It's a Dress!

So, when I finally decided I will learn how to sew, I cannot stop wishing that one day I will be able create a dress for me and for the Little Spanish Pinay.  Honestly? I haven't imagined any project for the hubby... men's clothes are boring, aren't they? LOL

Anyways, in search of a very, very simple pattern for making a simple dress, I came upon this from Pinterest.  I so love the idea because it does look very simple to make.  I've been checking for fabric and a top I can use for this small project and finally about a week ago, I found some nice materials to play with.  They are not the best material for this project but at least, if I make a mess out of it, it's also ok to give up on these materials and charge everything to experience :-D

I am not going to put a how to on this one because the very creative Leana has done a very, very nice step by step comlete with picture how to on her blog.  So if anyone would like to try it too, just head over to her blog and you'll also find a lot of interesting projects and ideas there :)

This blog entry of mine is to just boast the almost successful dress I did! It still has a lot to improve on especially on the part that is not seen by the naked eye but equally important to polish.  I'm a newbie so I get extremely proud with even just a little success... making baby steps, ya know.

Ok, so here are some photos... sorry for the crappy quality... I am just using my phone, making really, really quick photo and then no time for editing coz y'all? I am an extremly unorganized busy mama!

So here is the dress... click on the picture to make it bigger, please.

and here's how it looks like paired with a knit jacket and some kick-ass boots.... let's not mind the mess from the background, yes?

a bit close up photo!

I really planned on making a maxi dress... I dream of having a maxi dress but haven't found the right fit for my height and body and for my budget.  So when I saw this simple project, I thought this is my salvation.  I ended up making this as a short dress because the fabric I chose for the skirt part is not soft and flowy (I think that's a made up word).  So I had to stitch it up and make it into a short bubble skirt instead... worked quite good.

So there. 

And calling Ms. Kim.... no pressure but I am excited to see yours!

Making it happen...

Motherhood is really giving me more desire to learn to become even more domisticated (*clears throat*).  I learned to pour my heart out on cooking, I conquered my fear about baking.... and now, I am ready to learn how to use a sewing machine.  Mind you, I do know how to do simple stitches manually - it's something I enjoyed doing ever since I learned about it during high school and that my mom taught me and helped me do one of my first sewing projects.

I always wanted to have a sewing machine but I am scared that later on I won't be able to use and it'll just end up as wasted money.  In my world, wasting money is a grave sin.  But then after soul searching and weighing things out, I told myself there's only one way I could not make the sewing machine (if ever I buy one) end up as wasted money - by commiting to learning it and using it for making wonderful home projects. 

It's actually a good new year's resolution for me (I don't usually make one) as I always have a lot of inhibitions on things I want to do because I am scared I will just waste the money involve in it.  I guess when one has personally witnessed how hard life can be when money is tight, I've developed this kind of negative attitude about venturing.  So my mantra now is just make it happen.

Anyways, this post is not about writing some life's drama.  It's about celebrating myself, giving in to this little want I have had for quite some time now.  Hubby got me a sewing machine for Christmas.  He's the most amazing supporter one can ever have.  He has encouraged me to try because he believes I will learn it and will be able to do what I want to do with it.  He has always believed in me.  Ok, drama again :)

Let's go down to the business.  As a first step on learning how to sew, practice is a must, right?  So instead of just passing pieces of fabric through the sewing machine to try it out, I thought I'll make something really, really, really simple - then I don't have to waste some fabric samples.

You know those tin cans of Danish cookies?  I love them... aside from the fact that I also love Danish cookies.  I always keep these tin cans to store little tinkers on them.  I have 2 of them where I use to put sewing materials - needles, threads, small scissor, buttons, etc.  The only thing I don't like about it is the noise it makes everytime I have to open and close its lid.  I hate the sound of metals touching each other.  It hursts my teeth - that kind of feeling when you accidentally scratch your fingernail on a chalkboard? Ufff.. that.

So I thought I'm gonna make a cloth lining that will cover the inside and the opening lid of the tin can so that the tin can cover will not touch with the metal body.

I am not a pro(obviously) so I don't use patterns :-D I just traced the bottom of the tin can to cut a circular fabric and then just put a rectangular fabric around the outside of the tin can to measure the length of the side.  I ended up with these 2 fabric pieces:

Then, taking the long side of the rectangular piece, I folded it about a half inch and passed it through the sewing machine.  I didn't get a straight line but hey, it's my first time.

Then I folded the rectangular fabric right side together and short side facing each other.  Then sew, sew, sew.

I ended up with a big but short tube-like piece of fabric.

Then I just took the round fabric and match its sides to the bottom of the other piece I just sew.  I matched it with the side without the hem then just pass it through the sewing machine.  It's a bit challenging but it didn't have to be perfect as it will just go inside a tin can.

After a sewing and pausing and praying from time to time, I ended up with this:



To my delight, it fit the tin can well. 

It's nothing fancy but for me it's a baby step to confirm that I WILL learn how to sew :)

I'd like to call Kim of Coffee With Kim - are we still on for our simple sewing project? :)