I really need to get rid of these suckers. Here's an easy one. It's been entirely knit for nearly a year now and the only thing left to do is hand sew the zipper in. Sewing scares me. I have always had a bit of an irrational fear of the sewing machine, but used to sew things by hand often when I was little. I hand-sewed a Pound Puppy from a kit. That thing was adorable! My mom was an excellent sewer and my grandma wishes I'd pick it up. She thinks my knitting skills would translate very easily to sewing skills. She actually helped me with this project, but I'll tell you more about that in the FO post. ;)
Last year, for my birthday, I treated myself to a sewing class at one of my local yarn shops (that also happens to be a sewing/quilting shop). I made a cowl and it wasn't that scary after all. just fiddly. And very, very precise. At least knitting allows for a bit of fudging. For the rest of the year, I eyed a class to make a dress, but wasn't sure if I might be jumping too far ahead of myself going from a super simple scarf to a dress. I have to keep reminding myself that sewing isn't knitting. I can't as easily undo my mistakes on a sewing project as in a knitting project.
This year (again for my birthday, though I bought it a month early), I treated myself to the pattern and fabric for the dress I'd been eyeing all year. The owner of the shop (who taught me to make the cowl) told me I could do it and said she'd be happy to help me through any rough spots. So I'm going to do it! I don't have a sewing machine and haven't decided if I should camp out at the shop in front of a rented one, wait until I'm back at my grandma's, or call up one of my local sewing friends for a social afternoon, but I'm going to make this dress and I'm going to wear the crap out of it.
My step-mom told me she plans to bring me my mother's sewing machine this summer if they drive out here. I don't know if I can wait that long to make the dress, but the idea of owning a sewing machine to make other things with is really exciting. We don't have room for the sewing machine...but that's another matter altogether. :)
Do you have any non-yarny hobbies? Which do you find more difficult? For you sewers, do you have books or online resources to recommend to me about fabric properties, different stitches and their uses, threads, etc.? I'm seriously a total n00b.
I hope you have a lovely weekend! I'll see you next week!
If you would like to borrow mine for a while, you are welcome to it. It's less electronic than the newer ones, and a little fussy sometimes, but I learned on one just like it. I need to mend a pair of pants first, but that won't take long.
ReplyDeleteI might take you up on that! My grandma's wasn't a newer one, so I might be more comfortable with yours. I'll let you know. Thanks! :)
DeleteYou know, I have been wondering about your Scallop of the Sea. Don't fear the sewing. The Holla Knits Ravelry group had a KAL for this clutch and I think you'll find links there to a blog post tutorial the designer did about the zipper. I don't have a machine and hate to sew but I did it by hand and it is so nice. Even people who sew were impressed with my zipper. You can so do, Vanessa.
ReplyDeleteThat's very helpful! I've decided it's a good thing I didn't sew the lining and zipper in just yet because I need to properly block the knitted part. It's so great! I can't wait to use it!
DeleteI am also planning to tackle the Washi dress this year! If you find yourself picking up an helpful tips or tricks, please pass them on!
ReplyDeleteCool! I certainly will! If you get to it before me, I expect the same help! I was told it's incredibly easy. That's the only tip I have so far. :D
Deleteah, sewing scares me so much! i've been meaning to tackle it for a while... occasionally i gets fits and bursts of bravery... and i hand-sewed in a zipper for a sweater recently. that wasn't so bad. but i'm like you, hand sewing is fine(ish), but machine sewing is scary!
ReplyDeleteanyways, i vote for camping out in front of a rented one for this project. if you're paying to use it, it'll give you incentive to work on the project! i like the washi dress, and your chosen fabric!
That's a very good tip! I think I might do that. :)
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