Sew Cute, Sew Easy: Week 3 progress

Just a quick update on my sewing project(s) - don't worry, I haven't already fallen off the wagon. I ordered some fun Diane Von Furstenberg fabric from Mood Fabrics and I can't wait for it to come in! Now, I make no claims to be a master seamstress, so before I start hacking up Diane's gorgeous (and expensive) fabric, I'm going to do a few trial runs. I intended on running to Joann's Fabrics to pick up a few notions (zippers, interfacing, thread) but instead hit a HUGE 40% sale, and bought 4 gorgeous fabrics. (Perhaps these purchases will keep the momentum going??) I'll show you all of those lovelies in due time, but for now, I've got some muslin (cheap, basic tan cotton fabric) and another linen fabric to practice on before I delve into making a designer frock.

For those of you who are not experienced sewers, there are a few tricks that I think are not clearly stated in the instructions. Often, you come home from the fabric store just ready to dive in and start sewing, but if you do, that you'll likely make a mess of things. To start off, wash your fabric as directed, and dry it. (unless the fabric cannot be dried).  This will shrink the fabric prior to your sewing, and you won't end up with a misshapen garment. Secondly, (and this is my LEAST favorite) you MUST iron your fabric. You've got to get all the wrinkles out so that you can cut everything out without any creases and your fabric will lay better. Keep that iron out, because you will use it for pressing seams later on.

Tonight, I did those two steps, and then cut out my pattern on the fabric. Last night I cut out the paper pattern pieces, so tonight all I had to do was just lay them down, pin them, and cut everything out.

 I had a few other minor sewing repair jobs to do (hems, and sleeve removal. Yes, you read that right...) so while I worked on those, I washed my fabrics.  Here are some pictures of my progress (and of the project where I removed the sleeves from my dress...)

Reading the directions, and cutting out my pattern pieces.

Ironing my fabric.

Cutting everything out!

Side Note - I have this silk jersey horse print Lilly Pulitzer dress that has been a consistent favorite of mine for the better part of 6 years. Over time, the underarms got a little discolored - but I kept wearing it. Then, one day I found moths (or something) had eaten holes in the underarms. I finally came to grips with retiring the dress. (and when I say retire, I mean I just moved it into the pile of 'stuff I need to get rid of' in the guest room). So, 2 months later, I pulled it out and wondered if I could salvage the dress by removing the arms...and voila, here we are with a brand new dress! This was my first experience with sewing arm holes - and there was not a lot of salvage in the seams, so up close, the stitching is a little nightmare-ish. However, the average person would never notice, and I've vowed to go back and re-do it...once I'm better with arm holes. :) Until then, old faithful is back in the closet!

Hard to see in this picture, but there are holes.

Finished product!