Sharon Sews

As you prepare to exit the restroom at work, the door handle comes off in your hand locking you inside. Your first thought is " Are you kiddin' me? " followed quickly by "I gotta post this on Facebook ." before it really sinks into your brain that you might actually be trapped inside until someone walks by and hears your cries for help. So that was the start of my morning at work. Yes, this really happened. No, I didn't have my phone with me. Yes, I did realize I was locked inside the bathroom. No, the door would not open without the handle. (I tried) Yes, I finally managed to use the broken handle to open the door. And yes, if I would have had my phone I probably would have taken a photo and posted it. I mean, c'mon, you gotta admit it was pretty funny. So no, I didn't post it on Facebook. But I did the next best thing - shared it with you.

What to do? What to do? I really am itching to begin sewing with the latest fabric purchases. BUT I pulled all my unfinished objects out of hiding and am feeling like I really should complete them. You know, like I can't have desert until I finish all the broccoli. Although I actually really like broccoli so maybe that's not a good example. But I think you get my point. You see a contest just began at PatternReview - one that I can easily participate in. A UFO (UnFinished Object) contest. The rules are simple enough - basically finish projects that were left in an uncompleted state before Dec. 1, 2009. Easy-peasy. Seriously? Look at this stack of projects already cut out. Ugh...that Sewing Workshop one is so old the silk print is screaming "early 90s!" That one is being re purposed as I'm certain the fabric would be much happier lining a new jacket. Sewn from one of my latest additions of course. Not only that, here's another group of projects that ju

Remember my post about being shorted 4" on a piece of wool during my last shopping excursion at Hancock Fabrics? (You can read about it here if you haven't already. ) Well, I needed the full 1-1/2 yards for the dress I had planned to sew - McCall's 5971 , view B. Yes, I could have sewn view A with small partial cap sleeves, but it just wasn't what I had in my minds eye. I even thought the mini houndstooth dress would look kinda cool with an exposed back zipper ala Gertie . (Still gonna borrow that idea - love it!) But four inches less than 1-1/2 yards meant there would not be enough for the dress, so I did the next best thing. Whipped up a skirt using one of Simplicity's newer releases - 2451 . The skirt only required 1-3/8" of 60" fabric, so I was able to make it work. The skirt is has six panels and flares out at the hem - a short mermaid style if you will. It also has a curved yoke, front pockets (yea!) and decorative tabs with 1" buttons. I fi