I just wanted to do a quick post and apologize for not getting the giveaway up as promised. After going home to visit family, I came down with the stomach flu and have never been so sick or miserable in my entire life! Thankfully, I'm back to myself again and working on gaining back my energy and the weight I lost from not being able to eat for 4 days (seriously, I do not need to lose my hips!). I have sooooo much to catch up on!
My husband was the best man in his friend's wedding yesterday (and he aced that speech - so proud!). I had been looking forward to it for a while, but if you know me, you know I procrastinated on making my dress.
I got really excited about this idea of combining the top of the Ava dress with the Pastille bottom. I didn't have time to order fabric, so I combed JoAnn for something that would work. Their apparel section was sadly lacking, but I found this lovely Alexander Henry print that seemed fairly soft for a quilting cotton. I combined it with a dotted mesh from my stash and worked on this dress all last week. Then I went out of town. Then I got sick. Then I wasn't even sure if I'd be able to make it to the wedding. Then I started feeling better the night before we were set to leave and tried to rush through finishing it up - and it was a disaster! I sewed one shoulder in the wrong way and the whole thing just fit terribly. SIGH.
It's really, really disappointing because I had such high hopes for this dress. I finally gave up and wound up having to buy a new dress while we were in St. Augustine (where the wedding was held). I lucked out and found a super cute boutique in the historic district that basically had everything that I love and want to put in my closet.
I wound up picking this dress, which sort of reminds me of the Ceylon and made me feel very 1940's/Old Hollywood. It's too big in the bust, of course - everything I tried on was. Yet another reason to keep sewing for myself! I tried on A LOT of dresses that day and none of them fit right. Also, it was expensive. Like, when my husband asked me how much I spent I said "you don't want to know" expensive. See how I'm trying to talk myself into sewing my clothes again?
I can't complain at all. I had a blast and met some great people! Historic St. Augustine is so beautiful too (that storybook-esque ivy covered wall is just a small peek at how lovely it is).
So, yes - giveaway soon! It should be up later this week. And yes, I am planning to participate in Me Made May '13! I was in WAAAAY over my head last year and didn't make it through the challenge so this year I am scaling back down to 4 days. That seems very doable! Assuming I can keep my laundry and ironing situation in order. Here's my pledge:
I, Shona, of Shona Stitches, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '13. I endeavour to wear one handmade garment at least 4 days out of the week for the duration of May 2013.
Time to do some speed cleaning!
Labels: planning, sketches
