Practice, practice, practice

Well, I finished another pillowcase for Pie. (Why yes, I was late to that as well.)

This was my first pillowcase:

Can you tell Pie picked the fabric? I tried to explain the concept of finding matching fabrics but all she cared about was that she liked them. Oh well. It actually doesn't look too bad after the fact.

Here's my seam:

Meh. Not great but I can live with it especially since Pie won't care.


Through the joys of technology and YouTube in particular, I followed along with the Missouri Star Quilt Company video to construct it.

Oh, yeah, she picked this fabric as well:

The seam matching is a little better:

Here's my French seam:

There is fabric for one more stellar (insert eye roll) pillowcase. However, since the dining room table doubles as the cutting table and sewing table, it is going to have to wait for another weekend.

Lessons learned: remember to engage the IDT (Pfaff's version of a walking foot)! Despite careful cutting, I wound up with more fabric along the top of the pillowcase for that first crucial seam so when I checked the it, some fabric wasn't even caught in the seam! Did I rip the seam? No, I was lazy and just put in another seam next to the first one, ensuring that all the fabric was tacked down. In the French seam, you can't tell since its enclosed. Yeah, I don't think I'll be a couture level seamstress any time soon. I like to be done and see the fruits of my labor ASAP. Plus, the time it took me to sew the second pillowcase was all the time I had before Bunny woke up from her nap. I'm also pretty slooowww at this point. My machine and I are getting to know each other on a different level.

I really want to find a place to set up my machine and cutting mat so that when I do have a little time, I don't have to spend it clearing the dining room table (because, yes, there is always stuff on it), wiping it down (no telling what sticky mess is actually still on the table), and setting up the mat to then remove it so I can set up the sewing machine. Sigh. I miss having my own room. However, since I have no desire to share our bedroom with the girls, I'll live with no craft room for now.

My First Sewing Project

OK, I'm late to the party--not the first time--the sewing revival party that is. As I mentioned, I have 2 adorable daughters. Pie is tall and very verbal so people often think she is about 5 or 6 rather than 3.5 years old. So far, clothes are not a problem but in the next year or so when she starts wearing true kids clothes (no toddler clothes), styles look decidedly older. While its not too scary and inappropriate, I don't think I want people thinking my 4 year old looks like a tween. (Seriously, she's going to be tall and she already acts older than some kids I've met who are at least 3 years older than she is.) So, I was thinking I needed to learn to sew so I can make the kinds of things that I want her to wear and not be at the mercy of whatever the current fashion is.

As part of my recent discovery of modern quilting (how much do I wish I were this talented), I also discovered Anna Maria Horner designs. First, can I just say how much I want to be her? All that color and fabric and artistic talent. I realized the other day that as much as I love color, I have a very boring palette in my home. I love that in her daughter's interview, Juliana Horner talks about growing up with so much color and creativity. Anyway, I digress. All that to say, that through the Anna Maria Horner site, I came across her Piece of Cake pattern with accompanying YouTube video. With the joys of technology, I literally watched each step and then recreated it for Bunny.

Not too shabby for a first garment:

You can't see it but I'm very enamored of the turquoise bias tape I used to finish the neckline and sleeves. I made the 9 month size but it fits my little one like a tunic top. I'm considering making the 12 month size with long sleeves to see if it will fit her now in the fall. lol

Some take-aways from this project:
Must finish seams! The inside looks all crappy.  I bought pinking shears for the next time. I'm also trying to figure out my rolled hem foot to make up for the fact that I don't have a serger. I've also recently learned how to do a French seam, so that might be an option although I'm not feeling super comfortable varying from the instructions just yet. I also learned to use my blind hem foot, yea! I didn't do a very good job and in some places the thread does more than a little peak-a-boo action but now I know.

I definitely want to do the Paper Fan Dress for Pie. However, the video is a little more sparse--more like highlights rather than a step-by-step tutorial. I still feel like I need some hand-holding as I learn to sew so that pattern will have to wait a bit. However, I definitely think I can handle a pillowcase dress (or it might be more like a shirt for Pie since she is so tall).

I'm also really excited about the advice on Coletterie for beginners. My biggest stumbling block (other than myself) is that the only "real" fabric store around here is Joann's. I have a few quilt shops but nothing that carries fashion fabrics. (FYI, I only learned what "fashion fabric" means in the last month. I'm learning slowly but surely.) I want to be able to feel the fabric so I can get a sense of what it is. I know nothing about fabric and even with the descriptions, I'm not really sure what to expect. Before I start investing in some online swatch gathering, I want to see if I can commit to sewing.

New toy & new FO

OK, its still a few months before my birthday but since its a combination gift, I got my present early.



Its a gently used Pfaff ClassicStyle Quilt 2027. Its definitely more expensive than I had imagined when I requested a sewing machine. However, since this was a present, hubby wanted to make sure it would be a good long-term investment in a machine that could last a lifetime. Plus, its just technical enough to even interest him. The place where I purchased the machine had great customer service (I went several times to play with the machines on display). They also offer a nice community setting, meaning that they have get-togethers for sewers in the area, free help with sewing projects (since I bought my machine there), and monthly potlucks in addition to a nice selection of classes.

Now, I've never actually used a sewing machine before. I followed the manual to get all set up and I purchased some practice fabric (some $1/yd stuff that is a little scary). With my various work-trips this week, I had not had time to play with the machine. My in-laws came to visit on Wed. and my MIL loved it. She was talking about how I could now make curtains for my house (something I've been talking about doing since we moved here). I told her my plans: practice with the fabric, take a class and in a few months, I can tackle my living room curtains. Pshaw, she said. We went to a fabric store, bought some fabric and matching thread and with her overseeing the project, set out to make new bathroom curtains. It was fun and it was a really good bonding experience with my MIL.

This IDT technology that feeds the fabric from the top and bottom takes some getting used to but I made the curtains without using a single pin, just iron things in place and stick it on the machine. Some of that, of course, was possible because I used a cotton fabric rather than something more sheer or slippery but it was rather freeing.



For a first project, I'd say they're pretty decent.