Category Archives: sewing

ampersand

Yesterday I tagged along with a friend while he was picking out shoes. And then I got distracted by all the pretties.

Before I knew what had happened, I was walking out of the store clutching these lovelies.

Seychelles Ampersand

On the way home, I was daydreaming about all the different outfits I would wear these shoes with until it occurred to me that I did not have a single outfit that would work with these shoes. Maybe dark jeans and a muted top, but that’s pretty boring.

So today I went off to the fabric store in search of fabric because the dress-making tingles haven’t gone away. I thought I had perused every bolt in the shop and was on my way out when this one flung itself at me, screaming “Buuuuy meeee!” in a tinny voice. And who can say no to fabric so purtty?

Seychelles with fabric

It’s a somewhat sheer chiffon, hence the lining. I think it’s going to be a Darling Ranges dress. Possibly with some ruffle-age.

-squee-

ampersand

Yesterday I tagged along with a friend while he was picking out shoes. And then I got distracted by all the pretties.

Before I knew what had happened, I was walking out of the store clutching these lovelies.

Seychelles Ampersand

On the way home, I was daydreaming about all the different outfits I would wear these shoes with until it occurred to me that I did not have a single outfit that would work with these shoes. Maybe dark jeans and a muted top, but that’s pretty boring.

So today I went off to the fabric store in search of fabric because the dress-making tingles haven’t gone away. I thought I had perused every bolt in the shop and was on my way out when this one flung itself at me, screaming “Buuuuy meeee!” in a tinny voice. And who can say no to fabric so purtty?

Seychelles with fabric

It’s a somewhat sheer chiffon, hence the lining. I think it’s going to be a Darling Ranges dress. Possibly with some ruffle-age.

-squee-

I made a dress!

Ruffle bib dress close up

It occurred to me today that I rarely, if ever, sew things correctly.  Like hems and whatnot. If you look inside most things I make, it’s like small animals have been nesting inside, what with all the loose threads and bare edges.

Today I decided to learn some proper techniques. And below is the result (minus a zipper and a bottom hem)! The neckline and arm holes are understitched (minus the part where I decided to do the bib at the end so it didn’t get sewn into the rest of the neckline). The waist and sides are french seamed and the skirt is pieced together and then reinforced with a zigzag stitch.

This probably sounds mundane and most of you are probably going, “Well duh,” but I swear this is the first time I’ve actually done this on a garment I’ve sewn. Though, to be fair, most of what I’ve sewn has at least seen my mom’s serger.

Ruffle bib dress

I’m rambly because I’m tired. Next up, zipper and hem!

I made a dress!

Ruffle bib dress close up

It occurred to me today that I rarely, if ever, sew things correctly.  Like hems and whatnot. If you look inside most things I make, it’s like small animals have been nesting inside, what with all the loose threads and bare edges.

Today I decided to learn some proper techniques. And below is the result (minus a zipper and a bottom hem)! The neckline and arm holes are understitched (minus the part where I decided to do the bib at the end so it didn’t get sewn into the rest of the neckline). The waist and sides are french seamed and the skirt is pieced together and then reinforced with a zigzag stitch.

This probably sounds mundane and most of you are probably going, “Well duh,” but I swear this is the first time I’ve actually done this on a garment I’ve sewn. Though, to be fair, most of what I’ve sewn has at least seen my mom’s serger.

Ruffle bib dress

I’m rambly because I’m tired. Next up, zipper and hem!

Whoops

A few weeks ago I decided that my yarn stash was getting ridiculous.

Well, respectively ridiculous, considering I’ve only been knitting for a year and I’m knitting on a student budget.

Anyway, I made a list of unfinished projects and projects I already have yarn for but haven’t started and projects I wanted to frog and make into better projects. And I decided I’m not allowed to buy yarn until that list is complete.

And I’ve been doing really well. The last time I bought yarn was nearly a month ago. (Is that true? I might be lying. I can’t remember.)

The problem is that apparently I’ve decided to compensate by picking up sewing again.

Last week I bought these. (Yes, that is a Janet Arnold book they are sitting on. Two actually. I love Janet Arnold. To bits. Lots of bits.)

2012-02-16_13-23-33_991

And I just walked out of a fabric store with these.

2012-02-16_13-24-47_62

And these.

2012-02-16_13-25-42_51

No, I have no idea where this desire to make a quilt came from.

And no, I’m not entirely sure I love the combination of darker colors. Although I’m absolutely in love with the lighter ones.

So uh, yeah. Frugality fail.