What I’m Lovin’ this summer!

Since I missed last month, I’m combining July and August for a big list of things I’ve been lovin’ this summer! If you’re wondering why it’s been so quiet around the blog lately, it’s because it’s crazy season at work {start of the school year is bonkers around the district office too!} which means I have zero energy to write at the end of the day and we just bought a new house {more on that soon!}.

So let’s kick off this summer lovin’ post!

1. Pattern Testing

I love testing patterns! Perhaps it’s the evaluator in me, but I love the process of providing feedback to help someone improve a process (the evaluator in me loves when others return this favor #Nerd).

In July I got to test Sew Caroline’s San Francisco Swing Top+Dress pattern! From the moment I saw the call for testers, I knew I wanted in on this one. What I knew I’d love about this pattern was the flowy top. I volunteered to test the size small top with the full back (there’s a fun split back option too). The top turned out a little snug in the chest so it became a birthday present for my sister who loves it!

Because I had this vintage waxed knit {snagged from my local thrift queens, the Thrifted Sisters} lying around screaming to be a swing dress, I gave the dress a try (sizing up to a Medium this time). The dress isn’t really my style and may find a new home at some point, but wouldn’t you agree that this retro fabric is so perfect for a swing dress?!

2. The Return of the Skort

Alright ladies…I know you’ve all missed the practicality of the skort as much as I have. It was all “hey, I’m fancy” in the front and “I’m actually quite practical” in the back.

I have great news to share: Sew Caroline has answered our unspoken prayers and upgraded this classic so there’s no awkward front flap.

Her latest pattern is the Magnolia Shorts. They’re so fabulous. You have all the benefits of wearing shorts while looking like you’re wearing a skirt. Plus, if you live somewhere windy (I’m so jealous of you), you can live without the fear of having your bottom fly over your head while flashing everyone in sight.

Caroline is thoughtful like that.

This was, again, a call for testers I was all-too-eager to join in on. Stay tuned – I’ll share all the details of my Magnolia Shorts soon!

 

3. Heart blocks and sewing to spread love

When news of the Pulse Nightclub shooting spread, the quilting community jumped in to help Orlando in the best way they could: by making quilts for the victims and families of the shooting. Our guild immediately recruited members to make heart blocks {see mine here!}.

We all made blocks and ended up with enough for two quilts! You can see the final quilts here and here and browse all of the beautiful #QuiltsForPulse on Instagram here.

Unfortunately, as the #QuiltsForPulse were underway for the Orlando Modern Quilt Guild, tragedy struck again. This time in Dallas. Again, our guild collected blocks and shipped them to the Dallas Modern Quilt Guild for the #QuiltsForPeace {browse all the beautiful quilts on Instagram here}

It’s times like these that are heart-warming reminder of how amazing the sewing community is. ❤

4. Humanity is still so wonderful

Just when I needed a reminder that despite all of the recent tragedy, humanity is still so wonderful, I stumbled upon Calvin.

It was a hottttt morning in #FamouslyHot Columbia, but that didn’t stop Calvin. In the heat of the day, armed with his cooler and the best message I’d heard all week, Calvin stood confidently in front of our state house on one of the busiest streets in town.

Thank you, Calvin, for bravely sharing this beautiful message at a time when we needed it most.

5. Peaches are in season

Who doesn’t love a juicy, sweet peach in the summer?!

One of the Hubs’ truck drivers has been bringing him farm fresh peaches which make me oh-so-happy! The first batch I ate just as they were and cut a few to freeze. The second batch I was feeling a little more adventurous with. I wanted to make a traditional peach cobbler until I saw all the effort that was needed {y’all know cooking isn’t my hobby of choice}.

I found this recipe for Tennessee Peach Pudding that sounded delightful and relatively easy to make (it was). I had plans to take some to share with my family, but before I could muster the kindness to pack them up a few slices, the Hubs and I had eaten the entire batch. #FatKidsFoLife

It was delicious and should I get my hands on fresh peaches again soon, I’ll try much harder to share. 😉

What I’m looking forward to in September…

My friend Amber is hosting a Sew-a-long for the Sew Together bag. I have been long admiring this bag {4 pockets + 3 zip pockets – can you imagine all the trinkets this could hold?!} but have been too afraid to try it out.

Amber is the president of our quilt guild and I love soaking up her advice at our sew-ins. She is an absolute genius when it comes to all-things-bag-making (she’s undoubtedly an interfacing expert). I know this sew-a-long will be awesome!

The sew-a-long starts on September 1st, but you can find all the details and prep information on her blog now.

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{Catch up on all of my monthly What I’m Lovin’ posts here.}