Slow Saturday Choices

I love Saturdays that have minimal to no time slots committed. Today is such a day. It's like a freebie. I don't HAVE to do anything. Sure I have a To-Do list a mile long, but that's all weekday stuff (wink, wink). Today will be for sewing and Pinterest. The only question is...What to sew? Well, there is plenty to choose from in my plethora o'projects storage unit.

Let's see, there's a block of the month from 2011. It's a Marti Michell quilt in blue and yellow called Romance Continues.

I could also select this sweetie - Summer in the Park. It was begun a few years back when I was leading a scrap club at the quilt shop where I worked. The pattern is from Missouri Star Quilt Company.

That's no really grabbing me. What else is there to choose from? Cathedral Stars from a Bonnie Hunter workshop. I love this quilt. It's so bright and colorful. And has sooo many pieces. Ugh. No. Not today.

This one would be easy. It's almost done. I just need to sew the blocks together and add a border or two. It's a blue and white Disappearing Four-Patch. Another project from the scrap club. 

I could go on and on. But I think it's pretty clear that I've got more than enough choices. In fact, according to my Evernote notebook I have over 50 projects, in various stages, from which to make a selection. Sheesh! I think I'll just close my eyes and pick. As long as I move something along today I'll be a happy camper. 

Sewing Time Has Been Productive Lately

Baby Snowball

Another border has been added to the Baby Snowball quilt that I'm working on for the Scrap Happy Club. I think there will be two more. I'm making it up as I go, so you never know what could happen.

The first of many disappearing 4 patch blocks.

In the meantime, I'm experimenting with a Disappearing 4 patch. I like it! I've cut 96 white charm squares. Now I have to cut up the various blues for this scrappy blue and white beauty. I hope I can get this done assembly-line style. I've got a movie's worth of cutting to do and then I will be sewing like a crazy lady. I'm looking forward to it.

Baby Steps

Procrastination. Fear. Reluctance.Caution. It could be any of these that is slowing me down. You see I have this project. It's a Halloween costume. Sure, yeah, who isn't making a Halloween costume this week? Yes, but I started this costume back in August. I should be done by now. Actually I should have been finished a while ago.

There are three parts to the costume - a dress, a skirt and a corset. You guessed it - a pirate. I'm not going to be a pirate. This is the costume my daughter has been eyeing for months. Granted, she's not four years old, so I can't just slap it together. No...it has to "authentic," which means it takes a lot more work.

I've been sewing most of my life and have tackled many of the challenges of garment construction. Along with the successful completion of many garments I've also done my fair share of "un-sewing," otherwise known as ripping out - a disgusting term. But in this costume, I've stumbled on a job that must be done well the first time. I'll have ten opportunities for success here. Ten cute little brass grommets. How hard can it be, right?

Well, all it takes is one slip and the corset is a goner. These things aren't forgiving. So, I'm going at it very methodically. First - make a small sample with the same fabrics as the original item. Next - buy the grommets (lots of grommets - extras for all the testing). Going on - try out the tools. Moving along - make various test placements, try various threading materials, call the mother-in-law for advice, pray, deep breathing exercises.

You get the idea. This is stall time. Or is it? I like to think of it as baby steps. As I progress on this path I'm learning and gaining confidence, so that I can make my final approach with a reasonable assurance of success. I'm taking baby steps.

I'm thankful for the ability to sew - first learned in Jr. High with Mrs. Smith oh so many years ago. I'm also thankful that I can show love to my daughter in a tangible way that any teenage girl can appreciate - a Halloween costume.

What r u thankful 4?