No sewing

Well, that's not exactly true. I did finish a shirt - a different view of a pattern I've used before, but have not had a chance to take a picture of it yet.

I haven't felt like sewing lately. I guess my "sewjo" is on vacation...

Another thing on my mind lately is my parents and the situation in the city in which I spent most of my growing years. Some of you may be up on your international news and have seen Jos in the news lately. For me, this city is/was home. My family has lived there since I was about 3, and my parents still live there. The city had always been known as a peaceful one, where people of various ethnicities and religions lived harmoniously. Yet the atrocities that have been committed in the last few years has shattered everyone. There have also been threats of more violence.

Please pray for Jos...

I'm still here, I promise!

What is this, my second post this year? Sigh... Still working (extremely slowly, obviously) on tidying up the sewing room. I just don't feel like sewing when there is chaos. It doesn't have to be perfectly put away by any means. I just have to be able to work without having to work around piles of stuff that have nothing to do with the current project.

The shorts are done, but I'm still not quite happy with the fit. I used a non-stretch twill, so I will try a lightweight stretch denim next and see if it's any better.

Ok, just wanted to touch base and let you know I'm alive!

A slow (sewing) start to the new year.

I joined the Month of Pants sewalong at the end of last year, and am yet to produce a pair. However, I produced a muslin for the pattern below. After an awesome day getting fitting help from Sherrill Miller, we determined what alterations I would need to get this to fit better. A 7/8 inch wedge alteration to be precise. Yes, that was it - these fit quite well straight out of the envelope! I plan to also add 1/2 inch to the top just for my comfort.

On to my first pair - which will be shorts. I had made the crotch on the muslin according to the instructions included in the pattern. This is my sloppy result

Not so pretty, right? So I pulled out my "Power Sewing..." book by Sandra Betzina and used her instructions to create a sample fly front zipper. I'll switch the opening side on my shorts, but here is the resulting sample.
Much much better...


I did manage to complete one thing I've been procrastinating on. I came back from my visit home with some sand art - something I've always loved but never bothered to purchase while I was there previously. My parents actually purchased these for me. The artist only had a few, so had to create more, and he mounted them on/in a black border. They needed framing, and I finally used a Joann gift card I got from my bro. and fam. for Christmas (thanks gigis!) to get these. Project completed.

And of course, my nails got some love from me too. FingerPaints "Natural Talent" is a color I love because it gives me that straight-from-the-nail-salon look. I took these pics before cleaning up my cuticles, but I hope you can see what I mean. I got this at Sally Beauty Supply.


Sally Hansen's "Berry Pretty" beckoned to me from a display in CVS, and I don't regret the purchase - especially at half price.


I plan to have finished shots of the shorts this weekend!