I didn't expect to totally fall in love with Patterns for Pirates latest release, the Women's Loggers, but P4P knocked it out of the park again with a design loaded with options.

{ICYMI, Loggers are the love child of leggings and joggers...}

After making a pair of loungewear shorties and a pair of full-length pants from the pattern, I couldn't shake the vision of swim shorts for paddle-boarding.

I had a load of swim fabric on hand already. My pattern was already assembled from my previous makes. An opportune hour of free time smiled my way. Before I knew it, I had these adorable new shorties in my life.

{No cats were harmed in the making of these Loggers.}

I wasn't prepared for the overwhelming reception by the amazing P4P community of sewists. Many asked for the pattern hack.

So, here we go! Let's make swim shorties!

1. Cut the pattern pieces per the pattern instructions.

2. Cut two additional strips of fabric, 1.5" x 36". These will be your side ties.
3. Sew together each of your center seams, leaving the outside leg seams open.

4. Fold and press your leg bindings in half and attach to bottom of leg openings. Be sure to match your center points on the binding and legs. The center point of each will not line up at the center seam.

5. With right sides together, sew a 5/8" seam along the outside leg seams and press open. Do not use a serger for this step. You are creating casings for your side ties.

I chose to finish my raw edges with a serger, but this is not required.

6. Create a casing on each side of each outside leg seam by sewing a 1/2" seam. This will secure the edges and provide a new home for your side ties.

7. Create your ties by sewing the right sides of your fabric strips together. Turn to the right side with your favorite turning tool. Cut each strip in half so that you have four ties.

8. Insert one tie into each casing and secure the top edges in place with a basting stitch.

9. Attach your choice of Logger's waistband options per pattern instructions.
10. Once you try on and ruche or gather the edges to your preferences, tie a pretty side bow and cut the tie length to your liking!

And you're ready to have the cutest booty on the lake!

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me. I'll be happy to help.

One last note... if you post your makes to social media using the hashtag, #loggers, be prepared for a rash of unusual new followers who cut down trees for a living.

True story.

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING!!!!

We greeted the season with several inches of snow... I haven't quite earned the right to complain yet. Soooooo... this is me... in my scarf and jacket, Uggs... not complaining.

Yay for spring!!

I was updating my Bloglovin' feed today to include the blogs that I follow through Blogger Reader.

You've heard about that, right?

As of July 1, Google's Blogger Reader is going away. If you're looking for a new way to track your blog roll, I definitely recommend Bloglovin'. I've used it for a few years now and I have no complaints.

Don't forget to add me to your reading list, pretty please!!

This relatively major change in the blogging world has reminded me of some of the blogging mistakes that I've made over the past two years. I'm defining "mistakes" as poor decisions or lack of planning that has impacted readers ability to reach my blog content.

I thought it might be helpful to share - in case you are considering blogging or have a new blog of your own.

First Mistake: Domain Name
I initially set up my blog four or five years ago. I had no intention of blogging for anyone other than myself, but had no idea where to begin or how to really organize my content. I decided on a name - Always A Project - because that has always been my state of living. However, I reserved my Blogspot address under my own name.

It was originally rhgarza.blogspot.com.

Not memorable. Not jazzy. Not fun.

Sometime last year, I got smart about it and set up my official domain - www.always-a-project.com - and immediately saw my site traffic TANK. I had no idea why. My site was still accessible through the old address.

After some investigative work, I discovered this:

 

This is what people were seeing when they tried to connect to my site through their pins on Pinterest. That would have scared me off, too. The change of domain name caused this error to show up. My site wasn't actually reported as objectionable.

Bad news. And still an issue.

{frowny face}

Second BIG Mistake: No Facebook Page

Facebook is fantastic for bloggers (especially casual bloggers like me) because it allows us to interact with readers quickly and easily throughout the week, without having to compose an entire blog post.

I should have set mine up on Day #1. In the past year, it has become a major vehicle for people to reach out to me. And, in turn, I'm able to connect with you in a much more personal, conversation-like exchange. I love it!

So, today I posted a DISGUSTING photo of the tar-stained walls in my son's bathroom. The previous owners used this room as a smoking room. We gutted it yesterday and discovered just how nasty the build up really is.

Did you see it? No? Let's connect on Facebook!!

Mistake Numéro Trois

My third mistake is painfully obvious. Lack of posting.

You have been so understanding and supportive of me over the past few months. So much more than I deserve.

My heart is here. I'm not burned out. I'm not uninspired. I'm just stuck in this weird space – finished grad school, made a major move, started a new job, in the middle of unpacking my life in a new house...

I haven't even found my glue gun yet.

I am working on a few things to share with you this weekend... I'm finishing up some window treatments for my family room. I completed the Gallery Wall of Extreme Cuteness. I've also set up a sort of a "Command Central" that I think is fun and practical.

On the home renovation front, we've nearly finished the painting. Dylan's bedroom is completely set up and little boy approved. We're starting on our flooring - tile and wood. My husband picked up 40 boxes of bamboo flooring this past weekend!

So, things are moving in the right direction!

I hope you're having a wonderful week! I'll see you again this weekend!!