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Reinterpretation of a Lake on a Rainy Day

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Hello, all! I've finally finished a piece of embroidery that's been in the works since at least April.


I call this "Reinterpretation of a Lake on a Rainy Day". I was driving back from somewhere on a scenic road and I couldn't see very well because of the rain, but I did think the lake looked strangely pretty in the rain, all grays and muted colors. I pulled off to the side, took a picture, and thought, that might be nice to embroider. Then I promptly did nothing until this spring, when I was looking through pictures on my phone.

The view was pretty standard as far as lakes go--rocks, water--so I did a bit of reinterpreting on the scenery, making a bit of a cave or looking-out point, with the calm water in the distance.

I used DMC thread on ivory linen in a 4" hoop. It's all a satin stitch done messily with color blending. The circle is a bit lopsided as well, but I'm hoping that adds to the charm.

Are you inspired by scenes of nature for what you cre…
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Summer Adventures!

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Hello, all! Time has flown by, but for once I'm not scrambling, going, "And I've done nothing!" This summer has been full of adventures and will continue to be so!
As mentioned in my (long past) prior post, I hiked the Camino de Santiago in Spain! It's a historical pilgrimage; the name means "the way of St. James". It has a very Catholic history, but now people of all kinds of backgrounds do it for a multitude of reasons. When talking with others, one common reason for walking was that there was some kind of big change in the pilgrim's life, like death, or retirement, or spiritual doubts. I was with a group of about 20 people, and we walked 300 miles with our backpacks in 3 weeks. It was an unforgettable experience and not something I can describe very well, especially over the Internet. My feet are still recovering! Here is a picture of me on a Roman bridge:


Now that I'm back into my summer job, I also have summer sewing plans. For me, this is …
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Sure, Jan

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Hey all, I am super busy and chances are this space will be empty until July. But I'm alive, and very much wishing I had time to dedicate to sewing this semester! Unfortunately, I don't.
Anyway, have this turtleneck I made, like, 3 months ago, over Thanksgiving break. I saw the fabric in JoAnn's and just had to have it because it was perfect 70s fabric. I do not regret my choices.
The pattern is a personal pattern, but Named Patterns has a nice turtleneck as does Papercut Patterns I believe.




So that's my 70s sweater, straight out of the Brady Bunch. I'll see you eventually.

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Top 5: Summary of the Past Year

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Hey folks, long time no see!! That's what happens when you take 3 science classes which result in 10 hours of lab a week, haha. Anyway, so I though I would follow along with Gillian's Top 5 but in an extremely abbreviated version this year. Top 1 of each category!

To begin, top 1 hit of the year:
Almost everything! I really nailed down my style this year and almost everything I wear feels great. I'll sum it up with this photo by my friend Catherine: a Named Inari tee variation, a secondhand sweater, high-waisted vintage-inspired jeans, boots, and a flower crown on my hat. Completely me. I loved it.



Top 1 miss of the year:
This dress. It's just not my style. I think the silhouette--elasticated waist--is partly to blame, but I just don't care for it much at all. The neckline is not really suitable for me either.



Top 1 highlight of the year:
In terms of my schooling, my research fellowship this summer definitely takes the cake. It was informative, fun, and a great opport…
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Swimsuit 2017: a Retro Affair

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Hello everybody! Sorry it's been so long, but my pictures didn't want to upload at my Mom's house, and then I started school up again... Three hard science classes with the accompanying labs is no joke! I'm not even all that worried about organic chem, but my analytical chem and physics classes are tough.
Today I am presenting the swimsuit I made this summer. I have worn it exactly zero (0) times, other than for pictures. But I haven't gone swimming at all this year, so that's why.

The pattern is mostly self-drafted. The neckline is based on my Sweetest Dreams bra and the width came from a leotard I own. The legline was drawn on the spot, but you can't see it anyway.

My inspiration for this was 60s and 70s swimsuits, with their smooth lines. I particularly liked the high-neck, no back look, so that is what I copied. To keep it modern, I drafted a leg line that is similar to a ballet or jazz leotard--it's not the really low fifties style, but it's c…
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Stitching Students: Zoe of ZoeSews

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Hello everyone! Today I have another installment of Stitching Students: meet Zoe of @zoesews on Instagram and the channel ZoeSews on YouTube! I do believe Zoe was recommended to me by a fellow sewist, and after following her for a while I can say she certainly has a unique and quirky style! Without anything else, here is Zoe!
Where are you from?  The UK
At what level of schooling are you? I am about to go into my second year of college.
What are you studying or what is your favorite subject? I am studying Fashion and Textiles Level 3.
Why did you choose this? I wanted to learn more about refined sewing skills and pattern cutting.
How do your studies affect your sewing, or vice versa? How do you balance and manage time effectively? (Ugh, I sound like an adult. Wait, I am one. Technically.) You would think they go hand in hand but unfortunately not! When I’m at college I make sure that every Sunday is selfish sew day where I sew for no one but myself; this has kept me sane!
Moving on to gene…
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August Musings + Plans (My Sewjo is Gone)

Hello everybody, it's August!
It's August and my job finished last week and I don't know how take breaks anymore. Also, my sewjo is gone.
Of course my sewjo is gone the minute I actually have time to sew. Like, I don't how you real adults do this! I'm only a practice adult and it's been hard to be actively sewing this summer. 40 hrs of working per week, making dinner almost every day, other responsibilities... at that point I don't even want to sew, I want to veg out! And now my sewjo has disappeared.
I made a new shirt last Friday, not because I wanted to, but because I needed a new shirt. Making it wasn't even fun. It was a knit tee, which normally is my jam--but no.
Anyway, this is really rambling and it's probably not going to get better, but I'll try to work in some formatting so you don't get lost. There's 4 things on my to-ramble-about list today. I think.

1. Green. I love green so much that I can't buy green fabric or clothes …
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