Stash Sewing

Every now and then I get a chance to sew for myself. I try to pull from my stash of goodies....after all I'm not getting any younger and have lots to choose from. I decided to sew a blouse for myself similar to ones given to me as a gift recently. I purchased some really nice fabric at a great discount while at Sewing at the Beach in January (yup...I know...I added to my stash). But the fabric just said "Spring" and "Blouse" to me. I chose some buttons, thread and iron-on interfacing from the stash. But I also pulled out some fabric scraps for contrasting cuffs, collar, sleeve tabs and front tab. This contrasting fabric was from last year's Easter dress for my oldest granddaughter. It worked perfectly with the pink striped fabric! The pattern was purchased online at a steep discount.

 I made quick alterations to the pattern: lengthened the blouse body by 1 1/2 inches, and dropped the darts down to fit me. The cuffs and sleeve tabs had to be pieced with the two fabrics. Easy enough: sew two strips together, then cut out with the seam on the foldline of the one-piece cuff and tab pattern pieces. The collar and front tabs weren't pieced: just cut from the two fabrics, but I had to keep close tabs (sorry for the pun) on which fabric was stitched where.

Here's the finished blouse! One sleeve is rolled up to show the tab. And you can just see the contrasting floral around the neckline.



All told I think I have less than fifteen dollars tied up in this project, with enough striped fabric leftover to make something else. What have you been sewing up from your stash lately? I'd love to know!

2017 Stitching

Ah.... the year has gotten off to a fast start. I just got back from Sewing at the Beach 2017 in Myrtle Beach, SC this past Sunday. A week of teaching classes, seeing lots of friends and meeting new ones. I taught three classes this time...so much fun! Here's a lovely photo of sunset from my hotel room....gorgeous!

A nice walk on the beach on Saturday afternoon was my treat since the hotel was right on Myrtle Beach! It was so beautiful.....

Now I'm thinking about my stitching plans for the rest of the year....my New Years Dream List. I like to stitch on UFO's during the winter months, so I'll work on kits from classes I took in 2016. Especially in front of the fireplace with some hot tea, the cat in my lap and the dog at my feet.

Flowers for a Fall Evening shawl (designed and taught by Kris Andrews) and the Colors of Abalone Necklace (designed and taught by Linda Chirby) from the two EGA classes I took
are at the top of the list.

Then there are the two white work classes from the Royal School of Needlework In Williamsburg.

There are ideas for magazine articles and new classes to put into thread and onto paper. I'm very grateful to be able to stitch, sew and do what I love. I'd enjoy reading what your stitching goals for 2017 are!