I'm here. Feeling very quiet. School has started. 7th grade for Kate and high school for Jane. Different schools, different schedules. Taking my time to figure out what is what and how I am going to be in two places at one time. Or rather, how to make it work best for all of us without anyone losing their mind. Wish me luck.

I'm sewing. And reading. And trying to learn Illustrator a bit. I'm also teaching - my string quilt this weekend at Q First in Quilting in Lexington and basic sewing to 8th graders as part of our school's art electives. Both should be fun.

I'd like to start meditating. Does anyone have any good starting tips, apps, etc., that you would be willing to share?

Monday, it's back to work for me. Book #2 is my biggest work in progress. Coming at you Fall 2015.

Back soon.

I'm sure you have seen a good half dozen or more versions of these Purl Soho shorts by now. Here's another! They are a fast sew from a free dowloadable pattern so, really, you should make some. The come in kid and adult sizes so even if you don't wear shorts, maybe there is a little girl in your life who would like some. I lengthened my pair by 1.5" because this 43 year old does not rock the short shorts. Just saying.

I sewed the bias binding to the wrong side of the shorts and then folded it around to the front before topstitching them in place as a little extra insurance to make sure the raw edges got enclosed. I used some Robert Kaufman chambray left over from this skirt and the floral print is a Kokka design that I got from Frances at Miss Matatabi. This particular chambray is a little loosely woven. If I were to use it again, I would increase the back seam allowance to 1/2" and maybe even break out the serger because it's really embarrassing to be walking around with a hole in the back of your shorts where the seam didn't hold. Just saying.