Completing a set!

I am loving sewing with some organization instead of completely random! I finished up a white peasant shirt that was in my unfinished pile to go with the bunny skirt I made the other day. The skirt and shirt are all ironed and hanging in Miss L's closet just waiting for warmer weather. I did intend this for an Easter skirt for her so she will probably need a little jacket or sweater to go over the shirt but I am thrilled to have a matching shirt and skirt. Although this fabric was in the Easter section, she will probably wear this after Easter too when it gets warm since it's not over the top bunnies, chicks and Easter eggs. Just the bunnies and butterflies is more general spring to me.
I really do need to wait until the next morning to take a picture in the daylight but I get so excited to show you something finished that I hate to wait.

 And a modeled shot. At first she said she didn't like the elastic on the sleeves but then she was okay with it. If it ends up she really doesn't like them I'll put some looser elastic in them.

Paying attention to details

I was finally able to get out of the house over the weekend (Yay! I was really going crazy if you hadn't noticed.) and pick up the supplies that had derailed everything and frustrated me to no end so I'm back on a roll again! As I'm working through summer sewing this year I am really trying to sew more consciously. Working ahead before the season is already a big step for me. I am also trying to bring more of a "handmade" look to my sewing and maybe not so "homemade". Really paying attention to and adding more details I think will help. For this skirt I used the tutorial from MADE. As simple as they are, following Dana's suggestions of details really made a difference for me on this skirt. I particularly like her idea for when you're sewing the waistband casing, of top-stitching about 1/8" from the top. I'm sure it doesn't make a difference in how it looks in this picture but it really gives the waistband a more finished look and feel. L loves the little butterfly tag that I added to the side but it's one of those things I'd like to rip out and move to a different spot. I wish I had put it on the under layer or closer to the hem of the top layer.

Onto the next thing in the pile of unfinished projects.

Let's just forget about today

Today is not helping in the need to be stress free and relaxed.

#1 - I have been motivated to try sewing for myself again after loosing 2 of my new maternity shirts to holes and tears that can't be fixed. I guess that's what I get for buying cheap shirts. I traced a pattern I already had yesterday and cut out the fabric this afternoon but when I went to sew it... no ball-point stretch needles. And I'm home without a car so I can't go out and buy some.

#2 - Yesterday when I was searching for maternity patterns and ideas, I fell in love with a pattern in one of Anna Maria Horner's books - Handmade Beginnings. Our library has the book and it is available at a different location than the one close to my house, it's just sitting there waiting for me to request it! But my library card needs to be renewed before I can request anything and I forgot to go there this morning after my chiropractor appointment. And as I said in #1, I'm home with no car and can't get to the library.

#3 - After getting frustrated with #1 and #2, I pulled out another pattern on my to-do list but I really need the steam in my iron to work so I thought I'd try it one more time. I'm glad I just tested it on the ironing board because same as the last time, something is broken and water just pours out of it. Another project that has to wait for another day. And as in #1 and #2, I'm home with no car and can't go buy a new iron.

#4 - I'd REALLY like to be nesting. Putting together a crib, decorating a nursery, filling a dresser or closet with little baby things. But no, instead I have to look at it all packed up in boxes while a lonely for sale sign sits outside. Honestly, if the house wasn't for sale I wouldn't have the first clue of where to even set up for this baby. And every time this precious little one kicks me I'm reminded that I have no idea where he or she is even going to sleep.

And it's only 5pm.