Crafting Body Appreciation

I am always fascinated by the seemingly insignificant things that can truly foil the best laid plans. I talk about this with my nutrition clients related to lifestyle habits they are trying to change – what is it about eating breakfast that feels so hard? Maybe cutting strawberries feels like too much work (a knife in the morning, ugggh, no thanks). Could we try switching to raspberries and blueberries that don’t need to be cut?

In sewing, I have discovered switching my serger thread is one of those things. I don’t even find switching the thread to be that hard or time consuming. However, the fact that I currently have white thread in my serger means I am favoring projects that work best with white for finishing the seams.

I think we all know that I could probably use white for nearly all projects, and it would be FINE. But I also know I will be happier if my finished grey and black tee shirt is made with black serger thread.  (Spoiler, I did not in fact finish my cut-out Barrington Boxy Tee for this very reason).

I do have 4 finished June makes to share with you….next time. Another sewing roadblock for me? Taking pictures of finished projects. I have worn all the finished projects multiple times but have yet to capture photos. It doesn’t help the once I finally figured out my photo set up, we decided to remodel that space and it has been in chaos ever since.

I do however have some sewing plans, thrift finds, and sewing room updates to share!

Summery July Sewing Plans

First, I am leaning into summer with my July sewing plans. It is too hot to think about anything that isn’t light and airy. I have cut out 2 more pairs of Helen’s Closet June Pants. I am guessing these new pairs will cement this as a TNT pattern for me.

I also have plans to make a slightly modified version of the Peppermint Magazine Bardon Dress. I made one version last summer and liked the fit – especially the chest and shoulder coverage but did not love the gathered tiers for me. This round I am going to keep the top as-is (maybe slightly shortened) and a single long skirt lightly gathered. I am also going to play with stripes in different directions as inspired by the photo below (saved from a Seamwork newsletter).

Thrifted Fabric Haul

Second, at the end of June I scored some great thrifted fabric. I picked up two wovens and one knit for about $2/yard. I am using the tan and white linen-ish fabric for one of the pairs of June pants (with plenty left for another project) but I haven’t decided what to make with the others yet.

Functional and Cozy Sewing Room Additions

Finally, in the last week or so I made a few updates to my sewing space. If you recall from earlier posts, my sewing “room” is glamorously located in a corner of the basement next to the litter boxes and without any temperature regulation. Try to keep your jealousy in check!

I have made the space as comfortable as possible with lots of added lighting, a counter height table for cutting and tracing patterns, and some cute curtains. I recently upgraded my chair from a cute upholstered wooden chair to a much more functional adjustable height desk chair on wheels.

We have also been playing a game of musical rugs in our house after scoring an amazing new rug for the bedroom from our local Buy Nothing Group and the before mentioned remodeling. I moved one of the old bedroom rugs to the sewing room to layer over the large cream color one (also a Buy Nothing find) for a bit more coziness.

Do you have any sewing roadblocks, big or small, that keep you from starting, finishing, or working on a project?