I've Been Sewing

Hello!

It's been a month, but I have been sewing.  Not as many garments as I had planned, but sewing nonetheless.  I've been playing with my Brother PE770. I'm still trying to figure out how to incorporate embroidery with garment sewing. 

This weekend I made cosmetic bags.  I've never been much of a craft sewer but these are fun an quick.  They use up scraps and make great gifts!

Embroidered towels are always fun too! 

Until soon,

2019, I'm Looking at You!

Happy 2019 friends!  Although 2018 wasn't a bad year, it was certainly one of transition.  I feel like I made it through and I'm ready for 2019 - Bring it On!!

I started my day making plans, lots of them!  Fitting techniques is at the top of my list.  An in person fitting class is necessary.  I'm just not able to wrap my head around a few things - sway back adjustments and shoulder adjustments continue to frustrate me.  I'm determine to conquer both.

Another plan is to finally make a winter coat.  I've been wearing the same one for years with the intention of making one, but it always falls to the back burner.  I picked up Butterick 6497 at the most recent JoAnn's sale.

I love view B and am thinking in a white wool.  I love the collar and the simplicity of it.

But right now on my cuttiing table is Butterick 5997 in a red poplin.

View B with a shorter length is what I'm working on.  So far I think I need to shorten the sleeves and length.  I quickly made a muslin and found that I don't need an FBA due to the loose fit, so this should be easy - we'll see.

I'll be back!

I'm still here!

So maybe starting a blog at the beginning of the holiday season wasn't such a good idea!  I've been sewing, just not for myself.  Mostly gifts, which is still enjoyable just not post worthy until after Christmas.  I wouldn't want anyone to see their gifts before Christmas! 

I also splurged on an embroidery machine!  I've been wanting one for a while and finally decided to just jump in and get one.  What a different world!  Almost on a daily basis I find myself going down the rabbit hold of the internet learning more about my new toy.  The talent and wealth of information is overwhelming and amazing.  There's some serious talent out there!  My computer is on overload with the designs I've downloaded and want to try and my wallet is just about empty!

I used to associate embroidery with home dec and children.  But lately I'm picturing beautifully embroidered necklines and sleeves.  Unique blouses and jackets -- it's another world.

After doing a lot of research, I finally decided on the Brother PE770.  It's a great machine and very forgiving!  I actually bought the machine 3 times and returned it immediately after delivery with buyer's remorse.  The 3rd time however, was the charm. 

I am going to get back to garment sewing though.  I want to be more intentional on what I sew. When I look in my closet, I see pretty dresses and skirts, but really nothing I can wear on a daily basis.  There's also not a lot of mixing and matching capabilities.  I'm wondering if sewing in a color collection is where I should be headed?  Or should I map everything out in a Suduko kind of way?  Decisions, decisions . . . .

It was with good intentions . . .

I was supposed to have a 3 day weekend and my intention was to sew, sew, sew.  Well you know what they say about plans - kind of like New England weather:  wait a minute and it will change.

I got home from work on Friday, cleaned my sewing room and made a list of a few things I needed at JoAnn's.  I should have known better and should have gone to JoAnn's on Friday.  I went out early Saturday to get thread and zippers, realized I had to do a few other things and before I knew it, it was 4:00!  How did that happen? 

Got home, started a project and lost any motivation I had remaining.  Ugh!  Got up early this morning to finish up some work and realized I had turned my computer off at work so I couldn't access the files I needed.  Back in the car, got to the office and ended up working for most of the day.  Oh well, maybe I can salvage part of the weekend tomorrow.

I do have a plan though. I picked up a Simplicity pattern during the last sale.

View D caught my eye and I think it will look great with interesting buttons.  It looks straight forward so I'm hoping it goes quickly and I can move on to some other patterns on my list.

Stay tuned!

My Journey

Hello there and welcome!  I'm so glad you stopped by!

I've been reading blogs for years and something caught my attention a few weeks ago.  Many bloggers were talking about "Sewing Heals."  I think most of the discussion was towards mental health healing, but then I got to thinking about it more.  The healing from sewing for me was after divorcing and raising 3 children on my own.  I remember having a knot in my stomach and throat all the time.  I'm talking for months, even years.  The only time I ever found peace was when I was sewing.  I was able put aside feelings of anxiety about how I was going to make it on my own with 3 children, the desperation of providing for them and the hopelessness of digging myself out of the financial hole I was in.

When my kids were younger, I always scrapbooked.  I loved looking at the photos and telling a story, but during the time of my divorce and going back to work full time, I didn't find any joy in telling stories on beautiful papers.  I finally dug out my old sewing machine that my Mother had given me and started sewing.  I had sewn years before - mostly quilts and play clothes for my kids.  I found that sewing started to bring me joy and satisfaction.

The first couple of years (and even now), the garments I create aren't always well fitting and beautiful, but I feel so good about creating those garments.  I've decided to challenge myself moving forward.  I'd like to create a handmade wardrobe.  It's not a RTW Fast (although I love the thought of that), but more of a personal challenge to learn about fitting and techniques.  I'm not proclaiming to never buy another item of clothing (although it's been a long time since I've been to a mall or even a TJ Maxx!)  Thoughts of creating a wardrobe of clothing full of fabrics and designs that I choose makes me smile.

I'm also challenging myself to chronicle my journey so that I can see how I'm improving and connect with other sewists.

Stay tuned!