Time for Sewing & An Overlocker

After a wonderful trip to Eden & the Blue Mountains with Tim last week, I am finally back at work.

I've been on leave from my work and studies since early Feb and have pretty much sewed every day possible in that time. Heading back to the office is difficult for a few reasons. Just one of those reasons being that I can't sew all day, every day, anymore.

I have a few tricks up my sleeve to help make the most of what time I do have for sewing. 

First, two months in my sewing room has made me a much faster sewer! I can whip through projects in a day (or two evenings) rather than a few weeks. I've noticed such an improvement in my skill and knowledge in this time too!

Second, I'm better at planing out makes now. For example, on Sunday evening I cut fabric for two skirts and Tim's PJ Pants. This means I've got a few projects, of different difficulties, on the go during the week that I can pick up after work if I'm feeling up to it. 

Third, I bought an overlocker (heck yes!!). I finally caved and bought the Aldi re-branded basic Janome overlocker. I'd been thinking about it for weeks and ended up buying it on Monday after work. It was an unplanned purchase. I carried it all the way home on public transport and to and from the train station. I arrived home with led weight arms and blisters on my feet from work shoes I hadn't worn in a long time. It was totally worth it!! 

On the train platform with my precious!!

 So far I've only used it only on wovens. But, its going to be a great help in sewing up my knit layers as pledged for MMM'14. I sewed up Tim's Simplicity PJ Pants on it almost entirely, not bothering with the sewing machine except for the hem and waistband. It is so fast at finishing seams! and damn they look good! I'm really excited about trying some more knit patterns. Please ignore that I wasted close to an hour re-threading, cursing, and tweeting, when I managed to upset it. It's a temperamental thing.

I'd like to say that having less sewing time will make me value what time I do have more, but that assumes I don't already value my sewing. I also thought that I might get bored of sewing every day while I was on leave. That did not happen, at all! If anything, I got more excited to sew as the days went on. I'd love to know how others fit sewing into their days and how much they like to sew each week. Are you a sewing junkie like me, or are you more of a everything in moderation person?