To Infinity AND BEYOND!

After declaring that I was in a bit of a sewing slump lately (of which I seem to be in good company, if recent blog posts are any indication), I suddenly had a desire to sew. But I didn't want anything too complicated or time consuming, so I thought it was about time to make an infinity scarf.

Last fall, everyone was making these, and I picked up a small piece of this lace-printed cotton/rayon (I think) knit precisely for this project. And just like how everyone else in the sewing world has done at one time or another, got distracted by shiny things and forgot about it.

The whole thing took me under 15 minutes to make, including cutting, pinning, sewing, and then attempting to pull the thing right-side out properly not once, not twice, but thrice before I got it right. Oh, and hand sewing the gap closed. This is about as good as it gets for instant gratification.

But man, I just could not work out how to finish the scarf. First I tried to leave an opening on the side seam to pull it through, but I wound up with the tube on the inside (sorry, didn't think to take pictures). Then I pulled the whole thing wrong side out again, sealed up the side seam, and opened up a section along the joined ends. Same result. Then, and only then, did I google a tutorial. Why yes, I do in fact get my fear of reading instructions first from my Dad. I wound up just hacking out the seam along the joined ends and following the tutorial instructions. Worked like a charm. Hmm...I guess instructions can be helpful afterall...occasionally.

In other news, don't you love this skirt? I found it at Value Village, and was in love with it before I even tried it on. Good thing too, because I found it just as they were trying to kick everyone out of the store at the end of the day, and I had to take it home before I could try it on. Luckily it was a perfect fit!

It's basically a pencil skirt with the bottom part hacked off at an angle and a pieced flaired section sewn on. It's made of a cotton twill (think cargo pants), and drapes and moves beautifully. Would probably be pretty easy to make, actually.

As if I don't have enough to make already!

Coming down for a landing from beyond infinity.

Between the skirt and the infinity scarf, this gave me a great chance to play in the park on my way home! It's been such a weird winter and early spring. Normally we'd have a few feet of snow on the ground still. It's disorienting being able to wear skirts in March! Never mind the +26C weather we had a couple weeks ago!

I hope you're all having fun sewing, or if you're in a slump, that you can kick yourself back out soon. I recommend making an infinity scarf!

Fail One Challenge, but Try Try Again!

I've had to back out of the One Week One Pattern challenge, partially because of this mishap, and also because I'm in a bit of a sewing slump. Can't seem to finish even a simple skirt.

So I'm leary to accept another challenge.

That's not really going to stop me though!

I admit, I've been a little put off the contests at PR. There's just been so many of them, and such short time spans, and I know I can't keep up. At first, I looked over this one without much interest.

And then I remembered that I already have a RTW-inspired garment in the plans, and I'm very excited to get to it. Maybe the excitement will help me get over this slump!

I refuse to sign up, though. I'm very good at jinxing myself, so I'm holding off until I actually have a finished garment. Of course, I've probably just jinxed myself anyways...

And the Winner is...

...Another Sewing Scientist! Congrats!

And thank you, everyone else who signed up. You all came up with lovely ideas for this fabric. I wish I could send you all some of it!

Taking it Easy (and a Giveaway Reminder!)

I admit, I'm not feeling up to much of anything today, but that's probably from the amount of cheerful wheaty beverages I drank last night in celebration of my birthday. Yay hangovers!

I'm probably just going to lounge about, watching movies and working on more crochet discs for this project. So much for my day of sewing. :/ Ah well, it was worth it for last night!

This is the view of the table next to me in the hospital waiting room while my Mom was in surgery. Kept me occupied, at least. Those heart pins are what I was talking about in this post.

And just a reminder, don't forget to go sign up for the Heather-is-Getting-Old Giveaway for this funky bit of fabric! I'll be making the draw tomorrow at 12 pm Winnipeg MB time. I'm willing to ship it anywhere, so everyone is welcome to sign up!

Wednesday Night (Cyber) Sewing Date

Heather of FussWorks and I were chatting this afternoon, and realized we both had similar plans of tidying our sewing spaces and then actually sewing this evening. So we decided to make a date of it!

She's posted on her own goals for the evening, and I'll let you go check that out for yourself.

My own goals were originally to finish off the various versions of Simplicity 2599 that I have on the go. However, I just tried both versions on, and realized that the fit is quite awful! Here, see for yourself:

Is there a body under there? Does she actually have any curves? I don't think so, she's obviously a box covered in an awful print. Yuck. And look at this shoulder seam. Granted, I need to finish up the french seam here, but it's not going to get it anywhere near the edge of my shoulder. ARGH.

These tops are getting tossed right back on the UFO pile, I can't stand to look at them anymore.

SO I'M CHANGING MY PLAN! I'm going to make 2 versions of Simplicity 5914 for One Week, One Pattern instead.

I hope so, anyways. I have until Saturday morning to get at least the first one finished. EEP!

Don't forget to sign up for my Heather-is-Getting-Old Giveaway!