A second look at the Sencha

So, I may be breaking the rules when it comes to the Shirt a month, but I made a Sencha a long time ago that I kept and even got out to try on every couple of months to find out what I did wrong. I decided with my not being able to really cut our anything or sew much with my foot down, I would try to fix the disaster. This is what I came up with.

Yeah, that's my ride for the next month. It is a pain but nowhere near as bad as crutches. What I finally decided to do was make the front darts along the stomach go higher.

If you look closely I did this in red thread. It did seem to help a lot.

If I make this again, and I just may, I will make it in a size, or probably two, smaller.

I have learned a lot in the last year, so I spotted several things when I really started looking at the shirt. They are embarrassing, and you deserve to see other seamster's stupid mistakes.

I zig zagged the edges of my facings. That's OK, but I've come a long way.

My understitching, well I guess I just didn't know what that was. I stitched through the outside, seam allowances and facing. The neckline is TACKY!

My facing was too short, so I guess I said, "Oh well." I sewed it in too short and just left it raw! What is that!?!

On my sleeves the directions said to hand stitch them down invisibly. I made the stitches so loose and far apart I could actually put my thumb through them.

Am I a snob? No! I think this has been a fun look at where I came from. I wore the shirt to work with no one saying anything about how bad it looked too. I guess it is a win, even if only in my head.

OK, now I have to try to work on that darn red dress. Would you judge me if I missed the deadline?

School House Tunic and embroidery advances

I know, I've been awfully quiet. Trust me, I've been working hard. I have a pair of Clovers in grey, pajama pants and half a Peony to show you, but I just can't catch the light to take any good pictures. Soon though. I do have a blast from the past to share. My first project I did on my own was the Sew Liberated Tunic. It was easy and went together well, but when it was done, I no longer cared for the print. I just came across it the other day - unhemmed, and finished it up.

I don't know if you did this when you first started sewing, but I would go into the fabric store, head for the quilting cotton, and grab the cutest thing I could find. Turns out being a grown up wearing a super cute print can be kind of weird. I'm more edited now, but I did enjoy wearing this yesterday.

See, it's not that bad.... let's take a look at the guts!

Look a Monet! Not bad from far away, but not great up close.

Apparently I finished the edges of the shoulder by... well, I guess I didn't at all, and now it is a frayed up mess!

None of the inside seams were finished actually.

The sleeves were turned up once and hemmed. Ouch! I think that was my first sleeve, and not my best effort. It is surprisingly cute from the outside considering what a mess the inside is.

Yesterday I also got to hang out with the most awesome seamstress and sewing know it all I know, Jenny! It was fun to hang out and talk blogs, hers is great, and sew. I took over my embroidery machine, and she taught me a lot about what I can do. I had no idea how awesome it is!

So I made Holly a super cute mug for Christmas. I had no idea my machine could do such cool stuff.

I made a couple of coasters that Jenny has a tutorial for. You should check it out.

I also made a quilt block for my assistant. She loves my Crazy Quilt so much, I had to make her her own.

Yeah, I'm that kind of dog owner. What I wouldn't do for my little mutt dog.

That is some close up quilt lovin' going on there. This is how she takes care of me when I am sick or hurt, she lays on top of my and passes out. Now why didn't I think of that?

Oh, and I don't know if you saw but the new McCall's are out.



How cute is 6503? I love all the versions! Check out the new patterns. There are a few good ones.

My one year sewing anniversary

It was about this time last year that I signed up for Sewing Boot Camp at the very sorely missed Sew Crafty in Houston. I whizzed through the three weekends in which I made a pair of pajama pants, a clutch and a tote bag. I took all three items with me everywhere to show off because I was so darn proud of myself.

Excuse the wrinkles here. I have caught a virus that has knocked me out and am home today instead of at work. Because of my chills last night, I wore this huge and comfy pair of pants to bed last night. These are the pajama pants I made at boot camp. I have worn the heck out of them and still have the pattern in case I want to make more.

The way the class was set up, we picked out fabrics the store had available, what inspired me to go with lime green is beyond me, but I won't ever be hit by a car wearing these!

Here is my first tote. It is so simple! I still use this, but not as often as some of my fancier bags I have made now.

Check it out...my first French Seam. I remember my teacher, Ruthie, telling us if we ever want to be on Project Runway we had to know a French Seam or we would be kicked off. Obviously I committed all advice in the class to memory!

After boot camp I proceeded to take enough classes to get me going, but when the doors closed I was forced out on my own for the most part. Through that I have developed my own skills, made new friends and learned a lot.

There have been epic fails.

I have made great gifts for friends and family.

There have been battles that made me want to quit! Don't even ask me if I have worn the beast yet...

I even bought a serger and rock that regularly!

And finally I made a quilt. I know it is a whirlwind look back, but on days when I'm frustrated or down because I am stuck, it helps to remember how far I have come.

It has taken a lot of time, work, people lending a hand and a little more money than I'd like to admit to become proficient with sewing, but it has been a great ride. Thanks readers for all your positive feedback and great ideas! You all mean a lot to me.