7 Things I've Learned So Far

I started this whole sewing project as something to look forward to and jump-start my motivation for 2012.  Since then, I have learned one or two things in the process.

1.  You cannot hide behind your clothes.  No matter what you wear, it's important to be yourself.

2.  When you don't look like everyone else, you will be remembered.  Use this ability wisely and positively.

3.  You really don't need more than a handful of clothes.  We've been conditioned to believe that we can only wear one outfit per activity and then it must be washed.  This isn't true.  It should be washed when it smells funny.  Otherwise, our clothing wears out quicker and we use more laundry detergent.  Exactly what the people who make all that stuff want us to do.

4.  You worry a lot less.  If you only have to choose between two things to wear, there is 400% less stress.

5.  A handmade or quirky outfit is a great conversation starter!

6.  People are not as openly judgmental as you may think.  If they think you look funny, they won't say anything.  I have heard nothing but positivity from people who comment on my clothing.

7.  "You're never fully dressed without a smile!"  It's true.  Your attitude is everything.  What's covering you is not.  (Okay, okay, that's just a clever re-wording of #1, but it bears repeating.)

So fly my pretty!  Be a happy wonderful positive you!

Excuses!

I just got chided for not blogging since February!  There are several reasons for this:

1.  Blogging and I have this relationship in which I get very excited for the first month or two, then stop dead because I don't feel like blogging.  I think it happens to a lot of people which is why there are millions of dormant blogs.

2.  I hadn't really been sewing too much.  I became comfortable with the handful of things that I had made and didn't have any updates that I felt like sharing.  I also got extremely angry that women's patterns are not shaped for women who have shapes other than 'normal' (whatever 'normal' means).  Apparently it means an A cup and skinny little arms, even if you're making a size 16 (which translates to a 40 chest).  So if you're wearing a 38D and you have some serious biceps, you're probably going to have to start with a size 16, 18 or 20 pattern to compensate for your tits and then whittle out the areas around your waist so you don't look like you're wearing a tent. Alterations and clothing sizes are a pain in the ass.  So I finally just went out and bought a men's button-down pattern.  Men are expected to have arm muscle.  Women are apparently expected to be atrophied.  Now I can empathize with Michelle Obama.  Poor woman ends up in the spotlight, has some muscle and shows it, and jackasses around the country call her fat.  Pardon me, but fuck that.  /endrant

3.  I pretend that people don't read my blog so I don't have to worry about writing anything in it.

So currently I am working on a sleeveless top because I have a function to attend tomorrow and don't really have anything to wear.  Also in the works is a skirt with a delicious Chinese style dragon pattern.

I have also been doing some knitting to add socks to my wardrobe.  I'm also working on a knitted cotton tank top and a small shawl.  You can see some of my projects on Ravelry (ninseam).

Oh yeah, and it's been nice out, so I've thrown myself into the garden.  Turnips are coming up!  Patiently waiting for the last frost date so I can plant tomatoes, peppers, squash, and all the other junk that will die if they get too cold.

I'll see about getting you some pictures sooner or later!
Cheers!

An Update for You!

I have been shirking on my sewing duties, but I have been buried in knitting attempts (and flash games).  I have just successfully finished knitting my first sock.  This is a very exciting day for me because I have followed through on a goal.  I think for anything, the best thing is to find your own way of doing things, otherwise you're going to be smashing your head into a wall when there's an open door right next to you.

I started trying to knit socks on double pointed needles.  My husband compared this to wrestling with an octopus.  I compared it to the fiery embrace if the underworld.  So there it sat in all its tenataclicious glory.  Untouched.

Then I found the Magic Loop method of small-diameter knitting.  I became happy.  I was able to knit socks without anger.  The world was filled with rainbows and dolphins.

So now I have one sock.

I guess I should go make another one to go with it so I don't look like I can't dress myself.

So a reiteration of the moral of today's story: find what works best for you (in knitting and in life).  Don't give up just because the 'tried and true' method doesn't work for you.  Find whatever it takes to make your dreams come true.  Because they can!

Love,
Carolyn

P.S. One of my favorite quotes for you:

You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it come true. You may have to work for it, however.
Richard Bach

Finished Knitting Project!

Well color me excited.  I have just finished my first real knitting project in years!

I do a lot of exercising outside.  I have found that the face-covering balaclavas are the most horrid thing you can wear when out and about in cold weather.  Rebreathing hot workout breath is disgusting.  Also disgusting is having rebreathed workout breath fogging up your glasses.  So I needed something with an open face.  Thus was born my version of the helmet liner.

It's made out of Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool, which I love.  I'm just getting back into knitting, so I'm not a yarn snob.  Yet.  Judging from the difficult time I had picking out yarn at JoAnn's today, I'll be a yarn snob pretty soon.

So trying this on, it's super duper super warm and cozy.  It's a bit big for my head, but it was sized for men.  I can deal with lumpy as long as it's warm!

It was a pretty easy pattern to do considering I haven't jumped into too many knitting endeavors before.  It's available for free on the Lion Brand website, but I can't link it to you because it will just send you to a sign-in page.  You can always find my knitting projects on Ravelry (ninseam).

Did I mention this is really warm?

Also: I am blessed with a cat who likes to snooze in my lap whilst I knit and does not care to play with yarn.
I win.

Finished just in time for Black Belt winter camp next weekend!  I am gonna need it!

Signing off for now,
Nin

Oz Brainstorming

So I've been hinting heavily on Twitter about doing some clothing based on the Wizard of Oz.  I spent a good portion of my childhood watching this movie.  It was the first VHS we got after we got the VCR!  It was around the time that the 50th anniversary edition came out.  That's pretty cool because the 75th anniversary edition just recently came out and for some reason do not own yet.  This will of course be rectified shortly now that I have brought it to my attention.

Here's what we have so far:

Dorothy:  Classic blue gingham skirt with red edging or trim around the bottom.  Hopeful to find a red quilter's cotton with shine or shimmer so I don't have to get an over the top prom dress fabric for the bottom.  Sparkling red lace trim at bottom also an option.

Tin Man: This in silver with a crystal red heart button at the neckline.  Contemplating whether or not to do a textured or patterned silver.

Lion: Winter set: paw mittens, tail scarf with a hero medal brooch, and a lion mane hat.  Should the hat be a full mane, just ears, or something in between?

Scarecrow: Button-down in the classic blue-green.  Still contemplating how I want to incorporate the straw-yellow.  Yoked shirt would look bad.  Perhaps a knit lace scarf or shawl to accent the neck.

The Wicked Witch:  Little Black Dress.  Going to bring in the classic green color as an accent or color block (depends on what dress pattern I decide to like).  Suggestion of knitting striped witch socks.

The Good Witch:  The girly outfit.  Pink capris with glitter accents.  T-shirt with painted/screened: "Are you a good witch or a bad witch?"

Toto: Plaid handbag with scotty dog iron-on.

That seems like a big enough pile of stuff to handle.  If you have any suggestions for any of these projects, please let me know in the comments.  But remember, this stuff is meant to be worn in public, not for cosplaying!

A Round of Pictures!

Photography is not my strong suit.  I'm just going to lay that out for you right now.  Also, I have not painted my door frame yet.  The knots are sexy, no?

Anyhow.

Anyone who has seen me in the past month has seen me wearing these jeans.  They're a staple.  I'm hopelessly addicted.  But I want to change... honest!  These were made using McCall's 5849.  The pictures on the front of the package are misleading.  My ass does not look nearly as good in these as the models on the cover.  Also, these more resemble "mom jeans" than "classic straight leg" that flatters your midsection.  But hey, they are SAFE because they're jeans, right?  Bah!

This lovely number was part of James' Halloween costume two years ago.  I'll give you a hint: he was a cowboy.  This one is made out of cozy flannel (aka pajama flannel) so it's extremely comfy and very warm.  The sleeves are rolled up because I had an issue with the cuffs being off centered so I never got around to making a button or buttonhole.  I enjoy wearing this one because it is not constricting in the chest area.  This seems to be a problem for me in women's shirts.

This skirt has not seen the light of day yet, mainly because it's been winter.  That doesn't mean anything this year because this winter has been rather warm.  But I like being warmer than just warm, so I wear pants during this season.  I guess it's time to knit wool stockings!

There you have it!  A small sample of what I've been wearing this year.  There are a few things in the laundry right now due to 'one to wash and one to wear.'  So maybe I'll give you more pictures next week.  Or maybe not.  It depends on if I've had enough potato chips to keep me happy.  (Kettle Jalapeno chips, please).

Cheers!

W.H.Y.

So who the heck gets rid of all their clothes so that they can start fresh with clothing of their own making?  In the middle of winter?

Me, apparently.  And hopefully anyone who wants to refresh themselves with one of their main hobbies (not necessarily just sewists.)

Late last year, my husband decided that he wanted to get better at illustration, so he dedicated himself to illustrating at least five days a week.  This was an inspiration for me to pursue my passion as well.  For me, the easiest way to do that was to get rid of all my clothes or I would never be comfortable wearing my own constructions in public.

In general, when I have a full set of factory-made clothes, I wear those more often because the craftsmanship is often better (mostly because they have industrial equipment).  But, it stuck me in a trap.  I don't wear my own clothes because the craftsmanship is not as good, so I don't make clothes as often so my craftsmanship doesn't get any better.  Oooh, check that out for a vicious cycle.

So, in order to improve my craftsmanship, I need to sew!  So I sew so so now.  So soon my sewing will be super.

I like to throw a challenging piece in there every once in a while.  Vogue has some incredible designer pieces that really push skill, technique, and focus to the limit.  Just like weightlifting, if you don't push your limits every once in a while, your muscles will never get any bigger.

I've been trapped in my old clothing.  Most people have never seen me outside of jeans and a t-shirt.  They are good for covering your naughty bits, but they tend to remove personality from the wearer.  So it's great if you want to blend in.  I'm at a point in my life where I need to stop blending in and jump into the fray!

I need to stand out.  I finally have something to say, and it needs to be said to everyone.  I AM awesome.  And dammit, YOU are awesome, too!  Figure out what your passion is and make time for it, even if it is half an hour a day.  Get rid of your distractions and toys and you'll have a renewed sense of joy for those 'hobbies' that you always wanted to pursue.  And by 'hobbies' I mean your true life goals.  DO what you love and the happiness will follow.  DON'T let someone else's ideas of how you should live your life get in the way of your happiness.

There is one sure way to reach your goal: KEEP AT IT!  Don't let it slip away or you will have little but that uncomfortable puddle of regret in your gut.

I believe in you.  Believe in yourself.

Tell me please: what hobby or goal will you pledge to dedicate your time to?

A Look Inside

I don't have a huge sewing space, so I have to make the most of what I have.  Also, I need to be nimble and flexible because my only large cutting space is on the floor.

I try to keep everything tidy because there is little that is more frustrating that having your work space constantly covered with stuff.  From this angle, you can see my big wire-frame shelf.  This one is nice because it fits big plastic totes.  I don't have any up there at the moment because they are all out of the way in the attic.  Except for that rogue one in the bottom left-hand corner.  The table has an open space for working.  I also use the ironing board as a work space sometimes because it's higher and doesn't hurt my back to hover over it.

Note the most important thing in this room:  right above the window on the right it says PEACE.

In the opposite corner, you can see the non-wire shelf that holds all the tiny things that would normally fall through the holes in a wire shelf.  There is a thread organizer, which I find indispensable.  There is a plastic drawer cabinet up on top that holds all manner of notions.  This kind of doubles as 'me' storage and display.  I've won a few awards that I keep up there.  There's a vase that my friend gave me as a gift for being in her wedding.  It holds a beautiful bouquet of zippers.  There is a picture of one of my nieces up there somewhere.  You know... those things you love to have but don't want to display because people will think you're full of yourself.  Yeah, I display those proudly to myself.

This is me trying to be artistically inclined with my sewing machine.  It's a good sewing machine.  It does nothing fancy but it gets the job done.  And like any machine, you get to learn its quirks by listening to the machine spirit.  (I do not actually communicate with the machine spirit.  That is a Warhammer 40k reference.  You really just get to know how to troubleshoot your machine and learn what needs to be fixed based on what the symptoms are.)

This is my iron in all its artistic glory.  And that behind it is the color of my wall.  Because I read somewhere that purple inspires creativity.  That is all.

So there you have it.  That is my sewing room.  I hope you enjoyed the tour!

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Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Enjoy the time of year where you can make a change in yourself and no one will think twice!  Ride the renewing energy of the 2012!

As promised, I have photos!  Ma-in-law took some pictures at our family holiday gathering, so I got to pose a little and have some fun!

Yay, I like this shade of blue on me.  The pattern is birds with patterned birds.  While most likely intended for quilting, I didn't really care because it was a pretty color and a pretty pattern.

Here's a closeup for a little more detail on the fabric:

Not that you can see much with my arms in the way.

This is Butterick pattern 4045.  Very quick, very easy.  The only thing that took longer is that I did french seams on the side to keep fraying to a minimum (or nonexistent in this case).

Good things about this pattern/garment:

• Super-easy to make
• Ties in back so that you can faux-fit it to any figure
• Easy to throw on in the morning if need be
• Casual or a slight step above casual

Things I could use a tweak or two:

• Dart shaping doesn't always work well for ladies with large busts, so this bunches and pulls a little bit around the neckline/chest area.  I have this problem with most things I make, though.
• The pockets are deceiving: they are great to put your awesome stuff in, but only when you're standing up!  When you hop in the car and sit down, everything will slide out of your pockets and under the seat!  I think they are placed too low on the dress.  If I make another, I would move them up a little.
• When tying the ties, if you happen to have a barrel chest and a slimmer waist, a lot of fabric bunches up in the back.
• This does not go really well with sneakers, so I need to go shoe shopping.

But what the heck, I'm not doing haute couture yet.  Yet.

Got any New Year's Resolutions, Non-Resolutions, or Challenges of your own for 2012?