Still Here

Sorry blogland. I'm still here. Just either sleeping a lot or getting projects done or getting ready for the crazy social blitz that is May. (I've got a work party for hubby, a wedding, a confirmation, a scavenger hunt, extra work hours, midwife appt, and possibly a festival to attend all THIS week!) Did I also mention that I don't really have anything to wear for these fancy events?

Just a few quick notes to let you know some of what I'm up to:

I had a project done as of last weekend, but didn't post because the computer wasn't cooperating with me to edit the photos. Here's my one photo off of Flickr that I took with my phone out of frustration.

It was for the Sew Weekly challenge for a piece that reflected a piece of clothing from childhood. My favorite t-shirt as a child was my Bambi t-shirt. It strangely made me feel like Rambo-super tough! Even at that age, I understood the irony there. BUT, the shirt was done toute suite, mainly when I should have been packing for a trip to NYC. In my rush, and over confidence?, it has proven to be a half-baked project. I was inspired, but not as interested in quality work, and I feel it shows in the way it wears. More on that later, when I do a proper post. All I can say is Mindful Sewing is getting a little harder to execute than I had hoped.

I did enter it in Made By Rae's Spring Top Sewalong, though, as it was all I could manage with one pic and a trip to enjoy. This was my second entry, my first being the Birds & Bees top, which just so happened to be kindly featured over at Sew Country Chick's Sew-&-Tell today! Yay!

I also will have those pajama pants (shorts) tomorrow, a day late for the pajama party sewalong.

Because I was either sleeping or walking around in a stupor of baby growing. And then my sewing machine got all wonky. I've got to get that thing looked at... the stitches were all inconsistent lengths and the thread above the needle would get caught in the seam below the needle. Anyone have that happen before? What the heck is that?!?!?!

I've switched over to another machine, so I'm hoping projects will be finished.

In the meantime, I'm cutting, altering, and measuring (hopefully mindfully, and hopefully in the opposite order listed) for a few other projects in mind. I feel like I'm bursting with ideas, totally lacking in time and energy, and having faaaaar too many deadlines approaching! Sister-in-law's baby shower is in two weeks, and I'm still trying to figure out decoration/favors to do. And that doesn't even cover all the birthdays and Mother's Day. I mean, did you see that week I've got ahead of me?!?

Hope to come up for air and say hi again tomorrow!

Birds & Bees Top

Focus is hard to get when you're taking pictures of your self.

So, I thought that my need for more maternity friendly tops would be a good excuse to participate in Made By Rae's Spring Top Sewalong. I've never actually participated in it, so I thought I'd make the effort.

I can't say that my shirt is all that compelling compared to the competition, but I like it. I've had this bee print jersey for over a year, and had actually intended on using it for this free shirt pattern (Chickadee by prudencerabbit over at Burdastyle) for ages. This maternity thing coupled with my need to shop my stash has really made for getting a lot of half-baked projects done. :)

pardon the wrinkles... I never see these things until it's too late.

 Anyhow, the pattern is super easy and I just altered the bottom of the bodice to have more fabric to account for belly growth. I had used a thrifted jersey pillow case for the dusty blue fabric, and didn't have enough to add the extra bit, so I inserted some more bee jersey. I like the look better than had I just kept it all one color, I think.

The sizing of the pattern is a little on the big size for me usually, so the shoulder/upper area feels a little swimmy, but I figure it should all come in handy in the next few months.

I may even add a darker blue contrast hem later on to make sure the belly remains covered at the bottom as I get bigger. I think it may also tie in the sleeves more with the completed piece.