I started making a new thing on Friday- an apron dress from an independent company called "The Assembly Line"
It was a printable pattern that I bought because WAITING is hard when I have the energy to do something RIGHT NOW. Waiting results in energy atrophy I've found.
It looks like this:
and it's made up of like 6 parts. I was able to cut the pattern and half finish the dress in about 4 hours, which is probably a long time for more experienced / faster sewers, but for me that was like....super quick. It only requires 2 snaps or buttons, fabric and iron on interfacing, so it's 100% a good starter pattern.
I'm making it out of this check fabric:
and it only takes 2 yards cutting on the LARGE size.
Now, I do have 2 yards of my Mood fabric, but I wanted to do a test first because I might not loooove this dress, but so far I'm super impressed. Also! I often find offcuts of fabric in my local fabric shop that are like, 1.5 yards and there WAS room to spare, so if you were to do the facings in another fabric, or contrasting pockets, you could easily put this together for super, super cheap. This fabric was in that bin, and it's 2 yards, and it was £6. It's not super super thick, but it has a stiffer, heavy feel with a crisp drape.
BUT!
I'm most impressed with the directions. I'm used to the big 4 patterns where the directions are assuming you know things. They'll have things like "insert the zipper" as step 7 and if you've never added a zipper, thats... not an easy thing.
These instructions are so clear, with line drawings explaining. Hell, it ever showed different options for top stitching and under-stitching which I've never seen explained, showed how to correctly iron on your interfacing, explained HOW to finish your inside seams with images and giving 2 options (overlocking or zigzagging). The pattern itself has the cutting AND sewing marks, shows how to transfer them over to your fabric... it even showed how to do tailor tacks (which I've been doing wrong!) and explained WHY each step was being carried out.
I swear, I may never buy another big 4 pattern again. If you want to start sewing, and you are nervous, I'd HIGHLY suggest this pattern. AND this isn't even the VERY EASY pattern. This is classed as 'EASY' and they also have two free patterns (for a pj set and a leather/ette bag)
It's pretty size inclusive - with most patterns hitting a sweet spot between XS and 2XL. It's not perfect, of course, but better than the big 4 most times.
BUT! I really do think this is a killer pattern and if you have a BASIC machine - you only need a straight and zigzag stitch, and if you use snaps you don't need buttonholes - and want to try something you can wear.... I think this might be for you!
But.... yeah, this is just a long post about how I think people should try sewing and how this might be the best way to start.
For me, the total cost of this apron dress, once finished, was:
2 buttons - stashed. I cut buttons off of all my clothes I throw away, and also pull off the zippers. Over the years it results in quite a collection, but charity shops also sell buttons. Just ask!
Iron On Interfacing - stashed. However, I know it's about £2 a yard. I didn't need 2 yards, but it's handy to have, so if you are buying it, get a yard! it's so useful, and most patterns require it at some point.
Fabric: 1.8 yards for Large. 1.5 for XS. I'd suggest going for a thicker fabric for this, which is more expensive. HOWEVER, I'm also a HUGE proponent of using what you can get, and I actually think the fabric I'm using is for curtains! If you see a nice pair of curtains in a thrift of charity shop, you can use them and end up with TWO dresses if you are careful with placement when cutting out! I spent £6 on this fabric, about 4 years ago. The only reason I remember the cost is that its written on the selvage in pen.
Pattern: I paid £17.00 for a PDF download, which included home printer A4 and US letter paper, store print, and instructions. I reuse my patterns a LOT, but of course, once you have it bought, you could just re-print it if you wanted to. I just like to feel thrifty.
Thread: I'm using cheap white thread on the spool and bobbin, I got in a multipack with other colours. I think it works out at like 50p a spool. Good quality Gutermann threads about about £2.50 for 250 yards, which is waaaay more than you'll need, so you can reuse it.
total: £23.50 for an apron dress.
I honestly think this pattern has a look of something you'd see with a much higher price tag BECAUSE it looks so simple. Like I can see GAP selling this for like £50 easy, just because it has a very... basic, staple, eco-friendly look about it. Like in a plain canvas, or denim? so basic but an easy staple you'd spend more on cause you know it'll get worn a lot.
As for time? I think it took me about 8 hours to make in total.
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How to Organize Your Sewing Threads and Bobbins Like a Pro
If you love sewing, you know how important it is to keep your threads and bobbins organized. Not only does it make your sewing room look neat and tidy, but it also saves you time and frustration when you need to find the right color or type of thread. In this post, I will share with you some of the best tips and tricks for organizing your sewing threads and bobbins, using some simple and affordable tools. By following these tips, you will be able to create a beautiful and functional sewing room that will inspire you to sew more.
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“be glorious” Invisible Ruler
Flexible invisible ruler (aka transparent ruler) with metric and imperial markings, for friends all around the world.
UV printed so the dye is in the interlayer rather than on the surface. This prevents it from fading like screen printed rulers.
https://www.gloryallan.com/products/glorious-invisible-ruler
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First of all - thank you to everyone who gave me sewing machine advice.
I took it seriously, and did my own research too - and I went with a Brother machine.
I also went over budget and got myself a Brother Innov-is NV1800Q. It arrived today.
She is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life. Not only did she come with a quilting extension and a walking foot and different other feets but she also came with my wishlist of:
A knee lift
top loading bobbin
automatic buttonholes (11 of them!!)
the lil self cutting thread thing-er
automatic back-stitch
These items are all things I didn't have but really loved the look of and thought would really improve the quality of life when sewing. They aren't so much going to improve my SEWING but you get the drift.
She's a lot bigger, and she sounds like a low hum when she sews, nothing like the chug-a-lugging of my (now old) machine.
She can do like, 5 hundred thousand stitches.
One of them is bees.
One of them is happy little trees:
I can also write messages:
I love her so much I already have a headache from being so overwhelmed.
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WEDNESDAY ADDAMS COSTUME.
This year I had a different approach to Halloween, I didn’t want to sew a costume that would end up in the top cupboard, I wanted something useful. That’s why I went for a shirt dress, like the ones the Addams family’s daughter wears.
In order to trace it, I included the darts so it had more shape than what a shirt has, I didn’t make yokes and I also included the box plates in the front panels son it was easier and faster to make.
The collar and cuffs are just ornamental and because they are white, they give it a dramatic look.
But the best thing about the garment is how useful it is, you can wear it this whole season as a dress, with thick tights, or as a shirt, matching it with a pair or trousers as well.
Either way, a wearable “costume” that is part of a responsible wardrobe!
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