Sew, you think you can So!

Patience, that will be the death of me. I have none when it comes to certain things. I do not like to wait for anyone or anything. I really want to be patient and sounds like St. Monica is the patron saint of patience. I’ll name my next cat Monica (boy or girl) if I can figure out this sewing thing. Plus, I can relate to Monica Gellar’s competitive and neurotic nature: Success!

I’m trying to decide on a smart first attempt. I’ve read tons of blogs, yea, yea, light-weight cottons, I get it. eeek. Where are the chiffons and silks, pretty knits and flowy things! I hope this blog will slow me down and help me recognize my problem.

I have a few books with patterns and I think it’s best to start there instead of spending more money when I have at least 10 patterns sitting in front of me. I have the BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook. I received this for my birthday about 6 months ago thinking it was the perfect beginner book. It is so NOT a beginner. It focuses on custom knit wear patterns, which I famously failed at with a beautiful navy blue knit fabric that was on clearance and probably the last of its kind on Earth. It’s a fun read but it has since been shelved and will remain there until further notice.

And then there’s SEW Workshop. A lovely little book by Diana Rupp. She is so patient, she should change her name to Monica. I attempted four patterns in her book and three were a success. Although, the three winners were non-fashion accessories: a pin cushion, which took way longer than it should have, a zippered pencil case, which gave me the confidence to sew the wrap-skirt: MAJOR FAIL, which forced me to swallow my pride and sew the tote bag, which is cute but fits a slim folder.

I have had my eye on a few of her patterns and I think I’ll start here. The great thing about this book is that she walks you through the patterns, which I find to be rare. I can knit like a crafty fool, but there are specific directions on how and what order to do things. Sewing patterns do not do this! That’s why I like Diana. I think I’ll start with her Cuddle Up Cardigan. The weather is starting to change and I want something I can wear in the next few weeks. It looks awfully big and I was thinking about making a miniature with some scrap footage to test out my skills before I go spend some money. There is no pattern but you make one. I have mad Illustrator skills and I think I can lay this out in 5 minutes between projects tomorrow and then attempt to scale it down and build a mini. hmmm. Who is the smart one? Stay tuned and I’ll try to take pictures of a master at work for all of you who are looking for a sewing mentor.

A Girl, A Sewing Machine, and an Idea!

It’s been 9 months since I last posted. Did I have a kid?  Don’t be silly! I’ve been working two jobs to support a shopping habit and now I’m a girl walking around with a cool Coach Willis bag in Vermillion, a chic on the cheap wardrobe and a fried head of pink, purple and blue hair! Life is grand! I set out a year ago to get rid of the pre-teen wardrobe I had been sporting since, well, my pre-teens. It’s been an amazing journey and I have the blog and wardrobe to prove it. I’ve slowed down a bit and try to only make a purchase when I HAVE to have something, like this polka dot top from Urban Outfitters that I added to my collection last week. I plan on wearing it with a blazer, skinny jeans and my pink patent Jem and Holograms looking heels. Cute for work and date night with my husband.

I’ve also found that I gravitate towards more unique and one-of-a-kind pieces. Who doesn’t want to pick out their own fabrics and feel totally unique in wardrobe choices. I would like to have a little more say in what my clothes look like and there is no one to do that other than myself! So, I have decided to take up a sewing challenge.

I don’t sew, no one in my family sews and I’m not patient so I’m the perfect candidate for this new challenge! 

Actually, I took a sewing class when I was maybe 12 and I was Terrible, with a capital T. I made a pair of floral bellbottoms and my instructor had to finish them for me since I was taking too long and the class had been over for a half hour. I was the only girl who didn’t get to make a scrunchy with my left over fabric and elastic. Sympathy, please! While girls were sewing Barbie clothes and taking apart their dresses and putting them back together, I was listening to the Beatles on my parent’s record player and running around outside playing kickball with the big kids. I kick myself now for not being a more motivated twelve year old. However, had I forced myself to sew, we would not be sitting here with this wonderful blog!!! whooo hooo, I win!

Sooooo, I purchased a sewing machine about a year ago with high hopes and dreams to teach myself sewing. I have made many failed attempts at clothes, however, I have made a pillow and a car owl. (yes, car owl, an owl that sits next to me in my car. He’s my wingman!)

But it’s time to get serious. I have purchased a few books to teach me fashion sewing, which I have failed at and I even purchased a few patterns at Joann and Hobby Lobby, which I have also failed at. Do you see a pattern? And I don’t mean sewing? But it’s time to get serious and start making some dang clothes!

I purchased a pattern from ebay a few months back that I LOVE and this dress is the incentive and grand prize if I make a few successful garments first. It’s a Vogue Alice + Olivia pattern. I dream big my friends! I have a spring wedding to attend in 2013 and I like to believe that I can make this for that wedding.

And there it is! I plan on attempting a garment or two a month to help prepare me for my Spring Sewing Olympics, 2013, Atlanta. I have a few patterns on my radar but here’s the other twist. I have no sewing space. If I do sew something, it is spread out across 2 to 3 rooms of our small condo. I’m in the process of organizing and finding the right space to sew in. I have a sewing machine but it sits next to two computers, a printer and a wobbly desk. Stay tuned as I share this scary and exciting experience as I attempt to create a truly unique wardrobe. And! If all else fails, I can still shop!