So 2012 was my first year of sewing. I made 8 items...
3 x Simplicity 2152 skirts - two are badly finished and the third is a little short and has some annoying puckers on the waist band
1 x Beignet - I think this is too big, it feels a bit frumpy on and I'm not sure that the shade of blue is the most flattering on me
1 x Crepe - This just didn't work. The fabric was too stiff and heavy and the bodice was badly fitting. I need to take the side seams in and fix the shoulders - it makes me look like a line backer at the moment! I've taken off the facing and am going to see if using bias tape as a facing will help salvage this dress at all. Who knows?
2 x Renfrews (not pictured)- I love this pattern, but I need to take the bands off the second of these and make them (much) smaller. They aren't sitting right at the moment. I also need to take in the arms and the sides a little too. I love the pattern, though, and think that was more due to my crappy sewing techniques / learning to sew with knits than anything else.
1 x Tiramisu (blogpost to come) - I love this dress! It's not totally perfect, but it's pretty good. The bodice was a bit long for me - maybe I needed a smaller size bodice? so I took it up and now it's just a little too high. Whoops! Also, whilst I did a *pretty, pretty, pretty* good job on matching my stripes, they've stretched out a little bit in some areas. Other than that, this dress is perfect and I have barely taken it off. I have fabric ready to go for another one during the sew-a-long! Yess!
So what did I learn this year? SO much. Since these are my first 8 items ever, I'm doing pretty ok for a newbie! I'm learning a LOT and loving the process. I'm trying to not be too hard on myself and I'm getting better at learning about fit and changing patterns to fit me better. I think this will take time. If I can continue to learn and progress like I did this year, I'll be more confident about wearing my me-made-clothing out in public. Hell, if I have a few more projects as wearable as my Tiramisu dress, I'll be happy!
Plans for the new year? So many. I've got quite a few items up my sleve. I'm still working on my summer sewing plan - I've got the Cambie muslin half done, with a few alterations to go, and I'm nearly finished my muslin for my Anise jacket! Another Tira or two to come, MAYBE three. I have two more Renfrews planned - one will be a hoodie! and I want to make at least one Elisalex dress. I also have that amazing bird fabric from Kat, and I have plans for that too. So many plans!
But that's good - I've got my Sew-jo back and am excited about all these projects. I'm loving getting stuck into it all and am learning more by the day. It feels so good!
3 x Simplicity 2152 skirts - two are badly finished and the third is a little short and has some annoying puckers on the waist band
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| teeny tiny photo. Cute skirt, but terrible finish on the inside and the zip. |
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| progress shot... this needs the lining taken up and the fabric crinkles like crazy. Shame - I love the combination of fabric and waist band. |
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| my favourite of the three - this one is pretty wearable and I did a good job on the finish. Terrible Selfie, though, sorry. |
1 x Beignet - I think this is too big, it feels a bit frumpy on and I'm not sure that the shade of blue is the most flattering on me
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| Thanks to Rennous-oh-Glennous for the photo! |
1 x Crepe - This just didn't work. The fabric was too stiff and heavy and the bodice was badly fitting. I need to take the side seams in and fix the shoulders - it makes me look like a line backer at the moment! I've taken off the facing and am going to see if using bias tape as a facing will help salvage this dress at all. Who knows?
2 x Renfrews (not pictured)- I love this pattern, but I need to take the bands off the second of these and make them (much) smaller. They aren't sitting right at the moment. I also need to take in the arms and the sides a little too. I love the pattern, though, and think that was more due to my crappy sewing techniques / learning to sew with knits than anything else.
1 x Tiramisu (blogpost to come) - I love this dress! It's not totally perfect, but it's pretty good. The bodice was a bit long for me - maybe I needed a smaller size bodice? so I took it up and now it's just a little too high. Whoops! Also, whilst I did a *pretty, pretty, pretty* good job on matching my stripes, they've stretched out a little bit in some areas. Other than that, this dress is perfect and I have barely taken it off. I have fabric ready to go for another one during the sew-a-long! Yess!
So what did I learn this year? SO much. Since these are my first 8 items ever, I'm doing pretty ok for a newbie! I'm learning a LOT and loving the process. I'm trying to not be too hard on myself and I'm getting better at learning about fit and changing patterns to fit me better. I think this will take time. If I can continue to learn and progress like I did this year, I'll be more confident about wearing my me-made-clothing out in public. Hell, if I have a few more projects as wearable as my Tiramisu dress, I'll be happy!
Plans for the new year? So many. I've got quite a few items up my sleve. I'm still working on my summer sewing plan - I've got the Cambie muslin half done, with a few alterations to go, and I'm nearly finished my muslin for my Anise jacket! Another Tira or two to come, MAYBE three. I have two more Renfrews planned - one will be a hoodie! and I want to make at least one Elisalex dress. I also have that amazing bird fabric from Kat, and I have plans for that too. So many plans!
But that's good - I've got my Sew-jo back and am excited about all these projects. I'm loving getting stuck into it all and am learning more by the day. It feels so good!
You're doing awesomely for a beginner! And you've been inspiring me to up my game too. :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely awesome for a newbie :) I particularly love the polka dot skirt in the 'bad selfie' - looks great!
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty bloody good for your first 8 garments! I should show you my first "real" skirt someday (and that's not even counting fancy dress costumes) - it's a complete comedy of errors!
ReplyDelete