One of my goals for the new year is to try my hand at sewing. I've sewn a few things here and there over the years but I've never been able to complete a project from scratch that I'm really proud to wear... they've always turned out a bit wonky. So, this year I'm taking on the task of completing on garment from scratch every month with the hopes of adding a few things to my wardrobe I'll want to wear on a regular basis.
Yesterday I finally got around to tackling January's project. I picked a simple 60s dress pattern with a darted bodice and lightly gathered skirt and used an inexpensive printed cotton fabric from a local fabric store. Since it was my first project I didn't want to use vintage fabric or something expensive just in case it all went awry! I was going to take some "during" photos to show you how things went, but this being my first try, I wanted it to be pressure-free. Next time I'll take photos!
As you can see from the photos I actually completed the dress! Most of the sewing was done yesterday under the helpful eye of the best instructor I could have (thanks Mom!). Minimal use of the seam ripper was employed. ;) I couldn't find my zipper foot yesterday so I had to put the zipper in by myself this morning. Truth be told, if I'm going to be 100% happy with the dress I think I'll take the zipper out and try it again. There are a few pesky wonky stitches that I know will bug me if I don't fix them. The dress called for a tie belt, but I wanted to do a button tab belt instead to test my button hole skills. They're not exactly the prettiest button holes I've ever seen, but technically they're holes and a button went through them so... mission accomplished! Now if only it would stop snowing outside so I could actually wear it.
40 comments:
OMG that is sooo cute! You did a great job!
dirtybettyvintageboutique.blogspot
It's amazing! I would wear it in a heartbeat!
I'm determined to learn to sew this year. My mother, who can sew the whole world into a pocket and then some, insists that I must master embroidery first to learn neatness and control :p
It's really lovely though! I can't wait to see what else you come up with!
I'm starting sewing lessons feb 7th! :D
I can't wait till I can make my own skirts. I often find BEAUTIFUL fabric for low prices, and it's just such a shame. The poor little fabric staring at me through the window saying "Adopt me". I can't wait till I take one home and cut it all up! lol
this is great! the fabric suits the dress perfectly!
xs
it's adorable! i love the button belt. and don't be too hard on yourself, zippers are the hardest part.
What a beautiful dress! You did a great job, wow!
WOW, congratulations, that looks great!! I can't wait to see you wear it! I'm trying my hand at sewing more things this year too, but you're off to a better start.
very impressed!
love your fabric choice.
Your dress looks great! I'm very excited to see the things you sew each month. When I started sewing a few years ago I loved looking to the vintage pieces on your site as inspiration.
You did such a great job! I've been taking lessons and still need to post about my stuff, but I haven't made anything super cute or vintagey yet. I do have a cool cape pattern from the 60's though!
Great job! Love the pattern and fabric.
Cheers!!
Great job! Love the pattern and fabric.
Cheers!!
Congratulations! I made a skirt from scratch by hand once and loved it until it fell apart. I haven't ever made anything with a machine though. I can hem and do pillows and curtains, so maybe now with this inspiration I should try something more complicated.
Lovely! Really like your fabric choice...
It's such a nice feeling to complete a sewing project from start to finish isn't it?
And what a lovely dress!
Ohhh I love this! I've so wanted to learn to sew. My grandmother taught me when I was 11, but all of that instruction has escaped me.
congrats on finishing this month's project! with days to spare! this dress looks beautiful!
Such a beautiful dress!
Sewing has made my life brighter, I'm sure it will do the same for you :-)
Wow well done!! It must be so satisfying to wear a dress you actually created! I really must learn to sew :)
That's fantastic! I'm very impressed...sewing intimidates me :(
The dress looks great! I'll be interested to see what else you make. I love your choice of fabric.
Good job!
I have sewn one, shapeless dress in the past for a belly dance concert, and am currently in the middle of my first unsupervised dress making project! It's a sweet 1970's sailor dress pattern in a black and white polka dot fabric. If it turns out as well as yours has I will be very proud!
Looking forward to seeing more!
xox Claire
www.jemimaandgeraldine.blogspot.com
nicely done, and what a beautiful fabric! I've vowed to make a dress this spring, but it so hard to find the fabrics when you have something specific in mind...
I should maybe just focus on one of the nice vintage patterns I have, eh?
well done you! it's incredible! xxx
That dress is beautiful! I love the button accents...great job!
Great job! That dress is great, and I love the fabric :o)
The seam ripper is your new best friend, trust me!
I took a beginners sewing class this fall, and I loved it! I've been scouring eBay, and I'm dying to try some vintage patterns. The one you made looks lovely!
Hand-sewn dresses rock my world, esp. the vintagey inspired ones. Yours is brilliant. Great job!
I'm impressed! It will fit in nicely with your wardrobe. Man, I really gotsta start sewing more too. :)
This is a good job. Good luck on your next projects, I'm looking forward to seeing them !
Oh wow! I love the dress pattern and fabric together. Bravo on a successful sewing project! :)
♥ Casey
I just found you blog, how delightful! I am learning to sew, just started. I love your dress, it turned out great. Can't wait to see your other projects.
Looks great, zippers are such a pain! But practice makes perfect ;)
I really like the fabric you used.
your finished dress looks SO MUCH BETTER than the picture on the pattern! which is unusual when using vintage patterns - great job! that is perfect fabric too. it's so funny i found this post today; i made a very similar post this morning!
janine
honeyhivintage.blogspot.com
Oh I'm so glad you're getting into sewing! This dress is great - looking forward to seeing more of your handmade projects.
How incredible. You are talented to pull this off and "try your hand at sewing."
I have patterns that I haven't done for over a year :( so bad. I only got one done over a year ago and just have issues trying to find a fabric store. . .there are none near here. The closest is over 45 minutes away :(
love the fabric! great job!!
that is a lovely dress! you've done a fab job.
I'm looking forward to seeing your other creations.
I'm trying to sew a lot more this year too.
sarah x
fashbrickroad.blogspot.com/
I love this dress! The fabric is perfect for the style! Very nice job!
I love this dress! The fabric is perfect for it! Very nice job!
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