Finally, some normalcy in my life

Hello everyone.  I thought I'd pop in and let you all know that I'm still here.  Even though I have nothing really to show you right now I hope to soon.  Things have been very hectic here for the last couple of months, what with selling our house in Melbourne and having to empty out the remainder of our contents along with starting a new job and getting my head around the training  and all that goes with it - whoa, my head is still spinning!  it left little time for any sewing.

However, on the weekend I did manage to get into my sewing room, though I didn't really achieve much. :(  I stitched the collar onto a blouse I had started making about two years ago that I found when clearing out the old house.  (Stashbusting?  Mmmm... not sure that it can be counted as Stashbusting, but I'm going to anyway.  Well I will when I finish it.)  I did however, make a bit of progress in cleaning up the mess that seemed to have multiplied while I wasn't looking, so feeling much better about that.

During my clean up I was putting away some patterns that were sitting on my sewing table and came across the pattern I was going to make for the Sew for Victory challenge and it left me feeling completely ripped off disappointed that I wasn't able to finish due to an injury when I remembered seeing this on Instagram.

Now I'm feeling so much better and really excited because Rochelle and Tasha have just announced they are hosting 'Fall For Cotton' - A vintage sewing challenge for the cotton lover and I AM soooo in.  Being a lover of the 1940s and especially WWII fashion, and... well... everything 1940s this sewing challenge is right up my alley perfect for me.

I had decided recently that I needed to add some shirts and blouses to my wardrobe and I already had a 1940s pattern in mind, Simplicity 4750, when they made the announcement so the choice of pattern was easy.  I'm planning on making view 3, the white one.  I just wasn't planning to make it straight away, after all it is winter here so I'm not in need of a short sleeve blouse for a while yet.  I haven't chosen my fabric yet, although I have plenty of cotton fabrics in my stash to choose from, I just can't decide if I want a plain or a print.  I'm tempted to make both but don't think I'll find the time to do two before the end of September - we'll see.  One thing is for sure tho', this time I AM going to finish. 

Is anyone else joining in the Fall for Cotton challenge?

On finishing, I will say that I haven't been completely slack.  I've managed to get in a little knitting.  It's much easier to pick up and get a few rows done in five minutes than it is to make a little space in a messy sewing room.  I'm making a vintage cardigan - not sure what year it is but I'm thinking it's 1940's.  A pattern I picked up from a secondhand bookstore.

What are you crafting at the moment?

In the pink

The Stashbusting challenge to use itty bits from my stash proved to be quite difficult.  When I moved twelve months ago I cleaned out all my sewing paraphernalia and as we all know my sewing productivity during 2012 was less than impressive, resulting in NO SCRAPS.   I searched through my stash with gusto trying to find something less that 1 yard in size but to no avail.  I didn't have any scraps that little except for one small piece left over from a knit top I made about 18 months ago. (not blogged)

Thinking cap on...  What could I make with this small piece of knit fabric?  Ahh!  That's it!  I can make some undies.  I've made heaps of them years ago and several people in the blogosphere have been posting about their undie makes recently so yes, that's what I will do.  It's a really quick make and I don't have much time till the end of January.  I search through my patterns. Where's my pattern?   I can't find it anywhere.  Where can it be?  I've made so many in the past, it's got to be somewhere.  Ahh!  There's the kids one; mine has to be there with it.  Alas, no!  This got me thinking again (oooh, my head is starting to hurt now!  hehe.) Thinking back I remember making undies for my kids but it would seem I've never made any for myself.

I headed down to Spotlight and returned with Kwik Sew 2908.  I was running out of time now, so I quickly prepare the pattern cut and sew.  Phew!  I just made it.

So, in all, a very small make but at least I did use something from my stash and it was an itty bit of fabric.  January stashbusting complete!

Stashbusting sewasaurus rex

How awesome is this button!   I knew the minute I saw it I just had to have it.    In order for it to be added to my blog I was required to make a commitment.  A commitment which shouldn't be too hard to stick to, but then part of it would be extremely difficult for me to do.  As I've said previously I have trouble sticking to plans so I've only committed to the first part to see if I can take something on and stay with it till it's finished.  After all 12 months is a long time.

Oh!...  You want to know what it is?  Really?

Well then, let me tell you.  Emsewcrazy from Tumbleweeds In The Wind has started a Stashbusting Sewalong challenge along with Cindy from Cation Designs.  (The artwork is by Jen Sy.)

The idea is to use only fabric from your stash thus reducing it's magnitude.  Just for fun there are themes to follow each month which I'm not so good at sticking to things like that but I'll try.  You don't have to follow them just as long as you use your stash.  There's also a flickr group you can join to show off your progress and a Pinterest board for inspiration.

So, now my pledge...

"I, Shelly of Shelly's DIY Style commit to using one piece of fabric from my stash per month for the next 12 months."

The second part  is to also commit to not buying any new fabric/patterns/notions except for _______ until ______.  Now, I know I could never commit to that part, so instead of shaming myself when the inevitable happens and I fall from the bandwagon next week (or the week after) I felt it better not to take on that part of the challenge.

So... Are you interested?  Do you feel like reducing your stash?  Are you up for a challenge?  Then head on over to see emsewcrazy or Cindy and join in the fun.

Heading off to see what I can find for January's theme...

So many things

So many things to make... so little time in which to make them...

With my first grandchild due in about three weeks I really need to get some sewing done.  I've been planning what I want to make, have purchased a pattern for one project and fabric for another but haven't even made a start yet.  Panic is setting in.  Will I get anything made before the impending arrival?

The pattern I've chosen is McCalls 5963.  It's sooo cute - don't you think?  I'm going to make view A, the bunting but can't find any fabric suitable when I don't know if it's a boy or girl.  I will make a decision as I can't leave it any longer or it wont be done in time.  Mmmm... Better get to the shops!

Bunting for 'Jellybean

I have also been going through my wardrobe, as you do when the weather starts to turn and found that I'm really in need of some more winter pajamas.  I really don't think the ones I have would qualify as winter pj's any more... most are more than a little thin and falling apart but meh...they're comfy!

Cosy Flanelette

Anyways, I purchased me some lovely warm flanelette to make the pants.  Ya know, I do love the warmth flanelette gives for the pants but I much prefer a t-shirt top to wear with them, don't you? I think it's much less restrictive but I had no luck with a cotton t-shirt fabric for the tops.  Hey, there's no rush - at this rate they'll be finished by 2013 - maybe. lol.

In the meantime Karen from Did You Make That decided to have a "Pajama Party" and I'm thinking I wanna go to this party - what a great way for me to get them made.  If only I can find some fabric for the tops.


And what's more... I've been waiting with anticipation for Me-Made-May '12.  I enjoy the challenge of wearing items made by my own hands every day.  And... lets face it, I need a kick start to get some sewing done. What with moving and a new job I haven't done any sewing since before Christmas.  I have however, bought fabric with good intentions but nothing to show for it yet.

Sooo........ without further ado I pledge

I, Shelly of Shelly's DIY Style, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '12. I endeavour to wear at least one item made by me each day for the duration of May 2012'

Now, I really need to be getting some sewing done not sitting here at the computer.