Sewing vs. Packing, Part 1

I made a rule for myself today: only one box of spare fabric for when I move home. That means I either have to give away, throw away, or use up a significant pile in the meantime. Luckily I gave myself enough time to pack up all of my belongings that I have plenty to travel, party, and sew in between my spurts of packing productivity.

Today as I was sorting through my unused fabric and tenaciously saved remnants, and pulled out a leftover piece from a dress I made back in college. Based on halter-top pattern from Nicole Miller designing for a pattern company I don't remember now, I changed the back to simplify it to look like a classic halter. Here I am enjoying it at the First East Bad Ideas Ball back in 2004 alongside Anisa, the eponymous creator of "Anisa Knits".

But I had plenty of fabric left over as it turns out, and I happened to come across a pattern that I must not have seen in years, packed in along with some other fabric I also hadn't seen in years (Where does it all come from? Where does it all go?)

A few months ago I discovered that I adore cowl-neck tops. They're very flattering on my figure, in my own opinion. The "2 Hour" label made it look quick and easy (and hopefully not too cheap and cheesy), and I thought I'd give it a whirl.

I made sure to measure myself again before cutting out the pieces, but it still came out far too big. I had to take it in a good 2-3 inches all around in order to avoid the "bag lady" look. And I think I was rather successful:

No, I hadn't yet washed my hair that day.

And a back view for good measure. I wasn't thrilled about the seam the pattern caused, but it is the back and I certainly don't have to look at it.

See what I mean about cowl necks being flattering on me? I adore this fabric even though I'm pretty sure it's spandex or something like that, but it does have this divine embossed velvet flower pattern in black all over, and just enough glitter to sparkle but not enough to make a mess.

But yikes! Did you catch that sunburn on my arms? I had quite the weekend at Festival International de Louisiane this weekend, and most of that came from the very last day when, despite a good 5 applications of SPF 70 sunscreen, I still failed to protect myself entirely.

I liked how this pattern turned out, and if I have more knit fabrics (which most of mine aren't) I'll have to use it again. I also like the look of this halter pattern more than the Nicole Miller pattern I used to make the dress back in college.

I have a bit more fabric left -- not enough for any garments, but enough for an accessory or two. Last time (back in college) I made a long band which I wrapped in my hair which turned out well. The photo is somewhere... else.

And it's late. I'm sleepy and I'm probably going to spend far too much time tomorrow sewing instead of packing. Can't wait!