Sunshine on an Overcast Day

There was a time when I didn't like overcast days. I found them depressing. They were a cause (an excuse) to sneak off to bed early and despair over life, men, life and men, in that order. Now that I've rediscovered photography with my generic (and I mean generic), dinosaur-age Kodak EasyShare C530, I've come to love those days without the blazing sun overhead. Those times are perfect for photos. You don't have to worry about overexposure, overheating, over-shadowing, and over-anything. Cloudy days are a photographer's friends. In fact, now you're likely to catch me muttering, "Oh, good! I can take pictures!" if I see clouds gathering to gossip. The larger the group, the better. But dark isn't too kind for photography, and ominous is a clear sign to take cover because a tornado or thunderstorm might whiz through.

The pattern: The top you see above is yet another rendition of the Santa Monica Tee. (See I don't always knit, contrary to my Twitter sidebar.) This particular project was extremely easy since all the edges were already finished. The only stitching I had to was at the neckline, darts, and underarm seams. Done! Now since this was a very sheer and fragile knit with a whizbang rose emblem in the middle, I did have to take care sewing. Sullivan's Fabric Stabilizer was very helpful (spray, stiffen fabric, spray more until fabric is office cardboard-thick. Sew. Wash out stabilizer). I used the Wash-Away Solvy at the neckline. Otherwise, I think this lovely fabric would have been chewed up and spit out by my charmed Viking Husqvarna!

The fabric: A remnant from Vogue Fabrics. It was a really small piece. I snatched it up as soon as I saw it, but it languished in my collection until about six months when a little flourescent lightbulb went off....Use it with the Santa Monica T! Center it so the flower's at the bust (as you see it's not quite...I'm not entirely thrilled that it falls below.). Use scalloped edges for a hem!

The background: Those clouds you see? Those are painted on the exterior walls of my condo near the door that leads to the laundry room. You'll be seeing more of this cheery and childlike skyline in my photography, they're the perfect backdrop!

The lesson: Use the finished edges on your fabric for your hem. Saves time sewing and makes your clothes look ready-to-wear. (But you don't really need a lesson. This is more of a tip.)