Ten to Midnight

This wasn't on my list, but I decided to sew a tea cozy.  I made one for a friend for Christmas, so I  know how to make it.  The pattern has been cut out.  I have no qualms cutting a craft pattern because there are no fitting problems.  clothing patterns are usually traced, unless I have a second copy.  Oh! those pattern sales! :)

It took me about 3 hours to make this, including ironing the fabric that I had stored in one of those huge ziploc bags.  I wasn't certain if I was going to finish it.  But I stopped sewing at ten to midnight.  I was reaching that dangerous time:  tired, but wanting to finish before I went to sleep, the time when you can't judge if you are making a mistake that you will rip out later or if you will work!  And you then you think twice, then three times, and then you know you are tired and but you keep going, until you need to rip something out.  I think that I did okay--my mind didn't range that far.  Nothing looks like it should be ripped out, but I'll know for sure in the morning! LOL !  I had better make certain that I have unplugged my iron, though.  I know that my sewing machine is turned off.

I used Simplicity Pattern 4341, view A (the larger cozy), which uses about a yard of fabric all together and a 1/4 of insulated lining.  For whimsy, I sewed on some appliques that I purchased at an estate sale:  some flowers on one side and a ladybug on the other.  The outside fabric is so busy (some aubergine colored quilting fabric with wine labels, that the appliques kind of disappear, which I like.  It does make me wish I had some ant appliques to sew onto a cake-patterned cozy).  To close it, I used some knit drawstring (similar to that found in commercial sweatpants) from SF SCRAP and some stretchy round elastic that I had in my stash.  When I have time, I'll do a formal review:  you need three different colors (or patterns) of fabric to make the pattern look good.  Also, the lining fabric  (which should be dark, I think, because it's gonna get tea all over it), peeks out on top.  I'm going to take it into work to use on the teapot at my desk.  

I took this to work today and I was able to take a couple of pictures before left for the day.

Tea at my desk 

1 yard to add to the stash total.  I think that this would make a nice gift (quick, pretty, and it can be personalized) so I'll add the label it as a gift.  

[Edited to add]  Three hours to remove one yard of fabric from my stash!  Yikes, I need to make a dress.  Or think quality, not quantity.  Or don't worry at all.  

Off to sleep, perchance to dream....