Motivation

Sometimes it's hard to force myself to get behind the sewing machine. There are too many books to read, too much housework to complete, and too many people around the house who demand attention (albeit in a kind manner). The surest way to motivate myself to get to work is to look at a looming deadline, and think of all the other things I'd rather be sewing! Such is the case right now. I need to be writing several pieces for a variety of uses, but I want to make summer things....white blouses, eyelet jackets, linen pants, silk dresses. Those will all be needed in the very near future, as the temperature is hovering around high amounts even this early.

What I need to do now is organize things. I know there are several white pieces in the pile, so I'll do them first. It makes sense to only thread the machines once and sew several pieces of the same color. That should put a dent in what needs to be done. White seems to be my "go to" color for summer. I have two or three white pieces that I wear constantly; a white linen jacket with a hood and pearl buttons that goes with everything. A white lace topper that pulls the simplest pieces together. A white embroidered spring coat that always lifts my spirits.

The new white pieces are as follows: eyelet, to be made into a shirt style/jacket/throwover piece that I can use as a third layer for pulling an outfit together......pique, to become a very casual 3/4 length jacket.....a tone-on-tone dotted jacquard to become a more dressy jacket....and assorted cottons and shirtings to make tops and shirts. I can also sew up a few of the jerseys and knits using cotton thread, as the primary color of these fabrics is white.

Somewhere in there I need to fit in a few pair of summer pants. Khaki......rust....navy.....I have the fabric, and I have the thread and notions and the patterns are fitted.

Time to get motivated.

Easy sewing

This week has been spent finishing up some easy sewing. I had cut out several pieces to use as potential photographs for the newsletter, but the colors and styles were too similar to create an interesting photo layout. The best three were reserved and completed for newsletter use, and the rest of the fabric was placed in a file to "percolate" awhile.
Of course, when fabric is piled up, it decides to change its mind. It doesn't want to be what I originally intended, and it speaks very loudly when I try to force it into submission:)
So, what had originally been intended for a pair of silk satin pajamas has become a silk satin nightgown. The applique that was to be used on the pocket was filed away for future use, and simplicity decided to rule the day. I think I like the simpler design of the gown for this fabric, and I'm sure I'll wear it more often than I would wear pajamas.
Sleepwear, lingerie, and robes are pretty easy sewing. It's easy to run though a pile of fabric stash in no time when the pattern being used has only two or three pieces. If I had used my brain and bought similar colors, there would be very little delay between pieces. As it is, I'm trying to group things so that I go from light to dark in the shades of color.
After the pile is cleared, I have three suits to alter for a friend. He has recently lost a good bit of weight, so we're having to take in the suit jackets as well as the pants. Stay tuned; this might make a decent tutorial.
Shannon

Expo report

The last two days have been a whirlwind! I left early Thursday to attend the Atlanta Sewing Expo. This is the sewing highlight of my year; I get to visit with like-minded enthusiasts, do a bit a stash improvement, and fill my brain with inspiration. This year was not a disappointment.
I ran into several of my sewing buddies, internet-based and otherwise, and even met a student from one of my online classes (Hi, Pat!). Thursday night dinner with the internet sewing circle is a tradition, and we had a nice crowd at the restaurant this year.
The fabric selections this year were varied and interesting. There were hand-dyed silks and cottons, inexpensive designer end bolts, gorgeous woolens, and interesting knits. My favorites this year were the summer weights of silk; chiffons, georgettes, and lightweight crepe. I choose a nice balance of prints and solids.
There was a small booth, tucked away in the middle of things, with European laces. I almost missed this one! The proprietor is Dutch, and he travels around the world with these bargains. The laces are not scratchy like many of the fabric store laces we normally encounter. These were very soft and supple. The colors were mostly beige and white, but I did manage to find a coffee-on-black piece, a bright orange, and a burgundy.
So....next on my project list is to find space for all the loot!
Shannon