Lycra Time....no really!

Hello everyone, I'm still here!

So, what has been my sewing progress on my re-entry skirt? Little, to be honest. I've cut the pattern and constructed the waistband but that is it. It's been quite a few months so I could have easily finished it but I have just the other day realised why I haven't. The truth is....this fabric just doesn't excite me and I do remember well from my big sewing days that if I don't love the fabric and pattern I just half do it or procrastinate. I bought this fabric ages ago because I love bird themed fabric but teh colours are wrong for me.

In these years I've been away from sewing I discovered new passions and interests and re-discovered others. One of them is fitness. I used to go to gym 4 or 5 times a week and loved it. A few years after moving to London the gigantic commute meant I stopped going and once you stop exercising going back to it is hard. But I've done it and LOVE it.

So I decided to sew some fitness clothes which is probably a very silly decision as "Hello sewing with lycra!!!?? First thing after a sewing break? When I never sewn with lycra before?" But these details never stopped me doing what I wanted and like so here we go. I've purchased the fabric and the patterns. Sewaholic Patterns never failed me so they won't fail me now.

Have you done these patterns? Or sewn with lycra before? Tips welcome.

Back to Sewing Time

So it seems my sewing/blogging break has taken more than 3 years! Wow! Let me tell you, I needed it!

Back in 2013 I was feeling quite depressed with low self esteem and very near to work burnout. It is probably noticeable in my last posts and photos. I simply didn't want to do anything that would put attention on me so obviously that included sewing for myself and taking photos of myself. It was a rough time so I turned my attention to getting better, getting rid of my work (which was a main contributor to how I was feeling) and doing things that have nothing to do with how I or anyone else looks. In my case I became very involved with animal rescues, namely small rescues who work with guinea pigs and other small pets, who are very under appreciated and suffer terrible neglect and abuse, as they are seen as simple children pets, cheap and disposable. I won't bore you with that although you can find out more about it on my piggy blog and shop The Piggy Lounge.

This year I started to feel good about myself again and decided to start working out in the gym, something I used to do 10 years ago and loved. With that came a renewed self love and appreciation for myself and I suddenly realised I missed sewing for me and I missed my self portraits. Sewing and Photography were always important for me. So I decided to start again. I will take it very slow and approach this as if I am a absolute beginner (which I sort of am because 3 yrs only sewing guinea pig beds is not really dressmaking experience).

First on my sewing list a very easy and simple skirt. I have made this skirt before and love it so feel brave to tackle it again. I will use a pretty bird fabric I have lying around. It might take me a few months (as usual I have 10 million other hobbies and commitments) but slow does it at the moment. No stress, no rush, no panic!

Happy to be back, will be catching up with all lovely blogs out there too. If you are reading this post and used to follow me years ago say hi! 

See you later!

I have decided to take a blogging holiday. I have been toying with this idea for quite some time and have decided to plunge in now. There is too much stuff happening in my life at the moment and blogging time has become difficult. So I'm going on holiday for a few months! I plan to be back in July (when some things will settle down) and I'm sure I will have tons of finished outfits to show you be then as I am still sewing. 

It's not a technology holiday so still email me at suzysewingblog[at]yahoo[dot]co[dot]uk if you want or get in touch via twitter @MrsSuzySewing. I will still be reading blogs and seeing what everyone gets up to.

I'll leave you with a quick photo of my last make. A Burda skirt which makes running or going up the stairs impossible!

See you all later! xx

A belated giveaway winner

Drumroll....the winner is...

JackieNJ

Congratulations, please email me at suzysewingblog[at]yahoo[dot]co[dot]uk with your address so I can get it to you.

Thank you to all who participated!

A belated giveaway

I planned on having a giveaway for Sew Grateful but my organisation skills were not up to scratch. When I realised it was too late. However, I do feel very grateful for all my sewing friends, those I have met in the flesh and those I haven't. I'm also also grateful for all my readers. Thank you!

I am offering Burda 7160 as a giveaway. I bought this pattern on an impulse. I wanted a nice knit pattern that I could make to wear on my next holiday. As I'm on a tight budget I plunged at this when Jaycotts has a 50% off Burda patterns sometime ago. I saw it was a Miss Petite so though great, even better. Duh! Readers, make sure you read all the details when you buy stuff. This lovely pattern starts at  size 12. Impossible for me, as I usually buy size 6 or 8!

So, it's up for grabs, in factory folds. All you need to do is leave me a comment about the most duh!! sewing related thing you bought until next Sunday 3rd March at 19.00 GMT time. 

Are your makes pretty on the inside?

I had a fantastic weekend and managed to do a lot of things that make me happy. I even did a spot of sewing. But I was ridden with guilt because as I was working on the third instalment of my Tale of Skirts I realised I was still far from finished and I had an urge to work quicker and faster to be able to finally have a finished project to show to you. I haven't shown anything new in quite some time. But then I thought that it is a silly thing to do, I should work at my own pace. More than that is the fact that when I work quickly and rush things I make a less than perfect job and end up only half pleased with the result. So I finally decided on my Sewing Pledge for 2013 and that is to "Be as pretty inside as on the outside".

I want to do beautiful garments that I will love and wear. I want to make things that will last. I want to take time to make a good job and ensure it all fits fine. If I feel rushed I will compromise on seam finishes, buttonholes, fit and ultimately that's not what I want. By taking this pledge I'm reigning myself in and avoiding botchy jobs just to get something finished to show.
So what will you get from me from this pledge:

• Detailed photos on the insides of my future makes, even when it's not as pretty as it should but the effort is there.
• More in progress reports, which I know some of you find boring but they really help me track my own progress.

Now that feels just right! 

Do you ever feel rushed to finish a garment so you can show it on the blog? Does it affect how well you sew and finish the garment? Talk to me!

Drawing and Knitting

Thank you so so much everyone for your supportive and lovely comments on my last post. They all made me think and feel a bit better. I have to say I shouldn't be shy to change as I made a radical big change almost 9 years ago. And that was to leave my home town with a suitcase and a one way plane ticket to London. In retrospective it was brave but I did well. And I'm very happy I did that, I would have never met and married Rob if I hadn't :D

Anyway, enough mushy-ness, onto this week very short and picture-less post! No progress has been made on the sewing front. I'm faced with a deadline on my courses' Illustration unit and running quite behind so drawing most of the time. When I haven't been drawing, I've been watching TV/ movies and when I do that I knit. So hurrah! I finished the front on my cardigan and started one of the sleeves.

Finally, if you live in UK and are a knitter and happen to have some remnants of DK or 4 ply wool you wouldn't mind parting with, I am collecting some to donate to my local animal charity Hula, where I also volunteer. They have an army of crafty ladies who knit blankets for the animals and are in need of wool. If you'd like to contribute email me at suzysewingblog[at]yahoo[dot]co[dot]uk

PS: No post next week as it will fall just on my course deadline. I will be back the Tuesday after! Ta muchly!