My second post for this blog was an illustrated chronicle of my humble sewing origins. My mother even dug up my first skirt (circa 1985) for the occasion.
In the post I mentioned my first successful, fitted dress project--an ankle-length spaghetti-strapped dress in floral rayon challis. I finally found a photo of it last night (while working on clearing out the soon-to-be nursery) in a photo album from my winter 2001 trip to Cambridge, England.
It probably doesn't look like all that to you, but after a series of ill-fitting poorly-stitched dress attempts, this was a triumph. Despite my bad posture and sour expression here, it actually fit me perfectly. (I didn't do a muslin, though, and my first FBA attempt had been too enthusiastic, so I had to add some emergency darts to the bodice.)
It's fully lined--I think it was the first lined item I ever made--and there was quite a bit of handstitching going on in the bodice as well. I got lots of compliments on it and wore it to every nice event I could until it no longer fit me!
I wish I could remember the exact pattern--I'm fairly certain it was a Butterick, and that the pattern photo showed an example in border print. I even spotted it on a blog post recently as an example of someone's pattern destashing, but can't remember which blog. I'm sure it's long out of print.
And that is the story of my first dress!
Do you still remember your first successful project? What was it?
P.S. In case you're wondering why I'm up at 6:15, I have Cartoonist Baby and her charming high kicks to thank!
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My first successful project was a quillow (http://www.sewvac1.com/Library/fleecequillow.htm is pretty close), a quilt that folds up into a throw pillow. After that, I made a small drawstring pouch that I looped through the belt loop of my jeans and used instead of a purse. I did a lot of utility projects like that before starting on skirts with elastic waists. I was so proud when I finished my first dress with an invisible zipper and no elastic. (I think I ended up giving up on the sleeves, but I was still pretty happy with myself for the fitted bodice and zipper.)
ReplyDeleteYour first dress is very cute!
ReplyDeleteMy first project was a pair of pyjamas for my then 3 year old. I was very proud of them (what with the eased sleeves, buttonholes, etc) until he tried them on. "But where's the pockets, mum?" he asked. I realised I had much to learn (... including not to sew for 3 year olds who had opinions about designs!).
I'm on my first project right now! A no-brainer: A-line summer skirt. Unfortunately, with a toddler at home, and the fact that I don't actually own a sewing machine, the pace of my sewing is glacially-slow. Also just wanted to say that it's nice to see someone else who uses cartoon images of herself for her online persona...!
ReplyDeleteI love your dress! My first successful dress was also polka dot, finished in time to go swing dancing in 1998.
ReplyDeleteMy first successful finished PROJECT, though? This pair of spaceship pajamas, also in '98. Super-cute. This weird thing happened, though-- everyone in my dorm started BORROWING them. Male, female, all sizes. It became a THING TO DO. There were signups. Naturally, those PJs did not last a year under that hard wear, but it was pretty cool to have such a success so early on!
She's getting you ready for the future! :-)
ReplyDeleteEmma Louise, there's nothing wrong with slow, especially when starting out. I'm still pretty slow most of the time--take your time and enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteIt can be even slower without a machine, though I do enjoy hand-sewing, too...
Thanks for the tips, Mikhaela! I'll check out that other cartoonist you mentioned, too...
ReplyDeleteLove the dress! I made lots of baby doll and Barbie clothes growing up. The first garment I successfully made was a pair of capri pants in an awful gaudy Hawaiian print. I wish I had a picture. It was 1987- that's my only excuse (and I was only 12 or 13?)
ReplyDeleteI love your maternity wardrobe you have been working on. I have only made one maternity dress for myself years ago. I still have it in my closet- can't bear to part with it even though I will never wear it again!