Sidney Sweatshirt

 Monday evening I took a class at a local fabric store.  The class was to make a Sidney Sweatshirt using a serger. 

The Sidney Sweatshirt is a pattern from Merchant and Mills.  It is an extremely oversized, boxy sweatshirt.

I took the class for several reasons.  First, it has been a few years since I've sewn a garment.  Second, it has been just as long, if not longer, since I used my serger.  Third, it sounded like a fun excuse to get out of the house for an evening.  Working from home, especially in the winter, does cause some cabin-fever symptoms.

My lovely friend Cindy, also refered to as my knitting enabler, took the class with me.  This time I was the enabler, suggesting she grab the last spot open for the class.  

After signing up for the class, Cindy and I met at the shop a couple weeks ago to pick out our fabric.  We both gravitated toward a wool boucle.  She liked the dark blue and I the green.  But after trying out several options for the ribbing, I decided to look for something else.  Cindy was able to find ribbing that matched.  In the end I settled on a quilted print in rose and burgundy.

During the class the teacher guided us through the steps she recommended for making the shirt.  Having already made one herself, she felt an alternative way for making the sleeves was easier.  By the end of the class everyone had a finished shirt. Trying it on at the end of class, I liked my sweatshirt, but was not completely thrilled with the neckline.  If I am going to wear it, I needed to do something about it.

Yesterday morning I pulled out my serger and made a slight adjustment to the neck opening.  It fits much better now.

I'm still working on my Felix Pullover.  I've started the first sleeve.  My hope is to get this done before a trip next month.

Another project I've started isn't fiber related.  A new batch of vanilla extract is in the works.  I bought a pack of Madagascar vanilla beans and a bottle of vodka.  After splitting the beans in half lengthwise, I popped them into the bottle.  The bottle is now stashed in the back corner of my pantry.  I just need to remember to give it a good shake every couple days.  By the time Christmas baking rolls around this year, I should have a wonderful jug of extract.