5 Pants in 5 Days

As I am approaching my 60th birthday, one of the things I'm trying to do is decide what things in my life it's time to lay down, and what things in my life are worth investing in.  I can do a lot of things but I can't do them all at the same time, and if I try to keep doing everything I can't take on anything new, which I also want to do.

Sewing is one of those things I need to decide about.  I started sewing when I was in 5th grade, creating Barbie outfits by hand, using a pattern even.  I learned how to use a treadle sewing machine at my Auntie Viola's house, I took sewing lessons in the summer between Gr. 7 & 8 at the Singer store at Granville and 7th and made a navy blue wool double breasted coat dress lined with a suit collar, set in sleeves and a full lining - I still can't believe it.

After that, I made most of my own clothes until just a few years ago. I made clothes for Dave, sewed for all the kids, made my girls party dresses, Hannah's wedding dress, Sarah and Maria's bridesmaids dresses.  But in the last few years, I'm sewing less and less - stylish clothes are less expensive and available in a greater range of sizes, and I've been working full time and travelling to see my kids every chance I get.  Then what happens is that I'll try to sew something for myself and it ends up unwearable - ARGH!

Do you remember the movie Julie and Julia?  For 365 days, Julie blogged as she cooked her way through Julia Child's encyclopaedic French cookbook, one recipe a day.  I'm not gonna do that.  BUT I am going to make a pair of pants every day for 5 days this week with a pattern I made myself.

Oh, yeah I just said that.  In fact, I just finished the first pair - light grey linen.  It took me forever, I put the zipper in 3 times and I put the yoke on backwards.  They're OK, but a little big.  I just finished altering the pattern, I bought 4 other fabrics, organized my sewing room and I'm ready to roll.  This week I'll be working, attending a funeral, teaching 5 piano lessons and going to a home-school conference on Friday.  But before I go, I'll have 5 brand new pairs of pants.

It's Monday evening, I gotta go sew.....