When You Don't Want Sewing to Be an Option

I think everyone gets that I can sew now.  No surprises.  I've also made the choice to not buy very many retail clothes and accessories because I can sew.  I see the money not spent at Target or J. Crew as fabric money and that makes me happy in ways only a little Emoji can explain.  (Too bad I'm not typing this on my iPad.)

But before I bought my sewing machine, I shopped all the time.  No kidding.  My weekends were spent at malls, at Target, at Goodwill--wherever I could find a deal.  I knew when all the sales were scheduled.  I spent a lot of money, but I bought a lot too--I've always been a bargain-hunter, or what my dad calls "cheap."  Now that I sew, all the money I spent on clothes and shoes--there are still clothes in my closet with tags...from two years ago--goes to patterns, fabric, what have you.  I still shop bargains and it's just my nature to research the hell out of something before coming to a conclusion.

Last September, I made an Amy Butler Spice Market tote from Kona and Ruby Star Rising viewmasters.  It became my work bag because it seriously holds everything.  Even after I made the Rebecca bag, I went back to it because it was sturdier and felt like a better carry-all for my 12 hours of commuting and working each day.  But a couple weeks ago, I noticed it had some bleach marks on it (from what, I don't know--I don't know the last time I even touched bleach) and now the fabric has worn away, revealing the interfacing. It's a beautiful look, as I'm sure you can imagine.  Because I don't really want to be mistaken for a homeless woman (with my frizzy hair and worn Toms, it could happen), I need to figure out a new bag situation quickly.

To be honest, I'd love to buy something leathery and grown-up.  And this is where my dilemma lies.  Is it bad to buy something when I can very easily make it?  While I wouldn't sew with leather, I have the Spice Market pattern and lord knows I have fabric.  It would also be cheaper to make it.  But do I want that?  I started looking around for a large tote and couldn't find anything I liked for under $50.00.  To be honest, I didn't really want to spend more than $20, but I have to come to terms with the fact that I'm living in a fantasy world.  I also don't like to spend more than $30 on a haircut, which is why I haven't gotten one in over a year, hence the frizziness.  I'm out of touch with how things cost, because I've completely dropped that aspect from my life.

I know this isn't a life or death situation, and it barely qualifies as a problem.  Oh, poor girl, should she use the skills she has or should she spend her money on a purse?  But, if you sew (or knit, or crochet, or whatever), what do you do?  Do you feel bad about buying something when you can make it?  Normally I stick to buying things I either won't or don't want to make, such as underwear and knit tees.  I can make bags.

What should I do?  And if you have any suggestions, where can I find a cheap bag that will hold all my shit?

Weekly Lists

Does anyone else love lists as much as I do?  I love ones that I can cross off too.  Accomplishment is everything in my world.

• Tonight is the last episode of the Office with Michael Scott.  I'm definitely a Janey-come-lately to the Office, but I watch it every night (thanks to syndication) and I just don't know how it will be without him.  Mr. Scott, we hardly knew ye.
• After reading Smitten Kitchen all morning (my to-do list was short and I was productive, I promise), I now want to make lots of good food and blog about it.  That probably won't happen, especially in my baby kitchen.  But once we move and I have a real kitchen, I'm so there.
• My mom went to a quilt shop yesterday and I was insanely jealous.  It still bothers me that DC doesn't have one and, even if I wanted to take on that endeavor now instead of waiting, I could never afford the rent.  Sigh.  Eventually, I suppose.  I just like to look at fabric.
• Speaking of fabric, does anyone know where I can find some Cloud 9 Beyond the Sea fabric?  I'm dying for it.  Especially this print:

• Finally, I've decided what my problem is, and I think it's the main problem that relates to all other problems.  I want to do everything.  I want to blog and have people read about it--but I want to blog about food and I want to blog about fabric and on and on.  I want to open a fabric store.  I want to get married--or do I?  I want to be single--and I want to have a family--or not!  I want to live in Paris, no, Charlotte, no, Boston, no, Portland, no, Oxford, no, Savannah.  I want to be successful and a stay-at-home mom.  I want a wedding and I want to elope.  It's completely ridiculous how mixed up I am, and I think that's why I'm so itchy for time to pass.  People, it's almost May!  I've lived here for four months!  This is crazy!
• Oh, speaking of, I'm considering two classes: Mastering Macarons at Sur La Table in Arlington and a letterpress class at the Pyramid Atlantic Art Center right down the road from me in beautiful Silver Spring.  Anyone have an opinion?  They're a bit pricey so I'm not taking them lightly.

Yay, tomorrow's Friday!  Yaaaaay.  (le sigh.)