Well. I really didn’t mean to disappear like that, but I think I just needed to take a step back. One of the funny things about having an online space is the feeling that you need to maintain it, and I get a little overwhelmed sometimes trying to find a way to balance everything in my precious free time. For the last month or so, I’ve been in total making mode, which for me means a flurry of activity with no time for documentation.
I finished these in April! It’s a Christmas colourway from Nomadic Yarns, but that chartreuse is bright enough for year-round wear, I think. (Details here.)
Sometimes, I take a break from blogging because I have nothing to show you, and now I have a ton of stuff finished and no photos! (I am going to work on that, though.) Actually, one of the nice things about this whole time has been not feeling any pressure to finish things just so I can post about them. Not that I really feel that pressure most of the time, but it has been really nice to just go entirely at my own pace. And, it turns out that my own pace is actually still pretty productive.
Scout Tee made in May. I’ve sewn a few things since then, but I don’t have photos yet, and I don’t need more excuses not to blog.
In the nearly two months since I last blogged, I’ve knit two sweaters (one baby, one adult, both started and finished in that time) and sewn a dress and a skirt (plus several muslins). That actually doesn’t sound like a lot I guess, but it feels like just the right amount. No rushing, no stress, and a good balance between the two, which is something I’ve been trying to achieve.
I’ve written before about sewing can feel like a bit undertaking, but the more I actually just do it — whether it’s tracing and modifying a pattern, cutting fabric, actually sewing, or whatever — the easier it becomes to do it again. I’ve been trying to set aside a few hours each week to sew, and it has made a big difference both in the quality of what I’m making and in my confidence. When I started knitting I knit constantly, and got that confidence quickly; it has taken longer with sewing, but I’m finally starting to feel it.
Another long-finished project. These are socks for L, knit and tucked away for Christmas (which makes me feel so on the ball to say.) Details here.
But, I have missed writing here. So, just as I’m making time each week to sew, I’m going to try to carve out time to blog. The posts may be shorter that in the past, but hopefully they’ll be more frequent!
Pans & Needles 
I’d say you were pretty darned productive! Welcome back!
Great job on these projects. I have three FO’s that need photo shoots. I should bring them to my mum’s today and have the little one take pics for me. I totally agree that the first pair of socks can be worn all year around.
Thanks! Doing an all-in-one photo shoot is such a good idea!
Beautiful socks!
Pretty nice fabric for the Scout tee. I would love to learn sewing something else than a pillowcase. How did you learn?
Hi Monica! I really just taught myself, to be honest. The best thing about being a beginner (in my opinion) is that everything is an equal level of difficult. So, if you have a sewing machine (or access to one) I would recommend buying some fabric and just going for it. You don’t need to spend a lot (maybe best not to at first), but there are some great beginning-friendly patterns out there to try.
The Colette Sorbetto top is not a bad place to start (it’s free). Grainline also has some really good beginner friendly patterns — the Scout is great, as is their new top, the Willow tank.
Photos are always the hardest part! Glad that you have had such great crafting mojo, that’s awesome. And I’m a big fan of the shorter posts. Do the deeper posts when you can, and don’t ever feel badly about writing short ones.
Thanks, Julie! It’s getting all the pieces to come together that’s the hardest, I think. You’re right, though. I think we need to give ourselves permission to do a little less sometimes, especially if letting that little bit go means we actually get to accomplish what we want.