Sewing Sunday

About five years ago, my friend Alyssa taught me how to sew. She does things properly, so I learned how to make pillowcases first (matching the stripes on the upholstery silk, setting in invisible zippers, cross stitching over the edges to prevent the fabric fraying). Then she taught me how to make patterns, muslins how to do French seams. We started draping but then she had her apt. remodeled--a process that took years. We're now back sewing.

This afternoon, we had our first sewing circle in a while. I'm planning on making a few dresses and have new fabric, as well as some cashmere from Beckenstein's, some lovely silks from Mood (including a Marc Jacobs collection green print that I want to make into a short sleeved dress) and some wool for a tulip skirt. I've got the lining, the zippers and thread and am ready to go. I spent the afternoon tracing and cutting out a fitting pattern, looking over my old fabrics (most haven't dated and still look as beautiful as when I bought them) and thinking of ideas that I hope to pull off. It's nice to be creative again and do something that energizes a different part of my brain.

This afternoon's outfit was a favorite from last fall--Yves in rose, black tights, gray Inhabit cashmere cardi and my new Jeffrey Campbell wedges. You need to be able to move in clothes when you sew--and you need to be able to hike them out of your way so they don't get cut up.