My first sewing attempts.

[Rosendula]

OK, I'm no MrsFlibble I admit, but I have to show you these. I've always run away from the old sewing machine I was given and have always told people I can't sew for toffee. However, I decided I wanted to give sewing a chance and examined my issues behind my previous evasion. I remember as a small child my mother would sit there at the sewing machine and I had a little blue plastic toy sewing machine that I would use. Trying to copy what I saw, I was pushing the fabric through the machine. OK, I know now that's not what you do, but at that age, that's what it looked like. Anyway, I somehow managed to get the needle through my finger. I think over the years the memory has exagerated itself, because I can't imagine why a kids toy would have a real needle, and it was operated by turning the hand crank so I can't have hurt myself that much. I guess the exaggerated memory is worse than the actual event was, and having thought about it and accepted that I'm an adult now (well, in looks anyway ), I have overcome my quasi-phobia of 'the machine' and here's the results

before after
before after
there are 4 of these: before after
before after pictures by little Katie
before after

The fabric for it all cost me £25 off eBay and I have enough to make some tie backs when I can be bothered, and enough for a spare chair cover (needed with a LO )

I know it's not nearly as creative as some of the beautiful items you clever people put on here, but I'm really pleased with myself for overcoming such a silly aversion to sewing machines which had me drop out of needlework at school to do 'boys tech' with the lads.

[Annpan]

That is fantastic well done and stop putting yourself down, you obviously can sew they are all wonderful

[red]

excellent job!

[MuddyWitch]

Brilliant! I really love your mini me!!! (Ain't she a cutie?)


MW

[rockchick]

That's brilliant, I haven't even managed to get past the buying fabric hurdle!

[jampot]

well done
right where did i put my fabric...

[gigglybug]

That's great!!!!

Well done!!!

[Thomzo]

Well done. Curtains can be really daunting, but you've done a great job.

It's funny how we can grow up with "phobias" about strange things. I still have a problem making telephone calls. I can answer the phone really easily but making a call is quite scary. I never understood why until I saw a friend showing his young child how to make a phone call and it brought back memories of my child hood. We were very poor and my mother would constantly say that I wasn't to use the phone or that I should stay on it for long as it was too expensive. I ended up with a real complex about it.

I wonder if your mum told you to be careful not to hurt yourself and you dreamt about the needle incident?

Anyway, at least you are over your fear and proving that you can do it.

Cheers
Zoe

[StripyPixieSocks]

They're fantastic!! I love wee me's face in the second photo as well what an adorable wee thing she is aww!

[snowberry]

Lovely job for a first attempt! I'm still working on getting over my own fear of the sewing machine. Everything looks very professional; I love the chair covers and aprons!

[mrsflibble]

these are fab, and dont put yourself down!!!

I only started sewing properly two years ago, and only got REALLY into it about 18 months ago when i bought a decent sewing machine!

keep at it, you can go far grasshopper.

[Rosendula]

I only started sewing properly two years ago, and only got REALLY into it about 18 months ago when i bought a decent sewing machine!

Really!!?? Gosh! I honestly thought you were born with a needle and cotton in your hand. Wow.

I had my little errors. The bottom seams on the curtains are completely different. I managed to get them to hang the same length but did so by having a bigger hem on one curtain and it's noticable. Well it is to me In hindsight I should have cut a bit more off. Now if I were a perfectionist, I would be taking them down and re-doing them, but I'm not. I've decided to leave them as they are, so as I get better at sewing I have something to measure my improvement against. If I ever do get really good - no, really, if I ever do get really good ( ), I will be able to look back at them with happy memories of how good it felt to actually overcome my silly phobia of the machine.

My apron came out quite well considering I had to do curved hems around the armpits (you can't see them in the photo, but they're not bad, even if I do say so myself). I had a bit of fabric left and so could make Katie's apron. I measured her up carefully and then made the apron in proportion to my own - completely forgetting what huge heads small children have. I had this perfect little apron that wouldn't go over her head Following OH's suggestion, I unpicked one side of the neck strap and sewed on a piece of velcro and it works a treat.

Oh, I learned so much doing this little lot. I was absolutely exhausted by the end of it.

THANK YOU, EVERYONE for being so encouraging.

[Millymollymandy]

Well done!

[the.fee.fairy]

Itall looks great!

From smallacorns, grow big oak trees...and an obsession with sewing machines if you're anything like me.

I started by making my own trousers (i have stupidly long legs). My first pair of trousers are still in regular usage as PJ trousers. Then i decided to move on a bit and tried and failed to make a corset top, then i made a really posh dress and had to get someone to help me finish it...

So, from small beginnings, you really can take off quite fast.

Have a look at Craftster, some of the stuff people make on there is amazing! Instructables also do a good line in clear instructions.

[Rosendula]

Thanks I'll have a look when I've finished playing shops