Thanks so much to everyone who shared their bread baking tips with me! I can't wait to give your ideas a try...I have not had a chance yet though, as life is so busy!
Today in particular was a busy day, because I spent much of it at the sewing machine. It all started when I saw this post on Soulemama this morning, and I fell in love with the little pink overalls Amanda made for her new baby girl. I suddenly felt inspired. I just bought some new good quality sewing machine needles, I have a whole stack of new fabric--why can't I make some little pants for Amy? And who needs a pattern?
Well...me, for starters. I definitely brought more enthusiasm than skill to this project. What I did was, I laid Amy down on a big piece of paper and traced around her to get her basic measurements. Then I drew free hand what looked like a good cut out for pants, folded the paper in half and cut out the pattern.
I pushed housework and laundry to the back of my mind and started cutting and sewing. I was having so much fun, at first--but the fun dwindled as I made mistake after mistake. Good thing I own a seam ripper--I used it a lot. For some reason, I had a hard time envisioning which two sides of fabric should be going together when sewing...
Then I had major problems turning the straps right side out. To be honest, I almost started crying because the safety pin I was using kept opening up and pricking me and those dang straps just would not turn right side out for me...And they ended up too thick to really be able to tie. I can't figure what I was doing wrong.
After all was said and done, and I had spent several hours toiling over this garment, I was none too pleased to discover that they didn't fit. When I was drafting that ingenious free hand pattern, I forgot to allow for the seam allowances going up and down. I was so concerned about making sure the pants were wide enough, that I forgot about that tiny detail.
So sure, I can get the pants on her, but they are much too short. And instead of the top of the "overalls" coming to chest level, it's rather below that.
Okay, this is where I am blushing, because I have to show this embarassing project to you, don't I?
Um, they don't really look like overalls, do they? Kind of more like some weird sort of leiderhosen...
At least Amy was polite enough not to complain about her ill-fitting pants.
I think these pants are going into the next bag I donate the charity. But it wasn't all a waste. I learned a few things about sewing; namely, don't forget about seam allowances, and also, maybe it's a good idea for a beginner like me to do something crazy and use a pattern!
lol those are too cute! I'm a new sewer too so I understand the mistakes. Long story: I decided to make my friend some gardening gloves for a graduation present. I traced my hand (which is does not look anything like hers), cut out and sewed everything. and the fingers were about the size of pencils when I turned them right side. I couldnt even get my pinky through the thumb part. Ha! I gave them to her anyway just to see how she would react lol. She was grateful, but couldnt stop laughing at the same time! I forgot seam allowances as well. Your overalls are cute though. Don't be down on yourself. They look perfect for summer!
Posted by: PurelyHappy | June 28, 2011 at 06:32 PM
Super cute! You had me laughing so hard that I teared up. Thank you!
Posted by: Lula Belle | June 28, 2011 at 07:54 PM
Oh dear - but so good that you gave it a go. I haven't progressed beyond patterns yet. I do think the overalls are cute and you will always have a story to tell about them - actually, couldn't you just shorten the legs, hem them with elastic inserted and make them into a sort of jump suit. If you are interested email me and I could take a picture of a homemade (not by me) pair Ginger has in her wardrobe (I would take it now but she is asleep). Or, even just cut the legs off and add a skirt to the bottom of it. I am sure someone with more sewing knowledge than I could tell you how to do it.
Posted by: Provincial Homemaker | June 28, 2011 at 08:21 PM
I do love your enthusiasm. I was feeling old and sad and burdened by the state of peoples' lives. I knew if I looked at your blog it would it would put something back in the tank ! Thanks for sharing and your hopeful enthusiasm brings me pleasure !!
Posted by: Carrie Drake | June 28, 2011 at 08:29 PM
Okay....I admit it. I'm laughing out loud. This is SO something I would do! And my stupid safety pin ALWAYS comes open in the tube and pokes me. Definitely looks like leiderhosen gone wrong. That being said....had they been the right size, the actual sewing looks great! Keep it up!!
Posted by: Stephanie | June 28, 2011 at 08:37 PM
I bet any German Leiderhosen wearer would be proud to see them!
Posted by: Citysister | June 28, 2011 at 09:27 PM
Oh my I love this post!! I applaud you for giving into that enthusiasm and running with it, even if the results weren't what you were after. They are adorable on her anyway, and sometimes the process is more important than the product ;) But really... I can do basic sewing, but if I had attempted something like that with NO pattern, I'm sure it wouldn't even fit on the baby at all. lol
Thanks for posting and sharing this :)
Posted by: Amanda | June 28, 2011 at 10:06 PM
I laughed out loud! But seriously, they are cute. I think they would be fine if the legs were a tad longer, but you can just call them 'crops' and be done with it. You gave it a good try, and actually, you did pretty well. Found your blog when I was looking for quotes about 'summer afternoon'. Go figure! Going to take a look around here a bit... things look pretty. Have a good day with your little ones, hard working mama!
Posted by: Joy | June 29, 2011 at 02:33 PM
I think they're absolutely adorable!!! If you hadn'tve said anything we all would've thought they were just perfect!! You tried....and I think you did very well!! Keep practicing.....you're going to be an amazing seamstress because you have imagination and umph!!! Hugs.
Posted by: Susan Bonham | June 29, 2011 at 06:40 PM
As someone new to sewing I have to admit... I would be very proud to have made those, Laura! They look neat and professional, if that wasn't the precise style you intended, no one would know!
Posted by: Chasingthesparrows.blogspot.com | June 29, 2011 at 09:31 PM
I think they're totally cute. Just call them overall-shorts, and no one will be any the wiser!
Posted by: Leah | June 30, 2011 at 12:40 PM
I think they are adorable! I admire your determination, I'm a beginner at sewing myself and am often over enthusiastic about projects and forget I'm not that good...yet! I attempted a dress for my 2 year old at the weekend and made it so wide it looked like a sail on her! Turns out I'm not too good at measuring yet either, but I'm determined to get there. Good luck with your projects x
Posted by: Lyndsey (Mamma With Heart) | June 30, 2011 at 04:21 PM
good for you! They are adorable! And your baby is sooo beautiful. I, too, am a bit independent and like to do things my own way. it's a bit frustrating when I am counting on something to really work out. keep trying. we homeschool and one of the things I have learned is that "hands-on" trial and error can be a great way to learn. having said that--if you want accuracy, patterns are helpful;-/
Posted by: deb | July 1, 2011 at 08:45 PM