Dear Blog: It's Not You; It's Me

The time has come. Actually, the time came a long time ago, but I was scared...terrified that I would be "nobody" without my blog. Scared that I would lose all my online connections...worried I wouldn't have a creative outlet...afraid I would disappoint my long-time followers. 

Then it hit me: No one cares. 

I don't mean that in the sense that no one cares about me; I just mean that no one REALLY cares if I blog or not. I doubt many people even notice much when bloggers stop blogging. In my case, it's a matter of both practicality and feeling done - it's not fun anymore, and I dread it. I've been glued to my phone, camera and computer for a couple years now, and it's caused undue wear and tear to my family, my friendships and my own mental health. 

So I am done. 

I feel like the person who sews everyday and still has nothing to wear. I have stacks of projects I never get to because I'm so busy waiting for the perfect light to photograph that jeans tutorial or whatever. Every season, I want to sew my kids' wardrobes, but I don't because I am busy sewing that thing that I think will get me a couple hundred new followers on Instagram. My kids are saying, "Mommy, will you help me with my workbook? Will you read this to me? Can we plant those seeds in the yard?" And I'm like, "No, babies. Just a few more minutes. I have to finish this blog post. I have to edit this photo. Let me finish this design."

And for what? Shares? Likes? Pageviews? $30/month from Google Adsense?

For far too long, I have been comparing myself to bloggers/pattern designers with staffs of several people and no kids to feed, bathe and care for. I've been bitter - thinking, "Why isn't my blog photography as awesome as so-and-so's?! Why is my traffic not growing? Why am I not putting out a stellar new pattern every two weeks??!!! Why am I not consistently marketing to my customers and followers? Why am I not THE BEST?! WHY WHY WHY???!!!"

Well, there are three simple reasons:  Harper, Ezra and Finn. And add to that a fourth and fifth: my husband and myself. This blog does not matter. My family does. 

Add to that the guilt I place on myself for not sewing every. single. garment that I need, and my anxiety and self-loathing over sewing...yes SEWING...are at an all-time high. There's something really wrong when one's hobby brings them this much grief. Right?

So yeah, so, so done. 

As was the case with my previous (temporary) sabbaticals, I will continue to maintain and support Pattern Workshop since it provides an income stream for my family and since I have made that commitment to my students. My courses will continue to run on BurdaStyle. I will likely continue to be active on Instagram and in my Facebook communities. My patterns will continue to sell (for now). But there will be no blogging. (I am at a crossroads with pattern design and need to think about it some more before making a decision on how to proceed.)

I've contemplated deleting my blog entirely as I have changed my view on it a bit and do not want my life story on display and for everyone to read - mostly for the sake of my kids and partially for the sake of any future career paths I might pursue. As a temporary fix, I've removed most posts that are not primarily related to sewing. I will revisit this decision at a later time to decide how to proceed. I pay a monthly fee to have my shop run on SquareSpace, and I would like to not have that expense if possible. But I'm not not ready to make a decision on my pattern shop at this time. 

I'm calling this decision permanent although I cannot predict the future. If I do reinvigorate my blog, it will probably be at a new location and with a different focus. And it will likely not be anytime soon. I just need time to ponder if it even matters to me anymore. (I don't think it will once I get over the initial breakup hump.) 

Some of you have asked about my weekly (hahaha) email newsletter. I have not sent it out in several months and do not plan on bringing it back anytime soon. My Baste + Gather Facebook fan page will likely also disappear. 

I have enjoyed getting to know some of you and appreciate your support. I'm sure I will continue to see all of you around on Instagram. :)

Merchant & Mills Camber Dress

How do I love this dress? Let me count the ways. 

1. It is an amazing linen-rayon blend from Bolt Fabric Boutique here in Portland.
2. It fits great. 
3. I love the look.
4. The pattern/construction were fabulous. 

So yes. It is the Merchant & Mills Camber Dress, and I am in LOVE!

I had read rave reviews of Merchant & Mills patterns before, but I don't know...something about the packaging and branding made me feel like the patterns were a bit frumpy and old-fashioned. But on a recent visit to Bolt, this Camber Set piqued my interest. I started to look at the dress as a silhouette instead of how it was presented on the envelope, and my vision unfolded. 

I wanted something modern, comfortable, flattering and streamlined. I wanted it to be easy and quick to sew but not without enough detail to keep my interest. 

And that is exactly what I got. 

I used my measurements and made a size 10. From looking at other bloggers' photos online, I think some people must have gone down a size as mine is less fitted than others. I like this look though, so I'm glad I stuck with it. It's very comfortable and will also have ample room for my chest after my surgery next month. I also decided to shorten the dress by 15cm after trying it on. I like the longer look, but this shorter length was more what I had in mind for this fabric. 

I love the exposed bias facing on the front of the neckline, and the yoke (shown above) adds a nice, unique touch. The fit is superb, and I can't wait to make a tee version, too. And who knows...I might just have to invest in some more Merchant & Mills patterns - this one is just that good!

Have you sewn Merchant & Mills? What do you think? 

Modified Simplicity 1377 Shorts from Upcycled Linen

Recently I was on a fact-finding mission at Nordstrom. That's what I call it when I'm actually shopping for shoes but telling my husband that I'm just looking for sewing inspiration. In reality, it's a bit of both. :P In this case, I spotted some great, casual shorts in the Madewell section that I knew I could easily copy(ish). 

The style is nothing new - short, athletic-style shorts with an elastic waist, curved hem and slash pockets. I considered a couple patterns that are very similar to this, but ultimately, I decided to go with Simplicity 1377 which I had previously muslined but never worked on beyond that initial fitting. I figured that all I'd have to do was straighten the pockets (the original line is curved) and add the curve to the hem. 

I made a size 12 which corresponded to my measurements. The back rise might be a bit short for anyone with a curvier bum - but I do not have much going on in that area, so it works perfectly for me. Here are the specific changes I made: 

1. Straightened the slash pocket openings
2. Did a line of topstitching along the center-front seam for a little extra detail
3. Traced around a saucer to curve the side seam edges
4. Did a narrow hem around the bottom edges BEFORE sewing together at the side seams (and after sewing the crotch seam)
5. Completed a second row of topstitching around the curved bottom hem because I didn't catch all of it in my stitching the first go and was too lazy to rip/redo. 
6. Bartacked where the side curves came together for extra strength. 

I had originally planned to bind the curved edges with bias binding, but I simply didn't have enough fabric to do so. 

The fabric is a lovely, rustic linen that I upcycled from a large women's skirt I purchased at Value Village for $6 I think. I LOVE shopping the women's dresses and skirts for great linens. I always seem to find the best colors, and I love that the fabric has a little bit of a worn-in look. Plus, it's cheap! This is a great option if you are a smaller size and are creative with your cutting. In this case, I had to cut perpendicular to the grain to get everything to fit. 

I am absolutely in love with these shorts and plan to use the exact same modifications for a few more. I might even add a drawstring to the casing or try the bias binding I previously mentioned. It might even be cool to make a longer, straight-hemmed pair like some James Perse ones I saw recently. 

The top is Simplicity 1071 which I previously blogged here. I love that it can be dressed up or down for lots of different looks (and that it's super comfy!). Shoes are Caswell by Timberland (affiliate link) and are the most comfortable flat sandals I have ever owned!

What do you think? Is your shorts-game ready for summer?