Let's Get Acquainted, Shall We?

Today's my day on Plum and June's 2013 Let's Get Acquainted New Blogger Blog Hop and I've been thinking about this for several weeks.  I'm going to share a little bit about myself and my crafty journey thus far and then introduce you to a new little series that I'm starting.

I was laid off in 2011 from my job in the financial industry and my husband and I decided that we would try to make it work with me becoming a stay at home mom (which I had always wanted to do).  I do not consider myself to be a creative person naturally and definitely not artistic in the least, but I decided that I needed to find a hobby to keep my hands busy given that I now had a small amount of free time.  (Please see my About Me page for a little more info, if you would like.)

I started off doing a little bit of crocheting, making a hat here and there and starting this huge queen size afghan (which will take several more winters to complete).

I then ordered a sewing machine with the bank reward points that I had saved up and that's when I timidly dipped my toe in the sewing and quilting waters.  The first several things I made were a pair of Dallas Cowboys fleece pajama pants (how bout dem Cowboys?) for my husband and several aprons.  

Then I moved on to quilts after taking Jenny Doan's Quilting Quickly class on Craftsy.  This was my very first one, which was made using a batik charm pack and jelly roll purchased at (gulp) Wal-mart.  Please go easy on me, I didn't know any better at the time.  And here is a mosaic showing some of the others that I have made since..  

1. Blue Hues Peacock Quilt, 2. Baby Boy Zig-Zag Quilt, 3. Vintage Baby Girl Quilt, 4. Baby Girl on Parade Quilt, 5. Vintage Modern Baby Quilt, 6. 10 Little Things Baby Boy Quilt, 7. Good Fortune Zig-Zag Quilt, 8. A quilt I made for my niece, using this tutorial: http://www.hookedonneedles.com/2011/09/rainbow-quilt-picture-tutorial.html, 9. My first quilt

I love fabric and, much to my husband's disgruntlement, I have collected quite a bit.  Some of my favorite fabric designers are Sarah Jane, Sarah Watson, Bonnie and Camille, American Jane and Tasha Noel.  I have 2 Singer sewing machines, but aspire to one day be able to get one with a much larger throat space, which would help tremendously with free motion quilting.  You can see a little of my sewing space in this post.  Here's a picture of my current fabric stash (I know it's a mess).

You may notice that I have pretty much only made quilts for children so far (except the peacock one, which was for my great aunt), which leads me to introduce you to my new series, Selfish Sewing.  I know that the term "selfish sewing" is not a new idea in general, but it's a fairly new concept to me.  I have a hard time doing things for myself sometimes.  For example, my husband gave me a gift certificate for a massage and facial for Mother's Day 2012 and it is still waiting to be used.  And the only reason I made pajama pants for myself this winter was because my sister gifted me the fabric.  I really don't think it's selfish to make something for myself, but too many times, it feels that way.  I decided recently that I will start making more things for myself.  So, without further ado, here is my Selfish Sewing creation...  

A WASHI DRESS!!

I bought the pattern from Made by Rae quite some time ago and then I bought the Dear Stella fabric with this dress in mind.  I didn't pay attention to the yardage requirements and only bought 2 yards of fabric, which left me in a bit of a bind for cutting out the final piece, which was the top front bodice piece.  My lovely sister came through with the suggestion of piecing 2 halves of the bodice together and covering the seam with some sort of decorative strip of fabric, so this is what I came up with.. 

I think it turned out okay.  Actually, I think it turned out great.  I am so pleased with the dress.  The pattern was really easy to follow and I plan to use it many times over.  I definitely want to make a few tunics and another dress.  I would like to try voile fabric next time and see how that feels.  

I hope to do a Selfish Sewing post every few weeks or at least once a month, so please feel free to check back with me soon.

You can find me on flickr, instagram or pinterest or you can email me if you would like.

Please check out the other bloggers on the hop today also:  

Christa @ Christa Quilts!

Anna @ The Crooked Banana

Rachel @ Sew Happily Ever After 

Stephanie @ Quarter Incher

Shayla @ Sassafras Lane Designs

Caroline @ Carolines Craftiness

Lisa @ Hilltop House Creative Works

Thanks so much for stopping by and as a reward to making it to the end of my post, you get a treat!  I'm doing a dance for you (or something)!