Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Sew-versary Superlatives


In case you missed it yesterday this week I'm celebrating one year since receiving my sewing machine and starting on this sewing journey. Today, I want to look back at some of my favorite projects and see what I've accomplished this year. Don't worry, it won't all be successes, I'm going to keep it real and throw in some major fails as well!

Biggest Success



This was an easy choice. Made early on in my time as a sewist, this coat for AB, made from a wool suit jacket that I purchased at Goodwill, is still my biggest accomplishment. I honestly can't believe I tackled a coat and that everything from the collar to the buttons looks professional and stylish.

Biggest Fail



It's hard to say when a project has reached its limit and is a total loss, but I give this award to the 3 Button Boots from Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop that I tried to make this winter. If you'll notice, they're made from the same fabric as the winter coat pictured above. The pink lining is from an angora wool sweater which is crazy soft. I finished one boot...and then stopped. These would have been so cute when paired with the coat, but about the time I was working on them, AB started walking. These boots, ironically, aren't made for walking. More for sitting and being carried. Also: boots are hard to sew. There was hand-sewing and finishing in tight spots. The pattern and instructions are great, but I didn't have the patience for it and gave up.

Most Lingering Fabric



Not counting the bag of clothes for refashioning and any fabric I happened to have before learning to sew, this fabric is the oldest uncut piece in my stash. It has a purpose, I have a plan for it, but I've never gotten around to implementing it. It's a home dec weight, from Jo-Ann's, and it's for a poof (y'know, a big fluffy thing you sit on) for AB's room. I got the idea from the book One Yard Wonders and one of these days...

Freshest Fabric



The only piece of fabric I purchased during the entire month of April is this yard from The French Seam, an adorable little shop near Indianapolis that I was visiting for the first time. It's from Moda and I can't wait to make another cute O+S picnic shirt for AB. Not eligible to win: anything in the bargain box from Girl Charlee that I snagged last Friday (it's not here yet!).

Project I wear the most



I love this kimono sleeve t-shirt so much that I actually have to stop myself from wearing it every day. It's getting a tad pilly (stupid rayon) but it's so soft and so comfortable. Plus, I drafted the pattern myself!

Project AB wears the most



This is so dumb, but oddly enough AB wears these upcylced wool pants all. the. time. Obviously, I'm the one picking them out, but they somehow go with everything and work in all situations. Even my husband chooses them often. Maybe I should take the hint and dive into that pile of sweaters I have in the closet!

UFO count



I'm proud to say that I don't have too many UFOs (UnFinished Objects). I counted and only had 7, which includes one pattern-drafting project. I used to have a rule for myself that I could have 3 projects going at once, and that's how I ended up with UFOs in the first place. Now I work on one thing at a time and I never have UFOs. All my unfinished projects are in my head :)

Biggest Accomplishment



The lapped zipper I put into my Simplicity shorts gave me a sense of accomplishment that I can't even describe. I know it's just a dumb zipper, and now that I know how to do it, the process will become routine, but I was scared of zippers for almost an entire year. Imagine being scared of the dog next door, only to find that if you give him a treat he'll wag his tail every time he sees you. I'm relieved that I conquered my fears, proud of myself for trying it again so soon after failing miserably, and glad that a scary hiccup didn't stop me from sewing completely.

What are some of your "sewing superlatives"? Favorite project? Project you can't forget soon enough? Check back Thursday when instead of looking back, I'll look forward and go over the goals I have for my second year of sewing.

No comments:

Post a Comment

I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to comment below.

Newsletter sign up

.