These past two weeks in particular have been tough. Like many Black Americans, my heart and soul hurts. I have gone from worrying about family and friends because of the pandemic to worrying about those same people being affected by senseless violence. That last part is always a concern. I have been emotionally exhausted.
I have been cautiously optimistic to see so many people of all races come together to fight injustice, and I can only hope that continues. I have been happy to connect and reconnect with old and new friends. Over the past few days I have felt as though I have renewed my creativity.
For anyone who thinks that I should just “stick to sewing”, I can only say, I wish I could. But as a Black woman in America, I (and my family) deal with these issues on a daily basis. For my mother and her sisters, sewing was a necessity because Black women were not allowed to try on clothes in boutiques. If you bought something that didn’t fit, the store would not take returns from Black customers. So they made their own. Sewing has always been how I express myself. So I’m finally feeling as though I can and should express myself through my craft again. That being said, I want to share with you two of my latest projects.
The first is this dress from Simplicity 8178. When I bought the pattern, it was actually number 0929, but whatever… I bought it for the jumpsuit (which I still haven’t made). But the dress was an easy project to make. I used a lightweight cotton blend that was easy to work with.
It should be a nice addition to my summer wardrobe. I realized that I really haven’t made many dresses lately, so I want to make more this summer.
The next item that I just finished is this Butterick top 6685.
I bought the pattern (twice by accident) for the sleeve options. If you are familiar with this, there are various sleeve and style options for this pattern. If I’m going to buy a pattern, I want there to be other options for me to make it worth my while.
I like the top unbelted as well. I used a leftover piece of chambray fabric I had. Originally, I had used this to make a shirt for my husband. I had enough left over to make View A of this pattern. This is another quick make. I also need to add more solid color tops to my wardrobe, so this worked out perfectly.
One positive thing that sewing during this pandemic has done for me is I have been able to use up some of my fabric stash. But believe me, I still have PLENTY of fabric left! I have also been able and motivated to use some of the hundreds of patterns I already have.
So, I hope you all are well and will continue your own creative adventures.
If you want PEACE, work for JUSTICE.
Pope Paul VI
Thanks for reading…
No, you should not ‘stick to sewing’! Your description of the injustices in clothing stores is enlightening, not to mention shameful and a source of deep pain that works its way into our DNA. We can’t sweep these things under the rug. Your dress and top are lovely, and look comfortable for hot weather. I love that you used chambray for the top. I went searching for chambray this week, and was annoyed to find that the ‘real thing’ is not easy to find.
Thanks Diana. I bought the chambray a few years ago at JoAnn’s for a shirt for my husband. I know it can be hard to find (maybe some online sources). But thank you for your encouraging words.