I sew. I sew a LOT. Many of the things I sew never make it to my blog. Frankly I am better at short and sweet so Instagram is my favorite venue for social media. I LOVE seeing what everyone else is making. And frankly I love to see what you are eating and drinking and doing! I am not sure why- I suppose a psychologist would have quite a bit to say about that. 🙂 But if you want to follow me I am LaurieSue– San Diego girl that loves craft beer, sewing and my kiddos!
A few months ago I was chatting with my cuzzy (yes, I call her that) and we decided that we were always sewing for everyone else, and it was time to devote a whole month to sewing up some things for ourselves. My cousin has 6 kids! Five rambunctious boys and one sweet little princess. She sews constantly for those boys and her daughter. She makes a few things for herself but not many! I sew for my girls too. Basically because they are cute and young and a think they are so much more fun to sew for! But I WANT to wear things I have made too. I am not saying I DON’T make things- I am just saying I don’t make much and have so much on my list I would like to do.
So, for Spring.. it’s all about me. 🙂 Heck- this is perfect timing too because Me Made May is right around the corner and dang I am definitely participating! (there IS a Me Made May 2015 right??)
I went through all my fabrics and here is what I came up with. Some of them I don’t even know what I am going to make into yet! But maybe you will have some ideas! And yes, that is my mini trampoline. It’s for holding fabric right??!
First up is this. Funny enough it is a fabric I just bought, because, well, I had to have it. You know how that is right? I am trying to be realistic with myself and make things I can wear all Spring and Summer and feel comfortable but nice in. This is kind of a sheer flowy cotton so I will put a cami under it. I have been wanting to try this pattern for a while. It is The Everyday Elegance Tunic by Patterns for Pirates. I think this will be a quick make! I also bought some black lightweight cotton denim with a bit of stretch. I am going to make either a crop pant or a “legging” style pant to go with it. THIS is something I will wear a lot! So I am pretty stoked to be making it first. (Even though it is the “youngest” fabric in my stash!)
I LOVE Sewaholic patterns. Initially I was going to do all Sewaholic patterns for the month of April but I am also trying to use stash- and I would have had to do some major fabric shopping. (Not that I would mind buying new fabrics but I need to be good… right?) I am going to be adding 3 new Granville shirts to my life this month. The white is a beautiful embroidered cotton and is slated to be a long sleeve. The pretty print is a voile and I am going to make a sleeveless variation. The butterfly is also a cotton voile. I am TORN. Do you think it would make a good Granviille? Or is it too much butterfly?
I am very short on tops so knew I needed to focus on making several this month. I have some silk in my stash. SILK! I have never used it because it is expensive and I am afraid. But I am gonna do it. Because I have already made this top I know it is going to work for me. That makes me a little more confident that it will be a success! It is grey, which isn’t the best color on me, but with the right lip color I think I can pull it off!
I have over three yards of this really nice cotton jersey knit in royal blue. I have enough to make the sleeveless top in the left and the Simplicity dress in the upper right corner. I like solids… and I love blue. This top will go with my black pants I am making as well. I KNOW the top will get a lot of wear. Knit top? Solid color? Perfect!
You know I LOVE maxi’s if you have been a long time reader. So you know I have to have a few new ones to wear this season. I bought this black and white print jersey knit a long while ago. (Hurray for using stash so I can shop for more!) I made myself this maxi last year- so I know it is another winner. Maybe I will blog BOTH when I get this finished. 🙂
I have more… But I don’t want to exhaust you all. The rest can be SURPRISES! In the meantime… tell me your thoughts on the butterfly voile Granville. Too much? And HELP me decide what to do with these oh so pretty florals as I am stumped! Ideas anyone? The tough part of sewing for me is that I am not slim and trim, nor am I a spring chicken* any longer. I love florals for Spring and want to add some to my wardrobe. The 2 on the outer edges are rayon challis and the center one is a nice cotton jersey. I have 3- 3.5 yards of each. Plenty for almost anything! (Except a pair of Carolyn jammies 😦 )
My initial thought on the challis with the white background is that I should NOT do a full dress. Maybe just a bodice with a solid darker blue skirt? Of course that is contingent upon me finding one and you know how that is! Another thought was making the Sewaholic Oakridge blouse and wearing it with blue jeans! This one:
Decisions decisions! That black and blue floral challis has been 3 different things already! And now I can’t remember any of the ideas I had!
I have some more aqua and black in my fabric collection for April. I would also like to make a black Hollyburn and Gabriola. And I have a few aqua knits for some drapey tops. My biggest challenge is going to be to get these things done! I guess as it is the 31st I can get cracking.
I have some “daughter sewing” blog posts just waiting for pictures. I will be sharing those soon!
Take care and happy sewing!
Laurie xoxo
* Speaking of Spring Chickens I had a debate with my eldest daughter on whether this pattern was too young for me. I don’t think we resolved it so maybe I can put it to a vote. Be honest! I don’t mind if it IS too young. I just can’t decide! Lets put it too a vote! I can take it! Really I can! (BTW- I have a 26 year old son! I am 40++)
Sew Exhausted 
Good for you for sewing just for yourself! I love that CR pattern, I think it depends on how you wear it and what fabric you choose. If you go with a classic colour/print that would be the safest bet if you are unsure.
Good advice! I have a few nice solids around. Sometimes you just don’t know until you try it!
Love the fabrics that you chose for the different patterns. Those blues are also so pretty! The CR pattern is great and very versatile. I think you can wear it casual or dressy, depending on what fabrics you use…and you’re never too old to wear something you really like.
Thank you! I love blue and aqua and am trying to put some color in to my wardrobe. I plan on choosing one per season! 🙂 I have decided to go for the CR… Won’t know til I try right?!
Yes! Sewing for you!!
I know, right Tanya?! 😀
good for you darling, great plans. I think you can wear a lot of the patterns that you have for your daughters.
Thanks Rachel! I guess I won’t know unless I try!
I’m following you on Instagram now! 🙂 You’ve got some really pretty fabrics/colors going there. Personally, I’d go for the butterfly Granville!
Thanks Becky! I am definitely leaning that way. Sometimes you have to stick with your first thought and not get swayed by doubt!
Yea! Sewing for you, can’t wait to see it. You are so much more a spring chicken than me. Go for the CR pattern.
On the florals – the dark background one – how about the Sewaholic maxi skirt – Gabriola
Ha! That was exactly what my daughter said about that fabric! Make a Gabriola! So now I am deciding between that (which would flow OH so nicely), and the Yaletown dress… because then it would be a whole dress! Decisions decisions! Oh and thank you Lori- I sure don’t feel old at all! But when I look at my beautiful fresh faced daughters I don’t feel young either!
There is ABSOLUTELY a MMM15! I just pledged. You make some really gorgeous things for your girls, but I think you more than deserve a season of selfish sewing!!! It looks like your spring/summer color palate is very blue- mine too!
The aqua and blue seemed perfect for Spring! (I am already gathering navy blue for fall. 🙂 ) I am off to make my MMM15 commitment now!
Love all your fabrics. They look so good all lined up. They will look even better made up with your great selection of patterns.
🙂 Thanks! I am pretty thrilled with all those fabrics and can’t wait to make a dent in them!
Hooray for “selfish” sewing! And rock on with that silk–I have a lot in my stash (somehow…) and like you, I’ve avoided hacking into it. But we can do it!! Can’t wait to see how all your plans come together!
You do have some lovely fabrics there! I too have the Sewaholic Oakridge and Hollyburn, but I might have to buy some suitable fabrics for them.
I got a very springy floral (white background) challis to try the Oakridge. And I dug up an embossed black denim to try the Hollyburn. So much to do! I wish I had more time! 🙂
I know! A vicious circle.. Want to sew, need money to sew, have to work, want to sew….
First off I am jealous of all your pretty fabric! Second, do the butterfly Granville shirt, then wear it with some 7/8 jeans or pants and it will look fabulous 🙂
I like that idea. I am gonna do it! 🙂 … I am liking my fabric a lot too right now!
I like the butterflies a lot! I think it’ll be lovely as a Granville shirt because the butterflies are different sizes, which makes it more interesting. You could make some nice skirts with the florals you have – and wear them with the solid blue knit top. Enjoy sewing for yourself! 🙂
So how did the Sewing for Me plans go? Did you manage to make all the lovely things you had in mind?
I did not manage ALL of them but I managed some … I got interrupted TWICE! Had to make a few non me things. But I have some great additions to my wardrobe and am currently working on more ME stuff. I am going to get out of my lazy ways and get back to blogging! Thanks for asking! 🙂