New Englanders, I'm sorry to say that I may have jinxed us. I was feeling so hopeful there for a while - what with the tree tapping for maple syrup, and the official lamb watching beginning, and the start of the snow melting. I may have gotten a bit ahead of myself, I dare say.
What did you do, crazy lady?
It started with the sheep. After consulting with a few other (much more experienced) local Shetland sheep farmers, we realized that many are shearing right now or already have. When I looked closer at the girls, I began to see some shedding (check here for super interesting info on rooing), and that - combined with the impending births and therefore our need to crutch anyway - all pushed us over the edge for an impromptu shearing session this weeked. What can I say. We follow the herd. Sheepishly. Ahem.
(I assure you they are fine. They are hardy. It may be snowing, but it isn't terribly cold. Plus, they've got heat in their barn to access whenever they'd like.)
But it didn't stop at the girls' haircuts. Oh no. I got all springy with my sewing. Voile, lightweight cotton, no arms - I decided to sew myself the beginnings of a new spring wardrobe! Oh golly. And do you know what I got for all of that?
This. I got this. More snow. A whole lot more snow. A great big amount of snow. Not suitable for anyone out there without a coat - neither sheep nor shepherdess.
Sigh.
This is Ruby, a dress/top pattern from Made By Rae. And I made myself no less than three. This first one is made with a bit of lightweight corduroy (purchased at Z Fabrics), and Anna Maria's voile. I envisioned wearing it in the summertime, with a slip underneath. And clogs. Maybe a silk headscarf. But you know, wool tights and a sweater for now - whatever.
(I added a yoke lining to the tunic on this one, per the video instructions - a bonus I'm glad I took the time to create.)
On a roll, I quickly moved onto another, this time with some Nani Iro I've had tucked away for a rainy (snowy) day. Also with a yoke lining, and with a blind hem because I adore blind hems (I really do). Otherwise? True to the pattern and quite happily so.
(Before someone asks - because someone always does - the sheep are the only pregnant ladies in this post.)
(My best advice for getting sheep to love you - scooch down, be quiet, pretend you don't care, and wait. It works, I tell you.)
(Would you look at the size of those flakes?)
And then I made a third one, and decided to get all tricky with it. I was excited, really...to customize it to just what I wanted, starting with such a great basic pattern. First, I scooped the neck a bit lower than given in the pattern. I added the lining to this one too. Then, I added pockets, because who doesn't love pockets? I also added about an inch width to it, giving it a bit more flow at the bottom hem. And lastly, I decided to try a double, center pleat at the top, rather than the gather called for in the pattern - thinking the pleat might possibly be more flattering to my breastfeeding-for-thirteen-years body. I think it works, but I'm not certain. All I do know is that it is incredibly comfortable, and that goes a very long way in my fashion book. This one is in a Denyse Schmidt fabric - I think from Katie Jump Rope. It's cotton, but a really lovely weight of a quilting cotton.
Well. That's that. It looks like there are a few of us here, eager for some springtime clothes. Soon, girls. Soon.
