sewing reflections

it's been a long time

since i've done this kind of sewing

with tissue-paper-pattern-pieces

layout to assembly

following directions

how could I help

myself?

found this temptation on the

clearance shelf

at Barnes and Noble

and it was

love at first sight

our local B&N

just so happens to be

located right next to

Jo-Ann Fabric

it was destiny.

in a time crunch 

i gave myself one rule

don't over-think

 fabric choices

pick 5

with sister sue's stamp of approval

and drive

relying on my early days

of sewing techniques

pre-wash

press

pin

cut

read directions

(color inside the lines)

and sew

it was like visiting

 an old friend

now i need to confess

right here

that the instructions called

for a muslin mock-up

which I didn't do

I did flat-pattern measure

and made some customization

(enlarged the waist just a tad)

but in the end

i think it was a bit roomy

and i would have preferred it a wee

bit tighter...

hug my hips 

rather than

well, here

let me show you

as you can see

i didn't fuss over

staging

i threw on a top

stepped into some sandals

donned some winter-white legs

and unpainted toes

to show you

the possibility

enjoyed the fun detailing

a single pocket

a ruffle hem

rick rack trim

but 

you heard it coming didn't you?

i remembered a few of the reasons

i stopped sewing 

like this

first of all

you can't really

try-on

and decide if the look is for you

and

if not

return it!

secondly,

the cost.

factoring in the book,

fabric

 @ $10 a yard

adds up

quick!

notions...zipper, interfacing, thread,

trim.

At one time

sewing saved money

and that's still possible

if

you purchase sale fabric

use a pattern repeatedly

raid your stash of stuff

i didn't do that

so I won't be revealing

the final cost...

i will just say,

gasp!

 finally...

i enjoy creating

my own look

through re-purposing

clothing found

at

second-hand stores

Goodwill

my attic!

in the end

it was fun seeing and

catching-up

with this old friend of mine

sadly,

we departed 

with the knowing that sometimes comes

like a realization

that 

with all those great memories

you share

your lives have taken a different path

gone down different roads

with detours

that caused a change

in your relationship

and although you may not 

get-together often

they still pop in your mind at strange times 

and you know

you'll always be happy

to see them.