Here's what I've been doing lately...

Well, it's been slow going lately in the sewing arena. It's been a busy but fun Summer. I was able to get this top done last week - New Look #6816 View A, well actually it's a trial run for a couple tops I wanted to make from this pattern:

I like this pattern a lot but still haven't decided if I want to make a couple tops from it, there are so many other patterns I'd like to try. We'll see what I decide on this and I'll show/tell you later what I've decided.

This skirt pattern is what's next on my list McCall's #5523, view A.

I love this skirt and the fabric is perfect. The fabric is an unknown polyester blend but it has the perfect drape for this pattern. I'll post pictures as I'm working on this project. I hope to get it done this week because I'm having surgery on my right hand (carpal tunnel) in a couple week and won't be able to sew for a week or two after. I had surgery on my left hand back in Feb. this year and it made quite a difference, my left hand is much better. So, I'm looking forward to getting it over with. Hopefully after my surgery I'll get a lot more sewing done.

My Hawaiian Vacation

I know it's been a while since I last posted. I was so consumed with getting ready for my vacation to Hawaii. It was a wonderful trip, the weather was perfect. In fact it didn't rain (except for a couple mini showers that dried up immediately) until I was on the plane waiting to come back home. I looked out and it started to pour down rain, I mean buckets of rain. We did something different each day and had a really full trip. Check out my Vacation Slide show here: I couldn't imagine not getting some Hawaiian fabric, that was high on my list so this is what I found:

Also I like to collect thimbles from places that I visit, here are the thimbles I found:

So, What's next?

OK, it's been a while since my last posting. I've done a few things but not nearly as much as I had hoped. I'll post those pictures later, but they're nothing really special, pretty plain & simple. I made 2 pairs of shorts and a pair of capri's (for vacation). I have one more item that I want to make for my trip then that will be the end of my vacation sewing, I'll post a picture of the fabric & pattern later. It seems that so much else has been happening that I just can't get to my machine as much. I took a short trip to visit a friend who moved to far to see on a regular basis but close enough to go & visit when I need to see her or just want to get away. She moved to North Carolina and live on the lake (lake Gaston) and she lives right at the end of a cove. What a place to be...it was so peaceful and beautiful. You know where I'll be when I want to just zone out! OK, so when I get back from my Hawaii trip I'm determined to get back to some real sewing. Maybe I'll do a couple more summer items since it's usually warm around here until late Sept. Actually I'm looking forward to sewing for Fall, so I'll need to plan a few much needed pieces to build my Fall/Winter wardrobe. Well I hope everyone out there in cyberspace is enjoying their Summer and getting lots & lots of sewing done. It really seems so from the blogs I've visited lately. All you sewing diva's out there keep me inspired and motivated to keep sewing. I'll post more soon.


HAPPY SEWING!

Finally Finished!

I took some time off to sew for my upcoming vacation as you can see in my last post. I finally got them done. I made two tops, same pattern & view but different fabrics, Such a simple project shouldn't have taken so long but life happens. So much to do and so little time. The pattern required some alteration in the bust area (see review)

The biggest inspiration that my return to sewing has been was to get myself back in the gym. It's funny how you don't really think as much about what you see in the mirror on a regular basis until you have to look in the mirror from a different perspective. My concentration now is on fit and learning how to do it well. I must say that I don't remember so much problem a few years ago...Oh what a difference a few years make. HA! HA!

My next biggest inspiration has been that as I'm reviving my skills I'm inspired by the many talented sewers I've run across online, I find more and more each day. HOW INSPIRING! As I've been getting back into sewing myself I've made it a point to also inspire others whether beginners of more intermediate sewers, what fun it's been to get others hooked on sewing.

As I'm sewing for Summer I'm constantly thinking about what I want to do for Fall & Winter. OH, I know it's barely Summer and already I'm thinking about Fall..well actually my favorite sewing is things worn during the chilly or cold seasons. I love jackets, suits, heavier stable fabrics. OK I know get back to Spring & Summer...don't rush it right! Ok, so this week I'm going to concentrate on what else I'll make for Summer I'll post a few choices I'm planning next time, got to keep my sewing machine humming.

Until later,

HAPPY SEWING!

Finally some free time for sewing!

Well I'm taking the next few days off work to actually get some sewing done for my vacation. It's funny how the weekends seem to pass by so fast, I've found it hard to get enough done. SO, I decided to take these days off, I really like the idea of a SEWING VACATION. I think I'll do this more often.

In the process of getting back to sewing after a few years away from it I've found that I need to learn more about fitting techniques, with time & age... the body kinda has had a mind of it's own and it's not the body I remember sewing for during those earlier years. So I hope practice perfecting my fitting techniques. So, I check back later with my thoughts of my experience, what I've learned, my frustrations and victories along the way.

Oh and don't worry I'll be posting photos of my projects too. See ya soon.

Happy Sewing!