26 January 2011

January Sewing Project

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One of my goals for the new year is to try my hand at sewing. I've sewn a few things here and there over the years but I've never been able to complete a project from scratch that I'm really proud to wear... they've always turned out a bit wonky. So, this year I'm taking on the task of completing on garment from scratch every month with the hopes of adding a few things to my wardrobe I'll want to wear on a regular basis.

Yesterday I finally got around to tackling January's project. I picked a simple 60s dress pattern with a darted bodice and lightly gathered skirt and used an inexpensive printed cotton fabric from a local fabric store. Since it was my first project I didn't want to use vintage fabric or something expensive just in case it all went awry! I was going to take some "during" photos to show you how things went, but this being my first try, I wanted it to be pressure-free. Next time I'll take photos!

As you can see from the photos I actually completed the dress! Most of the sewing was done yesterday under the helpful eye of the best instructor I could have (thanks Mom!). Minimal use of the seam ripper was employed. ;) I couldn't find my zipper foot yesterday so I had to put the zipper in by myself this morning. Truth be told, if I'm going to be 100% happy with the dress I think I'll take the zipper out and try it again. There are a few pesky wonky stitches that I know will bug me if I don't fix them. The dress called for a tie belt, but I wanted to do a button tab belt instead to test my button hole skills. They're not exactly the prettiest button holes I've ever seen, but technically they're holes and a button went through them so... mission accomplished! Now if only it would stop snowing outside so I could actually wear it.

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40 comments:

Dirty Betty Vintage said...

OMG that is sooo cute! You did a great job!
dirtybettyvintageboutique.blogspot

kater said...

It's amazing! I would wear it in a heartbeat!

I'm determined to learn to sew this year. My mother, who can sew the whole world into a pocket and then some, insists that I must master embroidery first to learn neatness and control :p

It's really lovely though! I can't wait to see what else you come up with!

Silvia said...

I'm starting sewing lessons feb 7th! :D
I can't wait till I can make my own skirts. I often find BEAUTIFUL fabric for low prices, and it's just such a shame. The poor little fabric staring at me through the window saying "Adopt me". I can't wait till I take one home and cut it all up! lol

sjwhidden said...

this is great! the fabric suits the dress perfectly!
xs

Maria Casteel said...

it's adorable! i love the button belt. and don't be too hard on yourself, zippers are the hardest part.

SophieSweetVintage said...

What a beautiful dress! You did a great job, wow!

Ana said...

WOW, congratulations, that looks great!! I can't wait to see you wear it! I'm trying my hand at sewing more things this year too, but you're off to a better start.

13bees said...

very impressed!

love your fabric choice.

Natasha Jane said...

Your dress looks great! I'm very excited to see the things you sew each month. When I started sewing a few years ago I loved looking to the vintage pieces on your site as inspiration.

Anja Verdugo said...

You did such a great job! I've been taking lessons and still need to post about my stuff, but I haven't made anything super cute or vintagey yet. I do have a cool cape pattern from the 60's though!

Pistachio said...

Great job! Love the pattern and fabric.
Cheers!!

Pistachio said...

Great job! Love the pattern and fabric.
Cheers!!

Destrehan's Daughter said...

Congratulations! I made a skirt from scratch by hand once and loved it until it fell apart. I haven't ever made anything with a machine though. I can hem and do pillows and curtains, so maybe now with this inspiration I should try something more complicated.

Em said...

Lovely! Really like your fabric choice...

Violet Clair said...

It's such a nice feeling to complete a sewing project from start to finish isn't it?

And what a lovely dress!

Aimée - Vint Condition said...

Ohhh I love this! I've so wanted to learn to sew. My grandmother taught me when I was 11, but all of that instruction has escaped me.

Lexie said...

congrats on finishing this month's project! with days to spare! this dress looks beautiful!

SewNasty said...

Such a beautiful dress!

Sewing has made my life brighter, I'm sure it will do the same for you :-)

Rosaspina Vintage said...

Wow well done!! It must be so satisfying to wear a dress you actually created! I really must learn to sew :)

KristiMcMurry said...

That's fantastic! I'm very impressed...sewing intimidates me :(

Yoshi said...

The dress looks great! I'll be interested to see what else you make. I love your choice of fabric.

Miss Claire said...

Good job!

I have sewn one, shapeless dress in the past for a belly dance concert, and am currently in the middle of my first unsupervised dress making project! It's a sweet 1970's sailor dress pattern in a black and white polka dot fabric. If it turns out as well as yours has I will be very proud!

Looking forward to seeing more!

xox Claire
www.jemimaandgeraldine.blogspot.com

thatdamngreendress said...

nicely done, and what a beautiful fabric! I've vowed to make a dress this spring, but it so hard to find the fabrics when you have something specific in mind...
I should maybe just focus on one of the nice vintage patterns I have, eh?

Dulcie said...

well done you! it's incredible! xxx

Libby said...

That dress is beautiful! I love the button accents...great job!

The Wh0le Story said...

Great job! That dress is great, and I love the fabric :o)

Sara said...

The seam ripper is your new best friend, trust me!

I took a beginners sewing class this fall, and I loved it! I've been scouring eBay, and I'm dying to try some vintage patterns. The one you made looks lovely!

MarieBayArea said...

Hand-sewn dresses rock my world, esp. the vintagey inspired ones. Yours is brilliant. Great job!

Mandi Johnson said...

I'm impressed! It will fit in nicely with your wardrobe. Man, I really gotsta start sewing more too. :)

Anonymous said...

This is a good job. Good luck on your next projects, I'm looking forward to seeing them !

Casey Maura said...

Oh wow! I love the dress pattern and fabric together. Bravo on a successful sewing project! :)

♥ Casey

Elizabeth@themustardceiling said...

I just found you blog, how delightful! I am learning to sew, just started. I love your dress, it turned out great. Can't wait to see your other projects.

YEYE STYLE BLOG said...

Looks great, zippers are such a pain! But practice makes perfect ;)
I really like the fabric you used.

hhi said...

your finished dress looks SO MUCH BETTER than the picture on the pattern! which is unusual when using vintage patterns - great job! that is perfect fabric too. it's so funny i found this post today; i made a very similar post this morning!
janine
honeyhivintage.blogspot.com

Tilly said...

Oh I'm so glad you're getting into sewing! This dress is great - looking forward to seeing more of your handmade projects.

Victoria / Justice Pirate said...

How incredible. You are talented to pull this off and "try your hand at sewing."
I have patterns that I haven't done for over a year :( so bad. I only got one done over a year ago and just have issues trying to find a fabric store. . .there are none near here. The closest is over 45 minutes away :(

giselaandzoe said...

love the fabric! great job!!

Sarah said...

that is a lovely dress! you've done a fab job.
I'm looking forward to seeing your other creations.
I'm trying to sew a lot more this year too.
sarah x

fashbrickroad.blogspot.com/

Deoma's Boutique said...

I love this dress! The fabric is perfect for the style! Very nice job!

Deoma's Boutique said...

I love this dress! The fabric is perfect for it! Very nice job!