My First Pillowcase

I recommend that anyone trying to teach themselves how to sew should pick up this book!  Sew Everything Workshop by Diana Rupp was a perfect sewing introduction.  (In fact, I picked this up BEFORE my sewing class and completed the pillowcase before class!)

One of my favorite aspects of it was the fact that it expected nothing of the reader.   She was writing for someone like me.  She started with the basics, like: sewing machine parts, how to pick out fabric & how to put together a sewing kit. 

Skirt Class – Lesson 2

This was the fun part.  On Wednesday we actually learned how to take in our skirts for the perfect fit.  Surprisingly, it was a lot less technical than I though.  (Pin the sides, midrift and hips, average the two, measure in, sew the new seams!)  Next week – Liners!

I’m also kinda in love with rotary cutters.  I’m thinking about going to IKEA and buying myself a big desk to make a sewing corner for myself in the basement.   I’ve learned the joy of SPACE when it comes to sewing.

Now the intersting part will be when I actually try to sew one of the skirt patterns without having my hand held, and without someone to tell me, “What’s wrong with my sewing machine” and “Does this look right?”  Once I finish my a-line skirt, there are two more to try.  I’m game.

I gets learned at Spool (Philadelphia)

Today was my first sewing class at Spool (Philly.)  It was amazing.  It’s the first part of three class series (six hours total) to make one of Amy Butler’s Barcelona Skirt designs.  It was worth every penny spent.  To be able to ask a real live person questions as we went along was invaluable.  I learned so much in two hours!   Class size was small – five sewers total, so there was a ton of teacher/student interaction.  For $60 plus materials – it was amazingly affordable.

I can’t wait for next week!  This will not be my last class at Spool.  If you are new to sewing, and thinking about taking a class – do it.  This class made sewing clothes become something tangible to me.  It really made me realize, “Hey I can do this.” (And there are three patterns total to make!)

Firsts:

First use of a rotary cutter

First use of a zipper foot/sewing on a zipper

First use of clothing patterns

Pics to follow.  Thanks go out to Spool for creating a lovely sewing space for Philly’s crafters.  I’m so excited!

A Green Apple – My first project on the machine!

Woot Woot!  I can sew..  with a sewing machine.  Check out my first project on my machine, completed last week.  Patterns from Sewing Stars! It went together pretty easily, and the instructions, while consise, got the job done.  I did end up sewing a stitch on the outside an had to rip it, but was more my fault than anything.

Another great gift for mom!  The occasion?  Being mom.

Lesson 1: Pinking Shears Are Your Friend

Yeah, so I bought some funky fabric from Spool and didn’t take the advice of the many books I’ve read.

Pinking Shears are your friend.  Ok. I get it.  Lesson learned.

Onwards!

My first two softies. Thrilling? No. An accomplishment? Yes.

Yeah, so the idea of a stuffed chick in a bonnet doesn’t thrill me either OK? I’m just learning the basics here. Pretty OK for a beginner, no?

Now I’m working on a gingerbread house for my mom for Christmas. (Yes, again, not to thrilling, but just give me a chance.)

Why Craft? Because I have a Necchi BF Mira, that’s why.

Right. So a few weeks ago I started sewing softies. Why? I’m not sure. I just wanted to create. I’m a gardener and I know that my main growing season is coming to an end so I wanted to find something to do with my hands other than walk dogs.

So I ordered a Softie kit, and started sewing. I even gave my first two crafty creations to my mother and grandmother. I felt like a four-year-old bringing home a cotton ball snowman from nursery school. They treated the softies like little pieces of heaven. “You HAND sewed this? No! Look how darling.” I’m not going to lie, my inner-child was giddy. 26 years of life and I still live to make the most important ladies in my life smile.

Soon after I gave Grammy her softie cake, she said, “Do you think you would want my old sewing machine?” (Yes, that’s my Grammy. Isn’t she lovely? We told her to “look mean” for that shot.”) Anyway, did I want her sewing machine?

“Um. YES.”

So into the basement we go to uncover the most beautiful sewing machine I have ever seen. Rewind. My ass doesn’t even know how to use a sewing machine, but aquiring one seemed to be the next logical step in my nasty craft habit. I was researching plastic made-in-China marvels, when in to my lap falls a 1954 Necchi BF Mira. It’s a beauty of quality craftsmanship.

The power cords are bridle and I’m sure it needs a thorough oiling, so I haven’t even tried to sew a stitch. (First I have to learn how to do that. What’s a bobbin?) So this weekend we’re going to drop it off at the local sew and vac to give it the overhaul it’s been waiting forty years for.

One of my craft friends said it should sew “like the wind.” We’ll see. First I have to learn how to use the beast.

And thus, craft nasty.