Proud as a peacock

I'm done! It's officially my summer. Physics and Anatomy finals are complete and I am super proud to report that I kicked major ass. I got A's in both classes, too! Not just the 89.9% rounded up kind, the almost perfect scores kind. Plus, I still have what little is left of my sanity, and both kids are alive and healthy. My house could use a good cleaning since any free time was spent sewing to release stress, but my mother and mother in law aren't visiting for a while, so it's all good, right?



Now that I have cleared the finish line for school, it means I can focus on one thing: HAWAII! My husband and I got married two and a half years ago, but delayed taking a honeymoon because Jane was only one and I was pregnant with Jimmy. (Long story there. Some other day though.)

Tomorrow we're flying the kids to my in laws and then we're off! We couldn't have planned this trip at a better time. Seriously. We both need it. Between my trying to do school work all day with the kids (and maybe some sewing) then school at night and on weekends while my husband plays the single dad at night has been a handful. I miss my husband. I look forward to adventuring with him, plus getting to be newlyweds!



To celebrate my freedom from school, I had to make something selfish. I've been bogged down memorizing muscles and calculating the period of waves too much. Faaaaaaaabric! Pretty faaabric! Luckily I had pre-washed this stretch shirting I bought in California months ago and I could just Washi it right up!

You'll probably notice that the sleeves are different. Here's how I made peasant sleeves. Print out the Washi sleeve pattern piece, cut the length off so that it is about 3" long under the armpit. When you pin the pattern piece to your fabric, pin it so it is 1/2" away from the fold. This adds enough extra for a bit of pouf. Then gather and attach the sleeve the way Rae tells you to.

I'm seriously in love with this pattern. When I get home I need to buckle down and sew myself a bunch of these dresses so I can be comfortable in our metro DC heat and humidity. Right after I prepare the release of the Prefontaine Shorts pattern, of course! I won't leave you hanging. And yeah, I will be working on the pattern on my honeymoon, but this is what I love to do so it never feels like work. Plus, I couldn't figure out a sewing project to bring with me.



While I am living it up in the Aloha state, some buddies of mine are going to be here sharing some of their sweet tutorials with you; everything from quilting to kid crafts. Enjoy and try not to think of me chilling on the beach and browsing the flea markets of Hawaii. (I'm seriously going to have to ship things home!)

Thank you all for being here. I always love your comments. They make my day. It's good to know I'm not the only nutter out there. :)

A year of Sewing Selfishly

I've been on a sewing and making binge for the past four weeks ever since I finished the finals for my Statistics and Technical Writing classes. I planned a Star Wars/mustache baby shower for my sister in law and brother who are expecting their son in March, finished my super star quilt for Rachael and Kelley's Newton Auction, and then hit the New Year running.

My sewing resolution is that this year is going to be my year of Sewing Selfishly. I'm not sewing a damn thing for anyone who isn't myself, my family, or someone I have already spoken with regarding an order. I'm not doing swaps or bees. Nothing. Going back to school while raising two small kids takes up so much time and effort. Making is my love, my outlet, and when I only have a few spare minutes in my day it makes me sad to sew the things I 'have to' instead of what I want to. I have so many things I wanted to make last year for myself and family that never got touched. This is *my* year.

Made by Rae's Washi dress & tunic was top on my list. I love tunics and wearing crisp quilting cottons. And now that I don't have ginormous boobs I can need to make some cute, adorable tops for myself.

The Washi pattern is very clear and straight forward. Rae gives you more instructions, details and photographs than any commercial pattern even thinks about. I don't see why any beginner sticher couldn't tackle this. (Erin of Just Plain Lovely, I'm talking to you!)

I did add a few inches to the tunic length because I have a longer torso and like to discourage my son from dropping pennies in my butt crack while I am on the floor cutting out patterns. (True story.) Originally, I put the pockets in, but then after the fact I just stitched them closed and zipped them off with my serger since they added a bit too much poof over jeans. I also found the arm hole to sit a bit high so I altered that after the fact and changed my pattern print outs for future Washis. And there will be many more washis. I love it. (I may have it on again today.)

Rachael's Perfect Padfolio pattern was also hot on my Selfish Sewing To Do List. This pattern is also clear and well written. The Perfect Padfolio comes together easily and quickly, if you don't have two "helpers". It is an awesome organizer. I am using it for school to keep all of my shit together. Or to try and keep my shit together. You know how that is.

The pencil case I made using these instructions, except that I put a lining in too. I won't do that again while using laminate though. I have switched to using titanium needles since I snap regular needles all the time. I'm in love and *highly* recommend them. However, four layers of quilting cotton, four layers of fusible interfacing, four layers of laminate and a zipper are their breaking point. Never mind that I had been sewing with that needle since November. I have high expectations, what can I say?

I confess to already breaking my Selfish Sewing resolution and signed up to to Ros's Sew Delicous Sweet Pouch Swap. But it was not just an international pouch swap, and you know how I love Air Mail, but one with chocolate?!? Who could say no? Seriously, I stared at the sign up form multiple times before I just cut the crap and signed up already.

I made my partner's pouch with all black, grey and white fabrics. I don't know if I have ever sewn anything with no color before. It was kind of cool to step out of that box.

I mailed my pouch out to New Zealand today. I apologize to my partner for the false advertising of this picture; I ate the Butterfinger in a moment of chocolate induced weakness. So sue me.