Sewing Project - Take 2

I just completed my first real (real being the key word) sewing project!  As I mentioned several months ago, I have grown up around seamstresses.  So naturally I felt as if I should learn to sew.  I first tried my hand at outdoor pillows.  They turned out decent and I really enjoyed the process. So I decided I would make curtains for our hall bath. I soon realized this was going to be a bit different than those lovely pillows. 

Two months, 8 broken needles and five trips to Hancock's, I now smile!

March - Mom and I found the pattern and material when I was visiting Nashville.  The winner was McCall's - pattern #5343. What I liked most about this pattern is its simplicity! It claimed it would only take an hour...........um right!  Try days! They should put a disclaimer: "Depending on user, could take as little as one hour or as long as a week"

April - Before any cuts were made, I wanted to make sure the fabric work in our newly tiled and painted bathroom.  But as soon as we were done painting the walls all I could see was yellow!  When did the bathroom tile become yellow?  And what happened to the window frame? It was yellow too! 

Look at this picture. 

Tell me what you see. 

YELLOW!

If you don't see yellow....then we need to talk!

May - Hiatus....No sewing was done while we traveled around Italy.

June - I knew I couldn't change the tile but I could change the window frame!  Thanks to Mr. Sherwin-Williams the window frame was transformed. 

July - With the yellow being brushed away, I decided it was time to proceed.

First the valance was completed.....



then the trumpets where finalized.....

August 1, 2010 around 7:45 pm - and once it was all assembled, I celebrated!



They aren't perfect, but I am pretty darn pleased!  I can finally say I have had my first real sewing gig! 



MawMaw would be so proud :)

Bathroom is almost done now.......pictures coming soon!

Sewing Project - Take One

Well.....I did it! Not the best sewing job known to man. But I DID IT! (I would like to pause and thank my mom for coaching me through this project....Big thanks mom!).

Over the past month, I have been in search of outdoor pillows for our front porch bench. However, I could not justify paying $32 for one pillow. This decision lead me to option B....make them. So this weekend that is just what I did…..the sewing extravaganza that will now become a hobby has commenced!

Now for all you seamstress out there (Mrs. Sue and Tiffany :), I know this does not seem like a big deal....but I have two left feet (or in sewing terms maybe it is left hands) when it comes to sewing. 

Since this is my first sewing gig (second is coming up....curtians!), I borrowed my sister-n-laws sewing machine. 

After a quick trip to Hancocks, we had our materials and began taking measurements.....

My sweet mom was in town this pas weekend and helped me with my project.  She shared some of her sewing tricks!  My favorite.....to make sure you start off with straight lines, pick one thread and pull it out of the fabric.  This will give you a straight line to use as a guide when cutting.

Nice straight line.....

to use as my guide for cutting.......

Look who managed to cut straight lines......

The assembly process........

Voila!  and yes I woke Jacob up to show him the finished product.

As a side note....mom and I also re-finished the bench above.  I will share these pictures soon!

3 days, 3 hours and 45 minutes!

Sewing Bliss

Drapery! It amazes me how a simple piece of fabric can really tie a room together.

I have grown up around seamstresses. My grandmother was an amazing seamstress. Mom got lucky and ended up getting the sewing gene from her. Over the years, I have followed my grandmother and mom to dozens of fabric stores in search of the ideal fabric. I have watched mom measure, pin and cut. And then watched as dad tried to hang the newly conceived design. But mom did more than curtains…..she did pillows, chairs, couches, Easter and Christmas dresses, costumes, Barbie clothes and of course, large hair accessories! So after 26 years, I have decided to take a stab at sewing.  Don't get the wrong idea....I am not about to tackle a couch.  I am starting simple (but mom has promised to jump in if I get in trouble).

What is my first sewing project? Glad you asked ….. I will be creating curtains for the newly redecorated hall bathroom.

I have developed a work plan to get me started.

Step 1: Take window measurements
Step 2: Look for a pattern
Step 3: Find the perfect fabric
Step 4: Find a sewing machine
and finally step 5: Get to cutting

I have achieved the first two steps!  The pattern winner is..............................McCall's - pattern #5343. What I like most about this pattern is its simplicity!  The pattern claims it will take one hour to make.   However, I have planned for 3 hours.