Yes I Can!
Happy "Thread the Needle Day, dedicated not only to the act of sewing but also to overcoming something difficult. My beautiful sewing machine has been threaded for a while, but today I finally used it to sew. My Mom made all of my childhood Halloween costumes: a black cat, pink princess and of course, Wonder Woman. There was also Princess Leia (no, not gold bikini Leia) and Spider-Man for my brother.
I've been trying to learn for some time now, so here's how it went:
- August 2009 - January 2010: gifts! Received Amy Butler's book, In Stitches from my Aunt Liz, a beautiful Singer machine from my parents and Anna Maria Horner's book, Seams to Me from my encouraging friend Gypsy who says I should just go for it! Still the fear...
- March 2010: fabric! Bought a beautiful packet of fabric from Purl Soho and considered its possibilities
- April 2010 - July 2010: party! Attended Martha Stewart's sewing party to launch their new Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts, checked out Purl Soho's big move to a bright, new space, went to lots of craft fairs, then vacationed in DC:
and Philly.
- and today, July 25th, finally sewed some stitches! and a chart to test the different widths and lengths of my machine.
These stitches don't amount to much yet, but someday they'll all be straight and my fabric won't pucker. Someday I'll be able to thread the machine without using a chart. Someday when I step on the peddle it won't take off in a frantic whirl and I'll fall into an easy rhythm. And someday...maybe someday I'll be able to sew like my Mom.
16 comments:
Wow, your mom is so talented! Impeccable sewing skills! I want to be like her, too! I have the same sewing machine which I got last May -- haven't opened it yet but I really, really want to be a good sewer! :)
thanks, Claire, my mom will appreciate your comment! glad i'm not the only one who pondered over this machine for a while. it really seems so easy now that i've cracked into it, i don't know what was holding me back. looking forward to seeing what you create :-)
Can you recommend either of these books?! I stole my grannys sewing machine lol.. it was the one i learnt how to sew on :) so its very useful!! Ur mum is incredibly talented!!
yes you can!!! you are one crafty lady and you will pick up sewing and in no time be a natural :)
Jen, you look ADORABLE!!! How precious, to have these treasures of pictures!
You mum is so clever. I might one day be sewing costumes for my 2 kiddos. You'll no doubt be a great sewer (like your mum), check out the pinning, you're already a pro :)
Your Wonder Woman costume is awesome! and I hope to learn to sew with a sewing machine one day, too... so please inspire me. :)
Great shot of the LOC interior. Love that building.
Whoooooooo!!! You are going were I wish I could go. I would love to be able to sew, really sew. I would settle for straight lines and simple sewing. For the moment it's only a dream. Congrats and I look forward to hearing about your adventure!!
and...OMGeez you are the cutest thing in that Wonder Woman outfit!!
and..thank you for not having added to the Slave Leia count! I've never understood why woman want to depict Slave Leia, especially en masse. Well, ok, I do, but really people!
hi Hearthandmade, thanks for visiting following and complimenting my mom! i looove the designs in the Amy Butler book, but the instructions are not for the beginner so i'm a little flummoxed so far, and i like that the anna maria horner book has some projects that seem easier to tackle to start.
thanks, jozen, you're SO sweet!! hopefully you're right ;-)
hi Helen, thanks so much! my mom reminded me that when i was wonder woman she made my brother super man, wish i could find that pic too!
aw, thanks, AccidentalCrafter, i REALLY appreciate the encouragement!!
hi yamster, thank u, i'm so excited to get cracking for real!...and i took SOOO many pics of the LOC, what an amazing feat of engineering and in the 1800's too!
hey Creative Coquette! thanks so much, haha. and yea, the little mini slave costume would be questionable, but i have seen youngsters in some strange costumes over the years ;-)
Awww, Little Jen you are so adorable! I see now where you got your crafty talent from! How many times do I have to say I wish I can sew? You can do it, with determination and natural talent, you'll get there in no time. Have fun doing it!
you are so adorable! hehe I'd love to be better at sewing!
thanks, MadsaboutU, i SOOOO appreciate the encouragement!!
hi Pop Champagne, thanks for visiting! it sounds like a lotta people want the sewing skills, i need to practice :-)
Oh my. You look so adorable in your wonder woman costume and love that fabric from Purl Soho.
thanks, Small Burst, i was just @ purl soho today and got a disappearing ink fabric pen and bias tape maker!!
I can recommend Amy Karol's book "Bend the Rules Sewing" as a first-time sewing book. I learned how to sew from it and found it very well laid out. Fun, modern projects too!
hi Rachel, thanks so much for visiting and for the book recommendation, i'll definitely check that out!
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