Mama's night out

(So I had this drafted ahead to post last night, just had to upload the pics, but then where I was staying overnight had no wireless internet - eek! It was like the Dark Ages! Well, you know, minus the pestilence and use of lard for medicinal purposes, but with no internet! Anyway, here it is finally - a day late straight from my decidedly 21st century wi-fied hotel room ; )

As is common due to our military lifestyle, my husband is on an extended "vacation" away from our family this summer. Not that I'm complaining, because he isn't in harm's way and I can actually reach him by phone (and that's the first time I can say that about one of his absences in a very long time), so it's more business trip than duty assignment for a change. But it does mean I've been captaining the ship solo for a while, so I was especially looking forward to the class I took Wednesday night because it meant a mini-break from the bridge and a chance to listen to something other than "Wee Sing in the Car" as I drove somewhere all by myself! (If I never hear "She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain" again, it'll be too soon.) But I digress....

I've had my eye on The Atelier Stitch for a few months, so when I saw a class listed for creating an a-line skirt, I jumped at the chance! I can follow a pattern easily enough, but finding one I like and then hoping the generic measurements hit just right is always a process; I liked that instead this class allowed me to create my own pattern to fit, plus I got some zipper experience (and I am terrified of sewing zippers!). As a bonus, the studio is in an amazing location with big windows overlooking one of the busiest intersections in the city, across from the Portland Museum of Art, complete with a little glimpse of the bay neatly framed by the old brick buildings lining High Street. 

The instructor, Giselle, was incredibly knowledgeable and patient (even when I had to rip out my zipper TWICE because I wasn't paying enough attention - really, I am bad at zippers), so the other student (another Sarah : ) and I could take our time and ask anything we needed. Giselle offers a variety of sewing classes, as well as private instruction for whatever sewing task you'd like to master - if you're in the Portland area, be sure to look her up.


(This pic on the left here is a better representation of the color than below, but such is the rarity of good natural lighting in shooting locations at my house. See the hidden zipper, though? Third time's the charm! I finally got it to look like it's supposed to : )

---

And here's my skirt all done. I really adore the print of the fabric, but the weight isn't quite right to get the drape I was hoping for, which means... I think it might be time to get brave and experiment with some knits next! In the meantime, I've piled the kids in the car for a little last minute quick-see-dad-for-the-weekend trip, so I won't have anything new to share for the next few days, but hopefully I'll find some inspiration while away to carry into next week's projects!

---