Mar 18, 2014

I Would Have Posted Sooner But...

Last weekend I glommed my way into a sewing blogger meetup in NYC even though I've been absent from the virtual bee for nearly a year (and only heard about it the night before from Gingermakes). As always, it was inspiring to hang with so many ladies who share my passion for fabric, sewing and DIY fashion. Plus I came away with a bag of fabric to last me few the next projects in my queue.

Being there, I realized how much I've been missing out by not posting in my blog — or reading and commenting on others. Of course, at the time I stopped blogging, I felt like I was missing out on real world interaction with likeminded sewers (which I have since remedied by taking up teaching!), so I guess I am beset by the modern ill of always feeling like the thing I am not doing is the thing I should be doing. (As I type this, I'm looking longingly out the window at a sunny day — even though I know it's minus one million degrees out!).

I gave up blogging here for a while because of fear and frustration over the fact that some of my content was used in an inappropriate way, as well as search terms that have no business bringing people to Beau Baby were the No. 1 entry point to this blog. I tried deleting posts and even certain individual words throughout my blog to cope with all that, and it still doesn't seem to have helped. To move ahead I will have to work on self-censorship (not just language, but also avoiding writing about or posting pics of my kid), which is not a totally impossible task.

Though I haven't been blogging, I have been sewing a lot— including this striped jersey Scout tee I made Sunday night. Like the pleather patch pocket (say that three times fast!)?


This is another of my fave recent makes — a chambray men's style collared shirt with snaps (can I get a what-what for no buttonholes?): 

Instagram filters were made for no-makeup days, n'est-ce-pas?
I made the pattern for the above button-up a few years back in advanced patternmaking class at FIT. I must have aced that assignment because this shirt is perfection. I wore it on International Women's Day, a la Rosie the Riveter.

I bought a bunch of yards of that chambray at Mood, so I made this tunic version of Victory Patterns' Anouk with the remainder:


I've used that pattern once before to make the dress version, which I much prefer to this. The yoke details are so cute, but the non-belted tunic length looks maternity — and I'm not wild about being asked when I am due. Also, I should have sized up apparently, because though the sleeveless version fit perfectly, when I attempted to add sleeves, I felt like the hulk — as in, I could rip the whole thing open if I got angry enough ("Who used my fabric scissors to CUT PAPER!?!? RAWR!" ...riiiiiiiip. Sigh.).

Oh, and to complete the sentence I started in this post's title: I would have posted sooner but...
-I couldn't figure out the captcha
-I was trying to figure out if those "first kiss" videos were faked
-I got cable and can't tear myself away from the Will&Grace marathon
-I was busy searching satellite photos for that missing plane

Your turn:

37 comments:

  1. Welcome back :) I look forward to seeing more of your makes!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Emmalemma! So happy there's still someone out who will read this!

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  2. So happy to see you back! I haven't blogged in about the same amount of time as well, but I'm always here reading! You were missed!

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    1. So what's keeping you away?

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    2. ...lazy. also I got a new job, and that's taking a LOT of time. I will hopefully post soon, if only a couple pics and maybe like two sentences!!

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  3. I'm loving that Scout tee! The pleather pocket is to die for.

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    1. PLEATHER EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME. OK, maybe not everything, but a patch here and there is pretty cool.

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  4. Hooray!!!!!!! I missed your posts!
    Signed,
    Your fan girl

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    1. Also.. I am in love with the scout tee. And I don't even like stripes.

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    2. It's the weird color combo! Orangey red + teal + black...you. cannot. look. away....Also, it was $5.

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  5. Welcome back! Your blogging has been missed.

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  6. I love that you're posting again! It was so nice to see you again this past weekend and I'm glad it's inspired you to return to blogging. That chambray shirt is just beautiful -- is that the one you wore to the meetup? Very impressive. :)

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    1. So nice to see you again too! Yes, that's the same shirt I wore to the meetup. The T-shirt I made with fabric I bought on Saturday. BTW: Love that dress you wore Saturday!

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  7. Nice to "see" you around these parts! Sorry I missed that meet up. (Work travel. Sigh)

    You've really kind of sold me on the Anouk - both your dress and also the tunic, although I see your point.

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    1. Yes, you were missed, lady. Next time!

      As for the Anouk, I'm going to do a closer look at the Anouk — though I missed the boat on photographing my too-tight sleeves. Must be my huge delts...

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  8. Great to see you back here. I really appreciate you writing about the issues you have had with blogging and your daughter. I am new to blogging but have had my eyes opened by your experience and taken it on board with anything I put on about my kids, which to date has been minimal. Lastly, can I say that Anouk is amazing!!

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  9. It was so great meeting you last week. I agree that those meet ups invigorate you to get your butt back in front of the sewing machine.

    I hear you on constantly feeling pulled in the other direction. Wherever you are, you feel as if you should be somewhere else. How about this quote: "The grass is not greener on the other side; the grass is greener where you water it." Bam!

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    1. THat's a brilliant proverb. I better go water (sew) my lawn (fabric).

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  10. I am so so happy you are back! I absolutely understand the reasons for your departure (horrifying as they were), and hope you find a way to feel safe in blogland again. I know it's something I constantly think about. Your wise and witty posts were truly missed, along with your awesome makes. Welcome back!

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  11. what a nice surprise to see you pop up in my reader again! i love the scout tee in knit, i really need to try that sometime. good to hear you are teaching, i'm sure you're great at it! i've thought of doing the same, but i'm kinda afraid to... that and working around kid and hubby schedules is a bit of a crap shoot. anyways, great projects here, can't wait to see more!

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    1. I've only made the Scout in knits. I'm not convinced I would find it flattering in a woven. Teaching is loads of fun. I will write more about it soon.

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  12. You're back! This is such wonderful news! And check you and your fancy pocket out, lady! So happy to see this pop up in my feed!

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  13. Nice to see you back! And nice to see you Saturday! Love the scout tee- I think I saw that fabric at Chic and it's so eye-catching and fun! The chambray shirt is perfect. Absolutely perfect. Teach me your ways!

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    1. Don't worry: you will make that chambray shirt eventually — in patternmaking class!

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  14. I spotted you in one of the blogger meet up photos and was hoping it'd mean a possible post from you! Yay! You've been missed, very glad you're back! Love the Anouk, I can see what you mean about the pregnancy confusion but I'd wear it anyway!

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  15. Welcome back! You and your fabulous makes have been missed for sure. It was great to see you on saturday!

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    1. Great to see you too...can't wait to see your League of Their Own playsuit...

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  16. Welcome back, I was watching project runway the other day wondering what you were up to in blog land :)

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    1. Are you liking Tim Gunn's new show? I miss Heidi!

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    2. I haven't seen it! I was watching the season where Dom won :) I'm in Aus so may be behind ;)

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  17. So happy to see you back! :) Look forward to seeing your projects!

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  18. Great to see you are back! And just so you know, the next New York meet up in in London. http://houseofpinheiro.blogspot.fr/2014/03/save-date-saturday-may-17-sewing-meet.html

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  19. Wow! I wish I could go. Sigh.

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  20. We missed you! There are still sewists and crafters who are interested in what you have to say, and what you make! Stay positive darling, the whole world isn't out to get you!

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