Adentures in sewing! - Orchid Board

Amanda L · #1 07-28-2011, 09:35 PM

I took up a new hobby. SEWING!!

So far it has been a comedy of errors!

I have made a dog bed, a cat pillow, a skirt and a tote bag. I am so darn proud of myself that I had to share with my OB friends! I plan on making 2 more skirts and a dress (eventually).
The dress will be formal. That should be interesting, since I have no idea what I'm doing!

The pup loves his bed and the kitties love their pillow. I put a zipper in the cat pillow so it will be easy to wash. It's basically a square pillow with a plush cover.

Gage · #2 07-28-2011, 11:50 PM

Impressive! I've always been fascinated by all of the seams in bags and clothes, it's like a puzzle!

WhiteRabbit · #3 07-29-2011, 03:47 AM

awesome - they look great! I failed miserably in my sewing attempts (tho my dog didn't complain about my mending of her plush toys)

cute skirt and tote bag!

Leafmite · #4 07-29-2011, 09:20 AM

Your stuff looks great! I tried sewing when my daughters were little but I spent most of my time ripping out stitches and finally realized that at the rate I was going, the girl's would have grown out of the outfits before I finished them.
Leafmite

Amanda L · #5 08-06-2011, 05:41 PM

Well, the skirt I am working on is too big. I have to trim it down so it fits. I guess that means taking the zipper out and trimming material from both sides so it hangs right. That's a bummer. I hate starting over!! At least I won't have to hem it again!! I hate hemming!

Jennyfleur · #6 08-07-2011, 10:48 AM

Nice work

I've always been a stitcher rather than a sewer - in other words, I cross stitch on things and do wall-hangings, rather than stitch parts together make items, but isn't it great when you find a new hobby? keep having fun

Connie Star · #7 08-09-2011, 09:07 PM

Nicely done.

Amanda L · #8 08-17-2011, 07:25 PM

I trimmed down my skirt and put it back together. It fits a little snug, but not too bad. Guess I need to lose some weight! The skirt looks uneven in the picture, but that's just how it's hanging on the door. It's straight, I swear! My sister sewed a bag with some instruction from me. She is going off to college in Memphis next Thursday so she can use her bag for college stuff. I'm very proud of her, she did a great job on her bag and she is going to college to become what she has been dreaming of since she was 5 years old, an archeologists.

Lagoon · #9 08-07-2012, 06:27 AM

Hay! Thats pretty darn good

Junebug · #10 08-08-2012, 05:52 AM

Great job! I love the bag. It looks very professional.

My mother was a fantastic seamstress. She generally used patterns for clothing, but she was an avid thrift shopper and she often altered large clothes to fit her petite frame. She'd reposition darts, waist bands, sleeves, zippers, etc. She also made curtains, bolster covers, and doll clothes with no patterns at all. I was always amazed by her skills. It's been a long time since I've used a pattern, but there's a way you can alter clothing patterns before you lay them out and cut the material. Altering the pattern beforehand would help you get a correct fit the first time around. Look for allowance markings on the patterns and compare your measurements to the size of the pattern prior to cuts. Keep in mind the 5/8" seam allowance when adjusting the pattern. It's difficult to describe what I'm talking about but there should be some helpful video tutorials on the internet.

You've done a great job! Looking forward to seeing more of your creations.