Blog Hopping!

Normally I don’t do these sorts of things but my good friend Nicole nominated me. And I feel like I owe her an apology because it took me so long to get around to doing this. 🙁 I had plans on taking fun pics to go with my questions but, as you can probably guess, that didn’t happen.

But Nicole’s other nominee, my friend Susan, already did her post so now I feel like I gotta get off my bum and do this thing. Motivation!

Thanks so much for the nomination, Nicole! You’re awesome and I’m glad I’ve gotten to hang out with you so much lately with the meet ups and sewing parties.

So, questions…

How does my blog differ from others of its genre? 
Hmm, I guess I have a few themes on my blog like sewing clothes that will actually be worn rather than pure frosting.

But on the other end I’ve been going through a phase where I want to be challenged by my sewing whether that means learning new techniques, trying my hand at costuming or just making and wearing clothes that are out of my comfort zone.

Why do I create, and why do I write?
Creating is in my nature and I blog to document what I make. You never know if in the future you or your grandkids will want to look back on what you made years ago. I would love it if I had a 5 year log of everything my grandmother made way back when. This blog is a historical document.

Having a blog is also a good reference if I want to re-make a pattern and cant remember the changes I made to my original version.

Oh, and I think it’s kind of cool that I have continuous catalog of pictures of myself (posed “photoshoot” style, as opposed to selfies) from at least once a week for the past several years. Sometimes it’s interesting to go back and see how much (or how little) I’ve changed.

How does my creative process work? 

Lots of procrastinating in between naps – just kidding (mostly).

Usually I find a pattern design or inspirational photo online of a garment or style I love and start from there. I don’t have much of a fabric stash but it’s growing. After I find a good fabric then the fun begins.

The actual work is when I sit down for marathon sessions of sewing and whatever I’m watching on Netflix (right now I’m catching up on Doctor Who). I’ve found that I can sew for much longer if I’m being entertained (MUST. FINISH. EPISODE.).

Once I’ve finished I show off my new make to Justin who then proceeds to make unnecessary comments (“You look like a flight attendant/girl scout/50s housewife/librarian.”) and I grumpliy trudge back into my sewing room.

After I get over that I then take pics and blog about it.

I can tell you one thing my creative process doesn’t involve – cleaning.

What am I currently working on?

You mean what am I NOT working on? Hehehe, well, I made myself laugh…

I usually have several projects on the table at once. I know some people are adamant supporters of the “one project at a time” philosophy but that just slows me down. If I have several garments I’m working on then I can switch between them as I go.

Sure, juggling many makes does bring a UFO risk, but so does getting so frustrated with a persnikity project that you shove it into the black hole of shame a drawer. If I can take a break from a dress that’s giving me trouble and work on a simple shirt then that success will fuel my desire to finish that other project.

A garment is most likely to become a UFO if it never makes it to the sewing machine. Most of my “UFO bags” are filled with cut out fabric pieces that probably aren’t even pinned together.

But for real: I’m slowly working on a dress inspired by one of my favorite movies, a cosplay that I need to have finished by January, a 1840s romantic era dress, a Regency era bonnet, a Nettie Bodysuit, and a shirt dress are in the pipeline.

Ok, now for nomination(s)!

I’m nominating Lauren from Rosie Wednesday (I know I didn’t ask ahead of time, but too bad, you gotta do it now). Not only is Lauren a great friend but her love of all things vintage is inspiring. She rocks the vintage look like no one’s business from hair to glasses to her sassy and adorable handmade wardrobe. Seriously, this lady has a great blog (and she obviously loves candy as much as I do!) so you really ought to check it out.