Staying Busy

Oh my goodness, I'd forgotten just how busy going back to school was!  My kids went back last Monday so they're finishing up their second week today.  We've had Open House, karate lessons, Back to School lunch for the school staff, PTO meetings, doctor's appointments, volleyball games, football games...

But they are loving their new teachers and have lots of friends in their classes and come home everyday telling me something they've learned or a teacher said and it makes my heart happy.  :)

Here's their first day pics for you:

I've found a little time for sewing this week and made myself a new top, testing another new pattern for Jenny.  She's tweaking the sizing as I found it a little too big, but the pattern is great.  It's a split-neck raglan top.  Think peasant top for women without elastic in the neckline or arms.  I'm going to make some adjustments to the sizing on my top and hope to show it off Monday.

What are you up to on this long holiday weekend?  Gearing up for fall?  Celebrating the last bits of summer?  We'll be watching tons of football and spending time with some dear friends that are coming to visit.

Selfish Sewing done

So I finished up the shorts from last week.  They were really quite simple.  It took me longer to get photos of them than to make them for sure.

I'm not thrilled with any of the pictures, but...as my friend Mindy reminded me, we are our own worst critics.  So here goes:

I sewed these up with a cotton blend that had a slight stretch to them and a heavy weight.  It was perfect for these shorts.   The weight of the fabric really holds the shape of these shorts well and adds to the "dressier" look of these shorts.  I was hoping for a pair that could easily be dressed up or down and I think I've got that with these.

 The directions were easy to follow and quick to sew up.  I do want to go back and add pockets to these as I left them out since I was pattern testing.  I've even got them cut out and ready to add.  I originally cut the 6-inch inseam length on these shorts.  But once I got them made I felt that was too long so I turned them up about 1 1/2 inches for the hem.  Perfect.

Funnily enough, I had Chris take a few pics of me on our front porch in these shorts and just felt the lighting was terrible so I said we'd just redo them Saturday morning before my nephew's birthday party.  And after looking at all the pics, I ended up liking those original pics the best.

Does anyone remember the scene from the movie Clueless when she takes pictures of her outfits because she says they're better than just looking in the mirror.  I always think of that when I have Chris photograph me in outfits.  I would have sworn I liked the blue shirt better but after looking at the photos--the green shirt wins.  :)

Next up is some sashing strips from Oren's (never-ending) Star Wars quilt and a quick skirt for Emma for back to school.  Then I'm going to do some more selfish sewing and whip up those seersucker shorts for me too.  :)