My Make Nine Challenge

I think I caught sight of this on Instagram, but it was Cal Patch's post that set the blaze to the spark. The fact that I've already planned on making most of these items this year anyway made it even easier to throw my hat into the ring (it's good that I own a lot of hats!). Also, I'll inevitably participate in the Summer of Basics (should there be one this year), which will account for three of my "make nine." Let me also acknowledge that there are a couple items about which I'm uncertain - not uncertain about whether I want to make them, but uncertain as to whether I can actually complete them within the year. Yeah, those kinds of projects.

But let's start with what's been settled.

1). Sew Liberated Schoolhouse Tunic

This pattern has been on my radar for years, but I kept second-guessing myself. A discount and an encouragement to post images of yours by March 19th (yikes! thought I had more time!) was enough for me to pull the trigger. I already have fabric for it.

2). The Brae Cove Tunic

I'm running the Squam KAL, but this one has its own KAL, in which I'm participating. Thankfully I'm almost done with my Squam knit, and the deadline for completion isn't until May 19th. As you may recall, I've found yarn during my yarnventory for this.

3). The Erica Dress

This is a pattern from Seamwork magazine, to which I subscribe. I like the idea of an easy and sophisticated wrap dress, and I found some matte midnight blue jersey from Mood fabrics. I'm not sure yet if I'm going to make any of the modifications. No deadline for this baby.

4). The Liv Cardigan

I started this cardigan last year with wool reclaimed from another project; however, I discovered I didn't have enough yarn so it was tabled. I've ordered yarn for this (no judgements!), and this will be one of my Summer of Basics makes. Believe it or not, I'm knitting it in black. I think this will fill the black cardigan gap nicely.

5). The Afghani Nomad Dress

I was inspired (years ago already) by Alicia Paulson's version and have collected a variety of Liberty of London fabrics to make my own version.

6). Pants: here's one where I haven't settled on which ones I'm going to commit to, and they range from challenging to pretty easy. I think what will tip the scales is which pair will fill the greatest gap.

The contenders are -

The Morgan Boyfriend Jeans

The Lander Pant

and

100 Acts of Sewing: Pants No. 1

 I'll make all of these at some point, but after I do a little homework (Seamwork's Design Your Wardrobe course), I hope to have a clearer picture of what I need. These will also be part of the Summer of Basics.

7). Azami

I've had this pattern and the yarn (the actual yarn it called for even) for awhile, and I feel like it's time to get 'er done. Mine will not be pink but a nice spring green.

Okay this is where things get vague -

I have the yarn and the pattern for Charley, but it's a lot of work. Like a lot, and I'm afraid I won't be able to finish it within the year.

I also have started on the Maggie dress from Alabama Chanin, but again, lots of work because of all the hand-stitching.

This is the tunic version; I'm making the dress version

And finally, I have two Merchant & Mills dresses in mind. The Trapeze, which I've made in two versions already, and The Rugby, which I haven't.
My Trapeze:

The Rugby:

There's the possibility of shifting commitments, but regardless of the list, there will be other makes as well. There always are. These, however, feel like they could be pivotal players in my wardrobe, and as such are deserving of special attention.

What I'm Wearing to Teach Today: Understated

Dress:  Merchant & Mills Trapeze dress sewn by yours truly
Sweater: Silver Leaf Cardi knit by yours truly in Green Mountain Spinnery's Cotton Comfort
Tights: Hue
Boots: Aquaitalia

What I'm Wearing to Teach Today: Ain't Nothing Wrong with Easy

Dress: Merchant & Mills Trapeze dress sewn by yours truly
Shawl:  Alaria pattern from Quince & Co. knit by you-know-who
Boots:  Timberland (thrifted from my mother)

What I'm Wearing to Teach Today: Tis a Gift to Be Simple

I look old and tired, but that's sometimes how it is.

Dress:  Merchant & Mills Trapeze Dress (made by me)
Shoes:  Birkenstocks

What I'm Wearing to Teach Today: Going for Patrician

not sure why; it just sounded right.

Dress:  Merchant & Mills Trapeze dress sewn by yours truly
Shoes:  Manolo Blahnik

Reading Tonight

So, yeah, it's been a bit longer between posts than anticipated, but between the end of the school year, getting things together for the bike trip, and all the other things that seem to crop up, I only seemed to have time for what I like to call "virtual blogging:"  writing posts in my head and considering it "done."  Hah!  If only (or maybe not).  I hope to catch up over the next few days.

In the meantime, I wanted to let you know about a reading at Bluestockings bookstore (in Manhattan) tonight where I'll be one of the featured writers.  You may recall that I read during the open mic portion of the February reading.  Well, I was invited back as a featured writer after the organizer read some more of my stories.  The other featured reader is Miriam Stanley, a poet.  I'm really honoured.  The reading is from 7-9pm tonight.   Stop by if you're in the neighborhood.

(For those of you wondering about what I'm planning to wear -  the weather is throwing me for a loop because I brought suede shoes, and the forecast calls for rain.  I'll have to troubleshoot that, particularly as I really only brought one "outfit" (most of my clothes are for the bike trip; not exactly the look I'm going for tonight) - and guess what?!  I made the Merchant & Mills dress!  I'll be hemming it today (why not wait until the last possible moment?). )

What A Long Strange Trip It's Been

Yikes!  I was away for two weeks, and it feels like I've been away for months.  I actually wept when the ladyfriend met me at the airport today with flowers.  I think it was a combination of gratitude, exhaustion, and sheer happiness at being home.

You've heard of flowers in the attic.  These are flowers in the shower...to protect them from kitties when we're not around.

I feel like I've been here, there, and everywhere, and I have to say, I might be just a little the worse for wear for it.  But it was worth it.

Some highlights -

I met the Idiosyncratic Fashionistas at Coterie where I was working (and wearing) the Kedem Sasson booth.  Oh my god!  Fashion inspirations!  And they were soooo nice.  There's a photo of me on their blog post about Coterie!  Excitement is flying from my fingertips!

I indulged my fetish and got the Trapeze dress pattern and fabric.  My mother and I went to Mood Fabrics - famed fabric store of Project Runway.  I didn't have my camera with me, but the place is incredible and the staff was really helpful.  It looks just like it does on TV - bolts and bolts of fabrics on floor to ceiling shelving.  It was probably good that we got there with only 20 or so minutes to spare.  But that was all we needed!

Pattern purchased at Purl Soho

Can you see the light blue line running through?  It's going to be awesome!

I also did an unexpected reading at the Women’s / Trans’ Poetry Jam & Open Mike night at Bluestockings Bookstore at the behest of my friend H.D. Artemis who was reading poetry that evening.  I got there late, just as my friend was reading.  Despite being called up right after her (a bit discombobulated) and finding my pages a tad out of order, the reading went well.  I need to do things like that more often.

Merchant & Mills: Fetish Alert!

Okay, so if you didn't know this blog at all, you might immediately associate "fetish" with "sex," but as any crafter worth her/his stash would know, there are many ways to get your jollies. (Wow, a phrase I haven't pulled out in a long time; wait, there are now numerous sexual innuendos.  Full stop.)

So with my mind full of admiration and desire, I wanted to share the lust-worthiness of Merchant & Mills.

C'mon, don't tell me you didn't swoon, at least a little bit.  Sustainability, craft, feminism, collaboration, British accents, egads!

I have an errand to run for my PiC at Purl Soho while I'm in NYC, and it so happens that they carry Merchant & Mills patterns and notions.  I have been dreaming about the Trapeze Dress since before the holidays, and it seems like I cannot ignore the opportunity to pick up this pattern.  While I would love the single-sized heavy paper version, I will be going for the less expensive multi-sized tissue paper version.  (Trying to keep my crafty self out of the poor house.)

So simple, yet so chic.

Look at this sleeve detail!

The possibilities feel endless, and isn't that one of the things we like about being makers?