Notes on "Productivity"

Weekends that are bad for homework usually mean that they were good for crafting.  Last weekend into this weekend is definitely one of those occasions.

I've been quite busy with little things here and there, even if I haven't been posting.  But, in my defense, I've had several reports and first round midterms since last we spoke, so I apologize for the brief break.  To make up for things, I'll share a few of the things I've been working on.  Last weekend, I filtered through Dillon's pile of things and came across two pieces that seemed to ask for a revamp: 

Actually, the top one was originally about as purple (and darker) as the hood on that silken... hood-thing (an old night-shirt, I think.  Screams "court jester" to me).  That orange color was the result of me trying to lighten it with Rit Color Remover.  Certainly got rid of the purple, but I wanted something that wasn't so "Orange Jump Suit", if you know what I mean.

So, added half a package of Rit Scarlet, and this was the lovely bit that came out:

Nice color.  Originally I wanted to make a collared shrug for myself, but after showing it to Dill, he said he liked the new look so much that I chopped off the slightly-too-short-sleeves and made him a new button-down.  He got a few compliments on it in class, as well :)

As for that funky silk piece, I have to tell you, I've never been so scared to work with a material as I have been w/ silk.  I had read online how finicky it was to clean, which was bothersome, since it was all wrinkled and a bit off-smelling from sitting in storage.  I finally got so fed up with it that I ended up just dumping it in a sink of cold water and washing it by hand with some dish soap.  Worked just fine in the end.  After quite a bit of un-hemming and restyle, I came up with this:

It's a little... "eh" at the moment.  Since I've taken this picture, I've cut a bit off the sleeves, but it's still a bit boxy for me.  I was hoping to have a cute little dress for parties, but something about it just seems off.  Project status:  limited success.  At least I know how to handle silk, now, so take your victories where you can.

Anywho, this also probably needs an honorable mention:

Who needs Hello Kitty when you've got Nerdy Kitty?  This is a shirt I've been wanting to make for awhile, though I'm not super pleased with the layout.  Sewing shirts has always been an issue b/c it always stretches at the ends.  It might me that I need to set the tension lower on my machine... suggestions?

I will admit, though, I am very happy with the way the drawstring up the sides came out.  This used to be an over-sized tee (courtesy of Dillon, of course), that I cinched up a bit.  The drawstring came from another tee shirt.  I stretched out the material and made a nifty little cord.

The fact that I've been having limited successes with sewing rather recently might be a hint for me to take it easy on the projects...  especially with NaNoWriMo coming up!!!  My first time trying!  Aaaaaagh, I'm so nervous.  I have this horrible habit of backing out when things get to be "too much", so I'll need help not doing that with this...  I have an idea for a plot, but it's so nebulous.  Plus there's the FE right around the corner, so I'm doubly freaking out... 

In other words, you may see less of me in the next few weeks, and if you do, it'll be me ranting.

Until the next.