Suddenly, and without warning, the city tore itself out of hibernation mode. There was a furious need to do something before 2017 rolled in.
In "the business," the space between Thanksgiving and New Years gets progressively more chill, winding down to a dead stop by December 15. So, although this flurry was a welcome change, we suddenly found ourselves racing everywhere, and I suddenly found myself racing to get ALL OF THE THINGS SEWN, having previously decided to sew a gift for pretty much everyone in my life. Over a dozen items in under two weeks--and I'm talking lined jackets. I finished. I do not know how. As I wrangled wrapping four evening jackets in the car ride to our NYE celebrations, Rob cautiously inquired, so, what will you be sewing next in the new year?
I pulled myself out of a tornado of tissue paper and ribbon. WHY DO YOU ASK.
What will I sew? Well, I think it's going to be a mohair coat fashioned from a vintage blanket, featuring a horse head with a glass eye. I'm not joking. I know I'm going to take my time and enjoy it, because the moral of that car conversation was one I already know: NO MORE RUSHING ALLOWED. Rushing helps nothing. Take, for example, the skirt pictured above. This was my December MSN project, and I raced through it, desperate to have a Diane Keaton-esque ensemble to swan about in on Christmas Eve. It suffered for the pace: the pleats don't quite match, forget about print placement across the side seams-- and although I faced the hem, and gave the waistband a petersham treatment, I am 99% sure I'll be pulling this apart and putting it back together again.
A lot of seam ripping? Yes, but I actually don't mind. It's wonderful to create better things from botched projects.
Hope you're easing yourself into this new year...may we create better things from botched!
This skirt is so delicious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHH
ReplyDeletethank you carlee!
Deletethat shall be my new mantra! cheers to no rushing in 2017- sometimes the caffeine and anticipation of a finished project pushes me to go a bit to fast.
ReplyDeleteright? seeing that finish line in sight almost always makes me rush and cut corners at the end!
DeleteLovely and perfect for the season!
ReplyDeletethank you, lovely faye!
DeleteI love your skirt! and I can't wait for the horse head coat.
ReplyDeletethank you... and ME TOO. I'm sort of rabid to see if the thing actually works out!
DeleteOona, it's your effervescence that transcends seams and pleat placement.
ReplyDeleteAs always, you look stately, chic, and without trying, magnificent!
well thank you! i think I need that cross stitched...
DeleteThe skirt is gorgeous! We are always more critical of our work than others, I'm sure no one else can tell the pleats or pattern don't match!
ReplyDeleteI *did* tell myself that no civilian would notice 😂
DeleteLove this skirt and idea of swanning about in this , it has fab movement , is irritating if there are bits you want to change,it looks fab to me, but if it means you won't wear it you'll need to sort it☺
ReplyDeletethank you emma! yeah, i'll need to fix it, but at the moment it's not quite irritating enough to stop me wearing it. i'm thinking it'll really get to me around March, when the world is cold and irritating!
DeleteThe first one is such a beautiful, lyrical photo of you and your magnificent skirt. Looks like you're about to enter a palace from an enchanted wood. Magical.
ReplyDeleteTell us about the fabric and pattern. And the location.
Your "prove you're not a robot" is exasperatingly maddening! Anything you can do to change that? I spent about 5 minutes on it.
Vancouver Barbara
Thank you Barbara! I surprised myself with that photo (I was using a remote).
DeleteOn the questions, I'm going to be zero help...the fabric is from Mood, in-store. Sadly there was one small bolt that's likely gone, and the pattern is something I worked up.
And for the hat trick: Ugh, I hate those captcha things! I don't have any verifications set up, and I have my comments set to "anyone," so that you're not forced to log into an account to comment, but I think that if you're commenting anonymously, blogger forces the "robot" failsafe. I tried commenting anonymously on another browser, and I got the "prove yourself" thing. Just another way to force us all to have an internet presence, I guess...
OOOOooo pretty skirt! I love big maxi skirts. And these photos are gorgeous!
ReplyDeletethank you carmen!
Deleteyou look like an elve!! Fantastic skirt and it suits you perfect..
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Switzerland, Christa
teehheeee, i love that! thanks, christa!
Deletehonestly classy and beautiful.
ReplyDeletethank you, patricia!
DeleteI had a similar frantic pace with knitting this year, somehow deciding that everyone must have a hand knitted thing to go with the other stuff they got (I even knitted little gift card covers. Temporary insanity.) So I have already ordered materials for next Christmas's giving...I can start now and knit all year. Good plan! IF I actually do it.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking of christmas the same way-- eyes & head open to it all year! it'll be nice to think of & work on gift giving all year long. (And knitted card covers? NINJA LEVEL.)
DeleteWell, I think it looks lovely! I'm planning to procrastinate less with my sewing this year. I'm hoping that will lead to both an increase in productivity, and a decrease in rushing... Time will tell! Happy new year. xx
ReplyDeletei have got to know how you procrastinate with sewing! I literally have to tear myself away 😂
Delete"Oh, I won't sew right now - I can't be bothered to put the ironing board up"
Delete"I don't feel like cutting this project out right now, so I'll just sit and look at Facebook instead"
"I should research how to do this new technique..." *walks away for six months*
I love it. For some reason I have always loved green outfits for Christmas. You see so much red everywhere, which is lovely also, green just seems more special somehow. At least that's the way it seems in my weird little brain.
ReplyDeleteI thought the same thing! I was going to add a red trim around the border, and then decided a little less christmas meant a little more wearing 😁
DeleteGorgeous skirt! Love the entire outfit! I'm certain that you are the only one to see any flaws in it. I love your idea of NO MORE RUSHING. but sometimes my brain works just a little bit better when it's in a rush...dilemma
ReplyDeleteGOOD POINT. Sometimes a fabric frenzy is needed!
DeleteWhat lovely colors on you! Green is a hard color to wear, but you nailed it. According to the bible, Color Me Beautiful by Carole Jackson (late 70's to early 80's versions only, unadulterated by later purchaser's changes), emerald green and light true green are part of your core colors. And though you don't seem to wear greens often, these shades go very well with your complexion. Using them for this nifty pleated, bell-shaped long style is inspired.
ReplyDeleteDon't sweat the nits, you could drive yourself crazy. This is an "impact" garment, and people's eyes will take in the entire look, not focus in on minutiae. You may know the little issues, but they won't see them -- after the first full view, they'll be looking at your face and shoulders being so beautifully framed by this outfit. Cindy (Creative Hormone Rush)
Wow! You are so inspiring! Thank you. I am sitting in a metro on my way to work. Feeling tired and quite exhausted. But I already feel better after surfing in your blog. Such a bubbling energy! 😍
ReplyDelete