Back sewing

This is the reason why I haven't been sewing for over a year! Georgia was born on Christmas Day 2010. She is an absolute joy to have and a very placid, easy baby.

I have almost got back to the size I was B.G. and I am itching to get sewing again. I love a SWAP (Sewing With a Plan) and I have been inspired to join the Artisan Square 6 piece Autumn Wardrobe sew along. The idea is that you sew 2 garments a month in August, September and October, all of which coordinate to form a mix and match wardrobe. Georgia goes to bed at around 6.30pm so I am hoping that this should be completely do-able. I am returning to work in September so I am planning a "career wardrobe". I have chosen 5 fabrics so far:

The two on the left are for skirts, the white is an Italian shirting, the black is a spotted chiffon for a tie neck blouse and the blue is a stretch wool mix for a tailored jacket. I still need one more fabric for another top but I will decide on that later.

Now I need to venture up into the loft for my patterns.....

Remember the Chanel?

It is a new year's resolution to complete my unfinished projects and, from then on out, only have one project in cue. My UFO's include my in-progress winter coat, faux fur stole/cape, and, of course, my Chanel. Now I don't want to make excuses about my year long love/hate with my Chanel, but I am convinced that you can't make Chanel, with Chanel techniques, without a dressform. As soon as I got my Ivy for Christmas, the Chanel has been coming along..I love it. I have my jacket on the dressform while I handsew. I have so much control which I didn't have before. Presently I have all the fell stitches of my vertical seams and shoulders completed and I have catchstitched the hem and around the neck and opening of the boucle. Next up, hand stitch the lining to the hem and neckline. I really need to be working on the sleeves...can you tell that I am avoiding them?

I have been playing around with trims too-