A Frivolous, Complaining Post

It is so cold. We've had constant snow, ice, wind, and sub-zero temperatures since October. Last night before bed I prayed to the Lord for deliverance. Then I had a thought: what if spring never comes? What if this is another ice age? I'd have to change my wardrobe. I'm thinking, animal skins and furs and double thick %100 wool with stockings and petticoats and hoods! Because, seriously, my normal winter wardrobe just isn't enough for this kind of weather.

Speaking of warm clothing, I've always liked having nice socks(some people would say weird socks)- they give some character to my usually plain outfits and they tweak that part of me that enjoys strange clothing. Though my sock collection is sadly limited by my resolution to never spend more then $3 a pair, these socks are fun to look at.

Ballet flats go great with crazy socks, and as soon as I get done sewing those forty dance skirts I'm going to attempt to make myself a pair.

Sew, sew, sew

Lately it seems like all my free time is devoted to a blizzard of new sewing projects. Here are a few projects I've recently finished or am currently working on:

• A maternity and nursing dress for a friend- the first nursing dress I've ever made. It was an old pattern(so 1990's!) from Elizabeth Lee Designs. It was a good learning experience; we were never able to get together for a fitting, so I have no idea if it even fits her!
• A dress to wear to English Country Dances. Not entirely authentic, since I pretty much made up the pattern, and also used elastic on the wristbands. I am making this dress so I can have something "old-fashioned" to wear to dances without wearing my stays, but I can still wear my petticoats.It has a high, fitted bodice and Bishop sleeves. And of course a very full skirt.
  
• A new nightgown. A family asked me to travel with them for a short time this spring to watch their little boys, and it's impossible to travel and not be seen in your nightgown, so I thought I'd better upgrade.

Upcoming sewing projects:

• Skirts for Jen's 38 ballet students for the upcoming recital in May. Thirty eight skirts- thankfully very simple- older classes get full circle skirts, younger classes get half circle. We've decided on three different colors in different shades of crepe-back satin. I'd like to make these skirts reversible, but I've never made anything reversible before and I have a deadline, so we'll see.
  
• Kilts for all our boys. Real men wear kilts! These are also for our dances and our history festival. I had a hard time finding appropriate plaids that were under $20.
  
• A 1940's style dress for a friend. This is good, because I need practice sewing for others.
• And finally: a light, very pink, very spring-ish, and very much in style skirt for myself. I bought some cheap fabric at Wal-mart some time ago and have finally decided what to use it for. I'm making it in anticipation that someday it will be warm once again.

Some new blog favorites:
The Sew Weekly
Is This Modest?
Feelin' Feminine