...Another Sewing Project.

Sorry guys, I've just been on a sewing kick lately.  So much of a kick I haven't been doing much writing.  It seems like multitasking isn't my strong suit these days.  It all started with that dang apron.  I spent more hours than I'm proud of at Joann's Fabric these past couple weeks.  The first trip had me there for over two hours!  Of course, part of that was the locking of keys in the car and the waiting for my very generous grandparents to drop off my spare.

It was Pattern Sale day, and I picked up five patterns for only seven dollars, plus an extra I just couldn't resist.  This of course locked me into six more sewing projects.  A linen jacket, an old man cardigan, three dresses, and an adult fleece onesie.  That's right.  Head to toe fleece pajamas with a zipper up the front.  Here's the thing about sewing these days...it's not cheaper than buying already-made clothing.  I learned this at checkout.  The big advantage though, other than making you feel productive, is not showing up to the party wearing the same dress as that girl you hate.  You know the girl.  You will be one of a kind.  And if you're good at it, you've got something to brag about.

I will not brag, but merely state the facts.  I made two dresses, and they turned out, well..."sew-sew."  (Oh no, she didn't!)  The first dress is really comfortable and the fabric was on sale, the problem is the size.  I still haven't perfected the art of interpreting pattern sizing.  Which measurement do I use!?  They all seem wrong.  I guessed.

I guessed not right.  Probably one to one and a half sizes too big.  But it's still a cute dress and I'll probably wear it anyway because it cost about $20 to make.

The second dress cost about the same, and was much more complicated, mostly because I chose a ruffled fabric like a dummy.

So. Many. Ruffles.

It took me about twice as long because I was constantly adjusting ruffle-direction to make sure I didn't catch any extra ruffles in the seams.  The size was actually perfect on this dress, but with the added ruffle-bulk, made it look a bit frumpy in areas.

   

I also ended up cutting the back ties off because I used a different fabric, since the ruffles wouldn't turn inside out after I sewed the ties.  The fabric I did use also wouldn't turn inside out, so I sewed the ties a third time, wrong sides together, and they frayed like there was no tomorrow.  Cut!

Random pattern ties from leftover apron scraps.  Now removed.  Dress will surely fall off.

And that is the story of my journey into the magical world of sewing, and I apologize in advance because you'll have to see at least four more projects in weeks to come.  No wasting money!