And then there was that one time . . .

when I didn't post anything for a year. In my defense, I've been working a LOT, having a cute baby boy, and moving across the country.

Now that the job I've been working at for over a year is nearing its final day, and now that my cute baby boy is three months old and starting to get on his own schedule, and now that I'm partially settled into my new home on the east coast, I hope to start sewing again! Soon. Very soon.

I currently have half a dozen cuts of fabric just waiting to be turned into something amazing.

And speaking of that, I'm also considering making this blog into more of an all sorts of creations blog. It could be altered to read Meg & the MachineS. Perhaps I will include creations that come from more than just my sewing machine, like my KitchenAid, my laptop, my own brain (is that a machine?). I don't know. If I can actually get myself to post regularly I will consider it a success, regardless of what I decide to include.

Cheers.

In The Works

Hello, world.

I promise I am not neglecting this blog deliberately. Who would do that, anyway?

I got all motivated tonight to post about all the projects I have made and have yet to post about.

But my camera is AWOL.

Urgh.

And so, I am here to post about three projects I have in the works. I am in the process of fabric shopping for these lovelies and hope to get started soon.

Project #1

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This is a Tracy Reese Vogue pattern, V1224. It is a dress but I plan to wear it as a tunic. 

Description: Partially lined, pullover dress has short dolman sleeves, elasticized waistline, and neckline with tie ends. Stitched hems and above mid-knee length. 

This one has been tricky because it is for two-way stretch knits only. I am leaning towards this rayon/lycra blend knit: 

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or this rayon/polyester/lycra one: 

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Project #2

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This is a Vogue Easy Options pattern, V8816. There are 6 versions included in the pattern. 

Description: Pullover top or tunic (fitted through bust) has draped neckline variations, bias upper fronts, and narrow hem. 

I plan to use a lightweight jersey for this top, but haven't found the right one. I want a plain color, something pretty for summer. This pink in the picture is not bad... but I'm leaning toward a taupe or maybe a bright turquoise. 

Project #3

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Very Easy Vogue, V8790

Description: Close-fitting, pullover, mock wrap top has front extending into standing back collar and stitched hems. 

Here's another shot: 

We're back to the two-way stretch knits with this one, but I haven't really found any I love yet. I'm sticking to the fabric suggestions on the back, whether they're two-way stretch or not. I have found one option I'm considering-- a rayon/lycra dotted knit found here.

I think that one would be really light and fun for summer. 

I think the best part is that I got all three of those patterns on sale for $5 a pop. If you are a purchaser of patterns, you know how great a deal that is. The cheapest MSRP of those is $22.50. 

Oh, I just noticed I do have a few photos of some embellishment projects I did a few months ago. Here is a t-shirt I made to knock off what J.Crew was calling their corsage tee:

I found a few tutorials that described different ways to make the little flowers, but what I ended up doing was cutting out three different sizes of circles-- as you can see, there is a white circle between two tan ones-- and piecing them together by hand. I sewed different petals down, knowing the knit would curl up in the wash. I like how it turned out, and I really liked not spending $80 on a t-shirt. Oh, and the cute baby in the background was pretty impressed, too. ;)

I used these same little flowers to embellish a long-sleeved onesie for a friend of mine in Florida. Here it is.

This time I used a teal circle in between the two tan circles, and I sewed a button in the middle of the flower when I attached it to the onesie. The little one I made this for has gorgeous red hair, and I thought these colors would look great on her. I hope I was right. 

I think this is going to be it for tonight. Lucky for you all, my husband just informed me that our camera is upstairs. I presume he knows where upstairs, and I intend to find out shortly. I will be back (hopefully) soon with some great posts!

Hello, world.

I'm Meg. I created this blog to share my sewing projects.

Ever since I found the Machine--

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I have been in a sewing frenzy. The above bad girl replaced my first ever sewing machine, a basic, bare-bones Brother model that was good enough for the basic, bare-bones sewing projects I was doing. 

My Singer is... amazing. Sure, there are more complex and definitely more expensive sewing machines out there, but this one does not disappoint. (When I discovered the double overlock stitch, I wanted to break out into song. I no longer need or want to buy a serger!) 

But a little bit more about me.

I'm 28-soon-to-be-29. I am the mother of one lively little girl, V. I am the wife of one very smart and hardworking husband, Mr. G. My main vocation at the moment is mom, though I spend naptimes (and some nighttimes) as an attorney. I love to read, write, cook, bake, watch movies, go on walks with V, and travel. Our next trip is an Eastern Caribbean cruise this fall.

Sewing is an outlet for me. I love all types of sewing-- having made several quilts and many, many articles of clothing, both with and without patterns. I am always looking for a new challenge, but I also love easy projects, like embellishing onesies for babies or t-shirts for myself.

I sew because it makes me happy, and it saves me money. Being 6' tall, I often can't find skirts and dresses (or shorts and pants) that are long enough.  I hope to be able to help my daughter out in this area as she grows up, as she is destined to take after her parents in height (and dazzling wit and intelligence... ha).

I don't know exactly what my vision for this blog is, other than that I hope people will find it useful. I love sewing tutorials off the interwebs-- there are so many talented sewists!!-- and I will always link back to the tutorials I use. If you have created a tutorial you'd like me to try, just let me know! I am by no means a sewing wizard, and I'm sure I'll have some projects that don't work out. I will try to showcase all of it, so others can learn from my mistakes.

Welcome to my sewing corner of the internet.

-Meg