I spent my winter break from school squirreled away in my sewing room.  I finished my coat, made a skirt, stitched together a handbag, and just this weekend I put together an ottoman slipcover for a customer.

And I ended up in this:

I have a sewing injury.  How lame of an injury is that?  Here is how all of my conversations have gone this past week...

"What did you do?!?"

"Oh, I did too much sewing over break."

"Um, what?  Sewing?"

And then they back away slowly because no one is that weird.

So here I sit in a thumb splint with nothing to do but think of my next project.  My recent creations have given me some confidence and I feel ready to tackle something else a little harder.  I kind of want to make a dress and I've started searching for my inspiration.

Colette Patterns

I turned to my Colette Patterns book.  I love Colette Patterns, but I haven't made anything yet.  I decided on the Licorice Dress. I saw Sabrina Soto (from HGTV) in a similar dress and it was simply stunning.  Of course, Sabrina Soto would probably be stunning in yoga pants and a sweatshirt...but I wanted the dress anyway.  And the Licorice was the closest I could find. 

Sabrina Soto

Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing

I think I could do it, lace and all.  I'm not a skinny girl (like Sabrina Soto...or anyone on tv for that matter).  I wonder how the dress will fit my full sized figure. And I'm unsure about the belt.  I could turn the belt into more of a sash, or not use it at all.  Still, I hate to go out and spend the money on pretty fabric and spend my time on a dress that will be unflattering. 

Anyone out there have any thoughts? 

Three months, two fabric orders, 1.5 spools of thread, 220 inches of hand sewn hemline, and multiple mistakes later....I have a coat!

And I am completely and totally in love.  It twirls.  It is warm, but not too warm.  I can move my arms about. 

I would sleep in it if I could....(but that would be weird).




And now onto the updo of the day!  The last picture is the perfect example of my every day hair.  Pulled back, twisted, and held with a clip.

Today's updo is again courtesy of Kate from The Small Things Blog. 


And here is my rat's nest (after it had fallen and I had repinned it four times):

Nailed it!

But just to be on the safe side I'm trying a new one tomorrow...