I've been so busy getting the Sapphire pattern ready to launch (I'm hoping my next email to you will be IT'S HERE!) but…it's not quite ready yet, alas, and at the same time juggling all of the things in Real Life that need attention: cheering for my kids at track meets, taking the littlest to violin lessons, spreading mulch, going to protests, planning a graduation open house for my senior (*sobs*), etc. It's full on spring here in Michigan and the blooming trees and flowers and sunshine are all bringing me so much joy as I sit outside on my deck squinting at my laptop to type this to you.

 

This quick note is to let you know that I've written a “Get Ready for Sapphire” post and a choosing fabrics post that you might find helpful if you're getting ready to sew a Sapphire when it launches. I'm also doing a series of posts on each of the Sapphires I've sewn for myself, and teaching a Zoom class that I wanted to let you know about. 

 

In a couple weeks I am offering an online class on Pattern Review that I think will be really fun: we're going to sew a made-to-measure shirred sundress with sleeves! It will be held on Zoom on May 13th at 3 PM-4:30 PM Eastern. Even if you can't make it live, you have access to the recorded class for one month! Get more details on the class and sign up via the link below. I hope you can join me!!

Some other things I've been into and up to…

 

reading: I just finished Kindred by Octavia Butler in just a few days, so riveting. I'm now in the middle of Lessons in Chemistry, which is pretty good; I'm amused by all of the rowing references (my sister Elli, who works here at MBR, is a champion rower, btw).  

 

sewing: I made myself an Emerald baby-doll dress by cropping an Emerald top and adding a gathered skirt and I've been layering it with my Citrine sweaters for spring. 

I also made a bunch of cloth napkins out of designer (mainly Heather Ross) quilting cottons I'd held onto for years. Our old napkins were 10+ years old and threadbare. It felt great to spend just a couple of hours sewing squares together, assembly-line-style, and have a fresh stack of napkins to show for it. 

 

puzzling: Hugo asked for another Magic Puzzle for his birthday last month, and we're just about to do the second phase of Big Rock City. So fun!!! I also really enjoyed this Gee's Bend quilt puzzle (photo of it in this post on my blog). 

 

listening: The Telepathy Tapes is so fascinating. Have you listened to it? Tell me what you think!!

 

We're slowly checking off the to-do list of things that have to happen before a pattern can launch – hoping to have Sapphire ready for you very soon! 
 

happy sewing,

Rae