Last fall I signed up for a sewing class at the Bellingham Technical College. The class was relaxed and I liked the idea of the instructor to help the students with whatever project they wanted to work on. I signed up, grabbed my
Sew U by Built by Wendy and cut out some patterns!
My first project from the book! This wool skirt was made from Pendelton remnants, with 2 grey pockets and little blue buttons! It is also lined with a zipper.
This pinstriped blouse was my second project, the fabric was a little cheap from Joannes and made me crazy if I looked at it for too long. The collar was rather difficult, but turned out OK after some quality time with the seam ripper. The button holes were my first, with my vintage 1960's button-holer and admittedly, they are a little wonky! Overall I am happy with how this turned out and I have fabric to make another.
Together an outfit?? I need a grey cardigan with this.
My third and last project in the class was this silk duponi dress, it was a simple enough pattern and not too hard to make. The pattern came from
S.E.W. - Sew Everything Workshop. The skirt is black and the bodice white silk and lined. As an added detail, that was not part of the pattern, I made silk flowers to decorate the bodice.
I singed the edges of the silk to keep it from fraying and to add a rough touch to the pretty silk.
The class was taught again the following quarter and I signed up for another round! It is great having the instruction and help, but it is also fabulous to have a 3 hour time once a week to sew. This time I began with a messenger bag pattern by
Amy Butler. I now have a whole new respect for people who make bags! So challenging, this one took me a few classes and I broke several needles on my machine!
The outside in a faux wood patio furniture outdoor fabric, again not perfect, a challenging project with a confusing pattern!
The inside, showing the tool pockets and pretty fabric I got on sale at Fourth Corner Quilts.
My last project was to make two dresses at the same time from this
Butterick Pattern. The original pattern did not have sleeves, so I made some from another pattern with a degree of trial and error! Actually I sewed the sleeves on both these dresses several times! The polka dot seersucker dress has longer sleeves, while the blue cotton gingham has shorter cuffed sleeves.
I am really happy with how these turned out, they fit great, are the perfect length and I am delighted with the sleeves and how they look, even though it was difficult at times and I won't be playing vollyball in them anytime soon!!
