Because I have a very full on dead line coming up.
Because I would rather sew than have a clean house. I wish it weren't so.
Because I've never sewn her a size 5 dress before.
Because I was embarrassed when my studio builder asked me how much fabric I actually have.
Because there are 4820 things ahead of 'make a dress' on my to-do list.
Because I know she'll love it.
Because it is a mix of old and new fabrics that have sat around in my stash forever.
Because our 11 o'clock appointment didn't show up and I had some extra time in my day.
Because every five year old girl should have a colourful twirly dress, don't you think?
Because after a weekend spent looking after four 12 year-olds, it was such a treat to do something just for me.
Because listening to The Moth podcasts and cutting and sewing bits of fabric together is one of the best ways I know to spend some time.
Because some times when I wonder how I will fill up my time next year, I think I might sew and I had to be certain I still like to.
Because it's spring time and there is hardly any sewing time.
How about you?
Are you a justificator?
Should you be doing something else right now?
When was the last time you said 'stuff it' and did something just for the fun of it?
Do you think I could pull off a mixy-matchy dress too?
I'm off to pick broad beans for dinner.
Later. xx
Oh, it's gorgeous!! A very good way to spend your time. We're mid-way through a house move but once we're settled I can't wait to get the machine out and make some dresses for my little one. Pepper is a lucky, stylish girl.
ReplyDeleteNah! I don't need to justify my sewing - I'm too lazy for that. I absolutely HAD to vacuum yesterday - after three weeks of telling myself I would vacuum as soon as I finished this bit of stitching/knitting/embroidery/crochet. Really, anything but vacuuming :-) Gorgeous dress - I have some of the last tier around the bottom of one of my skirts! And if we are going to justify - then having to switch to school uniforms in a couple of months is a good reason. Enjoy the broadbeans - we have none left ;-(
ReplyDeleteYes, I'll put my hand up for being a justificator ( love that word!)
ReplyDeleteKate, it's just beautiful. I live the way you put fabrics together.
x
I think theres a heck of a lot of us out there
ReplyDeletewho sew/make instead of clean the house and everything else!!
Love this dress Kate - totally justified!X
Adorable dress Kate, perfect! Yesterday I put off the ironing and cleaning to cook pizza in our new wood oven & pick mulberries. The pizza, conversation and mulberries were lovely and the ironing is still waiting :)
ReplyDeleteI think you could absolutely pull off a mixy matchy dress, do it!! I adore this, cant wait to see Pepper in it..
ReplyDeleteand yes, there are so many other things I should be doing right now...x
I hate that I feel the need to justify things all the time. Wish I could be more unapologetic. Although I always do what I feel like doing ahead of the thousand things on my list - makes the day so much sweeter. Oh and I'll do just about anything to avoid cleaning. And only because you asked: I should be out in the garden picking rocket and greens for our salad as hubby will be in any minute, but I'm here writing this instead.
ReplyDeleteYep I'm a big justifier and procrastinator rolled into one.
ReplyDeleteI've been obsessing and working on this one bear head for days now, when I really should be making lots of amis and overall bears for the market.
But no my heart is set on this little woo- begone wonky head.
that chance are only a few people will like.
this head and hopefully bear when I feel ready, is totally just because xo
PS your dress is gorgeous xo
ReplyDeleteI haven't had nearly enough 'just because' moments lately. A good reminder! Fab dress. I would wear it myself in a heartbeat. x
ReplyDeleteSuch a pretty dress, your girls are so lucky!! I wish I knew how to sew.
ReplyDeleteZannah
Beautiful! Just in time for sunny spring weather.
ReplyDeleteThis is me, but in reverse. I'm a fashion designer who procrastinates by cleaning! My house is always clean and ready ( just incase Vogue living should come knocking) and I'm always running late with all nighter sewing frenzies in order to finish orders. Maybe I should clean your house & you could do my sewing.
ReplyDeleteStudio Builder? I hope there is some more info on that soon!
ReplyDeleteCute dress.
Yep, total justificator. I only sewed my first dress a few weeks ago because I had a panic attack that my girl was nearly 4 and if I didn't hurry up and make her a frock she would be all grown up and wanting to dress like a Bratz doll instead. Love this mixed around dress and so nice to see you sewing again, had wondered if you had lost your mojo for crafting lately. mel x
ReplyDeleteIt's so beautiful! Completely justifiable :)
ReplyDeleteIt's so beautiful and needs no justification at all :) Off to discover what The Moth podcasts are! Kx
ReplyDeleteit's wonderful! I've been crafting everyday lately and justifying it every step of the way! My washing hasn't been folded, the floors need mopping and I really should have a look at my filing cabinet, but oh the joy of sewing and making stuff just for fun of it. Pepper will love her twirly dress!!!
ReplyDeleteLove it - no justification needed (but makes for good reading!)
ReplyDeletexx
Hi Kate..I know that feeling of needing desperately to do more than housework 'cos it always needs doing again. When the floors need vacuuming...again...and the laundry needs folding...again...and I'm sick of spending hours making goodies in the kitchen so they'll be eaten in 10 mins flat...again...then I need to make something that will be around for months or years, that I can look at again and again and say..I made that..and remember the day. A day that was different!
ReplyDeleteThat is a precious dress, Kate. I love it.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I can justify anything. It's an art form ;)
That is the very best justification ...the dress I am sure is much loved and needed. xx
ReplyDeletethe dress is beautiful....you don't need any justification!!!
ReplyDeletexxxx Ale
Kate es hermoso. yo estuve el fin de semana haciendo uno también para mi pequeña. Me encanto la convinación de telas!! Saludos desde buenos aires!
ReplyDeleteThat dress is just gorgeous. No excuses needed! I like to have a break from what's on the list from time to time and go off doing something else. It helps to clear the mind, relax or enables me to do some thinking away from the job I'm supposed to be doing or have come to a "stuck point" with! Love reading what you write...
ReplyDeleteIt is such a darling dress- good job mama!
ReplyDeletexo
Amanda
www.thorntonjournal.blogspot.com
That's without doubt the most perfect five year old I've ever seen, however I think it would also be an absolutely perfect grown up Kate dress. I justify everything to avoid cleaning. You should see the pile of washing in the corner. xxx
ReplyDeleteBecause if you wait for the right time it never comes! Because doing something you love is a great de-stresser. At least, these are my excuses :) That pretty dress will be remembered far longer than a clean house that will only get messed up again!
ReplyDeletei am reading your blog while Romi sleeps when I should be doing the million things that need 2 hands. Pepper is lucky- the dress is beautiful. xx
ReplyDeleteGorgeous dress. I think craft is our "therapy" - a little spot of sewing does wonders for the soul. My Hannah has almost outgrown her Fox's Lane Dress - don't suppose you're planning any size 8 sewing soon?
ReplyDeleteI absolutely think you could rock a colourful mixy mashy dress. Absolutely.
ReplyDelete:)
Thats really cute! Can't wait to see little miss to wear that one. :) Got my eye on your next posts.
ReplyDeleteI've been sewing like crazy as I have a few markets coming up and haven't done one in a while. I want to hide away and create. I don't want to do housework or cook dinner or clean dog poo off my kids shoes....... I go quite bonkers if I don't get in my studio regularly, its good for the soul. Most people that see how much fabric I have are amazed, I have issues!
ReplyDeleteThe dress is just beautiful x.
Such a pretty dress! Your miss Pepper is a lucky girl!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes - I am a justificator
Yes - I should be doing something else right now (probably cleaning up the kitchen after dinner, going to bed so I'm not so tired with my early rising, etc..)
And today I said "stuff it" and spent the day making a paper collage picture!
xox
What better reason to procrastinate than to sew a 5yo dress? I have 'only' one girl to sew for, but boy would I skip the vacuuming for a pretty dress? Anytime. Love the stash busting sewing inspiration....
ReplyDeletewhatever you tell you tell yourself ... this is gorgeous!
ReplyDelete... and am left inspired ....
Don't think of it as procrastinating think of it as creating!
ReplyDeleteReally sweet dress. And I'm always doing something I'm not supposed to be doing. AND it's fun!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore this twirly dress, it is simply gorgeous. I would love to create a dress like this for my little one, but don't think I've got the skills for it:)
ReplyDeleteyup that dress was worth it miss pepper will have it for awhile and it will always remind you of the time you wagged house/work. Me i painted today for about 1/2 hr for the exhibition I hope to have someday...
ReplyDeleteWhen I gaze at your dress and ponder over your words I am left wishing we were neighbours as I am sure, over tea or coffee, we would have so much to chat about.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog.
Stephanie
It is a beautiful dress and who cares about the justification, what a beautiful piece you have to show for your efforts. I spent the whole day preparing two garden beds and nothing else. Just for the joy of being outside in the sun and getting dirty.
ReplyDeleteAll of this is just lovely, the dress and your words... Precious!!
ReplyDeleteI can justify anything,especially when i am in trouble ! My youngest is a school boy next year, mmmm, not sure how i will be with that.. love that dress.
ReplyDeleteSo so lovely. Want one for myself!
ReplyDeleteShe looked absolutely stunning in it today with her pigtails! Lovely to meet you and two of your girls. Hope you got to enjoy something in the city in the sunshine today.
ReplyDelete