My First Skirt

I am officially hooked on sewing!

 
I have spent a little bit of time getting to know my machine, buying lots of equipment (thank goodness for amazon!) and practising using scraps of fabric, but I was desperate to try something that I might actually be able to wear.
 
My problem was deciding what to make - I was a bit afraid of jumping right in and trying to do something that was way ahead of my skill level (which is probably a big fat 0 at the moment!) I have read a good few books that I have borrowed from my local library but am still a bit wary of a pattern. My main fear was failing spectacularly and it putting me off for life!
 
My problem was solved as I found a great book on amazon called sewing in a straight line by Brett Bara. I chose to make the one hour skirt. Also on her website is a video tutorial on how to make it. So off I went to by some fabric. I chose a nice flowery pattern, but the flowers were small enough that I didn't have to worry about matching anything at the seams.
 
Anyway.......at bit longer than an hour later (I would say more like 3) I made my first ever skirt (not counting the one I made in textiles class when I was 14!) and I am very proud!!!
 


My first skirt!

 And guess what?...I wore it out today and no-one came up to me to tell me my skirt was falling apart so I guess I did an alright job! Now all I need is for some sun so I can wear it without tights!

My first creation

Well that's it, I am no longer a sewing virgin!

I picked up a scrap of fabric and made a very simple cushion cover with a ribbon on. Its very rough with some very questionable straight lines, but I don't care, I am very proud of my first creation, onwards and upwards (hopefully!!), skirts, dresses and curtains here I come - OK maybe I am getting a bit ahead of myself but I am motivated now I have found that I am not completely terrible at sewing! I must admit though I was terrified pressing the pedal for the first time - I felt like I did on my first driving lesson!

I spent a good while studying the instruction manual, which my husband told me is a very girly thing to do, but hey I'm a girl so I read instructions. My machine also came with a DVD which has the MOST annoying woman speaking through it, but it was useful as I used it to follow step by step when I threaded my machine and wound the bobbin. 

So here is my first creation:

I have been and bought some more material and am now making a basic skirt with an elasticated waist,  Gosh there's just no stopping me!  maybe I could apply for the next series of the Great British Sewing Bee!....... OK well maybe I should hold off applying until I work out how to do a french seam at least!

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Let me introduce my brother!

.....I mean my new sewing machine of course!

I picked it up last week and it was love at first stitch! I am the kind of person that will research something to death and that is exactly what I did when deciding which machine to go for. In fact I was doing so much googling, that I even roped my husband into researching what to go for. Slightly OCD I hear you shout! well, yes maybe, but I wanted to make sure I got the perfect machine for me.  I was worried that if I didn't and it was too difficult to use, it may dampen my enthusiasm for my new hobby and then it would gather dust in the back of my wardrobe along with the hula hoop that I bought to keep in shape and the jeans that will fit me one day!!

I narrowed it down to either Brother or Singer and plumped for the Brother as I felt I got a little bit more for my money than the Singer ones.

And here she is, behold the Brother XN1700, isn't she a beauty - all shiny and new!

I did originally look at second hand ones, but eventually decided on a new one. However if you want to give sewing a try but don't want to buy a new one in case you find its not for you, then there are plenty of good second hand ones to be had and would suggest you look at eBay, preloved, gumtree or your local freecycle group.

I bought mine from John Lewis for £119. It wasn't the cheapest one there but still in the bottom end of the price range. It comes with a 3 year guarantee as well. It has everything I need as a beginner from a sewing machine and can't wait to get stuck in!

A day of firsts!

It certainly is a weekend of firsts!
First number 1:  I have decided to learn to sew
First number 2: I have created my first ever blog to document my sewing progress (or lack of!).

I am not sure which one I am more scared about!

I have been thinking for a while now that I need a hobby. My husband has lots of hobbies, all which involve him going out and leaving me alone with the dog, so I wanted to be able to do something at home, something that wasn't completely impossible to do and something where I could be a bit creative. So I had a think and came up with....leaning to sew! I am not sure whether it was coincidence or not but shortly after deciding sewing was going to be my new hobby, I saw that the BBC were advertising a new series called the Great British Sewing Bee and thought it must be a sign!

The only slight issue with my new hobby is that I haven't used a sewing machine since I was at school which is a good few years ago and I can't remember if I was any good! I seem to recall making a tartan skirt, but if I remember correctly I think my teacher made more of the skirt than I did!

I have ordered the most important item..... the sewing machine of course! and am collecting it tomorrow so its too late, no going back now!

oh well, how hard can it be? (famous last words!!).

Fingers crossed I don't bore anyone who reads this too much! also I hope that by reading my blog you will be able to learn from the (many) mistakes I am bound to make on my sewing wannabe journey!