Are you still there?

Hi dear readers,

I just realized that I have not updated this blog since last December!  My life took an unexpected but happy turn of events this June when I took a fantastic job in JAPAN! 

What does this have to do with sewing you ask?  Well, one of the things I had to (very sadly) leave behind was my beloved sewing machine as I didn't want it to get shoved around in the underbelly of the plane and it wouldn't fit in my carry on.

However, I am flying home briefly for Christmas to visit my family and friends and I hope I can cart the sewing machine back with me when I return to Japan.  I've already managed to find a place that sells fabrics and sewing notions.

So fear not friends!  I have not given up sewing!  I am just on a mini hiatus while I settle here in Japan.

On that note, if you have any interest in reading about my adventures in the Land of the Rising Sun, you can visit this blog.  (There my creativity is manifests itself in food rather than clothes I've created.)

It might be a while, but I'll post here again.

Today's accomplishments...

My back hurts.  No, that's not really an accomplishment.

But this is:

How could I not fall madly in love with this fleur de lis cardi?  Obviously, I did but I soon noticed there were button issues.  I think (more than anything else) age and use contributed to this gem ending up at Goodwill.  Note the tiny buttons I removed.  The buttonholes were too stretched for those little ones so I ordered some new magnificent fleur de lis buttons and voilà!  Perfection!

I also made a top today with my favorite fabric, knit.

Apparently, when I try to take one handed photos anymore, it's too blurry.  :/  But at least you can see the sleeve detail.

From Butterick 5497:

And here's the close-up of the fabric:

What do you think?  I didn't realize the fabric was so sheer!  But I like it otherwise.

Not really...

So I made these pants:

From McCall's 6403:

The pattern said easy.  I hate when patterns lie to me.  They were not easy.  I made so many mistakes and I don't even think I like them.

What do you think?

Skirt...

So I made this skirt:

Here's the overlay fabric:

Here's what it was supposed to look like:

Oops.  I'm sure I can fix it.  I don't really like how it turned out anyway so I think a redo would be better. 

Thoughts?

More knits...

I'm sure this falls under ending procrastination as I've had this fabric for weeks now.  Ever wanna wear something new so you just make something?  That's what I did.  All in all it took about an hour so the pattern didn't lie.   It really was easy.  (Forgive my bathroom.)

From Butterick 5388:

I really like how this turned out and it's perfect for winter!

Collar fix...

You know how you sleep on something and then decide to go a different way.  Well, I wasn't going to fix this collar but I swear it was the first thing I did this morning (even before breakfast).

I think it looks so much better!

And Lolita, I am totally planning on wearing this with some leggins'.  ;)

Truly quick & easy...

It's weekend #2 to end procrastination. I'm not purchasing any new fabric until I finish all my old sewing projects.

Tonight I made this:

It took less than an hour. The pattern, Butterick 5528 says tunic and neck ring.

But I thought it was a cowl neck. So I just turned it into one.

Do you think it looks okay?