A different sort of craft

So, I've been pretty bored since I decided to take my food hiatus. I never realized how much time I spent planning, shopping, cooking, eating...

I started spending way too much time on the internet, which is never really productive. And not surprisingly, it made me feel really grouchy, so Georg suggested I embark on a new craft, one that isn't as expensive or fattening as food, to help me fill my time.

I wish I could say I could think of other ways to fill my time than sewing plaid jackets; after all, there's spending time with friends, reading, volunteerism...but some of my friends aren't really dependable, or they're too busy. I'm burned out on reading, and I'm leaving in a month so I feel it's a little too late to start volunteering somewhere.

So, I went to Wal-Mart last Sunday night (I know, I know, but when you're semi-broke it's kind of hard to say no). They had a small selection of patterns, of which I selected the one that looked maximally mainstream and minimally difficult. Next I had to pick a fabric, and since I'm not too confident in my sewing skills (the most grand thing I've ever sewn before is a pillow and a duvet cover) I chose a dollar-a-yard fabric so it wouldn't be a huge financial setback if I messed it all up.

All in all, I spent about $20 for fabric, needles, thread, the pattern, six buttons, a flexible tape measure, and pins. It took me probably about 15 hours to sew, which I did in front of the TV, watching scary local news and trashy reality shows like Wife Swap. I think $20 is pretty cheap for 15 hours of trance-like semi-satisfaction...much cheaper than, say, drugs. Yes, I said it, sewing is my drug!

In the end, I'm shocked to say I'm mildly pleased with the results. I mean, it actually doesn't look like a complete piece of crap. Yes, I realize the pattern doesn't quite match. OK, it doesn't match at all. Plaids are hard! :( Sewing takes a lot of patience. You have to do everything right, from cutting out the pattern to sewing the buttons on. If you get impatient, you mess the whole thing up or end up throwing it out of the window from frustration.

I don't know if I'd actually wear the jacket...it does fit rather well. But sometimes when I look at it I think it looks like it came from the Salvation Army. Other times I try to convince myself that hey, plaids are in and I should go for it.

Fun project, but now I'm through. I don't know what's next...painting? Jewelry making? Any thoughts?