In May 2021 I got a new, totally-unnecessarily-beefed-up-and-tricked-out sewing machine. As you might remember, I was totally obsessed.
1 year, 8 months and 28 days later—still a fan.
I think I really like sewing because it was one of the few crafts that I did that I actually made for myself. I tend to think I’m not worth of things for myself (even if they are as shoddy as the crafts I make), but garment sewing had to be for me because I was measuring myself. That was pretty exciting.
I think the final nudge was that my co-worker was working on a jumpsuit from Closet Core Patterns and when I was exploring their site I saw a beginner class series with three patterns. I watched the videos. The first thing I made was a pair of pajamas from clothes I traced, not pictured because they would be me in pajamas.
Elodie Wrap Dress
For whatever reason, after watching the videos I decided to start with the dress I wanted to wear to my friends wedding in the linen that was expensive.
Note to non-sewing readers: Actually all fabric is really expensive. It is definitely not cheaper to make your own clothing just considering materials alone. Then the time to do it? And what if you do it badly at the end?! Woof.
I made a prototype or draft of it first using cheaper cloth. I sent many photos to Sarah for approval. She came to LA and actually helped me decide not to go with the long version since I had stiff linen fabric. (Also because I’m short?)
Close up on fabric to see the colors; out and about
This pattern is pretty forgiving because I can just loosen/tightening it with the strings.
Critical Jacklynn:
- It’s probably shorter than I would have wanted it (a decision I made, not the pattern)
- I definitely sewed one of the waist-band panels with the wrong-side of the fabric is outwards. Yes, of course it was the one on the front.
- While I like the pattern, the fabric is probably too stiff to be a dress and I don’t end up wearing it super often.
Cielo Top
This pattern is actually from the class. It’s a forgiving pattern because it’s a very boxy t-shirt. I did try to make the long sleeve version with the dress, but the proportions seemed off for me. I never wear that failed dress and probably should re-use the fabric for something else…
Close up of the fabric (tiny white bunnies on a yellow background) ; a picture that screams “here it is I guess”
Also pictured: cold-process soap I made. Because I was all about starting new hobbies that are more expensive than just buying the thing!
Critical Jacklynn:
- I was not able to sew the curved collar very flat so it’s a little wrinkly.
- It’s quilting cotton, not garment cotton so it’s pretty stiff. But I did it for the tiny bunnies.
- Probably not the most flattering shirt with the shape and the stiff fabric, but I actually wear it a lot in the summer. Plus, I work remotely so no one can see anything but the shoulders
McCall’s M7969
I was running out of time to make a dress for the wedding. I decided the blue Elodie wrap dress I made was too casual for a wedding (even a California one).
Pattern: I was still not very confident I could do a good job so I had to pick an easy pattern. I decided that I could just get a cool fabric and then the design could be simple (right?). I had seen this M7969 dressed pop on the #MeMade instagram circuit (:eyeroll: I know).
Fabric: After searching, I feel like I was really drawn to fabric designed by Nani IRO and rushed an etsy order of some their $$$ double gauze fabric.
The first photo is me trying to show Sarah what fabric I got for her approval. The second is my speech at the wedding. I’m wearing the mock up underneath.
—Remember, readers, that I have to make a mock up of all the stuff I make before making it again, using the real fabric. Sewing. How are any of us wearing clothes?!
Critical Jacklynn:
- Again, I feel like the dress may be a tad short?
- I think if I made the pattern again, I might choose a slightly smaller size. It’s supposed to be loose fitting because there are no buttons or zippers, but seems…very loose? I feel like with it being short and loose it shifts around a lot between being too low and too short.
I do really like the fabric! I didn’t know what it would feel like until I got it, it’s a lot softer than I expected. If you think of a dress shirt as a smooth fabric, this one feels fluffier and softer, more like mirco-fiber. I was expecting that. But the colors and design I’m still a fan of!
:wave: Years ago I realized that writing on this blog regularly made me feel better because I would often think back about what I was grateful in the week, even if in reality I had a really rough week. I thought I’d try again (again) because I find myself always thinking about the negative things.
And because instagram is depressing and I assume it’s depressing to other people so maybe I shouldn’t contribute as much to it.