Summer skirts

I've made a few wardrobe changes since the last time I blogged about dress--I stopped feeling the need to stay completely plain and simple.  I've moseyed on over to the solidly feminine category, though I would still say my clothes are mostly modest besides the fact that some of my shirts are still a little tight around the chestal region.  I wear a skirt almost every day (what legendary comfort!).  I still wear the long skirts I made before, but I sometimes add fancier shirts or earrings.  Lately it's been very hot outside (in the 90s) and I got to thinking that it would be nice to have some more summer skirts.  Simplicity patterns were on sale at Hobby Lobby this week for $1.99, so I bought a few to try out.  I also went to Hancock Fabric for the fabric, and found that Butterick patterns were on sale for $0.99 there, so I snagged one of those as well.  Hancock Fabric has some pretty fantastic sales, including discount fabric areas.

The first pattern I tried during this spate of renewed interest was Simplicity 2184.  I found the red fabric in the discount area.  I decided on that particular fabric because there is a small amount of it in the quilt-in-the-works and I thought it would be nice to have extra if I needed it.  It would also make a nice apron, I think.  I'm completely in love with that lace trim.  This was the first time I used elastic in a sewing project.  It was ridiculously easy, and the skirt only took a few hours to finish.

I also finished the skirt that I mentioned in this post.  That is to say, I finished in in January but haven't blogged about it yet.  I wasn't all that wild about it at first because it's pretty much the only item in my wardrobe that is pink, so I don't exactly have shirts to match. BUT last weekend I went on a tour of a brewery (complete with all-you-can-drink free samples of their brew) where I snagged a green shirt that says "Real Ale Brewing Company" that I think looks nice with the skirt. 

Sewing is good for the soul.  Every time I enter the fabric store it's like entering a wonderland of colorful delight.  I talked to a lady at the library yesterday who said that she gets fabric off of Freecycle for free, but she doesn't have much time any more to sew.  And would I want her to bring me some fabric she doesn't want?  Heck yes!  We'll see if this conversation bears fruit.