My parents bought me a Keurig for my birthday, so I’ve been drinking a large amount of coffee. (Okay, just one cup a day, but for me, that is a large amount.) When I drink caffeine, I tend to get this big-haired ideas and I start making Big Plans. Usually, they fall through when the caffeine wears off. However, I think they’re starting to stick around a bit lately–possibly due to the extra caffeine coursing through my veins.

Last year, I bought a new Singer sewing machine. I took it out of the box, taught myself how to thread the bobbin and thread the needle … and haven’t touched it since. Well, lately I’ve come to the realization that I just have too much stuff, and I sort of gave myself an ultimatum: learn how to sew or sell the machine. The weekend rolled around, and I cleaned up my sewing area, hooked up my sewing machine, re-taught myself how to thread the needle, and practiced sewing lines on some fabric I bought many moons ago.

Obviously, not an expert yet.

After practicing lines, I started cutting some fabric. I had watched a few video tutorials and I wanted to try my own little project. Since I don’t yet own a self-healing mat or rotary cutters, I free-handed cutting the fabric using a pair of scissors. Basically, the fabric wasn’t perfectly matched up, but since this was a practice run, I didn’t really mind.

After pinning the fabric together, I started sewing. (I should mention that I didn’t iron the fabric because I actually don’t even own an iron. Shocker, I know!) I’d be lying if I said I got it right the first time. The biggest lesson I learned is to be patient. I was trying to sew too fast, and once I slowed things down a bit, I actually did much better. So, I sewed the fabric together and turned it right-side out, and I was shocked to see that it actually turned out OK, although the lines weren’t perfect. I was almost giddy with excitement that I had actually sewn something together.

Another important factor I learned: the seam ripper is my best friend right now. You can sort of see one of my outside stitches in the top of the picture above. Ugly and definitely not straight. I ripped that seam out, and in the process of sewing up the outside, I ripped the seam out three or four times so I could start over. Once I reminded myself to be patient, I ended up with what looked like a decent finished product–for my first try at least!

See? I obviously didn't iron the fabric.

Right now, I’m calling it a potholder, though it doesn’t have batting on the inside. I’m thinking of framing my first “project” so that I can see how far I’ve come someday. (Yes, I plan on continuing in this venture.) I do have a few projects I’m hoping to try in the near future (when I can buy more supplies): infinity scarf, fabric coasters, potholders, headbands, and napkins.

Over the course of the weekend, I did learn a few things:

1. The basics of sewing really aren’t that difficult, as long as you’re patient. Patience really is key throughout the entire process.
2. You will have to re-thread your needle several times, probably. You might become an expert at this task.
3. Pins might fall on the floor and be lost in the carpet. You may step on them.
4. You will come dangerously close to sewing the needle through your thumb. Be cautious when near the needle.
5. Like I said, seam ripper = best friend. You will mess up. Mess-ups can usually be fixed. Just be patient.
6. Sewing can be really addicting. Like, really. I’m daydreaming about it all day now.

Overall, it has been a great experience so far. I’m looking forward to more practice, and I’m hoping to have at least one perfected project complete by the time I go back to school on January 9th. If you have any suggestions, feel free to send them my way!

[all images taken using my iPhone and the instagram app]

{ 7 comments }