this pattern again - soon to use up some of my stash!

My First Quilt!

     This summer is about finishing UFOs and depleting my stash enough to get into my sewing room.  It is ridiculous to think that I finally have a sewing room but can not use it because I have too much stuff.  Isn't that hoarding?
     On the bright side of this issue, I am working like mad to get in there, and I have finished something I am very excited about.

     I started this after completing two quilt tops.  I was afraid that I would have difficulty with my machine while trying to quilt, so I made a small practice quilt.  This will probably go to a grandchild if I ever have one.  I started with 12 inch nine patch blocks and cut them with the rotary cutter down and across the middle.  Then, I turned the blocks to create a new design.  It was a lot of fun.  (I also like puzzles.)

     I love the way you can see a new design each time you look at a quilt depending on the area or color of your focus. 

       I learned a lot about myself through this project.  I always knew that I liked things simple, but I am okay with the fact that the woman at the quilt store thought my choice of only two fabrics was boring.  I like to see the pattern and the quilting.  I have more color in one of my quilt tops, but I enjoy the lines in the garments I sew and the simplicity of this quilt.  My wedding dress didn't have any lace, but the cut and design was beautiful.  

     The backing has more color.  I love to turn it over and see the quilting on the back.  Can you tell how excited I am about this project?  I have decided to machine quilt one of my finished tops similarly to the way I did this one.  The other I will send out to have stippling done.  I was inspired to by Lori's Escapade quilt over at "Girls in the Garden."  What a beautiful design!

     Not all of my UFOs have been so much fun.  I just finished two large totes today that I started 18 years ago.  Luckily I still hoarded had a completed make to look at.  It is difficult enough to walk away from a project and come back to it, but after 18 years my memory gets a little fuzzy.

I Missed You Mojo!

I am elated to have finally found my sewing mojo again.  Unfortunately, due to some sad situations in my life, I lost it for maybe two years.  Though not gone, some of the difficulties have gotten better.  Thankfully, I feel the joy I once did when I hear the purr of my machine (Bernadette.)  Look what she and the machine I bought for my nieces to use at my parent's lake house (Monty) helped me create!

Five Wristlet Purses

 I am keeping two and using the rest for gifts.  I got the pattern during a quilting shop-hop.  The one on the bottom came in a kit.  You can find it here.  I liked it, but I thought I might like a little more room and added an inch to the depth.  I love to use wristlets when bargain hunting and sight-seeing.  Warning: they are easy to lose if not kept on your wrist!  I lost one once in Taco Bell when I set it down to put a lid on my drink.  Fortunately, I didn't have much in it.  The worst part was that it was the best DL picture I have ever taken.

 This is my favorite one.  I love this fabric!  It is missing a strap because I am still unpacking.  I three two packs of clips at JoAnn's for only 50 cents.  The D rings actually cost more than the clips.

My daughter loves hers too.  She chose the fat quarter two years ago, so this was unexpected but perfectly her.  In my hurry to finish before she got home, I sewed the lining in upside down.  The inside lining has great pockets for gift cards, credit cards, or your license.

I made the first two while visiting my parents, then came home and made three more today.  They are nice and quick if you don't put the lining in upside down.  I might have been even faster if I didn't have to maneuver around my protector.  It was raining, and he likes to sit with me during the thunder and lightning.

Isn't that the sweetest face.

It is fun to choose the fabrics.  I used fat quarters from the quilt stores I visited during the shop hop.

Lastly, this is the end of the season for my dogwood tree.  Thought I would share what makes me smile.  It was incredibly full this year.

Me (20 pounds lighter) Made

     I haven't posted in a very long time.  As the school year comes to a close, I hope to have some time to sew.  Starting each morning with the frustrating task of finding something to wear has motivated me to get busy.  I need a new wardrobe thanks to Weight Watchers.  It is an exciting place to be yet a bit overwhelming.  So many fabrics, so many choices!  The practical side of me says, "Just alter the clothes you have."  Hopefully, the impractical side will get motivated to sew go crazy and tear into my stash the day I say farewell to my kiddos.
     This morning, while trying to get ready for church, I came across this dress that I made about two years ago from Vogue 8351.  I was never able to wear it because it was too tight.  Rushing to get something made, I didn't bother to fit the pattern correctly because it was stretchy.  My bumps and bulges didn't look so great in the cotton Spandex, so I put it in the back of my closet and forgot about it until this morning.

     Sorry about the quality of the pictures.  I couldn't find my camera, so D took these with our Ipad. He is not a natural photographer, however, I appreciate his willingness to help.  With the wind blowing in my face, I don't look very excited, but I love this dress.  It is incredibly comfortable and the print from JoAnn Fabrics is really me.  I love geometric patterns.  

     I will definitely make this again now that I don't have to carry around the spare tire.  The short-sleeved version will be great to wear this summer hemmed just above the knee.  I really enjoy working with knits.

     This pattern was very easy.  I made it before I bought my coverstitch machine, so the hem will be even simpler.  I will probably make an adjustment to the front neckline.  The front bodice is self lined because it is made from one folded piece.  It shows more cleavage than I care to reveal when the cowl is not laying just right.  

Pumpkin Contest

     Life has changed a bit this year. Second grade is a new adventure that requires time that I would have spent sewing.  Amidst the chaos in my life last year, I was transplanted to a new school.  I have to say that we often learn important lessons when we are forced to stretch and grow.  As lucky as I was to be a part of that fantastic school last year, I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to return to my family colleagues and to watch my students grow up.   I am no longer teaching the tiny ones, but am happy to be back home. 
     One of my favorite activities has always been our pumpkin contest.  The kids love it because the teachers all design a pumkin and enter it anonymously.  The students spend a great deal of time trying to match teachers to pumpkins and then vote for their favorite.  I was in the top three this year. 





Maybe I went a little commercial to get votes, but my nieces and nephews are going to enjoy their gift pumpkins at our post-Halloween party today. Yes, I said gifts.  This is not the same pumpkin.  I made one for the contest and then another because they don't all live in the same house.

My students loved that fact that their teacher, who doesn't know anything about video games, made this for them. It was great fun. I used a plastic pumpkin from Michael's, so it would last another year or two.  A gloss, acrylic paint covered the pumpkin beautifully.  Finally, I molded the beak and eyes from a package of Crayola Model Magic.  It was easy to roll the flat pieces out between two sheets of wax paper.

     Well, I'm not sewing, but at least I had a chance to create something.  Once I get the hang of being a second-grade teacher, I might find some time to make something from cloth.
Hope your Halloween was an enjoyable one.

When do you blog?

As I prepare for work each morning, my mind is overflowing with fresh ideas.  I feel optimistic about publishing my thoughts and pictures in a post that evening as I walk out the door to face the day.  The confidence in my blog return and the time of my return home each evening becomes bit less sure as the day progresses.  Finally, I drag myself away from my classroom realizing that I have ceased to accomplish anything worthwhile in the last hour because I can no longer focus.  I drive home with an empty stomach and a strong desire to wear pajamas. 
What happened to all of those great thoughts from the morning.  I can't remember exactly what I wanted to say and what I remember sounds a bit weak now.  Maybe I should wait until tomorrow when I feel fresh again.  I'll just look at her blog to see what she is up to.  Wow, I love that.  It gives me an idea.  I could do something similar and change it to work with this great piece in my stash.  I can't wait to get started.  I'll just look at a few more blogs to inspire me.

So many of us experience this desire to create and communicate with the blogging world.  I wonder how the people I follow and admire balance it all.  So many of you get so much accomplished.  Do you blog at night after a full day?  Or do you get up early to ensure quiet time to write before you inspiration fades?  I would love to hear about it! 

American Sewing Expo in Novi

I feel very fortunate to live in the area that hosts a huge event like the American Sewing Expo.  It was an incredible experience!  I met some of the people who inspire and educate me through blogs, online classes, and TV shows. 

I could listen to Gretchen Hirsch for hours.  She is well informed and looks at sewing in a refreshing way.  She is open and creative without the rigidity that some of us older sewers experience in our methods.  I attended two of the seminars she hosted: Intro to Retro Dressmaking and How to Write as Successful Blog.  My simpler blog design is a direct result of the latter.  She suggested that readers enjoy personal connections--hence the picture of my sweet companion, Darby.  He lays on the pins by my feet while I sew.

Angela Wolf is just as inspirational.  I am so excited to see a new generation of sewist carrying this passion for creating and machines that make amazing clothes.  I bought her T-shirt pattern and used a piece of fabric that wouldn't work with the pattern purchased for it.  She is brilliant in her armhole construction.  I usually find that my shirt ride up whenever I pull the map down in my classroom, but today it didn't happen.  Please excuse the picture.  My photography skill still leave a lot to be desired.

The spots had to be carefully placed, but I was happy with the end result.  The neckline is one of my favorites.

I love the ruching on the side and sleeve.  I am not laying down in the top photo--just too lazy to go back and rotate the picture.

 

I don't have any pictures of Susan Khalje, but her Couture Hand Sewing seminar was great.  It was two hours long with interactive demonstrations.  I was pleased to remember using many of the techniques in the past, however, seeing the garments she had made took the stitches to a new level for me. 

I stayed for Friday and Saturday evening after the seminars and the venders were finished to see the two fashion shows.  Each served a different purpose.  The talent was unbelievable in bothl

If you have never attended an event like the "Sewing Expo," treat yourself.  I hope to go every year.  I spent two full days and didn't begin to experience all that was offered.