The Monday Motivation Volume 3: Summer Sewing is in High Season!

Is your summer flying by as fast as mine? I can't believe it is August already!

There is all sorts of amazing-ness in the sewing world this summer. You would think sewing would would slow down in the summer-- but I think people get motivated to sew the perfect wardrobe for their destinations. I'm certainly guilty of this, I can't count how many late nights I've had sewing up a new wardrobe item right before a trip. So rather than a theme, this Motivation will be more of a high summer round-up!

SEWING

Heather has a way of making things that you never knew you really needed until she made them. Her Caftan is a case in point. It just looks so cool and comfortable.

I'm soooo excited that the By Hand London Charlie Dress is finally accessible to us overseas admirers!

Cloth habit made a video on seam taping bras... what a lovely finish for your handmade lingerie!

Sara's Helga Shirt is casual and elegant, and soaks up the gorgeous sunlight in her photos. I was so inspired that I made my own Helga... details in a future blog post.

It was so bold and generous of Megan to share how she manages full-time mom-hood and a small business. If only my juggling of mom-hood and work was half as sane!

Sew Anemone's Bird Print Bailen Top is so well fitted, and such a playful print.

I love A Colorful Canvas's thoughts on making the Sophie Swimsuit into a tankini and her tutorial for adding a back band to the full suit.

FABRIC

Some fabric that I've been admiring for summer makes...

I ordered linen from the The Fabric-Store for the first time this summer, and I was impressed at the quality for the price. Such a gorgeous selection of colors. I decided on the 5.3 oz and it substantial without being heavy, and very soft.

I am so in love with the digital print linens at Emmaonesock. They are pricey, but oh so lovely.

Also at the top of my stash is chambray and double gauze from Imagine Gnats. Beautiful quality, and they were on my doorstep before I knew it.

EDIBLE MAKES

Blueberry maple jam is one of my favorite things to make during blueberry season. So amazingly delicious, and very simple.

Did you know that you can make your own Hot Cocoa Mix? I just made up a batch for our camping trip this week!

The Monday Motivation from Unlikelynest

The Monday Motivation at Unlikelynest

I've been mulling over starting a bi-weekly feature here at Unlikelynest, and this is what I've come up with. A bit of something to greet you on Monday morning. Nothing too heavy, but a touch of musing about our favorite hobbies and topics that inspire us. Let me know what you think, or what you want to see in future editions, in the comments. 

As a metaphor for mental motivation, I'm also digging up examples of some amazing physically strong females from history. You can read about Luisita Leers down at the bottom of the post.

SEW

I'm overjoyed that the wide leg pant is IN this summer. Not that I ever really quit wearing them... I just feel like I'm in good company this year.

I can't wait for the release of Helen's new pattern, the Winslow Culottes. She is just killing us with all her awesome pre-release versions on her blog, Helen's Closet. (In fact, I will get mine soon, since I'm a pattern tester!)

In the mean time, I love this yoked palazzo pant by Amanda's Adventures in sewing.

Elisalex at By Hand London read my mind... I totally need a kimono. She's pulled together a post that includes some of the top contenders. There's also this one, in German... I'm sure I could figure it out with a little help from Google Translate, and I love the fabric choice.

FABRIC

Dawn at Two On Two Off is has wicking merino jersey for sale in her Etsy store. If you haven't tried merino wool for exercise top, you are missing out, it is the best stuff out there. The fabric she is carrying is a polyester/merino blend, which seems to be the stuff that all the best technical gear is made of these days. I love making cozy winter tees and cardigans in wool jersey, it really helps take the chill off. It is totally the wrong season, but I ordered some anyway since it is soooo hard to get this stuff.

I've been drooling over all of the african wax print fabric garments in the blogosphere, and I've been secretly window shopping. I love the ones Sonja Gingerichs has at Hell Gate Fabrics. Actually all of her fabrics are gorgeous... and she works hard to source fabrics made in the most environmentally responsible way possible.

EAT

Make your own ice cream cones! I made the ones from this tutorial from America's test kitchen and they were awesome. No special equipment required. Admittedly the majority were less than perfect cones, but they were yummy anyway.

READING FOR THOUGHT

Loving Elusive Targets in the May issue of Seamwork, about the way standards for the female form have changed over the years.

A GOODBYE

A special thanks to Sallie from Sallieoh for sharing the passing of her furred companion of 10 years, Lucille. Our hearts are with you.