01.06.08
Jumper dress front
A jumper dress for Amalia.
I bought this fabric for making a needlecase (first project! Yay! Still have all my fingers!) and had a lot left over.
This didn’t end up eating much either, so maybe I’ll try for version 2.0.
I didn’t have a pattern, but it seemed simple enough, in theory. Simple top, little pleats for the skirt, easy peasy.
Complicated by my not being able to cut straight, sew straight, finish a seam/hem “properly” (need to research that, especially inset corners) and in some sections, I experimented with other stitch patterns.
So, uh, a little inconsistent.
Next up, dog sweaters and snoods.
Nick gave me a sewing machine for Christmas (after some obnoxious hinting, I should have awakened to poop in my stocking ;)) and I’ve been trying to teach myself to sew using the machine’s manual (link is just a link to machine, we actually bought it locally) and Sew U although I haven’t made anything from the book yet. I sort of asked for one last year, or that my mom could maybe help me learn to sew, and was sort of embarrassed by her surprised reaction (when I was little I was so afraid of her machine, it seemed like the lightest touch on the treadle caused the fabric to run through it like zakzak fruit through a short grandmother and I just knew it wanted to eat my fingers) and I knew we really didn’t have room for yet another hobby, that I kind of mumbled that, well, yeah, it maybe I’d like to…well…someday… But it wasn’t long before it was too late for someday, so f&$% it.
While I wish my mother was here to teach me, while I miss her every time I’m sewing, this is also another way to keep close to her even while she has gone so far away from us.
(another thing that has made me miss my mother so much is how much she would have loved to see Crivvie in the ridiculous pink fairy princess sheepy pjs from the post below. So silly.)
Cathy said,
January 6, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Now a days finding a sewing teacher is much harder than finding someone to teach you to knit.
Between now and then if you need sewing help give me a call; use to do tailoring and alterations in a past life.
Ande said,
January 6, 2008 at 6:16 pm
The fabric is awesome and look at you go without a pattern or nothin’! I am sew proud! Try to find a good sewing resource book. Singer has a pretty good one with pics! I’ll keep my eyes peeled for you and see if I can find you the one I have. It’s an old RD compilation from my Grandma and it is sweet! And if you need a hand I’ll try to help! And maybe the community center has a class?
Hilari said,
January 6, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Great job! And without a pattern? U kinda rock, u know?
Heidi said,
January 7, 2008 at 8:20 am
Ironically, my mother tried to teach me to sew many many times. It wasn’t until I was on my own that I did it. And your sewing machine manual is really best book for learning how to do the basics on the machine. Like spinning, learning is exponential after that, and you’ll jump from spindle to wheel (so to speak) before too long.
Snood? Whatcha need a snood for? Tell me it’s for a costume!
Terri said,
January 8, 2008 at 7:37 am
arrrgghh! I LOVE that fabric. It makes me want to sew something, complete lack of skills be damned. So! Cute!
LoriO said,
January 9, 2008 at 8:01 am
Oh that’s adorable! And kudos for doing it without a pattern.
I find sewing much harder than knitting. Almost as soon as I sit down at the machine, I just want to stop.
Kirsten said,
January 10, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Yes, sewing is hard, I agree. Getting your machine settings right is the most important step, so your tension is right and doesn’t mess you up. Sewing with cotton is easier than any type of slippery fabric, too. I’m impressed you made the jumper without a pattern - you are talented!
Amy Boogie said,
January 17, 2008 at 4:55 am
No pattern and you’re saying you don’t know how to sew! You did great! And I love that material. I have a dress in that print too.
Katie said,
January 18, 2008 at 10:49 pm
I taught Jessica to sew after her freshman year in college. She made all kinds of amazing things. If you get stuck, you can call me. But that little jumper dress is pretty darned cute, already.
Melissa said,
January 23, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Hey, I just gave you an award! Go to my blog and check it out.
Love,
Melissa
Terri said,
February 2, 2008 at 6:24 pm
good luck with your upcoming move! Let us know when the dust has settled.