This will be a heavy photo post since I have LOTS to share. I am proud to say that I have completed TWO skirts. The first one needs some more adjustments, but is complete and does fit. The second one was an impromptu desire for a sexy long skirt made out of a clingy knit material instead of cotton. Knowing that cutting patterns is the thing that stalls my progress, I just winged it! I really like the results. I have enough material to make a nice draped top as well!
For my first skirt, I used New Look 6843. I think this was the perfect first pattern to try. I was able to cut out the pattern, fabric, and get to work right away. Following in Ashley's footsteps, I added rick rack to the bottom. Ashley makes beautiful designer handmade knits and clothes. Her latest quilt is also beautiful. Ooops – I’m off on another tangent. At any rate, check out her blog and her great photos of Vermont. As far as possible modifications for this skirt: I think I will shorten the length a bit. The fullness in the sides in addition to the length, make it a little out of my style-range. I think that I will add the coordinating fabric to the bottom as well. I will also rip out the zipper and re-sew it. One size is fairly sloppy, while I was able to get the “hang of things” on the second side.
For my next skirt, made last night on a whim, I chose to cut only two pieces instead of 3 and avoid the seam down the back. When I bought the fabric and had it cut, we discovered that the drape was going in the wrong direction for the pattern, but I stuck with it and the outcome still works. If I do make the New Look 6648 pattern, I will use change the direction of the fabric so the drape is correct. As a side note, I found this great pattern after lurking around this blog.
In addition, I have new yarn that I purchased with my gift certificate from my Secret 12 Pal. Thanks soooo much. It’s a luscious yarn by Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool. Even though I have plans to knit Nicole with this, I have 768 yards, which could also work with one of my new pattern purchases…Silken Scabbard by Jennifer Hansen. I also purchased No. 6 by Wendy Bernard, since I have yet to get her book – this will have to tie me over. Lol. 
Well – that’s it so far. I plan on pausing my sewing frenzy until I’ve completed Orangina. I think Orangina will look great with my new skirt, so I hope that’ll be extra motivation. Stay tuned….
Thanks again to all the peoloe that offered their words of encouragement over the last few weeks. I'm feeling like I'm getting back on track. I've made some more progress on the front of Orangina (be it a bit on the slow side considering I made my first one last year in a matter of 3 weeks). I have also started my first sewing project. Granted, it's a bit sloppy, I love that I've actually taken out my trusty Singer (waiting for the Bernina for my family's next trip to visit me in San Diego) and started making my first skirt. I have managed to cut out the pattern, the fabric, and have sewn everything except the top band with button. I even managed a sloppy zipper. I am extremely happy with the results. I should have pictures in the next couple of days with my first sewing (not counting quilts) FO.
Enough with the rambling. The pics show just a portion of the sewing notions that I've purchased, my current sewing project, and a progress pic of the front of Orangina. About 4 or 5 more inches in the lace pattern and I'm onto the ribbing. I have a cute pants pattern picked to go with the top and hope to have them completed by Labor Day (fingers crossed).
Thanks everyone for all of the kind words, thoughts, & prayers. While circumstances haven't changed, my outlook has and that's a beautiful thing. I've been doing a fair amount of soul searching and examining and really trying to figure things out. All of your comments were a true blessing. Thanks again!
In knitting news - I am still plugging away at Orangina. I even managed to meet up with the girls at Mellow Wine Bar for Tuesday Knit Night. There was even a newcomer - from Ravelry. Of course I didn't get too much knitting done, but it was fun none the less.
I will plug away at lunch today and see if I can get to the joining portion of the project. I have so many new projects on my queue I can't stand that I'm working on a project I've already completed once! More to come....
I'm still around and kicking. Just having a hard week I guess. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I could use all the help I can get at the moment....
I am a complete crafting dud! I have done zero in this department. Well, not true if you count buying yards and yards of fabric, lurking around knitting blogs, and ravelympics watching on Ravelry. So um.....as I said...NOTHING. Orangina is receiving no love. I have an hour lunch break today and the only thing I'm doing is....well, the aforementioned craft-stalling of course. Orangina is balled up in a crafting bag in my car. I didn't even bother bringing it in with me. What about last Saturday's sewing class you ask? I didn't go. I pulled out my Asian inspired quilt pieces and hated what I'd done so far. Too busy to appreciate the individual fabric designs. Maybe that was the real reason I dumped it 2 1/2 years ago. So how do I get out of this funk? I'm trying, believe me.
Step One: Keep lurking on blogs and perusing Ravelry. I have re-added dumped queues and even picked yarn from my stash to accommodate.
Step Two: Mama motivation. My Sister is planning on visiting me next weekend. My Mother has offered to swap sewing machines. My cheap $100-something Singer for her new BERNINA. Insert squeal here! Gotta love Mamas. She said she just needs something basic to practice on and knows I will really get some use out the Bernina once I get going.
Step Three: Get new patterns. I have purchased a great Vintage pattern from the UK after seeing the gorgeous FO from Meghan McFarlane, the designer of the free Shalom Cardigan. Meghan's project is suppose to be super fast, so that'll be great. The top down, seamless design is a great plus for me, too! I have downloaded and added her design to my queue. Check out her FO of the Hayfield Summer Jumper It's a great looking top and Meghan's is the only project on Ravelry. I think it's sooo fab! Maybe I'll get into vintage knits with this one.
Step Four: Pick new projects to cast-on for to switch things up.In addition to the vintage top and the cardigan I have plans to cast on for the Tube Toporini I frogged a while back. The yarn just wasn't working for me. Since I've had a lot of success with the Zephyr girl patterns and Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece, I'm combining the two for a hopefully successful FO.
Step Five: Buy more yarn. Thanks to my Secret Pal from the SP12 swap, I have a gift certificate to Yarn Market. Thank you secret pal! I'll post pics of what I get once I decide!
