The Sew Weekly @sewweekly

Yes, another sewing post... stop reading here if you're annoyed. 

I can't remember how I found The Sew Weekly.  I think I was Googling 'sewing blogs' or 'how to sew and not screw it up completely' when I stumbled upon this gem.  And now I just can't get enough!  I mentioned it in yesterday's post, but I felt the site itself deserved its own recognition.

On The Sew Weekly, there is a weekly sewing theme/challenge, which is meant to inspire you to create 52 wardrobe pieces in a year.  There is the Sewing Circle, which is a great forum/community for people to support each other and ask for/give advice.  There are also great articles with sewing tips, general information, and photographs of all the items that different contributors are making.

One of my favorites features, which I discovered via Pinterest, was the Make This Look thread.  Taking looks from stores like Modcloth and Anthropologie, they find similar patterns and fabrics so you can make your own apparel inspired by current fashion.  I love it because it opens my eyes to the possibilities of what you can do when you sew your own clothes; you don't have to be a Grandma to own a sewing machine!

Inspired by the women who contributed last year, I signed on as a contributor for 2012!  My goal is to be one of the five featured contributors at some point throughout the year, but I'm happy to be one of the many posting.  Let's see if I can keep it up, and learn more about sewing along the way.

P.S.  My next mini sewing project?  Preserving the patterns I love with fusible interfacing.

My first contribution!

"When Life Gives You Lemons" Skirt

Fabric:  Cotton print/solid from JoAnn's

Pattern:  McCall's M5591 (Skirt A)

Time to Complete:  3 hours (fabric was already cut)

Yesterday, I realized I'd been a bit of a bum over the long New Year's weekend.  The only time I'd been out of pajamas was to have a delicious (and fancy!) birthday dinner at 700 Drayton with BC and LD, so today I made myself productive.  I did my chores, then took a look at the different sewing projects lying around the office...

I recently joined the Sewing Circle at Sew Weekly, and I anxiously awaited my first weekly challenge of the year... but nothing popped up until the evening.  Nonetheless, the comments on my past projects inspired me to do something about it.  And when life gives you lemons (or a citrus-printed fabric!), you make a skirt, right?

This was my first apparel item with pockets, as well as my first skirt ever.  I'll be the first to admit that there are flaws all over the place, it's too tight because I cut it for my size a year ago (hello, New Year's Resolution!), and the inside is hideous.  I didn't understand the directions for the yoke (waist) or the band, so I kind of made things up along the way.  But in the end, for three hours of work on an easy day off, I'm pretty happy.  I definitely feel like I'm back in the (sewing) game!

In other news, so long as I can keep up, I am a registered contributor on The Sew Weekly!  I'll be posting most of my sewing projects there, but I will post photos/links here once they are published.  Check out my introduction post.

I changed out of PJs just to take these photos... no makeup either.
But cute shoes!

New Year's Resolutions

credit

It's that time of year again!  Looking back on last year's resolutions, I managed to keep 3 out of 4... not too shabby, but this year I'm focusing on ONE main goal!  GETTING. IN. SHAPE.

In 2010, I got fit.  I felt comfortable in my own skin, loved the way my clothes fit, and was happy.  In 2011, I gained 25 lbs.  I KNOW.  People don't believe me, but the scale doesn't lie.  I had to buy bigger clothes, and it hurt my self-esteem.  I'm 26, so the earlier I start, the better off I will be later!  My goal for 2012 is to lose what I gained and maintain that final weight, because I know how much better I felt when I was fit.  I've already started attending aerobics classes (step, Zumba, etc.) and am ready to kick my own butt!  I'll keep you posted, because a blog is a great way to keep yourself accountable.  2012 is my year!

Another mini goal for myself is to have less anxiety.  I need to accept the things I cannot change.  I have realized (with some help!) that I take on too much guilt and shame for things that are not my fault.  Most people have trouble taking responsibility; I have panic attacks because I take on too much, even though it is the actions of others (out of my control) stressing me out!  Typically a perfectionist or a people-pleaser, this time I am going to decline invitations to arguments and drama.  I am not going to sweat the small stuff, and I am going to accept that I will not always be popular.  I am simply going to continue to be myself, and if I lose friends along the way I can accept that.  In the end, I will be better off!

Anyone else got some good resolutions?  :)