Apron

 

My second project was an apron with a patch pocket and binding. I made the bias binding from scratch, not too difficult, but at times I couldn't help getting carried away, sewing faster and faster until suddenly I'd realise that I had missed the other side of the fabric. I had to undo quite a few parts and I became good friends with the seam ripper.

The result looks good from a distance so I hope that next time the stitches are parallel to the edge.

Envelope Cushions

Cushions are the easiest thing to make for a beginner. These are simple envelope cushions, made out of one square and two rectangles of fabric. For my first cushion I used three old shirts, obviously the cheapest way to start small projects.

My second attempt at cushions was with shop bought fabric, as I was starting to run out of shirts, but also I wanted to make something that I could use without feeling embarrassed.

 

I learnt that patterns are useful, what a discovery! How come I couldn't draw perpendicular lines on the fabric!? My first experiments with cushions made me realise that even for a simple shape, you can only cut decently with the help of that solid material called paper pattern.

 

Beginning to sew

After a year sewing I decided to start a blog. I became interested in sewing just to do a little mending, like shortening the hem of my jeans and things like that.

Being petite means that there are a few extra inches that I need to adjust, I used to do it by hand but I thought 'why not doing it properly, with a nice finish?' and started thinking of getting a sewing machine.

Once I bought my lovely beginner's Singer I realised that I had no idea of what to do with it, so I bought a book with the basics, since I have nobody nearby experienced enough to teach me. My boyfriend's mum used to work making curtains, but she's a few hundred miles away, not ideal when you need to ask about threads and bobbins.

I must admit that my mum was right when she nagged me to attend sewing lessons when I was a teenager. At the time I found it absolutely old fashioned and would reply that I didn't need to do embroidery. Well...