All Around the House 02.07.08
You might be wondering where I was yesterday? Well, I am proud to say that I am tackling one of my New Year's resolutions and have begun a sewing course over at Hancock Fabrics. I had been looking into it (or procrastinating on it) for several months now and finally decided that this was the year to learn.
To say that sewing is hard for me is an understatement. I am really struggling with learning to sew. Does sewing come naturally to anyone? I find this whole thing to be quite tedious compared to using a hot glue gun and a staple gun. I am one of those free spirits though that doesn't like to measure or follow direction, but that is not what is expected of you in a sewing class. I know I am being taught the proper way to sew, but I don't envision myself doing half the stuff I am learning when sewing. My goal really was just to learn how to use the sewing machine so that I could make throw pillows or curtains. An added bonus for me would be to be able to make a simple skirt or apron, but never to sew my own pajamas (which is our third project in this series of classes).
Our first project was pillowcases. I have a feeling I will never make pillowcases again because this is something I would rather buy in the store. Of course, the purpose is to learn how to sew, not necessarily to learn how to make pillowcases. These were supposed to be an easy first time project, but it took me four hours to make these. They didn't turn out perfect, in fact, one of my pillowcases had to be completely sewn again because it wasn't done right. I also had made the mistake of picking striped fabric, which I wouldn't recommend to anyone who is trying to learn to sew because all of the lines had to match up and it took forever to cut these and sew them.
Our next project will be more up my alley. We are learning how to make aprons and this time I picked a green polka-dotted print. Seeing as the pillowcases took me four hours, I can imagine that an apron will take me about twenty hours.
Regardless, I am really enjoying Ivy's, from
Home Ec 101, posts on
learning to sew and she is offering a great tutorial for beginning sewers. Taking her free advice is a lot
less expensive than taking the courses, which average $15 each plus materials, but I am hoping this class pays off for me.
If you have any kind words for a discouraged sewer, I could really use them! I know I am not very patient!
Ethan was also the superstar in his class for the week. They pick one person each week to be the star and each day they do something special with that person. He had to make a picture about himself and his family which shared all about himself and his favorite things (
pancakes and
trips to Chicago). The next day he shared his favorite book,
"How do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon." The next day was spent sharing about his favorite toy- his Mega T-Rex. Lastly, today we had to make his favorite snack to bring in to share with the class..
Pumpkin Muffins. After my sewing class last night, I came home and whipped these up to take this morni
ng while my little superstar slept.
The whole family chipped in to make his superstar week, complete. Even Emily & her monkey helped by handing crayons to our rock star to complete his project! This was definitely a family effort to make his week special.
Labels: All Around Our House, Homemaking, Motherhood
12Comments:
Mrs. Mordecai
"Oh, I feel for you! I think I've mentioned before that I'm learning, too. I made many false starts and have a few unfinished projects sitting around that will probably remain unfinished.
Anyway, What has worked for me so for is to pick out a really easy project or two and make it over and over. Mine are pillowcases and children's smocks. I am getting a lot more confident with the sewing machine, and I don't have to worry so much about the directions anymore because I've made them so many times. I have yet to make a perfect one, but I'm sure that will come if I continue to practice.
Keep up the good work! Remember that even if you make a project and "fail," it was still practice. And also keep in mind that you don't have to be a perfectionist. I am and started doing so much better once I let that go a bit.
Your pillowcases look lovely!"
Tammy
"Hi Amy! I've been sewing for over 20 years! Just saying that makes me seem old, even to myself! LOL But I started sewing when I was 10 years old. I had the benefit of a professional seamstress (my grandma) to help me--it is so wonderful that you have instructors to help you, it certainly is nicer than having to go it alone!
While I've been sewing for 20 years, I didn't really enjoy it until about 10 years ago. Something clicked inside, and I realized that if I would just SLOW DOWN and take it easy, the things I was sewing would come together much better!
I know how frustrating it can be to sew. Sometimes the fabric/machine seems to have a mind of its own. And you know what? Just a few months ago, I was sobbing over a project that wasn't going the way I needed it to go! (Perhaps PMS might have been part of the problem???) So don't feel bad for feeling a little stressed over the process! It happens to all of us seamstresses!
The pillowcases look marvelous! Have fun with your polka-dot apron! I love, love, love polka-dots! Can't wait to see the finished project!"
Nomadic
"Amy, I admire you for taking the sewing class! I learned to sew long-distance from my former mother-in-law. She explained all those weird terms (Stich in the Ditch, anyone) to me over the phone.
I still have several sets of really cute pj's that I made for my boys back then. I never graduated to adult clothes, but I've made tons of purses, wallets, curtains, etc.
Even beginner sewing skills will save you TONS of money over the years. I almost never buy ready-made tablecloths, napkins, curtains or purses, not when I can make them so much cheaper!
Hint: Sheets (used or new) are great for big pieces of fabric. One of the sets of pajamas I saved is made from the top sheet of a ninja turtles set my mom bought my oldest son when he was 4.
Melissa in FL"
Mandy
"Hi Amy! I'm proud of you for learning to sew. It does get easier, though I don't think I will ever make Anne a fancy Easter dress the way my sister did for her daughter two years ago. I just started laying out a blanket for my niece that is due any day now, and will post pictures on my blog in a few days when it's done. It is super easy, and only requires straight lines! (That's my kind of sewing.) When you do your apron class, please post pictures! That is what I want to make for my siblings for Christmas this year to go with a cookbook I am working on. Good luck!"
Amy
"Thank you all for your encouragement- I truly need it. I think if I didn't have a friend that was going with me that I would have already stopped going. Did I mention I am a college drop-out? I have a hard time completing things.
You guys are really helping me though- thank you for that :)"
Brenda L
"A great thing about learning to sew is being able to mend and hem things. Pants too long? You can hem them using the sewing skills you're learning.
A great frugal use of sewing skills is to "reconstruct" items. My husband has to wear business clothes to work, even though he has a messy lab job. He got a splatter all over his dress pants that would not come out. But enough of the pant was clean that I was able to use my husband's pants to make cute dress pants for our son. (And that PJ class will give you the knowledge needed to do the same thing!)"
Meredith from Merchant Ships
"Still using my glue gun and stapler here!
Emily looks darling. I haven't seen a photo of her in a while."
*carrie*
"Amy,
I took sewing lessons a couple years ago from a retired home ec teacher. I just don't have a knack (or the patience) for much sewing. I wish Monica's skill and motivation would rub off on me!
Good for you for overcoming your fear! =)"
Chief Family Officer
"I took a sewing class a few years ago. I was sure I could master it if given a chance. Alas, I was forced to conclude that this is a skill I would have to *devote* myself to in order to have the ability to do anything more than sew on a button. I'm sure you're much better at it than I am - and I hope you have fun because sewing would be a fantastic skill to have! Great pictures, btw!"
"Congratulation Amy on tackling something that you have dreaded!
I learned to sew from my mom and it is really a skill worth learning. I've saved our family lots of money by sewing or modifying curtains, duvet covers, pillow covers, etc. Even if you never sew clothes, I would bet you'll be glad for the home decorating options opened by sewing.
Hang in there with the lessons, for me it is a skill that I needed to see and do to learn, I couldn't have read a book to figure it out.
One hint I have for future projects: If you are unsure of how something will turn out, take the time to make a mock up with old sheets or fabric before you use your real fabric. This can save lots of frustration and the second time around with your nice fabric will go lots faster and nicer. It is really worth the time when you've spent some money on nice fabric!
Can't wait to see the apron!
Sandy in VA"
amelia
"Amy, congrats on starting down the road to learning such an invaluable skill. Even the basics will help you save your family so much money. But sometimes even greater than saving money is making something custom that fits exactly what you want for yourself or your home. Like Brenda said, the mending and hemming will save you so much money. And with growing kids you can lengthen those hems and make those clothes last longer. For the sweet girl how about adding a ruffle to something to make it longer, or a fun patch over a hole in little man's jeans. Your sewing machine gives you endless options. Figuring out the nuances of your machine takes a bit of time, and taking a class with an instructor really makes a difference. It's worth the time and effort! Hang in there!! This is a skill you'll have for a life time and some day you might just be teaching Emily!"
Lylah
"Seeing the sewing machine reminds me that since I jetted to Spain earlier than intended, I still need to finish my apron sewing projects that were intended to be Christmas gifts to all my girls.
Loved the post, btw. blessings."
You might be wondering where I was yesterday? Well, I am proud to say that I am tackling one of my New Year's resolutions and have begun a sewing course over at Hancock Fabrics. I had been looking into it (or procrastinating on it) for several months now and finally decided that this was the year to learn.
less expensive than taking the courses, which average $15 each plus materials, but I am hoping this class pays off for me.
ng while my little superstar slept.
Anyway, What has worked for me so for is to pick out a really easy project or two and make it over and over. Mine are pillowcases and children's smocks. I am getting a lot more confident with the sewing machine, and I don't have to worry so much about the directions anymore because I've made them so many times. I have yet to make a perfect one, but I'm sure that will come if I continue to practice.
Keep up the good work! Remember that even if you make a project and "fail," it was still practice. And also keep in mind that you don't have to be a perfectionist. I am and started doing so much better once I let that go a bit.
Your pillowcases look lovely!"