About 8 months ago, I started my first quilt. I've learned a lot about sewing since then, but I'm not going to let the small imperfections keep me from finishing it. I'm adding the last border, then on to sandwiching and quilting...and binding.

Thank goodness for 6 foot tables when you're working on queen-sized quilts!

I've offered to teach a couple of my friends how to sew from a pattern. I came across the Sorbetto pattern (it's free!) at the Colette patterns site. (Search Sorbetto to find it posted in the blog.)

After making the skirt muslin, I briefly toyed with the idea of making a quick muslin for this pattern. But no. I figured I'd make a wearable muslin - aka just make the darn thing and hope it turns out.

(Sorry for the wrinkles. This is after wearing it. I had intended to have my sister or husband take a picture of me in it, but I ended up working late, etc., etc.)

Side note: I used the same fabric to line a clutch I crocheted a few years ago. I loved it the first time and just happened to see it again at the fabric store!

Learning points:
-Exposed bias binding. (Really reminded me of quilt binding, but just not hand stitched.)
-Seam binding. (Thank you to Laura Mae at the Lilacs and Lace blog for the tutorial and idea!)
-Pleats. (Revisited.)
-I am really short shouldered? Any sleeveless tops or ones with straps generally need to be taken in. This one I will test a 1 1/2" decrease at the shoulder seam next time.

I have a black with white polka dots fabric that is waiting in the wings for the next Sorbetto top. Oh, and red seam tape. Just because!

As I write this, I am two sewing projects behind in sharing. The first one that I completed last weekend was an obi-style robe from a vintage 60s/70s pattern.

I saw a Hawaiian print when I was in the fabric store and, even though I loved it, I wasn't sure that the color would look good on me. Good enough for a robe, though? Certainly!

The light was a little strange - it's actually smidge more of a turquoise color.

Learning points:
-French seams. (And the fact that you do need to trim the first seam allowance before you sew the second part.
-Obi-style sleeves. (I know that you have to match them up that way so that they curve. Still. I'm not a fan of the adding of sleeves.)

And then, my old nemesis since I am short: hemming. I ended up having to tuck in some excess fabric around the side seams on the hem because the bottom of the robe flared slightly. And this is even after I took 3 inches off the robe in the middle!

After some research, pattern reviews, planned modifications, and some Craftsy class watching, I finally bit the bullet this afternoon and started on my first toile. Having made a skirt or two before, I figured I should start there. I bought Burda 8155 last week and, after some reading up, decided to do a lapped zipper instead of the invisible one and to replace the back skirt slit with a vent.

 I had forgotten how time consuming fitting is - thankfully the Craftsy class I have been watching is a couture class, and the instructor recommended cutting wide seam allowances so you have room to move the seams about. Thank goodness. I'm definitely not a fitting model.

End of the day and, while I have a few last modifications to the waistband, I think I'm ready to move ahead with the skirt. I rummaged through my fabric stash tonight and think I'll hold out until this weekend's trip to LA's garment district to look for some lightweight wool. Most of the wools that I have are either patterned (houndstooth or plaid) or fairly heavy.