ILX Sewing!

Oh! There's a seemingly simple vintage apron pattern in BUST, which involves using an old sheet.

I would just to make something that I don't fuck up, so I can feel accomplished.

I have a gift certificate to this nice fabric store near my house. Any suggestions as to what I should buy that's essential for sewing? I did get a cardboard cutting board, and I already have pins, magnetic pin holder, measuring tape, and a pair of okay cutting scissors.

Other sewing tools that I use all the time:

* seam ripper
* small thread snips (like scissors but without the finger holes so they're a little bit easier to pick up in a hurry; I use them for all my hand mending and for cutting free after sewing machine seams)
* small tailor's ham for pressing seams and anything curved
* a packet of good handsewing needles (called "sharps")
* tailor's chalk for removeable marking on the right sides of things (good for marking those pesky dart points and etc that have to be transferred from the patterns; maybe get one light colored chalk and one dark one; rub marks out with a damp rag when you're done)
* a basic thimble, nothing fancy (you'll want it when you're handsewing through lots of layers or anything denim or whatev)
* a good metal yardstick for marking and cutting bias strips or any straight lines.
* sewing gauge (like a a 6-inch ruler but with a little sliding marker, VERY useful for maintaining equidistant seam allowances, hems, buttonholes)

That might seem like a lot but each item should only be a dollar or two (tho the ham could be more). I have a bunch of other stuff, a bamboo point turner and little gadgets for folding bias tapes and chalk tracing paper, plus I think some of my stuff would turn out better if I learned to use a dressmaker's/French curve, but I think you could get by for a long time (forever?) with just what you have plus my list.

Here's where I have the gift certificate:

http://www.textilefabricstore.com/

Sadly, the "This I Believe" bit on NPR this morning was all about how failure is a good thing. I thought of my sewing endeavors.

I really do have to make sure to study the pattern before I do anything. I am like an excitable little kid who wants to bust right into it.

I'm really hard at work today. I just found this website:

http://www.fitzpatterns.com/index.html

Free skirt patterns! That wrap skirt is pretty cute. I could do that. I'm really tempted to just leave work early today, as I'm completely unproductive, and have a desire to go fabric and notions shopping instead. There's a top in there too that looks fairly easy.

Oh, and I'll give the excuse for leaving early that the new cat needs attention, as last night she decided to curl up on youknowwho, and then pee all over his shirt. Hah! (I shouldn't be laughing, but I can't help it).

Oh, and I went to the fabric store yesterday and became overwhelmed which led to my purchase-less departure. I overheard a woman discussing how she has sewn some of Dolly Parton's clothes (she was looking at the fake fur section), and I decided I need to come back when I'm feeling a bit more confident. How sad! Attack of low sewing-self esteem!

That wrap skirt though... I may be coming into a stash of old cordoroy, so perhaps I will attempt that.

I feel much better after having created something successfully. I was Suzie Downer for a while (also fueled by raging, emotional PMS, which made me sob at random TV shows, including, but not limited to: Extreme Makeover : Home Edition"),

I have a very, very good wrap pattern that's easy and I've made it twice and you could embellish or add pockets or change the closure to anything you wanted (it's supposed to be long skinny ties but I've also made it with a D-ring buckle).

the show is scientifically engineered to make you cry. it's evil really.

Oh! And you're totally right, Laurel: pressing seams makes a world of difference. I felt competent yesterday while making my sad little apron!

Sidenote: everyone of my family members is getting an apron for Xmas.

Regular ham:
http://www.bblackandsons.com/store/media/product-images/pressing_supplies/PS-04.jpg

I think, after I complete my apron, I will try something non-threatening like a tote-bag. I think I may try this:

http://www.supereggplant.com/archives/000216.html

I've also read that, if you want a skirt hem to float REALLY nicely for a special occasion, you can iron it out section by section on the ham rather than flat on the ironing board...it will give it just a little more rounding and body. Of course it's also more work.

http://static.flickr.com/101/271857434_a8edf1035b.jpg?v=0

CAT PICTURE ALERT:

http://static.flickr.com/98/272187119_94969efab5.jpg?v=0

Gertrude LOVES the sewing light.

Does yr machine have special settings/stitches for knits? Might be called a "stretch stitch" or similar.

It's my first time trying to follow a pattern . . . but it's a nice, simple one that I can improve upon when I try again.

thanks! the quilting was one of the easier parts . . . you use masking tape as a guide & it just happens so quickly. the border was really hard. it's cut on the bias & the corners are mitered. or supposed to be . . .
i'm going to try again anyway. we need potholders.

Yeah, Sam, I'd recommend Mason Dixon knitting! It's not clothes-heavy, but for some semi-practical stuff, (dishcloths upthread), it's really nice. Lots of fun afghan patterns too.