Eloise's Garden
I’ve been dying to sew something with my fabric collection, Eloise’s Garden and over the holidays finally had a chance to do just that. I’ve had the Colette Pattern’s Violet blouse for ages and it seemed high time to give it a go. So, the details:
* I made Version 2 of the blouse (the option with the mid-length sleeves).
* I traced off a size 0 and graded to a size 2 at the hem. Aside from that, I didn’t make any modifications to the pattern and it fits perfectly. When sewing shirts, I typically make a short back waist length adjustment (I’m 5’5) and lower armholes. I didn’t run into any fit issues in these areas, sewing the pattern as is.
*I’m definitely planning to sew this blouse again, probably using the no facing hack. I like plackets in shirt patterns better than facings, so it’s more a matter of personal preference going that route. Here’s the link to that pattern hack if that’s your jam, too.
* I sort of hemmed and hawed about doing the buttonholes by hand, but just went with machine made buttonholes in the end.
And that’s that! I’m trying to figure out what to sew next using Eloise’s Garden. I love the Stars Hollow Quilt Pattern from Suzy Quilts and have that on my to sew list. I’d really like to sew another Archer shirt. And because the collection includes a couple of prints in rayon (!), I’m planning to sew Chantilly from Colette. Decisions, decisions…
Old and New
A bit of the old - 2018
The past year included: six Taproot magazine covers, the releases of Mama’s Belly and Anne Arrives and my new fabric line, “Eloise’s Garden.” I worked on illustrations for Anne’s Kindred Spirits and started sketches for a 2020 picture book. And I finally finished my Queens of England project (a year late, but who’s counting). I also worked on several embroidery pieces and kept experimenting with textiles. And I filled up many, many sketchbook pages.
More generally speaking, I did some traveling, both near (midcoast Maine) and far (Ireland) and slightly in between (Texas). I kept a garden, ran my first 5K and read a bunch of books. I spent time with cousins I hadn’t seen in decades at my grandmother’s funeral in October, that weekend being one of the dearest 2018 memories I have. And in general, kept keeping on.
And the new / 2019
As 2018 came to a close, I was badly burnt out. Talking about burnt out is difficult. There’s a desire to be transparent about what a creative career looks like, but the fear of appearing anything less than 100% eager and capable is intimidating. So what to do? I took time off over the holidays and looked long and hard at things. I’d like to say I’ve made some earth-shattering discoveries, but I haven’t. I’m still figuring things out, trying to understand that balance between earning a living and making work I love. It’s an ongoing process, but I’m hoping to dig deeper into that this new year, and to allow things to evolve.
More specifically? I’ve decided to read 24 books, take more professional development days, run another 5K (or two), get back into garment sewing and to limit screen time. I’m trying to let 2019 shape up organically, to let things shift as need be. I’d love to paint a mural. Maybe go camping. There’s an artist residency I want to apply for. And I definitely want to go swimming in the ocean, when the weather finally permits.
So on to 2019!
