Plus Bunches

I recently purchased a pattern for a tank top as a layering piece for my camping gear. I prefer a bra tank to wear as a base layer, rather than a sports bra, and while I've been looking, I haven't yet found one I like in my size. I've found a couple great ones, but they weren't in my size and I couldn't try on comparable ones to see what size I should order online. Ones that have been in my size have been not quite right for one reason or another - mostly straps that are too thin. I want nice, thick straps so that with the backpack, I'm not getting any uncomfortable digging going on. To that end, I found the perfect pattern, Butterick 5609, had a real hassle getting the printable version, and managed to make it just barely in time for a trial run on a 5-day bike trip over Golden Week vacation (details here).

Of course, I haven't taken pictures yet, but I will! Since I was getting everything out and using my sewing machine, I thought it would be a good time to delve into the sewing stash. I have fabric and patterns for a few shorter sleeved button-downs that will be perfect for "cool biz" starting June 1, when you can wear more comfortable clothes to work in Japan. It already being May, I figured I'd better get started so I can wear them rather than taking the supplies back to the US as stash!

I fixed the bobbin case (it needed a bit of sandpaper to one edge), finished the crafting tool holder that was nearly done, made the tank top that turned out to be perfect for my purposes, and now have nine other projects cut out and waiting for sewing. Nine seven, I finished three and found another box bag ready to go. Nearly all of which need something purchased before I will be able to complete them. I have a shirt that needs some seam binding, four shirts that need buttons (two that still need to be cut out!), and another shirt that needs fabric - I had extra fabric that worked well as a contrasting color for a pattern I own, I just need a coordinating main color now. At least the biggest pain in the butt is done, almost all of the pieces are cut out and nearly ready to go. The button down shirts were the most questionable. I have a bunch of purple and black linen, but not technically enough for the two shirts of each I wanted to make, so some finangling was necessary (and still is for the black...) to cut it all out correctly.

Now to actually do the easy part...