My new love affair...

betsy has arrived...



a lovely little Singer 5160. 60 stitches and a whole lot of possibilities. i love her and i don't even know her.







hubs bought her for me for our anniversary... oh brownie points my good man. brownie points.

she's here...

Betsy arrived yesterday. Pictures to come...

Cut and Pin

lasts nite i was able to sit down and cut out most of the pieces for nugget's halloween costume. i ran out of pins with 3-4 pieces to go, so i'll get those done tonite or tomorrow. i have to say that i'm not stressed about this, but a little "on edge" because i'm afraid to screw it up. i know that if i take my time, read the directions, pause to take them in and understand them, THEN sew... i'll be just fine.

any pointers?

Done.

whoo hoo!

next up.

Dorothy.

Buttoned Up

I was able to finish the waistband last nite with Maryalice. It really wasn't difficult, I just had to do a little bit more concentrating. When I make these again, I'll have to be sure to take a photo at each step... especially sewing the ribbon to the elastic- it's a tight tight tight space so there's a lot of lifting of the foot, repositioning, pivoting, repositioning... but it's still enjoyable and relaxing.

I have to measure out the hem, head up there next week to sew them and I'm done! I ordered some ADORABLE patterns (here and here) so I'm super excited to get these in the mail and get going on them!

Pressed and ready...

for Thursday!



I have no idea if you're supposed to pin the edges that have been folded over, but I figured better safe than sorry!

I've asked a friend to borrow her sewing machine for awhile (in return, i have to show her how it works), so once i've done that, i've decided to use this pattern to sew nugget's halloween costume: dorothy. (i just bought it- don't tell!!) and to finish up the kidlet that jc handmade sent me.

Lesson Two: Punch on the Gas!

i had my next sewing lesson tonite. it went really really well- better than i thought. the last time i used a sewing machine i really- truly and honestly- had no idea what i was doing. i can remember sewing with my mom when i was really little, but nothing that would have stuck in my mind. and i've watched people sew on project runway (does that even count??), so i understood the jist of things.

i sewed the inner seam, the outer seam and i finished all the edges. all i have to do is press and pin the waist band and the hem (if i have time) and then next lesson will pretty much be my last... and i'm on my own.

first project. the kidlet jc handmade sent me for winning her giveaway. i might have to see if my mom has her old machine or i can borrow someone else's, but i really want to finish that by myself.

i feel really confident in the fact that i can do this. sewing is actually really simple, it didn't take as much prep work as i thought and i think i can wing a few things here and there. it will be interesting once i start following some of these patterns that others have created. i think that will really test my skill... and making my own patterns. i have an idea for a super cute dress for nugget and i think that if i can find a pattern with the basic shape, then i can manipulate it to work for me.

Lesson Two: the pattern

Before I go any further, these posts might be pretty boring because I feel silly taking photos at my sewing lessons... so you won't see any photos until I'm done. But, on with it...
I've worked with a pattern before, but not as in-depth (and I don't even know if that's the right word to use) as I did tonite. I learned how to pin with the grain (is that right or am I thinking paper?) of the fabric and how to spot areas in a pattern that might need adjusting. I'm creating PJ pants (oh how I love my PJ pants...) and on the pattern it shows where to cut if you're making shorts. Maryalice showed me where there is a flair in the pattern for when you need to turn the fabric under so that it lays correctly and how you will need to alter the pattern slightly to omit that flare for the pants. Tonite we just pinned, cut and marked. Next week I'll start sewing.

Alot of the pattern knowledge is coming back from when I helped make (and by help I mean I sat in the same room and stitched maybe 1 seam) my flower girl dresses. (yay! a photo!)



This is the best photo I could find of the front and the back. click on the photo to see the dresses better.

The good news is that Maryalice thinks I'm doing well, learning quick and I'll be sewing next week! I'm excited.

I also introduced Maryalice to Etsy! She had never heard of it before and has had a lot of requests for shirts that she makes for her husband, so she said she was going to look into it. Whoo hoo Etsy!

Phase One :: What in the world am I doing?

Many business blogs start off somewhere in the middle- after they've either made it, kinds/sorta made it or they're just about there. I'm starting this one from the ground up.

What qualifies me to branch out into the world of children's apparel? Nothing. I can't even sew (yet!) But I'm taking lessons and creating amazing designs in my head. I visualize the clothes I would want to dress my daughter in and I hope and pray I can figure out how to make them.

Follow my journey, if you'd like, on starting a business literally from the ground up. All I have is an idea, a logo (from a former class assignment from college) and the willingness to try, fail and try again.

Hold hands.
1...2...3...
JUMP!

me

this is all about me. the end.