Tags
cats, Chiawana Park, clothing, Columbia River, Healthy and Happy: SSWD, Pasco, SCRAP Tri-Cities, Seasonal Sew Wardrobe Destination, Sew Alongs & Sewing Contests Facebook Group, sewing, Washington
Banks of the Columbia River on a warm late-summer evening . . . good place to ponder what to sew.
I have this terrible conflict when it comes to making sewing plans.
On the one hand, I want to be free! Free to follow my muse wherever she leads! I am a feather on the breeze! Etc., etc.
On the other hand, I really like sewing with other people, even if only online. Sewing is usually such a solitary thing, and it’s so fun to do it with a supportive group for a change.
I’m a member of several sewing groups on Facebook and one of them is hosting a sew-along with the theme “destination.” You make 8 items (one of them can be an accessory) between August 15 and December 15 and post them in an album in the group. Your destination can be a real place you’re going to, an imaginary place, somewhere you’d like to go, whatever.
I thought I might give it a try. I’m really feeling these days as if I’m turning a corner in my life. I’ve had a pretty lousy couple of years, and I’m working on making things better. As I’m hoping to be employed soon, I’m going to need some new work clothes, as well as some things for hiking and walking outside in the cold. And I really, really need to keep my energy and momentum going. I need to be excited about the future I’m working toward because, you know, this is all really DAMN HARD WORK.
So, off we go, destination: Healthy and Happy!
In no particular order, here are my planned sewing projects:
- Circle skirt. I taught my circle skirt class last Saturday at SCRAP and worked on this in the class. It’s some synthetic mystery fabric with a nice brushed finish to it. Love the colors!
- Black jumper. I keep promising to make this and it doesn’t happen. This time it will. The fabric is a lightweight denim with a bit of stretch.
- Brown flannel shirt. I got this flannel from the Goodwill in Newburg, OR, last spring. 2 yards for $1.99. I normally despise brown, but the colors in this are so pretty and I love the folk art-y style of it. I cut this out last Sunday and was short on fabric, so I used some of this green flannel as well. I’m doing view A.
- Denim shirtdress. I got this fabric from SCRAP with the intention of making an overalls-type dress, but I reconsidered and decided to make something a bit less cutesy and more work-appropriate. I’ve used this shirtdress pattern before and it was a winner, so I’m trying it again with this lightweight embroidered denim.
- Red vest. This is the leftover stretchy fleece from the cycling jersey I made for my partner a few years ago. The pattern is from SCRAP. Still undecided on the lining, but the current front runner is a white cotton jacquard from the stash. I’m thinking it needs snowflake appliques, too.
- Fleece hoodie. Is this fabric great or what? It’s a remnant from SCRAP, so it’s going to be combined with some other remnants to make the hoodie.
- Purple vest. I haven’t decided which of these fabrics to use, but I’m leaning toward the purple tweedy stuff. Both are mystery synthetic remnants from SCRAP and whichever one I choose will be paired with this black fabric (poly/rayon, I think) from the stash.
- Black turtleneck tunic. To be worn with the vest and lots of other things. Fabric is a nice cotton knit I found at SCRAP last Thursday; there’s enough of it to also make a cardigan, if I can find a pattern I like. The T-neck pattern is from SCRAP, too.
- Maroon dress. I don’t know if this style will work on me, but I love the cool modern look of it. The fabric was a lovely surprise–I bought it years ago for making bags and had no idea I had nearly 3 yards left. It’s the thickest, softest corduroy you ever saw in your life.
Here’s a better picture of the fabric.
OMG YOU GUYS JUST LOOK AT THIS YUMMINESS
So, that’s 9 projects (10, if you count the black knit cardigan) and I only need 8 for the sew-along, so I have a little flexibility. I am not a fast sewer, and some of these will be somewhat complex, so this is pretty ambitious for me. Even if I don’t finish, though, I expect to come out of it with some sharp new clothes.
As of right now, I have the circle skirt hanging up while I decide whether or not to hem it. The brown flannel shirt and denim dress are cut out and ready to sew; I think I’m going to get going on the latter, as it’s about 95F here and I can wear it right away.
I leave you with a picture of Shelby demonstrating the proper use of a scrap of embroidered denim that your mom has given you to play with.
Off to sew. Have a great weekend, all!
STH
Living in Color 
Well I love your fabrics and patterns, and your destination! Happy and Healthy! Good luck with this ambitious list. Will forward to seeing the completed garments. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! The bodice on the denim dress is done, so progress is happening. Just need to keep the momentum going.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good choice of fabric and patterns. Enjoy the sewing and happy and healthy wearing afterwards.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much! I’m excited about these projects–there are some new styles in the list and some techniques I haven’t used before, so it will be interesting!
LikeLike
I’m planning to join this sew along too! My theme is SSWD Hot Hot Heat… Well, the name is a work in progress. I’ve actually got a holiday to Hong Kong booked for October so will be planning to get most of mine done by then! Good luck with your list!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Emily! What an exciting trip to look forward to, but that’s not much time–better get sewing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think i is wonderful you are using older patterns you love. Fabric you have on hand. I support you in this as I try to use my hidden treasures whenever I can.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I don’t really follow trends–whatever’s in fashion at the moment hardly ever seems to be something that short, plump women can wear–but I try to grab interesting patterns on sale and hang onto them forever. Some of the patterns here have been in my stash for 15 years! And my closet is full of fabric, so it’s time to use up some of it.
LikeLike
I think this is a good sign. You seem to have great follow-through and so making this list means you will do these things. Great things are on the horizon! Nice to read excitement about fabric and plans.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m working on it, though I’m sure there will be ups and downs. Part of my reason for doing this, I just realized this minute, is that there is some support to be found here and on Facebook, something that has been very much lacking in my offline life. Time to marshal Team Me (as Captain Awkward would put it) and see if that helps. Thank you for very kind comments, here and at your place; they are so appreciated.
And you realize that now you’re going to HAVE to make your threatened maroon coatdress, so that we can be fabulous in maroon together, right? 😉
LikeLike
I promise. 🙂 In fact a blog reader pointed me to a perfect fabric today, although I am trying not to buy.Lovely that you can assemble a team you. We all need one of those!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fabulous fabrics and the patterns you chose look so comfy! I’m almost convinced to do a layered wardrobe for myself.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, sidney–I am ALL about the comfy! I’m always cold in the winter, and the light layers are a good way to combat that while still looking professional. I really do need to fit that black knit cardigan in there somewhere . . .
LikeLike
Oh wow! I have that exact brown floral flannel. I made a shirt with it. I wish I had used a different pattern but I like it well enough anyway.
Good luck with your fall sewing plans. I have never liked making plans for the same reasons you said but this year I had sort of a sewing list, in the form of a couple of photos of fabric, and I have found it useful but not too restrictive. I still sew whatever I want to but whenever I can’t decide what I want to sew next I can just pick something from the list. Now I guess I need to make a fall list though I’m not ready to give up on summer yet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cool! Is the shirt on your blog? I don’t remember seeing it there, but I’d love to see a photo of it.
I will definitely miss the summer produce and the long summer days, but I’m ready for some fall temps! This summer was much milder than last, but still in the 90s most days, and I’m so ready for that to be over.
LikeLike
I don’t think I ever photographed the shirt but there’s no reason why I couldn’t. I’ll try to remember to do that in a few weeks when it gets cool enough to wear flannel.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d love to see it! I deliberated for a long time over what pattern to use with mine; I wanted something more interesting than the standard button-front shirt, but had to find something that worked with the not-enough-yardage and the properties of the fabric.
LikeLike
I can’t wait to see your makes! Love the jumper pattern and that ‘folksy’ brown fabric. Lucky you for getting such great treasures at Scrap!~cheers and Happy Sewing
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have been lucky there! And put in a lot of volunteer hours, so I see the good stuff before anybody else. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Skirts and Other Adventures | Living in Color
Pingback: Curvy Sewn: Your Creations for September
It was fun to read your plans. All nice choices. You’ve inspired me to write mine down and prioritize them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for stopping by! I definitely don’t always follow my sewing plans, but I do find it very helpful to at least write them down, so that I know I haven’t forgotten any great ideas I may not get again. 😉 Best of luck with your fall sewing!
LikeLike
Pingback: Folk Art Flannel | Living in Color