A Bookish Life

Snow Day

The snow steadily falling around our house has made this the pitch perfect day for quietly sewing, reading, and napping. I can't recall the last time I had a more relaxing sort of day.

I took a minor interlude from all the baby-sewing to make a new bag. For the last six months I've been experimenting with bag patterns and new designs, trying to improve on the simple rectangle tote I favored. I thought because it was so easy to make, it must not be all that I wanted or needed out of a bag.

I'm happy to report that after testing a dozen other designs I can say that no, this is exactly the style I am happiest with. I love how easy and simple it is. I love how the character and style gets to show up in the fabric and not the shape.

There are a few new improvements. The whole thing was pre-washed and can be thrown in the laundry after a night in a smokey club with no ill effects. It also has an exterior pocket perfect for keys and two large interior pockets that velcro closed and can hold tiny clothing changes and zip lock bags for dirty diapers. It's still the perfect size for a trip to the library and can easily accomodate several books for those who read at train crossings and red lights. It snaps closed, and is easy to get into in a rush.

The fabric is Amy Butler's design(s), of course, and they have a nice weight without sacrificing the structure of the bag. I'm considering making a few more for the shop, if I can manage not to get sidelined by quilts and baby clothes.

The next project for the afternoon is binding this quilt, before moving on to the newest adventure in snowy day serenity.

Day 8

Days 5-7 passed in a bit of a whirl. I cooked everyday and sketched, but both endeavors turned out hit or miss results. Nothing truly spectacular to report.

Today I woke up and knew that the Make Something Everyday Challenge was begun with days such as these in mind, days where the fulcrum of the day rests on creativity and it can swing up or down depending on my choices.

Inspired by the vision of Heidi Klum in her Project Runway maternal glory, I decided to give clothes making for the pregnant body another shot. Enter the easiest project in the world- a straight skirt with an elastic waist. Anybody can make this skirt, so I'll include simple instructions.

1. Measure the hips and add 3 inches- measurement A. Measure the projected length of the skirt (I just hold it up to my body and cut approximately, but if you're a person of specifics, you would measure and add 2 inches for the waist and 1 inch for the hem)- Measurement B.

2. Cut out two rectangles that are measurement A wide and measurement B long.

3. Stitch both long sides.

4. Stretch a piece of elastic to fit your waist/hips- wherever you want the skirt to sit. I used wide elastic- 1-2 inches wide and non-roll. Cut to this measurement and sew the ends together.

5. Fold the waistband of the skirt down 1/2 inch, set the elastic inside, and fold over the elastic to make a clean line. Pin and sew around the waistband.

6. Try on the skirt and note the hem.

7. Sew the hem and you're done!

The skirt is at least a change of pace from the brown or khaki pants I've worn for the past 7 months. I will probably make just a couple more to finish out my third trimester as the Texas weather starts to warm up.

This fabric was a heavy cotton and would not obey the iron, try as I might.

Because I stopped by the cute bead store again yesterday, I made a simple asymmetrical choker in onyx and green something to match the new skirt.

A new outfit and two completed projects leave me in just the sort of mood to begin turning my thoughts to the nursery, the neverending pile of laundry, and the stack of dishes in the sink.

I shall bake myself a cake.

I know I said January was the month for the challenge, and it is, but I had to start right away. Here is a jewelry organizer I made yesterday to hang in my closet and hold all my earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. I haven't ever seen a box that I liked and my jewelry is neither expensive nor bountiful, so this works just perfectly for me. I used all scraps which equals cleaning out the nursery and got to pick fabrics only by the whims of my taste. It reminds me of river rocks.

The baby is certainly going to get one of these useful organizers too, for all her baby things.

Speaking of the little one, she is 28 weeks old these days. I am 28 today, on the 28th of December. A person wouldn't plan a thing like that; it's just a charming little coincidence. So far I have only woken up groggily and spilled coffee all over myself. Sort of a portentous beginning.

The third trimester is here, and I had a dream last night that I was holding my tiny little daughter. The hopeful, somewhat feared, glorious end is in sight!

I used to make clothes

Somehow the same drive isn't there anymore. Perhaps I am jinxed by knowing maternity fashion is short-lived; there are only two to three more months and no guessing how long anything will fit. Perhaps I am frustrated at the shape that I want to believe is beautiful, not knowing quite how to dress it well.

We get to jaunt off to the fancy theatre in the city this week, and I have limited options of what to wear. So I'm building an outfit from the neck up- check out my first foray into gems and baubles. I decided to explore jewelry making for the same reason I originally took up sewing, the items I like are non-existent or too, too expensive.

Yesterday I popped into a little shop called Beading Dreams in a cool, eclectic part of Dallas. In less than 5 minutes, one of the friendly staff showed me how make clasps hold tight (my perpetual problem), and walked me around to pick up a few beginner's tools. It was a spontaneous early birthday present to myself, and I have been excited about the tiny packages of smoky, silver beads since I got home. Whatever else I find to wear- we crafters can be a resourceful lot- I know it should match my new necklace that succeeds in making me feel just a little more glittery than usual.

I should also clarify that the attitudes toward the roundness of my belly, and the ensuing self image issues I struggle with couldn't be more foreign in the rest of my house. Brian has looked at me with nothing but delight and takes every chance to make me feel beautiful. The cat has been a little bit miffed with the new "no stomach" policy, but appreciates my renewed commitment to napping. And Amos, well, as you can see, that guy just plain adores me. Have you ever seen such loving eyes or funny, silky ears?

Pardon my pouting. Most days I really am happy with pregnant-me. I miss skirts and dresses though. They just don't quite look the same.

Something new

Sometimes all an outfit needs us a new purse!

I wanted to try this design all week; I've seen two in this style recently and been wanting one of my own. It has a pocket on the inside to hold my chapstick and my keys. It's big enough for library books, but not too slouchy without them.

I love playing around with new designs, and this one was so fun that I'm guessing it won't be the last!

Red Dress Stage 1

I guess this is a work in progress Thursday since tomorrow we're taking off for a beautiful weekend of camping and swimming, hiking and horseback riding.

This is my red dress in stage one. It looks almost finished, but I need to go back and scale it in through the center back, because mine is a tad bit more narrow than is supposed in the 'perfect body world of patterns'. I added a little ribbon around the waist because it seemed a tiny bit lacking- but a skinny belt, a ribbon, or this belt from Blueprint would all work just fine.

It also needs to be hemmed and then I'm ready to dance out in all my red dress glory! This pattern has generally been a good one for me and definately a quick sew. I love the seamed bodice (no darts!), the placement of the waistline, and the full, swirly skirt! I expect to make at least one more in a navy silk.

Work at what you love

These days I've been taking some time to design and not just produce. I came up with the overnight bag...

...just in time for my quick trip to San Diego last week. Here it is stuffed with all my clothes. It even still fit my tennis shoes! It has several pockets inside and held up beautifully as I shuffled quickly through the airport. I have two more cut out because it was just so functional.

On Sunday I made this Vogue skirt (I couldn't locate the pattern on the site so it must be out of print) in a medium weight black cotton. It was definately okay, it fits perfectly but it hits my legs at a funny place. So I shortened the pattern through the hips and flounce and tried again.

This one I made yesterday and the results were fairly close to perfect. It fits beautifully and the flounce flutters just below my knees.

The fabric is one I've had sitting around since Christmastime. It was definately one of the more expensive fabrics of my life. I'm so happy to get to wear it now and not just hide it away in a fabric bin!

Brainstorm With Me?

Regarding the bright turquoise skirt I made on Tuesday, I'm thinking of ways to embellish with a Moroccan twist. Recently I flipped through the book New Moroccan Style: The Art of Sensual Living by Susan Sully and was completely inspired by these colors and patterns.

So I want to embellish a long skirt to emulate the rich sensuality of this culture. Does that seem like too much of a stretch? I could easily do amber beads along the bottom, some sort of woven ribbon panel, mirror trim, ruffles in brilliant colors, silver sequins, etc. But I feel sort of blah about these suggestions. Any ideas?

My trip to Anthropologie last night was sucessful in that they did not have the navy dress for me to fall in love with. However, I spent more than a few minutes fondling this skirt and trying to figure out how the little discs along the bottom were created.

They were stiff as though they had been interfaced between two layers of fabric and stitched in lazy circles. The edges were still frayed but the interfacing gave them a nice stabililty.  There was a little slip ruffle under the actual skirt, which I also liked. I love the technique and would've bought the skirt except a white skirt really doesn't work for me. I think I would love it in gray!

Opening Night Skirt

Tonight is the reception at Make where I will be debuting the skirts I've bombarded you with all week. Just one more this week for me to try your patience?

This is the dove gray Italian cotton I mentioned previously. There's also an appliqued bird and bunch of leaves, but Lewis, our whirling dervish, was not going to let us take a picture in peace! I made this one for me to wear tonight, and it's a bit simpler so the design of the skirt is evident. That purple gray and orange combination also matches the price tags I made for this event.

I think my furry buddy was mostly excited about his ten seconds of internet fame and secondly excited about having his humans outside to play this morning before work!

I'm really looking forward to sleeping my life away this weekend.