Hey June June!

Hey friends! It’s June first, and in my book, that means SUMMER!! (Please don’t educate me about complicated things like the solstice and actual astrological constants as they pertain to the seasons, because my brain has been turned OFF for the next three months!)

This year, that means that not only do I get to revel in the relaxation of not having to work and homeschool, but we also get to travel. In fact, we have a two month RV tour of the American Southwest underway, and it’s already shaping up to be a pretty epic trip.

Packing for it was a bear, but now that we’re finally on the road, I’m starting to relax into this little lifestyle, and loving the lack of stress involved in living in under 250 square feet. Yes, you read that right- living small is LESS stressful than maintaining the general rat race of life in my 2600 square foot home (which I love, and feel very fortunate to have, but still stress over sometimes- you understand!).

Out here, everyone has precisely 10 pairs of underwear, 5 shirts, 5 pairs of shorts, 2 pairs of pants, 2 pairs of shoes (flip flops and tennis shoes), 7 pairs of socks, 2 pairs of pajamas, 1 hoodie, 1 jacket, and 1 swimming suit. Everyone also has their own singular cup, bowl, plate, and silverware. Most of our kitchen items do double duty, and while the fridge is small, the pantry is big. The kids each brought 2 stuffies, and we are equipped with scooters, an inflatable paddle board, legos, magnatiles, and playdoh. That might still sound like alot, but it makes for drastically less laundry and clean up time, and so much more time enjoying one another and the outdoors.

Of course, I’m still addicted to sewing, so I did manage to bring along my three sewing machines (coverstitch, regular machine and serger), plus an assortment of fabric and patterns for planned projects. I’ve already made one pair of leggings on the road (totally justified since one of my favorite paris got ruined by a dog attack on our first day- I’m ok, but on antibiotics and pissed about those leggings), but I’m not holding myself over the fire to get things done- just enjoying our slower pace and the sewing time as it comes.

Given that Adriana herself has been living out of an RV for over a year while she builds her own home (serious rockstar DIY points there!), I thought it was very fitting that my first photographed project on the road be a Hey June pattern: The Sandbridge Skirt as part of #heyjunejune, hosted by Having Sew Much Fun, Skirt Fixation, Maker Heart, and Replicate then Deviate (check out the IG # for lots of fun giveaways, and don’t forget to read to the bottom of this post to find out how to win a FREE PATTERN!)

I’ve been dying to make the Sandbridge since it was released last year, but like most things, needed the push to get started- so many thanks to the hosts of Hey June June for giving me that nudge! I think it took me a while to dive in because I was afraid it would be complicated- but it was actually far simpler than sewing the Ginger Jeans I made last year (not much fitting to worry about with a skirt!), and came together beautifully, as I’ve come to expect from a Hey June pattern.

I used a leftover piece of denim from Cali Fabrics that I used previously for these jean shorts. I adore the light colorway of this material, and its lack of stretch was perfect for the pattern. There were only shreds of fabric leftover when I was done, which made me feel really good- there’s something just so satisfying and eco-friendly about using every last scrap.

The sewalong for this pattern was immensely helpful, and I learned a few tricks that would have come in really handy when I was making those jeans- such as NOT to use topstitching thread in the bobbin, and that it’s ok to use a topstitching needle throughout, which was a huge timesaver. In fact, since my machine rebelled so intensely last time I tried to use a thicker thread, I decided to sew the entire thing using a standard thread weight, and just changed my stitch type to a triple straight stitch for the topstitching details- I think it looks just as good, with much less fuss.

The skirt facings (which I neglected to photograph) were done with this boho print shirting from Cali Fabrics- leftover from these pants. I love all the finishing details on this skirt- the bias trim on the waistband really makes for a classy finish, and is well worth the time.

Adrianna said in her podcast segment on Love to Sew recently (I just started listening to this podcast and I LOVE it!) that she has always been most interested in the technical aspects of sewing, and that skill set really shines in this skirt and explains why I find her patterns so pleasant to put together (I know I sounds like a hopeless fangirl here, so #sorrynotsorry).

I’ll admit to scratching my head a bit at the zipper installation methods- not because it was unclear, but because I’ve never done a fly that way. Still, it came out perfectly, with only a couple uses of my seam ripper, and when it was done, I decided I prefer it over the ginger jeans method.

A couple things I did NOT do: I didn’t add rivets to the skirt…I didn’t have the time to do it at home, and forgot my tools to do it in the RV. I’ll see if I still want them when the trip is over, but I’m kind of digging the clean look.

I also didn’t make my top in this photoshoot- I wanted to sew an extra HJ top for the post, but ran out of time with the packing and all….I did refashion this one though, from a clearance rack mini-dress special into a cute tank. It kind of reminds me of the DayBreak top I tested recently, with wider straps, and the stripes feel very retro summer.

So, not only did I enjoy the process of making this skirt, but I adore the finished product. It’s been perfect for our time on the beach here in Coronado (I’m wearing a Sandbridge skirt on the sand, haha), and will hold a place of pride in my tiny closet throughout our voyage. Speaking of which, I’m going to add a RV tour to my YouTube Channel soon, and keep up with regular Instagram stories about our whereabouts, so you’re welcome to follow me over there if you’re curious about this crazy vacation we’re taking on!

Oh, and you might have noticed…I cut my hair! Not many people have commented on it (even my own kids when they first saw me!) so either its a really natural look for me, or it looks horrific and no one has the guts to spill. I’m still learning how to style it, but I love that it’s lower maintenance, and feels much cooler for summer.

Would you like to win a FREE PATTERN from Hey June for your own summer adventures (even if they just involve Netflix and Chill?). Of course you do! Head on over to the Hey June Facebook group, where I’ll be giving away a free pattern to one lucky winner! There are also daily giveaways during the month of June on Instagram by the hosts of this awesome event, so be sure to check them out!

In the meantime, if you need me, I’ll just be digging my toes into the sand…ahhhhh….

Note: This post contains affiliate links. How else do you expect me to defray the cost of all that gas station coffee on our trip? LOL!