skirts, oh skirts.

All weekend, sewing. Funny what the impending end of a vacation, combined with two fashion shows coming up (within a month) can do to a person. All told, I made ten skirts, six tops, and two trial-run pairs of underwear in orange lycra. (Well, work with what you have when it's just in testing, I say!) Here are five of the skirts on the line; the first and last are my favorites. I'm really partial to the pink/white fabric in them. I used up a bunch of my fabric on these (but really, it's a drop in the bucket), and it was nice--felt resourceful, to confine myself only to what I had on hand. Toni had the idea to spend a whole month making do with what's already in our possessions, and I think it's a great challenge. Not sure whether I'll be able, but it's my Lenten thing anyway so I'll try for April as well. No buying. Use it up! (Use it up, wear it out, make it over, or do without--a 1930s-40s catchphrase I've always liked.)

In the same spirit, remember that bunch of stuff a while back? It was the top of a box full of notions, vintage threads, unusual fabric, ribbons, paper flowers, millinery supplies, fancies, etc. I'm putting together a bunch of them to send out to special someones, and may have one or two up on my shop at some point. My dear friend S.'s mother is an upholsterer at a fancy company, and gave me a big box of old upholstery fabrics--including the one in this skirt--and I thought the gesture sweet enough to want to pass on.

In exciting news, I'll be in the St. Paul Craftstravaganza this summer (July 8th, but I'll keep you posted) along with Megan! This will be right after I get home from my Adventure (heading to Taos, Portland, Seattle, and then via train to points east; if you're in the area & want to have tea, let me know), so I'll be working on things for it especially intently this spring. In other exciting news, I'll be meeting with a publicist sometime soon about my clothes. She's used them in a few photo shoots lately and really likes them. Hurrah! Oh, dear. Unlike spring skirts, self-congratulation doesn't look good on anyone. Erk.

BUT! In final exciting news, this skirt is for Lisa. She saw the other one here before it sold and liked it so much she ordered one. It was a pleasure to make--the cotton is so soft and fine, it was like sewing silk! Happy, lovely.

And last, but not least, if you want in on the aforementioned secret (which is not a huge deal, but is something rather private and special, and, well, secret), please leave a comment on that post, including your email address and I will let you know what & where.

I hope the birds are beginning to flock, wherever you are.