After school, I went on what I termed a “hobbies bender.” I signed up for west coast swing, salsa, watercolor, drawing, cooking classes, and classes at a sewing shop. Did I mention that all of these were serial? No one-offs allowed!
I love sewing. I sewed as a kid and in college, but not with any particular skill. I didn’t know how to use patterns. I rushed and skipped ironing. Sewing is one of the many skills at which you can’t be hasty until you really have the hang of it, and even then, you still have to iron.
When I started taking classes, I lucked into a great shop with a wonderful sewing teacher named Martha. (Hello, Martha! She doesn’t read this blog. She’s lovely.) Since starting classes at the end of May, I’ve made:
—Petal pouch
–Sew House Seven Alberta Pencil Skirt (in charming ‘retiree pink’ denim and black denim)
–Simplicity leggings (in mauve interlock knit)
–Amy Butler Barcelona Skirt (in denim-look lyocell, with another in goldenrod linen blend on the way)
—Grainline Scout Tee (in a metallic-threaded cream cotton)
–Friday Pattern Company Square Neck Top (in Mamma Mia! light blue and goldenrod linen blend)
–Megan Neilsen Harper Shorts (one in lyocell with invisible zip and one in chambray with exposed jeans zipper)
–Friday Pattern Company Wanderer Tank (reversible, with navy and light blue linen blend)
–Two linen baby kimonos, a couple pairs of felt baby shoes, and baby pants
–The top of a beautiful starburst quilt
I’ve learned:
–Cutting on the grain
–Sewing and pressing darts
–Facings and fusible interfacing
–Installing waistbands
–Installing regular and invisible zippers
–Installing skirt, short, and pouch linings
–Making bias tape and sewing bias binding
–Gathering a sleeve cap
–To use a ballpoint needle for knits
–Installing eyelets
–That I really don’t like things too blousy
I have a lot to learn with:
–Anticipating fabric drape and appropriateness, including linings
–Choosing the right patterns and fabrics for my body type
–Choosing and using presser feet
–Adjusting patterns. I want to be so good, so quickly, so much! But you can only learn as fast as you can focus. Practice takes time and not all things will turn out.
Some reflections on the patterns:
–The Harper shorts have a high crotch line and are too tight around the back, though the waist facing fits. (To be fair, the fit model on their patterns doesn’t look particularly curvy.)
–The two Friday Pattern Co. tops have more ease than I need, all around, and the darts are a touch low on the bust.
–The Barcelona Skirt needed a little extra fabric added on the back panel to keep the hemline even (again, a curvy fit adjustment).
If you are looking for inspiration, you can follow:
True Bias
WithWendy
MiMi G Style
Sew Over It London
Mateas Sewing Corner
Jess Sews Clothes
Sew DIY
The Fold Line
Or any of the pattern makers I noted above, as all have fun social media
I can’t wait to sew more!! If you want to sew at all, I hope these are helpful resources. Otherwise, I can’t stop thinking about it, so thank you for sharing my new-hobby enthusiasm.
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