About six months ago, I discovered some websites that inspired me to want to learn to sew. These sites focus on “refashioning”, taking old, dated clothing and transforming them into something cute and contemporary.
Before my mom died, she bought me a beautiful machine; one that has (almost) all the bells and whistles. We had planned on her teaching me while she was recuperating post-op at my place. Instead, I found a beginner class at Joann Fabrics.
For the first class, I made a drawstring bag. I had folded it wrong, so instead of a regular purse type bag, it turned out long and skinny. Ta da! Wine tote…
After the class, I bought a simple pattern for a tote bag, and some fabric and notions. I suffered through trying to figure out the pattern before committing and cutting. I butchered it and ended up having to go waaaayyyyy off pattern to try to complete something that looked like a bag. There is so many things wrong with this, it’s actually comical. I am saving it as my scrap bag to remember my humble beginnings.
The interior pocket was supposed t be on the outside. I could not figure out how to attach it on the outside, so I placed it on the inner lip instead, where most pockets are in bags. I then accidentally sewed the pocket SHUT! What you see is my attempt at salvage and I cut a hole into the pocket…:)
I bought more fabric and attempted this pattern again. Another epic fail and one not even worthy of capturing on film.
My third project was at a class to make a decorative pillow. For the most part, I am very happy with how it turned out and gave it to my girlfriend Michelle for her birthday…
I really liked the instructor who taught the pillow and was able to get some individual help on the tote pattern I was struggling with. She helped me fold, pin and cut the pieces. There is NO WAY I would have been able to figure it out on my own. She told me to stick with Simplicity patterns until I was advanced, and even then she rarely strays from Simplicity. (This one was NOT a Simplicity pattern).
So, now I am 3/4 of the way through my third attempt on the tote bag. Looking forward to sharing it with you when I am done.