In case you didn't know...

I was sooooo excited to complete a sewing project from start to finish all on my own.  

I got my inspiration from The Cottage Home, I saw one of their pillowcase projects on Pinterest.  I looked over the directions and knew I could pull this off on my own.  

One of the first things I learned at my lessons was how to do a french seam.  The french seam gives the inside of a garment/project a clean finished look, no unfinished/raw edges exposed.

I picked colors that would match my current bedspread, even though I wanted to make a pillowcase with the most adorable fabric that had popsicles on it.   While at the fabric store I also picked up a rotary cutter, mat and ruler.  This made the cutting easier.  

The project was called the 15 minute pillowcase, and it took me about an hour.  I really took my time and followed the directions, which is essential for a someone new to sewing.

 I really was pleased with the final results, just ask my family, I walked around the house with the pillow showing them for two days.

Sewing Part 2

A while back I had talked about the duvet covers I was sewing for the boys rooms.  The first one took me weeks to do, with the help of Joyce, my sewing instructor of course.  The second one went faster. and I felt the sewing was better too.  I guess practice really does make perfect, and I use "perfect" loosely.  I still needed help from Joyce, but I was able to do more on my own than I expected.

I was nervous about doing button holes, and I think you can probably understand.  But it went smoothly, I did them myself at Joyce's house.  She stood by in case I panicked.

This is the top of the duvet with button closures.

The duvet is reversible, and I used the embellishment that was already on the sheets for the backside.  This way if I did use the reverse side it wasn't just a "plain" sheet.

Sewing Part 1

Well, I have to say for years I wanted to learn how to sew.  Of course I put the cart before the horse and bought a sewing machine about 10 years ago one Black Friday in Walmart.  I thought I could read the instructions and it would all fall into place.  Needless to say I was sadly mistaken.  

Okay, now lets talk about the present.  I have been taking sewing lessons from a woman who is has the patience of a saint.  I went there a few times and she would go over the basics, threading the machine, putting the bobbin in, making the bobbin.  Then I would go home with homework and panic, show up for my lesson and tell her I thought about throwing the machine out the window.  Well I have gotten past that and am working on my first official project, duvet covers for my boys.  (I did have another project I had started on my own and that was an apron that I never finished, and barely started.  Enough said)

This night I was working on sewing ties onto the duvet so that the down comforter will be secure when inside the cover.  That task went off without a hitch, except for the one make I forgot what I was suppose to do there.

Phase 1 Duvet... check.

Phase 2 Duvet... this weeks lesson.

I will keep you posted.

Sewing Patterns for Dummies : Simplicity Patterns : Child and Misses Aprons

Sewing Patterns for Dummies : Simplicity Patterns : Child and Misses Aprons

Well I finally got started today. Took the fabric out of the bag and tackled the pattern. I can cut on the line so this part was easy, it is the actual sewing machine part I am worried about. Here are the pieces I had to cut and isn't this fabric ADORABLE?



I will keep you posted on how the sewing machine goes.

First Attempt: Sewing

Well today was back to school and me and my good friend Beth figured we would make the most of our day, breakfast and shopping. As we strolled around Middletown hitting some of the stores I asked Beth if she minded going into Joanne's Fabric, and of course she said she didn't mind. I knew I wanted to get a pattern for an easy apron. I always wanted an apron, I don't know why. Maybe it will complete my Domestic Diva persona?

I wasn't in the store 15 seconds when I spotted a fabric that I LOVED! OWLS! Who doesn't love an owl? I browsed a little more but kept coming back to the OWLS!

Now for the pattern, I didn't know where to begin. Thank God I was with Beth. There are books and books of patterns, then huge cabinets in the store with all of the patterns. I choose a simple apron pattern that is allegedly EASY. We shall see, only time will tell..