Vacation Thoughts

This morning I booked our flights to North Carolina for vacation. Tonight I am hyperventilating about all the stuff I would like to have done before we go!!! First up - I would like to finish the paper pieced teacup placemats for my sister that have been hanging around in my sewing room for more than 5 years! She probably has outgrown the teacup phase - but I still want them finished and out of my house. Next - a bag for a friend. This should have been completed and mailed sometime in early February at the latest. Now I can personally deliver it - hope she doesn't read this blog - if she does, she never comments! After that - a couple new skirts. I'm a skirt girl. I love wearing skirts. I think they are perfect for walking around exploring new towns, looking fashionable without being overdressed. I have cut a longish faux sueded from the combined Simplicity/KwikSew pattern. I muslined the pattern alternations prior to cutting the real fabric. I would like to line this skirt, but it still shouldn't take too long. Next I bought 2 really cute cotton prints for the next KS skirt that I'm in love with. I basted the muslin together tonight and something's not quite right across the stomach - the Princess will be here tomorrow so I'll get her opinion and then cut into real fabric. Finally, a twin set or two. I lurve, lurve, lurve wearing sleeveless turtleneck and cardigans. The top is perfect in this entry level fall weather and the cardigan is a necessity in overly air-conditioned offices. Perfect, again - a well dressed look, without being overdressed. The reality is that I have 4 weekends until I need to pack a suitcase and board a plane. Shall we make bets on how much I can actually get done? Happy sewing everyone.

What I DId Today

Today I made my first ever double welt pocket. I know how to make and add a pocket flap, too. We didn't do that in class, but I saw all the step by steps and I'm not afraid! My welts looked great - they are even and everything. I also made my first ever bound buttonhole. Not so great! It actually looked like carp. The side are uneven, but the second one was better and they will continue to get better with practice. Again - I'm not afraid. I bought quilting cottons to make skirts. Really they will be Spring/Summer skirts, but I want to make them now. I've been wanting a very graphic black and white print for a skirt. I found a great one that will become a skirt. Most likely this Kwik Sew Pattern. I also bought a small white floral print on a black background and a larger black floral on a white background. I have enough of either fabric to make view A, but I really want to do is make View B, I just can't decide if I want the border to be black or white - I'm leaning toward the white, but I'm completely undecided. The last piece of fabric I got was this Amy Butler print. It will also become a skirt. I'm getting motivated to sew once again. Oh, I think I'm going to attempt to make a sheath dress and swing jacket for JB's holiday party. I tend to be pretty hippy and I've never had a sheath that looks good. There were several of the girls from my local ASG Neighborhood Group at the seminar today. I asked and everyone thought it would be possible to do and look great! So, now I need to get a muslin done before the October meeting, get back to working out, and keep my weight stable while on vacation! No problem.