Pretty much sums up my experience thus far in learning to machine sew!
After successfully completing a few envelope back cushion covers, I decided to venture out and try something a little more difficult for dear friend and (biggest cheerleader) as her birthday was coming up. I came across this lovely, seemingly easy to follow for a beginner, tea wallet tutorial and set to work. Amazingly, it came out right on the first try!
The stitches aren't even all that crooked! ;) Must have a few more photos because I'm so proud of it!
This was the first time I sewed something without lanikins looking over my shoulder for support.
Not bad for a newbie eh? Feeling very confident, I set to make another using some lovely fat quarters I bought a while back. Breezing along, thinking how wonderful I am I can do this no problem.....
This is how it ended up.
Sigh. Swear. Throw things.
Fortunately for me, I have two amazing seamstresses as mentors, the lovely Ruby Murray and dear sister lanikins. Both have been awesomely encouraging, reminding me that EVERYBODY has to use a seam ripper now and then. I'm not going to give up!
Working on a "simple" (sarcastically worded, since everything seems complicated to me right now!) a-line dress for Babygirl, hope to share successful results with you soon!
Aww bless you, the thing to remember about sewing is that unlike Embroidery & Crochet, you have the rights to blame a machine for your f-ups! what with thread tension, thread type, needles going blunt, timing, bobbin tension and don't get me started on off grain fabrics! there's a lot of things that can go wrong that have absolutely nothing to do with your skills. At least that's how I get round my issues with sewing ;)
ReplyDeleteKeep on trying, there's an Italian proverb that says 'All things are difficult, before they are easy!' so true.
Oh and if all else fails: Change Needle/Rewind Bobbin/Oil the Machine and put your feet up and have a glass of vino, one of those usually sorts out the problem!
Oh and I love love love my first ever tea wallet, never tried sewing one myself even!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! I can't tell you how many balled up half turned projects I have like that :). I don't think I've ever finished a sewing project without the help of a seam ripper.
ReplyDeleteYou're doing an awesome job! The tea wallet looks great and my new pillow cover ROCKS!
You forgot to mention my pillow,and I love it. The wadded up fabric really cracked me up.
ReplyDeletelovely quote Ruby, must keep that in mind at all times!
ReplyDeletethanks Lime, i had a blast with your cushion cover :)
haha Betsy you know... there were supposed to be two pillows for you...maybe i should share a pic of the wadded up second cover too!
In case you didn't know I'm your biggest fan, and I've linked to your blog and given you an award ;)
ReplyDeletexoxoxo
remember the time i gave you a sewing machine, and private sewing lessons, and you didn't make me NUTTIN yet?!?!...my request you may ask? i need a costume for denver comicon...get on it!!! just kidding...you're kicking ass with this whole sewing thing. when you get frustrated, remember the 20 to 20 thing :) and lime is right...seam rippers are just a necessary thing, as you have witnessed on crafty fridays at mi casa. i have been sewing for a bajilliondy years, and still find myself sewing wrong sides, and so on......
ReplyDeletethat's a tall order lanikins! how bout a shopping bag instead??? :P
ReplyDeletei really appreciate your expertise and confidence in me!