The Gary Apron & Spring Break Update

Hello blog world! Long time no see!

I have been on spring break a week now.  In that time, I have knocked out 3 garments, bam!  But do I have pictures?  No.  I left my camera at work and I don't feel like going there to get it, so there you go.  As usual, you'll see my pics and review when I wear it to work and get Gary to take a picture. :)  But let me tell you that I love 2 out of 3, and the 3rd I'm iffy on. It's a cardigan, and the pattern is fine, but I think I made it too big and the fabric is kinda strange.  I have to style it and then decide.  It's hard to get the full picture when you throw it on over sweats, have no makeup on, and your hair is thrown back in a braid.  So I'll give it the benefit of the doubt.

On to the apron!

Gary asked me to make him an apron that says Gare Bear.  Aprons were on sale 50% off at Joann this week, and with some iron on letters and an irresistible panda applique I ended up with this (taken with cell phone, so if you click a bigger pic it'll be blurry)

I love the letters, they remind me of Juno.  

Happy Friday!  Have a great weekend readers. :)

Pendrell and Denim Skirt #2

No sewing to be done, but I have more photos and reviews to share:

Top: Pendrell blouse

If you go to my earlier post, you can read my drama about French seams.  I was ready to rip out and resew.  But my mom, who is more of a perfectionist than I, told me it was hardly noticeable and not to worry about it.  That's honestly the answer I wanted, so I wore it to work on Thursday.  My friend at work who reads my blog thought it was fine too, so there!

Some pattern thoughts... this is the only pattern I've ever paid full price for.  I've been reading Tasia's blog sewaholic for a few months now.  She lost her job and started her own pattern company. After seeing several finished garments, I knew I needed it too!  Plus I wanted to support small town America (well, she's Canadian, but you know what I mean!)  This was very easy to sew, with clear instructions and if I ever was slightly unsure I just looked at her picture filled sewalong!  My one tiny critique is that I had a hard time seeing the size numbers on the pattern pieces as I was cutting out.  But whatever, not worth skipping this awesome pattern!

Skirt: McCalls 5591

This is the 2nd time that I used this pattern.  First I made version B, this is version A.  As this was my second time making it I don't have much to say.  The denim is the same I used on my pencil skirt.  The denim ravels out of control, every time I wash it I have to trim it up.  Another thing is that the skirt directions have the pocket trim unfinished and raw.  That might work for other fabrics, but I wish I had finished them on this super ravely denim.  Oh well.  This is another highly worn item.

Crunch time

I know I haven't posted in a while. It's because I haven't sewn anything!

Unfortunately, it's crunch time at work.  I'm a teacher, and the trimester ends in 3 weeks.  That means I need to do report cards and portfolios (work samples my school does) on top of my usual workload.  Plus, the annual overnight field trip I take my class on is next Friday, so that's an additional stress.

Usually sewing is a stress relief for me, but I'm just too tired.  I'm too stressed and not sleeping restfully. I don't have the energy to get out my sewing machine, or even read the pattern instructions.

Yesterday I read this post by The Cupcake Goddess.  It stuck with me, because that's how I'm feeling right now, like work is taking over my life.  But I think the difference is that most days, I like my job.  I don't feel like I'm letting "the man" win, mostly because I know this will pass in 3 weeks, and of course I have the summer off.  But it does give me pause about how much of my life I want to put toward my job, and how much into my passions.

So enough of my philosophical rambling! I hope to show you all a finished garment this weekend!  And when spring break comes in 3 weeks, I'll be running my own little sweat shop in my living room.