Another Finish

After hemming the butterfly skirt, I decided to continue with the forward momentum and dragged out another skirt that needed a hem. If I'm going to be honest, I'd say that this project is a UFO. It was all finished, except the hem, ages ago and has been languishing in my sewing room ever since. I don't have anything to wear with it, or really any place or occasion where I'd wear it, so there wasn't any rush. You would think that I at least have a white top, but no... none in my closet. Well, none that fit, anyway.

The pattern is McCalls 5523, sewn in what can only be described as a Mystery Fabric. I picked it up on sale at Joann's ages ago. Overall this skirt went together very well, and I could see making one of the other views someday. I just love the back detailing! The front is very plain-- just a straight skirt with princess seams, so I didn't bother with a photo of that side.

Butterfly Skirt

It's finished! WOOHOO!!! The pattern is New Look 6461. It wasn't quite the two-pieces-and-some-elastic project that I originally had in mind when I picked up this fabric, but I am really happy with the way that it turned out. This skirt has 8 gores and a side zip-- it called for a lapped zipper, but I went with invisible instead. Other than the minor change in zipper application, I stuck entirely to the pattern with no alterations. It's not quite as casual as I had in mind, but I guess I have more options this way.

The fabric is a Simply Silky print from Joann's. This stuff always slides around just enough to be aggravating, which is the main reason I had planned on a simpler design. Otherwise, everything was super-simple. Hemming was a pain,though... not because it was difficult, but because I really hate doing it and the fullness of the skirt meant a LOT of hemming.

I was just about ready to cut a top to go with this skirt from some fabric in my stash, when I remembered that I made M6326 from the intended fabric last year. I'll probably still make another style of top to go with the skirt, but this one will certainly do for now. And, this is a first for me... two pieces that can actually be worn together! Seriously, I never seem to manage to make outfits, only tops or bottoms, or dresses. I guess this isn't technically a first, since I did make a blouse and skirt (and even a matching Bermuda handbag) when I was 13. I wish I had a picture of that somewhere. At any rate, this is my first complete outfit of the modern era. LOL

Stalled Project

I'm supposed to go to a birthday party this weekend. This is what I would be wearing... 

This is a very simple pattern. I'm not even doing any of the views with godets or an overskirt, just the plain, ordinary gored version. It doesn't even have a waistband. Just four panels for the front and four for the back. And a zipper, which is the problem, because, well... I don't have one. Well, okay, I have dozens on-hand, just not one that will work for this skirt. Maybe I'll have time to pick one up tomorrow, but I doubt it. 

Maybe next week...

New Project

Since I have a new blog, I really should start a new project. Well, that's what I'm telling myself, anyway. That bit of flawless logic took me to the yarn shop this afternoon, where I purchased the pattern and supplies for my next knitting project.

Until now, most of my knitting has been confined to socks. Recently I started attending a local knitting group, and it has become clear that I need to break out of my sock rut. After perusing some of the patterns at the local yarn shop, I fell in love with this booklet...

There are a few patterns that I liked, but the one that really grabbed me was the wrap on the cover. The projects are designed for Cotton Supreme yarns, which feel oh-so-nice. I just couldn't resist. The chart doesn't look too complicated, but it has some cables, so it should keep me interested enough. I think the biggest challenge for me will be the logs... ummm... I mean NEEDLES that I will have to use.  It calls for size 8, which isn't overly large, unless you're used to doing everything on 1 or 0 sizes. Wish me luck!

Moving Day

If you've followed me from my previous blog, THANK YOU! If you're new here, WELCOME!

 My new blog home is the result of me deciding to make some changes, both to my blog and life in general. The old blog was started in October 2005 and featured mostly stitching. Over time, it began to morph into a sewing blog, with occasional knitting along the way. Eventually I started to feel as though I was having a blog identity crisis. I considered changing some things, revamping... whatever... but in the end, starting over from scratch felt like the best thing to do. So now I give you (drum roll, please) My Crafted Life. 

Since I have self-diagnosed Crafter's ADD, this blog will include an assortment of crafty pursuits. But really, it's about Crafting Life. It isn't about trying to make everything myself and becoming entirely self-sufficient (I don't have the time, patience, or skills for that). It's about integrating crafting into everyday life, with a bit of Life Stuff and do-it-myself adventures along the way. My hope is that I will be inclined to post more regularly when I don't feel so "boxed in" by limiting myself to only one or two crafty-type topics.