Minoru Post #2

I've been able to do some work on the Minoru, following the official sew-along posts from 2012. I'm up to step 9 now, which is the plackets and front zipper. I've made two modifications so far - I lined the hood as I said, and added in side-seam pockets. I had issues with the hood zipper, because for some reason even when carefully cut to the right size the zipper opening ended up much too big for my zipper. I dug through my stash though (when I see sewing supplies for a good price at thrift stores I snap them up) and was able to get a nice dark blue zipper that I adjusted to size and sewed in instead. When I'm making the lilac rain coat I might cut the opening a little smaller...we'll see. If I can get the front plackets and zipper on tonight I'll try and post a picture!

Minoru Post #1

Well, I suffered another glutening (ick) but am recovering now. Glutenings follow a reasonably predictable path most of the time: - stomach cramps and *ahem* multiple bathroom visits for Day 1 (and sometimes reccuring again another day) - stomach cramps continue after every meal for 3-4 days - brain fog and migraine-like headaches on days 2 and 3 - starting day 3 for a few days joints swell and are painful - day 4 or 5 mouth sores start to appear It often takes 2 weeks for everything to be completely gone, with the sore joints and mouth sores lasting the longest. It's been a week since the 2nd glutening and I'm just a bit stiff in the hips and knees. I got my Minoru jacket pattern on Friday and busily spent that day tracing out the size 4 onto large sheets of paper - last night I cut out my main fabric (red corduroy) and today I recut the back (yeah....somehow I cut it warped last night) as well as the linings, with the sleeve linings in a slippery polyester to simplify wear, a hood lining to show off my cute birdie fabric, and 2 collar linings so that you don't see the wrong side of the corduroy when the hood is pulled out. Now to start with the Minoru Sewalong!

A challenge

To try and pull myself out of the funk of the last while, I've decided to challenge myself sewing! I love the Minoru Jacket by Sewaholic, and I just happen to have enough red corduroy and cute blue lining fabric to make it! I only had to buy the pattern, zippers, thread, and elastic. I also have enough fabric to make it in a pale pink linen blend (I think), and I intend to make it with a water repellent fabric, once I understand the pattern enough to brave it with new fabric. Anyone want to come along?

After a LONG hiatus, I've decided to ressurect this blog. In the time since the last post we've: - Had to look for a new job for hubby because his company let him go - Had hubby move to Edmonton to start courses in IT while he worked for a friend in the mall - Gotten pregnant, found hubby a great new job, both moved to Edmonton, and had a baby girl (March 2012) - I got a job at hubby's work, then had another baby (boy) in March of this year! I've found this maternity leave much more difficult, as I've now got a very smart and active 2.5 year old (Munchkin) and this baby (Samwise) had colic and then issues with reflux. I also struggled a little more with the post-partum hormone changes. I'm hoping having a little outlet here will make things less blue some days! Part of my struggle has been lack of time to do any crafting, which is my major stress relief. Samwise wouldn't tolerate being held by anyone but me, and after a 3 week vacation at my parents' house without hubby neither will Munchkin. :/