Things have been a little quiet here on the blogfront lately for a few a reasons...
--School is officially in full swing, so my homework has been cutting in to my sewing and blogging time. I knew that going back to school was going to be an adjustment so I haven't been putting a lot of pressure on myself to post. But don't worry, I plan on getting back into the swing of things in the next couple of weeks.
--Also, I've been working two jobs since last Tuesday; I put in my notice at the Lab so I was riding out my last weeks there, but I've also been working at my new job in the mornings. It's not like a super big deal or anything, but my new job title is SEAMSTRESS!! Ok, so it is a humongous deal to me, and I am so over the moon not only to be able to do something I love everyday, but to also get paid for it. The company I'm working for is called Bloom (you can check out our website here). We have various home goods and accessories, and it kinda works like 31 where you get to pick the fabric and personalization. But unlike 31, everything is made by hand here in Ashland, VA by me and some other very lovely ladies. I have to give a huge shout-out to Mrs. Lent in case she is reading; I will forever be grateful to her for letting me know they were hiring. There really is no way I could thank her enough! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
So enough about life stuff, let's talk about the end of summer. If you're anything like me, this isn't a happy conversation. I totally get why people love fall; the cooler weather, the changing leaves, football. But for me, fall just means we are that much closer to winter and I do not like winter one bit. Unfortunately fall and winter are coming whether I like it or not, so that means reluctantly setting aside my summer sewing projects and starting to think about clothes for cooler weather.
One of the projects I've had on my mind for a while now is a plaid flannel collared shirt, specifically one like this from J.Crew. I've had both the pattern and the fabric purchased for a while now, but it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to be working on a flannel shirt when it is 95+ degrees outside, does it? Now that the weather has started to cool off I can't wait to get started. Since I've never made a collared shirt, I will definitely make a muslin but I think I might also make one up in a solid fabric before trying to tackle plaid matching. I'm also very interested to use this pattern since it has different pieces for A/B, C, and D cup sizes in each size. Fingers crossed that it will save me a lot of time fitting!
(You can click on each swatch/line drawing for more fabric and pattern information.)
One of my favorite fall/winter "uniforms" is a skirt or dress with tights and boots. Most of the skirts I own now are dressier pencil skirts from when I was working at the bank, so when I found an amazing deal on some wool-blends I knew I was going to be making some skirts. I want to try this simple straight skirt pattern for one, but I also want to hack it and add a flounce/ruffle hem, a la this Topshop skirt.
Since I've started sewing my own clothes, I have pretty much steered away from tackling any knit projects. I'm not intimidated by them (I did make my own bathing suit, which is about as intimidating as knits get I think), but I don't have a serger, which I really think is the best way to finish seams on knit garments. So as to expand my garment sewing repertoire, I have plans to purchase a serger in the next month or two, and then I have a few different projects I want to dive into.
If skirts/tights/boots are the bottom half of my cool weather "uniform," then cardigans and scarves are the top half. I love this cardigan pattern from McCall's, especially the peplum-like detail at the waist on views C and D. Sewn up in some wool or sweater knits, I am sure it will become an instant fall/winter staple.
I am definitely pro-leggings as pants (as long as my butt is covered by a shirt/tunic) and I purchased this pattern during one of those $1.99 pattern sales at the fabric store. Actually, I only purchase Big 4 patterns when they are on sale at the fabric store, but that is beside the point. I obviously would like to make a classic black pair, because everyone needs at least one black pair of leggings, but I also really want a pair of royal blue ones, too.
Last but absolutely not least on my list is the Papercut Patterns SJ Tee. I mean, it's called the SJ tee. That means I have to make it, right? I can see SO.MANY.POSSIBILITES. with this pattern, from a slouchy short-sleeve version in a light weight knit to a long-sleeve version in a heavier sweatshirt knit. I would also love to lengthen it a bit for a tunic to wear with my new handmade leggings.
This list is sure to keep me busy, but I also have some scarf projects from last year that I plan on expanding on, along with some new ones in the works this year. And if by some crazy miracle I have some time and a ton of motivation, I would love to start working on some jeans. I'm still searching for a good pattern, so if you have any recommendations I would love to hear.
(Although it may seem like it, this post was in no way sponsored by McCall's. For some reason I just always happen to be pattern shopping when their patterns are on sale for $1.99. I had all of these patterns in my stash already, and I purchased each one with my own money.)
Do you have big sewing plans for this fall? Are you planning on buying any fun new toys or tackling a project that you have never tried before? I may not be looking forward to the weather, but I am definitely looking forward to some fun new sewing challenges!
--School is officially in full swing, so my homework has been cutting in to my sewing and blogging time. I knew that going back to school was going to be an adjustment so I haven't been putting a lot of pressure on myself to post. But don't worry, I plan on getting back into the swing of things in the next couple of weeks.
--Also, I've been working two jobs since last Tuesday; I put in my notice at the Lab so I was riding out my last weeks there, but I've also been working at my new job in the mornings. It's not like a super big deal or anything, but my new job title is SEAMSTRESS!! Ok, so it is a humongous deal to me, and I am so over the moon not only to be able to do something I love everyday, but to also get paid for it. The company I'm working for is called Bloom (you can check out our website here). We have various home goods and accessories, and it kinda works like 31 where you get to pick the fabric and personalization. But unlike 31, everything is made by hand here in Ashland, VA by me and some other very lovely ladies. I have to give a huge shout-out to Mrs. Lent in case she is reading; I will forever be grateful to her for letting me know they were hiring. There really is no way I could thank her enough! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
So enough about life stuff, let's talk about the end of summer. If you're anything like me, this isn't a happy conversation. I totally get why people love fall; the cooler weather, the changing leaves, football. But for me, fall just means we are that much closer to winter and I do not like winter one bit. Unfortunately fall and winter are coming whether I like it or not, so that means reluctantly setting aside my summer sewing projects and starting to think about clothes for cooler weather.
One of the projects I've had on my mind for a while now is a plaid flannel collared shirt, specifically one like this from J.Crew. I've had both the pattern and the fabric purchased for a while now, but it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to be working on a flannel shirt when it is 95+ degrees outside, does it? Now that the weather has started to cool off I can't wait to get started. Since I've never made a collared shirt, I will definitely make a muslin but I think I might also make one up in a solid fabric before trying to tackle plaid matching. I'm also very interested to use this pattern since it has different pieces for A/B, C, and D cup sizes in each size. Fingers crossed that it will save me a lot of time fitting!
(You can click on each swatch/line drawing for more fabric and pattern information.)
One of my favorite fall/winter "uniforms" is a skirt or dress with tights and boots. Most of the skirts I own now are dressier pencil skirts from when I was working at the bank, so when I found an amazing deal on some wool-blends I knew I was going to be making some skirts. I want to try this simple straight skirt pattern for one, but I also want to hack it and add a flounce/ruffle hem, a la this Topshop skirt.
Since I've started sewing my own clothes, I have pretty much steered away from tackling any knit projects. I'm not intimidated by them (I did make my own bathing suit, which is about as intimidating as knits get I think), but I don't have a serger, which I really think is the best way to finish seams on knit garments. So as to expand my garment sewing repertoire, I have plans to purchase a serger in the next month or two, and then I have a few different projects I want to dive into.
If skirts/tights/boots are the bottom half of my cool weather "uniform," then cardigans and scarves are the top half. I love this cardigan pattern from McCall's, especially the peplum-like detail at the waist on views C and D. Sewn up in some wool or sweater knits, I am sure it will become an instant fall/winter staple.
I am definitely pro-leggings as pants (as long as my butt is covered by a shirt/tunic) and I purchased this pattern during one of those $1.99 pattern sales at the fabric store. Actually, I only purchase Big 4 patterns when they are on sale at the fabric store, but that is beside the point. I obviously would like to make a classic black pair, because everyone needs at least one black pair of leggings, but I also really want a pair of royal blue ones, too.
Last but absolutely not least on my list is the Papercut Patterns SJ Tee. I mean, it's called the SJ tee. That means I have to make it, right? I can see SO.MANY.POSSIBILITES. with this pattern, from a slouchy short-sleeve version in a light weight knit to a long-sleeve version in a heavier sweatshirt knit. I would also love to lengthen it a bit for a tunic to wear with my new handmade leggings.
This list is sure to keep me busy, but I also have some scarf projects from last year that I plan on expanding on, along with some new ones in the works this year. And if by some crazy miracle I have some time and a ton of motivation, I would love to start working on some jeans. I'm still searching for a good pattern, so if you have any recommendations I would love to hear.(Although it may seem like it, this post was in no way sponsored by McCall's. For some reason I just always happen to be pattern shopping when their patterns are on sale for $1.99. I had all of these patterns in my stash already, and I purchased each one with my own money.)
Do you have big sewing plans for this fall? Are you planning on buying any fun new toys or tackling a project that you have never tried before? I may not be looking forward to the weather, but I am definitely looking forward to some fun new sewing challenges!