I'm sure you're all aware by now that September is National Sewing Month!  Former President Ronald Reagan declared September as NSM back in 1982 "In recognition of the importance of home sewing to our Nation."  What a swell guy!!  In honor of this I've decided to give myself a challenge.  Fall is coming fast, Sept 22nd to be exact.  I need to get my fall wardrobe in shape.  I've decided to ban myself of shopping at the big retail stores.  My only exceptions to this rule will be thrift stores for refashions and under garments (but not from thrift stores..ewww).  I have to shudder at what my "girls" might look like if I attempted to make my own bra.  So anyhoo one garment a week is my goal.  And trust me that is quite a huge goal for me.  Working M-F, 40 hours a week doesn't give me much time nor energy to want to sew when I come home.  But I'm gonna do it I tell ya!!

My first item of clothing to make it's appearance for my NSM challenge will be Colette's Macaron.  I know, I know, I've been working on it for a month already.  But I promise it will make it's grand appearance by the time the first week of NSM is through and that's tomorrow, eeekk!  To hold you over let's take a little sneaky peek shall we.



Cutest pockets eve



So do any of you have any sewing plans in honor of NSM?? Do tell...







Well I think I've about mastered my Macaron muslin.  I'm now trying to set the sleeves then I'll be ready to start on the skirt.  To be honest that's all I wanna say about that.  The real reason for this post was to show off the fabulous fabric I won over at Miss Crayola Creepy and to show the jewelry I got from another swap.

So any of you that read Erin's blog knows the adorable Hazel muslin she made out of the pink flamingo fabric.  I was lucky enough to win a yard of it.

She also threw in this awesome geometric print.  It's a very silky fabric, not sure what type. I think it will make the perfect dress.

Last but not least was this cute little hanky.  Well I don't know if it's a hanky but that's what I'll call it because it reminds me so much of my granny.  She would take handkerchiefs and add crochet around them then use them as place mats under lamps or what not.

I also participated in another jewelry swap.  Here is the piece I received from Michelle from All that Glitta & blang

I really love it! Just my style.  It lays real nice and I have the perfect outfit for it.  Thanks Michelle!  I'm somewhat of a jewelry whore so I've really enjoyed these swaps.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!  I had three days to enjoy and it doesn't seem like it was long enough.  Lucky me I only have a four day work week ahead since I'm off on Friday.  I plan on staying in and getting my Macaron finished.  Have a great week y'all!

Finished up the Sassy Librarian Blouse by Christine Haynes this weekend.  It was a fun class to take and Christine is an excellent teacher.  This is one of my first garments I've completed where I'm not afraid to show off the inside of the blouse (although I forgot to take pictures).  My garments aren't always the neatest on the inside.  A lot to do with the fact that I get so frustrated sometimes trying to figure out pattern directions and well sometimes I just don't get it so I make it up as I go and I'm sure we all now how that turns out sometimes.  So it was really helpful for me to be able to watch someone put together the pattern and tell me the how to's and why's.

  I made the sleeveless version with the pintuck detailing on the front that I just love.  The fabric is a quilting cotton that I found on clearance and Joann's.

I can see myself making this blouse again but incorporating elements of View 1 with View 2.  View 1 has sleeves and a peter pan collar.  It's cute but not really my style.  I'm thinking this view  with the contrasting peter pan collar would look pretty cute.

The front panel has release pleats on both sides and bust darts.  The back also has release pleats, a first for me.