Huckleberry Friends

Blog Makeover and Final Dress!

First of all, my darling husband gave my blog a much needed makeover. Thanks sweetie! It is so pretty.

After getting up at 4am yesterday and today, I was able to write a new pattern and sew it up before work. I'm not sure how many hours that was total, but it's done and I'm in love with it. I figured out the secret to a reversible pinafore without buttons. It's tricky and kind of a pain, but I did it! All it took was lying in bed every night and visualizing fabric being sewn up. I know I'm not the only one who does that.

I can't believe I was able to make something with my own hands and see it worn by my perfect daughter. Unlike my day job, this is something I'm proud of because it is something I made. I'm one step closer to a part-time WAHM world. Yeah! It's floral on one side and sage green on the other. Now I have to figure out how to make pants that are sage green with a floral cuff. Pattern making begins tomorrow at...4am!

Prototype

Even though I quit my job, I'm still working there full time and commuting 2 hours each day. I'm also the mother of a 13-month old and have a household to manage. It's no wonder that 3-weeks have gone by and I just finished the first prototype and have found time to post. I get up at 4:30 am now to have some sewing time to myself. I guess that is not an unusual schedule for a mother.

Here is the first prototype. It's too big, but I was able to make modifications and sew another dress this morning. When Isabel wakes up, she will have her picture taken with the new dress. I don't like a lot of things about this pattern, so I'm still working some things out. It is basically very cute, though.

Pattern Cutting and Swings

While Isabel napped this morning, I cut the first pattern piece for her dress; well, the prototype dress for Huckleberry Friends. It's going to have some modifications to make it mine, but I wanted to start from an actual pattern. I do plan to start designing my own patterns, but not in the beginning.

I'm really excited about this venture, but pretty nervous as well. Nervous because I've tried this thing before, being creative for pay, but I've never worked hard enough at it for the idea to actually work. I'm determined to make it work this time, if only to set an example for my daughter that she can achieve whatever she wants as long as she is willing to work at it and stay committed. The example for my child is the best reason I know to have a happy life.

On a lighter note, we all went to the park today so Daddy could see Isabel swinging. He is a much better photographer than I, and we brought the camera, so today's photographic results are great. She laughed so much, but, like all kids, cried when it was time to leave.

Singing and Swinging

Isabel loves music and doesn't interact with other children much, so we enrolled her in a music class. She absolutely loved it, shaking the maracas, walking around to the other kids, screaming with innocent joy. I love her Etsy pants. I can't wait for class again next week.

In the afternoon, we went for a walk and it was finally warm enough to take her to the playground. What a bad mother that the first time she goes on the swing I have forgotten my camera. A crappy camera phone picture is better than nothing, especially for the grandparents. Go Isabel!

Quitting and Moving

I quit my job of 7 years yesterday to enter the more lucrative freelance world. Between my very stressful job and my lovely 1 year old, I have not had much time to do anything concrete with Huckleberry Friends, just a lot of dreaming and planning. I hope that leaving my job will allow for more time to actually do something with those dreams.

My tiny Manhattan sewing room is a point of shame and I plan to organize it this weekend. That is my grandmother's 1957 Singer that I learned to sew on when I was 5, making doll quilts and clothes. It sits collecting dust. Sorry Grams! And who thought florescent lights on a green wall was a good idea? No fabric is going to look good in that corner!

Besides quitting my job, we have decided to put our apartment on the market and move back to my home of San Francisco. I hope that being back in the place I love most will give me the energy and inspiration to follow said dreams.

This post is, well, I'm exhausted and I don't think I can convey what is in my head so I will leave off for now.

Originally posted on Blogger on 03 April 08

Huckleberry Friends is Born!

Is it time to give up the day job? I hope so. With the support of my family, I am launching an etsy store to sell hand-sewn and knitted baby clothes. I hope to be successful enough to contribute to the family funds while staying home with my daughter. Although I will not be able to give up the day job just yet, wish me luck!

Originally posted on Blogger on 14 March 08