Finally!

I know -- I asked for pattern advice regarding the teal knit nearly 2 months ago. I just finished it this afternoon. Other stuff to sew/quilt/knit keeps coming up!

The pattern went together beautifully, and quickly (1.5 hours sewing time, including pressing, changing serger from 4 to cover/chain to 4 thread operation).

I followed the instructions pretty closely, with the following exceptions:
1) I raised the point at which the front drapes starts at top 3 inches, fearing it would be too low cut.
2) Instead of clean-finishing the front edges and hems, then topstitiching them, I used a cove/chain stitch on the serger to accomplish it in one step.
3) Instead of gathering the front drape to fit the side panel, I adjusted the differential feed on the serger to do that while connecting the seams.
Have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE my BabyLock???

I was warned that Christine Johnson patterns run big, but failed to heed the warning. Now I shall be taking up the shoulder seams, and, may be putting a dart or two in the back.

Still: it's done!

Do I look as sassy in this as I think I do?

No time to sew, but still sewing . . .

This past week I taught a group of 7 wonderful young ladies (age range: 7 - 13 yrs.) some of the basics of sewing. In an intensive, 5 hr/day - 5 day week, we learned about sewing machine functions, care and maintenance of one's machine, fabric selection, pattern selection, fabric preparation, pattern layout, seam construction, seam finishes, elastic insertion, understitiching, construction differences between woven and knit fabrics, embellishment, waiting one's turn for help, and the fact that Miss Sarah does not, in fact have the instructions to every pattern ever printed in her head,and that one should read the instruction sheet and try to understand before giving up and whining. I'll admit: this last was hard-learned. I am exhausted!!!!

The girls each made a knit T-shirt, and coordinating sleep pants. A couple of the girls finished their basic project early, and made tote bags, which I embroidered with their names. Here is a picture of the motley crew at week's end.

After a hard, but fun week of learning the language of sewing, we then had cake!!!! Now, back to projects at home for myself. Maybe. First: a nap.