HAPPY NEW YEAR YA'LL (long post)

Since I haven't posted since December 20th I have a whole lot to say, but first of all let me say "HAPPY NEW YEAR" to all my contacts in sewing land. I need to let you know that during 2008 you provided me with: sewing information, knowledge, advice, motivation, encouragement, inspiration and much entertainment! You allowed me to peek into your sewing, family and personal lives. You allowed me to travel from state to state and even abroad (Thank you Paco) while sitting here (often in my PJ's). So as I look back over the year past I owe you a great big THANK YOU!

I really have been itching to post...but I did want to have something to show when I did. Well, FINALLY I do have a show and tell; I FINALLY finished the none ending project of my animal print rain coat! I so wanted to finish it in 2008, but it just didn't happen. What with trying to finish up my math class (if you can imagine a grandmother reluctantly taking three - yes three Algebra classes in one year), the quarter ended on Dec. 17th; and my birthday which was Dec. 18th and all of the nice people who wanted to do nice things for me, I just had to put the sewing aside (DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD THAT WAS?). I know that we need to have lives beyond sewing, it is a MUST for proper balance; but sewing or just being in the sewing room has actually helped save my sanity. It allows me to put away the stress of my hustle-bustle life, and what seems like work to others-is actually fun and calms me down.

That brings to mind the question "JUST WHAT DOES SEWING DO FOR YOU"? So can I hear from others in sewing blogdom on this????? I ask because so often I find myself explaining WHY I do what I do - Why do I Sew - Why do I spend so much time with it; and I tetter back and forth from trying to explain it to people who don't (can't) or (just won't) understand; to becoming slightly angry because people seem to always be asking me about the time I spend with it; to wanting to avoid anyone who doesn't have a passion for the craft (now that would really limit my person to person contact and would not be practical or mentally healthy).......
This is what sewing does for me:

. As I said it relieves stress and calms me down . Allows a creative outlet since I truly believe that God made us co-creators with him so we are supposed to be creating something. I am not a happy person unless I am involved in creating something. .It is also a company keeper. It actually keeps me from concentrating on the fact that I am alone. And being as involved with people who share my craft as I am (via the internet and my sewing buddies) I am not alone any more. .It allows me to wear new and fashionable clothing that fits much better than RTW. . It gives me a chance to stretch and use my mind. . It is an never ending learning process.

I guess I needed to vent. It's too bad that the people who think that I need a rest from sewing sometimes won't actually be reading this (because they also show no interest in blogging) I still needed to get it off my chest. So you know what?, rather than just sitting on the couch eating bonbons, watching TV and getting fatter, I'M GOING TO CONTINUE SEWING TO MY HEART'S CONTENT, as long as the Good Lord affords me the use of my hands to cut, sew, and maneuver fabric and my eyes to thread a needle! So there!!!! CAN I GET AN AMEN!

Now back to the rain coat. I did some snoop shopping during the holidays and noticed that EVERY store (even WalMart and Lane Bryant) had cute 3/4 length rain coats as I call them (they're probably just what we use to call spring jackets when I lived in New York and there you really need a spring jacket every year). Every color, every style. Double breasted, single breasted, some embellished, animal prints and jeweled toned. I guess I'm really on time with mine. I've wanted one every since my friend Lisa made her's last year. Here it is as her entry at the Georgia National Fair with a first prize ribbon.
I combined parts of two patterns to come up with my rendition taking most of the style from the Butterick pattern because I thought the it looked too plain. I took the pocket flaps, sleeve tabs, and belt loops from the Simplicity pattern and I even added a belt buckle although it didn't show in the pictures.

Here are some pictures that I took during the various stages of construction. I decided to interface the entire coat to give the fabric a little more body, and I'm glad that I did.



So to all out there, wishing you a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year and many GREAT sewing adventures!