This year has been full of ups and downs for me, as I’m sure it has been for most of you. Between surgery, long weekends, a whole week off for the Fourth of July, and losing my Grandma, I have taken a lot of time away from the office this year. Which is weird for me. And to top it off, I’m using a TON of leave around the holidays this year. Most of this is just for me. We are flying my sister down after Christmas to spend some sister time and just hang out. Though, she wants me to sew her an entire new wardrobe while she’s in town, so there will be lots of fabric time too. But the two weeks I took off in between Veteran’s day and Thanksgiving were mine. I really wanted a break. A real break. Time to sleep in, lounge around the house, sew whatever I wanted. Hoped to have no deadlines to worry about.
Yeah. If you’ve ever met me, you know that was a laughable goal. If I see a break in my schedule, I immediately fill it. So, the 17 days away from my day job quickly filled to the brim. I ended up stressing myself to the max and working tons of hours for my second job. Does anyone else do this? I stressed myself so much, I made a TON of sewing mistakes. Real ones! I picked up the recommended fabric for one project, plus an extra 1/2 yard, just in case. Got home, washed it and realized it was 52″ wide instead of 60″ and I was WAY short. Back to the warehouse for me and hopeful to find the same fabric (which is almost impossible).
On the SAME PROJECT, I cut directional fabric upside down for half the damn pieces. What am I even doing with my life? Off I go, to a weird Joann’s, since I already cleaned out my Joann of this fabric. I mean, the end result was WAY worth it. This is the SUAT Riding Hood for a friend to keep her baby bump warm during the cold Philly winter. I quilted the kick-ass Wonder Woman liner with some batting for more warmth, and it is so very soft. A few extra minutes to add that layer really took this from comfy, cute to a cozy, effective winter jacket. I love the designer’s self-welting pockets and the little sleeve ties. Just a really nice layering piece with super cute little details. Plus I made a cute little key fob to match! (Which I forgot to take a pic of.)
Then I was working on some Christmas jammies and cut two left legs. What am I even doing here? I had just enough fabric left to cut a right leg and have the scraps left for the little projects we wanted to do. But, damn. I did use the Patterns for Pirates Walk the Plank pattern. It is free and quite the quick sew. Perfect for very beginners! I’ll share pics laters. 🙂
This isn’t to say I didn’t have great successes while I was on my sewcation. I sewed all the pieces for the #comfytown blog tour early on. Then lived in those pieces as soon as we took photos. After making that super comfy Cora, I immediately made a second one. (You’re getting craft room, jim-jam, 2 AM pics of this one!) That’s definitely my new fav cardi pattern!! Everyone needs a Cora in their life. I also finished off a couple of pattern tests and a pre-test. I forgot to blog about them, but you might have seen me sharing my Made for Mermaids Jamie Poncho and Hudson Hoodie. If you need some comfy, warm, cute pieces, these are lovely choices!
A few Christmas presents were also sewn, which I obviously can’t share yet, as well as a few more pieces for my Philly friend (with another cutting mistake, ugh), including a little set of Cora cardis for her and her two little girls. Totes can’t wait to see how she likes her box of goodies! And I really need to figure out some cute guy gifts I can make. I always feel bad leaving Dads out of these little matching sets. Maybe I’ll ask Bruce what he would want.
I also managed to CLEAN the craft room. Reorganize everything. As well as finally tackling the scrap pile. It was INSANE. And now it is so neat and easy to find what I need and what is useful. The only downside is that Gus Gus really liked sleeping on the pile. Now she feels she has nowhere to be comfortable. Despite the multiple cat beds and comfy places I’ve set up to keep the kittens happy. They are too expected for this little mischievous bugger. She’s been awkwardly moving about, trying new, ridiculous places to sleep. Then STARING at me with disappointment in her eyes, clearly blaming me for her missing comfy spot.
It is SOOO clean!! 
Just one load of scraps I spent way too much time sorting and organizing. 
All the scraps down to just these three bins. And it is folded and sorted by size and use!! 
She had no idea where to sleep. 
She just kept trying new places. 
Some quite awkward.
The to-do list didn’t really get any shorter, so I’m hoping to not pick up any other deadlines before the end of the year. We’ll see how successful I can be with that goal. But, I’ll try! Even without a shortened to-do list, I am working through the projects. Virginia is helping where she can. A few more Christmas presents to sew first. Gotta get those in the mail. Then, a few promo patterns to sew up that I’m just really excited about! I love trying new patterns and these should be fun, so I’m hoping to write up my experiences with them as well! Keep an eye out! <3
Now we’ve made it to December. I have a few weeks to prep some patterns for the sister, so we can power through some beautiful pieces while she’s in town. She always gets the short end of the stick when it comes to my sewing time. She doesn’t live with me, so it is harder to fit anything that isn’t knit and forgiving. Plus, I haven’t found a designer that drafts just so, that matches her shape, like I have for Virginia and I. This means a good bit of altering before I start cutting. Which is a much bigger time commitment and since she isn’t sitting there with the sad eyes, making me feel guilty, her projects end up near the bottom of the to-do list. I’m truly a terrible sister. (LOVE YOU, VICKI! <3 <3)
Here’s hoping the next few weeks can be a little calmer and a little more productive. I really, really, REALLY want to have patterns prepped and ready to go, so as soon as Vicki walks in, she can just pick a project and we’ll start cutting!!! Anyone want to come help? 😀
As the year wraps up (seriously, how is it December?!), it is great to look back at what we’ve done and what is still to come. I’m not a huge fan of New Year’s resolutions, but, I do like to evaluate goals and priorities moving forward. So, I’d like to blog a little more, celebrate little things a little more, and sew a little bit more in the coming months.
Focus on you today.
stephanie xx
This post contains various affiliate links. Purchasing patterns using these links does not cost my readers more, but the designer does provide me with a small commission from any sales. This commission helps to fund my fabric addiction and is greatly appreciated.
Oh my goodness… your sewing table! 😍
I can relate to your sewing mistakes, we have all been there, and it’s such a bummer at the time. I’m glad you could make them all work. What a lucky friend, because that coat looks amazing!
I would totally come help with pattern prep and cutting if I could, and those are my least favorite parts… I mean we all just want to get to the sewing, right? Since I won’t be able to help with that, I’m going to try my best to keep you to your goal of not adding any deadlines before the end of the year. I’ll be that annoying friend reminding you that you deserve some fun sewing time with your sisters! ❤️
You’re just the best. Have I mentioned that this week? <3
It always amazes me how much you get done and how beautiful the pieces you sew are! You are incredibly talented and gifted in many areas – except maybe taking time for you.
I know Vicki is looking forward to visiting and getting away from us. These are beautiful pieces – I would expect her to demand some just for her.
Remember to take care of you!
Thanks, Mom. <3 Love you!