I wanted to try my hand at welting so I did a quick camera strap for my new camera. Stupidly I just winged it and I ended up not doing the right thing with the ends of the welting so it looks a bit rough on the reverse side. Even so, I'm happy with how it turned out. Certainly better than that hideous NIKON NIKON screaming up at me.
If you are smarter than me, follow these great tutorials that have been posted by other bloggers about how to do it properly.
Design Sponge / Cluck Cluck Sew / Made by Petchy
Trying to work on another technique, I got smart and used a ready made pattern to make a little box pincushion from Heather Bailey. Um, I needed some spatial reasoning assistance figuring out how to make the box at first but it all came together in the end. And now I have a pin cushion.
Threes a charm, thats all I did with the machine thus far. Since I'm not at all ready to make anything wearable just yet, I have my mind thinking up a possible cat bed and throw pillows I can actually use on my sofa. I still don't understand how to hand sew anything or do anything but a straight stitch so I should probably try to figure that out before I do much else. I haven't found any patterns that jump out at me though so we'll see how it goes.
Any sewing patterns or projects you'd recommend for a true novice like me?
Sewing can be so gratifying , you have done some great projects, well done , love that pin cushion , was it hard?
ReplyDeleteChris
Ps you have been having that abort message , I had to try lots to get on here to comment , I am sure it will be short lived .
Oh wow, I LOVE that fabric! You did a great job on those project - can't wait to see what else you make :)
ReplyDeleteAn apron would be a relatively easy project for you to make, or a tote bag. I am sure if you google, there will be project patterns for you to use! Have fun, and it looks like you are doing very well so far! Cute pin cushion!!
ReplyDeleteSuzanne
So cute!!!
ReplyDeleteWell you had a busy day! Love the camera strap...I'll have to copy this idea one of these days, when I have a free moment. HA!
ReplyDeleteAnd speaking of Amy Butler, LOVE her fabrics. I am hosting a GIVE AWAY on my blog, a set of placemats and table runner out of more of Amy Butler's delightful fabrics!
Janell
The Buttercup bag from Made By Rae is a relatively easy pattern to follow.
ReplyDeletehttp://madebyrae.blogspot.com/2009/02/free-buttercup-bag-sewing-pattern.html
Your pin cushion is SO cute and creative! I love that fabric too. :)
ReplyDeleteJust wondering where you bought the fabric from? It's beautiful and exactly what I've been searching for!
ReplyDeleteI just looked at the directions to see how to make it, and I guess I need spatial reasoning assistance as well- I dont get how to make the box hahaha
ReplyDeleteHi Terry - the fabric was purchased from an adorable local store. Not exactly the cheapest source but shopping in there is so fun: http://www.brooklyngeneral.com/
ReplyDeleteI have no suggestions as to projects but I do suggest you buy a tape measure made for sewing. Much easier to use on fabric. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is making me think it may be time to dust off my old machine. It retired right about the time my son was born... eight years ago!!
ReplyDeleteYou're a novice???! Looks great to me. I can sew a straight line, but measuring things, cutting, and following a pattern make me hyperventilate.
ReplyDeleteHey! You're on a roll! Love the camera strap!
ReplyDeleteA great resource for quick and easy (free!) sewing projects is Sew Mama Sew's blog (sewmamasew.com) - Amy Butler's web site also has some great patterns that are free, too!
ReplyDeleteGreat pin cushion! Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing is a decent little book....just thumbed through it recently and I think I'm going in. Seems like nice, easy-to-follow patterns.
ReplyDeleteughh my new canon eos would LOVE that.
ReplyDeleteI have been following your blog for a while since I saw your house on RMS. You are such an inspiration. All your hard works really shows in your FABULOUS home! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteNice skills Mrs. L! That's a great start! Love the little cushion.
ReplyDeleteYou should add stephmodo to you blogroll...she's renovating a 400 year old cottage in France!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.stephmodo.com/search/label/la%20maisonnette
Those all look great! I don't even know what welting is. The pin cushion looks great!
ReplyDeleteHow about napkin rings?
ReplyDeleteI'm going to make some grosgrain napkin rings in a few weeks, I saw them in House Beautifuls June issue and felt inspired to make my own using ribbon I could choose. Michaels has everything you need. Here's a link to the ones I saw: http://www.socialcouture.com/store_item.fsp?id=135196
Super cute S&S but you don't need to sew those.
ReplyDeleteHi! I just found your blog yesterday & I love it!
ReplyDeleteVery cute & nicely finished first projects, I'm impressed. I won't tell you how gross my first sewing attempts were.
Maybe pajama pants next? Or a skirt with a drawstring waist?
The easiest thing I ever made were curtains - a whole house of fully-lined Laura Ashley fabric drapes, with coins to weight the edges. Trust me, if you can sew a straight line you can make drapes
ReplyDeletewow. you've so motivated me to get my sewing machine out...this week!
ReplyDeleteAwesome. Totally loving this, can't wait to see what else you sew. I've made a few bags in my time...it's tons of fun. I also find sewing very therapeutic.
ReplyDeleteSewing is hard! and everything I make seems like a disaster at the time. When I go back and look at it weeks later I don't even notice the imperfections. You did a great job.
ReplyDeleteThis is really cute!
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