Sewing, We’re on a Break

That’s right, we are on a break, just like Ross and Rachel from “Friends.”

No, not really like them – it’s only for this weekend. As much as I want to start another sewing project, I need to just take a break. Tomorrow (Saturday) is going to be a 40 mile Team in Training ride, then running errands, then The Mechanic and I are having drinks with friends. Sunday will be the clean house-recuperate day.  Boring but necessary.  Besides, I don’t know what sewing project to do first! There are new patterns out, and I have found some great options.

I have talked about this batik fabric that I’m in love with, and how well it matches the light pink reflective fabric.

Wish I could get a better picture of this fabric!

But I’m not 100 % sure what to do with it. I bought the last yard and a half. Originally I thought I’d make another peplum top out of it.

Redo this one…

Then I thought I could alter the neck line to be more of a scoop or V-neck. So I’d have to not only make the bias reflective trim (something I’ve never done before and will require concentration, ie, lots of time), I need to trace then re-draft the pattern. Not a speedy undertaking, and I do like instant gratification projects. Plus I still need to buy a cutting mat to use my rotary cutter on the bias.

Then I found some new patterns! Thank you Vogue and McCalls for coming to my design-challenge rescue! I found several tops that are simple, are conducive to reflective trim, and don’t take much fabric.

A loose and easy top that would be perfect with a reflective sash. Vogue 8915

I love this blouse, again with a waist sash. I think I’d just edge the sash in reflective piping. I want to make it in teal or aqua. McCalls 6794

Those are my two favorite options. Then there is an interesting long-sleeve top that shows a short sleeve version with three different floral prints. Well, it’s a sketch so you have to use your imagination. But I can imagine it in a trio of “ditsy” Liberty of London florals. Ah sigh, to dream…

I don’t really love how they’ve made it up. McCalls 6798

But the short-sleeve suggestion in floral prints is great! McCalls 6798

Then there is a fall project that I think is pretty fun. It’s a dress, but I would most likely do the top version. And the square is perfect for some reflective trim! But there aren’t any great options for the back, which is where I feel the most reflectiveness needs to be. So I’m not sure. It might be a non-reflective project (gasp!), I don’t know.

Love this as a dress… McCalls 6792

…but the top is pretty great. A fun take on the sweatshirt, maybe. McCalls 6792

While I’m debating and deciding, I tried another project last night. Something smaller, much smaller. See this humble bracelet?

Innocent-looking link bracelet I’ve never added charms to…

Yep, you guessed it! It’s reflective!

I used the reflective embroidery floss I ordered from Sublime Stitching to weave through the links, then make a tassel. Because I twisted the floss to double it and make it a bit stronger, then made the tassel, I used up one whole skein of the floss. I should have made the tassel shorter, but it was hard to know how it would look. And I need to perfect tying it to the bracelet, as well as finishing it off after I’ve woven through the bracelet. It works much better with ribbon, as demonstrated on this cool purse strap from LFLECT Chains by Elena Corchero.

I wore it all day today, and I really like it as a bracelet, but now I’m eager to try another one. I have some other ideas – a chunkier chain, the reflective fabric, the reflective grosgrain…. That too will require a trip to JoAnns and/or Michaels.

But while I’m gathering materials, making decisions, and trying to clean house, I’ll take a break from sewing. After all, the Fourth of July holiday weekend will soon be here, so I’ll have some more time to play.

And I really need to organize my reflective trim collection. It’s a bit of a rat’s nest…

Organize Me!