Piece 1: Grey pleats

I love this skirt... SO much.  And I'm wishing now I'd finished it sooner, but really, it's great to have for the rest of the summer and into the fall and winter once I make/find slips.  It started life as a piece for a Spring 6PAC, was a part of my Palate Challenge, and finally got finished after both of those things came to their close.
I like the idea of box pleats, inspired by the ever-lingering M5088... Long out of print, but the skirt has box pleats.  Add the pattern from the stash to the fabric from the stash(even the fun hem facings) and the button I got in a bundle of vintage buttons on eBay, and you get this great basic.

I think I may go in and use the vinegar trick... you know, where you use a pressing cloth with vinegar to set pleats through several washes?  There are 2 or 3 skirts I'd want to do at once, so we'll see.

For now, you know I'm sewing!  Pictures soon.

Of Assembly Lines and Mojo

Incase there was any doubt in your mind, my mojo has indeed returned with a vengeance.  I want to sew again, and I want to sew LOTS.

 You know how sometimes you buy lots of yardage of something, and then decide you’ll use it for basics?

I did that… And then I came up with 2 different patterns(Butterick 5354 and Simplicity 2443)  using the pieces at the same time… So I condensed those to one cutting session.  SO lovely. 

And since I already had the patterns out I figured I’d cut out the other dress, (a lavender all-jersey Simplicity 2443) I was thinking of.  And that simple skirt, since I finally had lining fabric on hand... You know, less hauling around of all of those things you need when you work in multiple spaces…

So, all in all, I cut a top, 2 dresses, and a skirt.

It was the work of an evening. How awesome is that?? 

Maybe you've gone on a cutting rampage.  Tell me, how do you manage to pick one to sew up first?

Piping

Here’s to new experiences, right?

I am attempting one or two with the shirt that’s currently in the works, and the first one was to turn my home-made bias tape into piping. 

 

Making piping in and of itself is actually a pretty straightforward process.  First, make bias tape, and then stitch cording(I guess that’s the name for it) into the fold of the bias tape…But the Coletterie tutorial walks you through with pictures and more detailed instructions...
I could do the instructions, but I’m never going to be one of those bloggers who is good at stopping and taking process photos.  Sorry friends. 

Piping is easy peasy to make with that zipper foot you’ve got tucked away, so give it a go!  Installation soon…  One of those things I'll finish up on the way to camp.