Jo's First Garment Sewing Project
January 25, 2008
Do you remember your first sewing project? The first time I remember stitching pieces of fabric together with needle and thread was in Brownies, when we made a Santa Claus ornament out of felt and cotton balls. And I made a yellow gingham apron in 4-H - gingham because it's easy to fold and stitch straight lines ;) But this - which I came across while unpacking still more boxes - is the first real garment I made, from an actual pattern with pieces and instructions.
I was around 11 years old, still in 4-H, and still remember going fabric shopping for "kettle cloth." I'm still not sure where "kettle" comes from, but it's a woven cotton fabric that's easy to work with and presses well. I made this on the sewing my parents bought in 1965 - a Riccar that came free with the purchase of a $79 sewing cabinet. It went forward and backward - straight stitch only - no zigzag - and it's what I sewed on until I was 12 or 13. All of my seam allowances are straight stitched 1/4" from the raw edge, then hand-overcast - miles and miles of hand-sewing, that took forever! Now I zip right along on my BERNINA and Overlock Foot #2, or - better yet - use my serger to trim and overcast at the same time. But I did a good job, even with so much hand-sewing, and won a purple ribbon at the county fair :)
What was your first project? I've been asking some of my friends, and will be posting some of their stories over the next few weeks.
Posted by: Jo Leichte at 6:07pm
5 Comments
Topic: Inspiration
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first sewing project
5 Comments
I feel like I am on true confessions, I never told this story. My grandmother was a professional dressmaker, as was her mother before her. I was the first granddaughter.so the pressure was on. I took home ec in 7th grade, my first project was an elastic waist skirt. I can still see the bright turquoise fabric, ( ugh). I tried, but it just wasn't meant to be My first grade was a D. There I said it, I can hold my head up high again. After that I went out and bought more fabric and tried again, I haven't stopped since. I just wish dear Mrs. Balinsky could see me now.
I don't know if it was my absolute first, but a woman gave me instructions and I made a cotton yellow dress. It was princess style and the curved seams were "tricky" - or so it seemed at the time. I remember making some other garments in my teens - the styles of which make me cringe now!
My first garment was a Simplicity Pattern, a dress in a pink floral cotton fabric. I was 12 years old. My Mother agreed to teach me after repeated asking. I remember working on it all day, I was quite driven as a young girl and passionate about sewing. Finally, I took my last stitch to complete the dress, stood to stretch, and fainted! That was 43 years ago and my favorite place to be is my sewing room. I passed my love of sewing onto my Daughter and am looking forward to inspiring my two Granddaughters when they are old enough.
My first garment was a little pullover, sleeveless blouse -- sort of a "shell" that I did in 7th grade Home Ec. It was a vibrant, almost tie-dyed fabric (well before tie-dye became popular!). It didn't turn out too bad but it is fair to say that the sewing machine wasn't my best friend! The next garment was a gathered skirt -- a pale yellow and white polka dot. The teacher became so frustrated she tore my skirt up! My mother remade the skirt and after a few choice words with the teacher, I made an "A" and went on to the "cooking" semester. It took a house fire at age 19, losing all I owned, to realize that the sewing machine COULD be my best friend. Now, not having done garment construction in years, I am ready to go back to it! No yellow and white polka dots though!
I wish I could get some kettle cloth! I can't remember the company that made it; anyone? Do they still make it?
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