National Sewing Month Pledge: Sewing Machine Maintenance

I'm still trapped on Martha's Vineyard... I say "trapped" because it's been cold and raining, until today. Which is sunny and beautiful, but I woke up with a head cold. FOILED.

Tucked into my cozy New England bed, I discovered from xoJane that September is National Sewing Month. I haven't decided what to do with this information yet...but I do have one pledge I'd like to start off with.

Source: google.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

I pledge to master the art of sewing machine maintenance and practice it zenfully (and consistently).

I mean, I didn't even know you were supposed to change the needle out. I'm sure some of you are shaking your heads at me right now. I'm ashamed. I've been awful to my little Brother and it's high time I made amends.

Of course, reading the manual will be my most important step, but I've found these resources while I'm laid up here.

Source: threadsmagazine.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Threads Magazine
About.com
New Mexico State University
SewUSA - more of a repair guide
Burdastyle

These are some great resources for sewing machine maintenance and preventative care. Maybe I'll find all those pins that periodically get sucked into the machine. Yikes.

How Tropical Storm Lee Thwarted My Plaid Ambitions

Self Stitched September Day 1!!! Blue plaid flannel Anda dress. One of my first successful projects. Vintage belt. As you can see from the background, I'm at work here.


And now for the story of why this is the only Self Stitched September photo I have so far:(

Tropical Storm Lee. Actually, it was Tropical Storm 13 when it started this trouble. As you probably noted in my last blog post - I had some great ambitions for Mad for Plaid week - a plaid pencil skirt AND a plaid Sorbetto. The former to be fitted on Friday evening. The latter to be whipped up on Saturday morning. All so I could take said items to Martha's Vineyard with me (I'm here for the week) to show my mom.

But then it started raining. And I got nervous. And my mom got nervous. And my coworkers said "get out of here while you still can! There won't be flights on Sunday!"

So I listened, and I flew out of New Orleans on Friday afternoon - no plaid in hand :(

Already, I'm modifying my Self-Stitched September promise. I did bring self stitched attire, but in my haste to pack, I did not bring anything weather appropriate. See, it's raining on Martha's Vineyard too. Except not as hard, and much colder. To be honest, I've been wearing one outfit all week, made up of all the warmest pieces I quickly tossed in my suitcase on my way out the door.

Yikes.

So here is what I can offer you:

Photos of the completed (but not perfectly fitted) pencil skirt:


2. This photo of Gayhead on Martha's Vineyard. It's gorgeous, even in the cold rain.


I return to Louisiana on Sunday evening... to reassess SSS'11 and get back on track! I think the best solution is to disregard vacation week. Sigh.