A Diaper Bag, Can I do it?

Honestly... I don't know why I take on projects I KNOW I can't finish on time. But... it's my first nephew and a thought occurred to me while shopping online for him. Should I make one for him? Granted that it's more for his mother and his father (my brother). But I like to make things which I know will get used.

When I searched for Diaper bags on PatternReview, Butterick 4560 stood out with most number of good reviews. But here's the caveat, I don't think I have time.



I am leaving for India on December 12th and before that I have to sew a couple of baby sacks and finish my coat. And we're heading towards the thanksgiving weekend. First week of December is super busy for me so I don't foresee doing any sewing. But looking at the pattern, how many hours do you think this bag will take from cutting to sewing? Can/Should I do it? Or is my time better spent on searching for a RTW bag?

Be honest...

Catching up...

So by now we've established that I am not a blogger. But that's ok, it's not the end of the world. I'd been beating myself up about it and as months flew by, it just got harder and harder. So going forward, no promises about how frequently I'll post. I'll do it when I feel like writing. So before I write about what's going on now, a quick catch up.

Since August, I've:

1. Sewn a Cardi. I decided to make the shorter version because for my frame, its more flattering. Less fabric and more usable. The reason I've not written a review is because I want to make it again in a better fabric. But following others' advice on PatternReview sewing this was a breeze and I love it.



2. Organized PatternReview's FIRST booth and on-stage Fashion show at Novi!


3. Knit up a storm for my new nephew before he arrived and finally became an auntie on October 26th, 2009.



See the knitting album here

4. Inspired by one of the winning entries, in the Top Ten contest at Novi, made my own version in October.

Simplicity 3835 - Built By Wendy Dress
Review



5. I am currently working on my second coat. So far, I've cut out the pattern pieces and marked them carefully. I was supposed to sew the lining tonight but I decided to catch up with my blogging instead. I've decided that sewing is therapeutic for me so I am taking things slow. These days I only sew an hour at most in one session and I am loving it!

Burda 8603


Isn't it cute?

Here's my WIP Review on PatternReview

6. Oh, and I have got to tell you this. The PatternReview book manuscript is done! finished. This is actually going to happen you guys! I am so excited...

Personally I've gone through some trying last few weeks but the good news is that I am out of it. The thing with sorrow: when you're going through it, the whole world comes crashing down on you, but as long as you figure out what gets you out of it, it only makes you stronger. And that's how I feel today so I thought I'd share it with you. I receive emails from so many of you expressing how sewing helps you in sadness and I feel the same way too now. It really does help to "create". So here's to sewing and creating. May we all continue to create and share!

Wishful Wednesday - The Cozy - I want it!

I haven't sewn at all this month. In fact I've been so busy with PatternReview that I haven't even thought of what to sew. And I am ashamed to admit that I haven't been able to even read reviews.

That said, I get e-mails when some of my favorites write a review on Patternreview so this morning outlook notified me that Christina has a new review. Of course I had to jump right in. And I love it! Simplicity 2603 is a knock off of the coveted DKNY Cozy.



The DKNY COZY

Image courtesy : DKNY.com

The Video sold me on it. I even started a Sew-along on PatternReview.

Christina points out that it's best worn with the same color shell underneath. She chose black. I am thinking a rich burgundy. And I am dreaming of silk jersey. It is after all wishful Wednesday :)

I am so impressed with Simplicity. Over the years they've really turned their designs around. Each collection just keeps getting better than last. Kudos to the design team. I am looking forward to meeting them at the American Sewing Expo next month. A cozy would be so nice to wear to the expo too wouldn't it?

So, if I were sewing right now, I wish I was sewing this wrap. Gagan is out next week so I have the house to myself. I am thinking take out every night and pulling overtime on that sewing machine :)

So what do you wish you were sewing right now?

A Tribute to All Brothers

Today I am going to tell you about another Indian tradition/festival.

"Rakshabandhan"

(translates to A Bond of Protection). On this day, Sisters tie Rakhi (think of this as a Friendship Band) to their brothers. They get dressed, cook for their brothers, feed them their favorite sweets/candy and in return the brothers promise to protect and nurture their sisters. The tradition has been going on for thousands of years. In 16th century India, wars have been abandoned because the Queen sent "Rakhi" to the opponent thus making him her "Brother". Today young girls enjoy "gifts" from their brothers as a token of their love.

I am calling it "Brother's Day".

In my opinion the bond between a brother and sister is the purest form of a relationship between a man and a woman. So why am I telling you this today? Because it IS that day today! On this day I am reminded of my childhood, looking forward to rakshabandhan as the day where it'll all be about me and when I'll receive lots of gifts from my brothers. And it's not just my own brother. It's cousins too! So you can see why sisters would look forward to this. The young boys would hate it! Because its the day when they get "nothing" and all the gifts are for the sisters. So we started buying some small gifts for them too! But nothing compared to what the girls would get :)

Gift giving aside, for me, it's a reminder of the fact how blessed I am to have not one but three very loving brothers who would be there for me at the drop of a hat should I need them. Three brothers who although are much younger than me, would do anything for me. A reminder of how much fun we had growing up. The pranks we played, the innumerable fights we had and the secrets we kept. Not to mention the shoulders we cried on...

And being thousands of miles away from them is as hard as it gets, as you can imagine. So, as I was sending my Rakhi in mail the other day, the vibrant colors of the rakhi inpsired me to share this with you and I snapped a picture. The red colored powder is called "Roli". Its mixed with water to create a thick paste and is used to mark a "Tilak" more like an elongated "Bindi" on the brother's forehead. The rice is then stuck to the tilak. It's all very divine and beautiful!

Here are some photos from 2007 when I was in India for Rakshabandhan.















The lovely woman in the background is my grandma!


Happy Rakshabandhan to everyone who celebrates it and to all those who don't, pick up that phone and call your brother or sister and tell them how much they mean to you. Life's too short not to!

July Project - Dress!

So this One Garment a Month is really working for me. I've noticed that this is also the only time I update the blog. Which made me think... I like deadlines, I like making plans and then sticking to them. So I am going to start a Wishful Wednesday. Why wednesday? Because Mondays are crazy for me and I barely have time to breathe let alone blog. I like setting easy deadlines so Wednesday it is.

Since I obviously can't sew every Wednesday, my goal is to talk about a project I wish I could sew and hopefully some of these projects will make it to my one garment a month schedule.

I am hoping this will help me update my blog more, talk about sewing a bit more, learn about the things which will and will not work for me and who knows, maybe some of you will even like reading about my projects and perhaps add your own.

So that's my plan and I am sticking to it.. I hope... I can.. I will... We'll see...

On to the July Project

A lovely (if I may say so myself) summer dress! From March 2009 Burda. I've already written a full review on PatternReview so hop on over there to read it.



I made the necklace too!

Two garments in June - Not Bad!

So last year I started this sew along - One Garment a Month which is REALLY working for me. It's made sewing fun for me once again and it has kept me on track and I find myself look forward to each month. And since I fell off the wagon in May, I decided to make two things this month.

My first finished project this month is this favorite bib-front shirt (01-2008-108), this time in hanky weight linen from Fabric.com.



I loved playing with the wing needle!



This is also as close as it gets for my only white shirt.

Full Review on PatternReview

My second garment for this month is this fun and flirty skirt from my favorite knit skirt pattern, kwik sew 3032



Seriously, I've lost count of how many skirts I've made from this pattern. It sure has served me well. And it's so quick to make too. Since the fabric has white background, I decided to line it with silk weight powerdry which I bought from a coop years ago. If you can get your hands on it, go for it. It's good stuff! Feels like butter against the skin.

Needless to say I am feeling pretty proud of myself this month :) Up next, the trench! wish me luck.

Rain Rain Go Away....

All this RAIN! I think my plants are dying because of too much water! But what the heck... I am EXCITED about my FIRST Trench Coat. A few months ago I never thought I'd need a trench coat. But now, I can't imagine my life without it. At the PR Weekend Portland, I tried on some fabulous trenches and now I want one of my own!



This one actually belongs to Leslie, but I fell in love with it, so had to try it on. I think I pulled it off :)

And look at the fabric I scored from Mill End in Portland!



It's a little too bright but that's exactly what I need to get over the gloomy rainy days here in New England.

I also bought a Buckle from Pacific Trimming on my recent trip to NYC.


So what else do I need? Ah yes, the pattern...

Remember the coat I made back in October/November last year?

Well that pattern also has a trench version!



And Stacey's review convinced me, that is the right pattern for my first trench.

See, I believe in setting myself up for success anytime I try something new. So for my first trench I want to keep things simple. So while this pattern may not have the traditional details like Leslie's version, at least it has enough to pass as a trench.

Plus I know this pattern works for me so no fitting involved!

I am contemplating whether or not to make it knee length or mid thigh... decisions decisions.

I've spent a good part of this morning reading all trench coat reviews and I like the idea of putting in lining just in the sleeves like Leslie (loohoo) did on her Burberry trench. So I shamelessly e-mailed Cidell to help me find the same burberry lining! Fingers crossed!

So there you have it. Now that we have a record of this trench, I HAVE to make it :) This will be my July project. And you know what's going to happen don't you? The minute it's ready to wear, the rain is going to STOP!