Pea Green and Sewing
12 June 2009 | by Jen in Sewing
First I need to mention that my cat Spoo Kee is nestled in the front of my robe as if he were a kitten in a sling (and he most certainly is not, he’s so heavy), my hair is done up in curls (Thanks, in part, to Casey’s latest post) and I’m feeling like a cat lady sitting here in my dim craft room (gosh, the June Gloom really has taken hold this year).
Oops, there goes Spoo Kee, he got fed up with me not paying attention to him. Oh well.
On Sunday I went over to my friend Amy’s place to make green tea cupcakes and felt. Not the felting of knitted/crocheted things, but with roved wool (I think that’s what it’s called anyway). I’ve never done that before so it was fun to relax and just learn (Amy was a great teacher, by the way). Sheesh, felting is hard work! I’ll have to show you my little (it’s so small!) project sometime. Anyway, Amy served me some yummy homemade split pea soup and I had to take a photo because I was amused to be eating pea green soup while I looked at the pea green matcha cupcakes that just came out of the oven.
Which leads me to more pea green-like things:
This pretty, almost vintage-looking cotton voile print that I’m using for my latest vintage sewing project. I love these colors together: turquoise and pea green and marigold and melon. Sweet but not overly so. Don’t you love the ruffles? Here’s the pattern, from the Chicago Tribune, 1951, #2359:
(I love how I can post these wide photos on my new blog!) The whole neckline part has been funny to work with. I’ve had to read the directions a few times just to understand what was going on (and because I started do it it “my own way” which was wrong). I really love this dress, I hope it turns out okay! I might use this vintage lucite buckle I have for the belt but I haven’t decided for sure.
Anyhow, I’m thinking of doing a series of posts about my sewing habits, mainly what tools I use and possibly walking through a simple pattern for those of you who don’t know how to sew from a pattern but want to learn.
QUESTION: Is a sew along-type of thing something you would be interested in? What if I make another of my version of this Built by Wendy dress and document the process on this blog?
Besides sharing my projects with you (which, of course, is a lot of fun) I’d like to help some folks get started with some basic sewing. That is, of course, if anyone is interested!
Happy Friday! I must get back to work now. Hope you have a lovely weekend. ♥
What are your thoughts, dears? | ♥ 16 Comments
i love your beautiful dresses,would like to see more of them, and also a sewing tutorial that would be great
i love that fabric. the print is really cute. your blog is inspiring me to get a sewing machine and set up a little craft station. i really want to sew some play clothes for little miss H. the question is… where to set up the craft station in my small home so that the little one won’t get into my scissors, pins and needles???
Oh yes, that sounds wonderful
I only know how to hem… which is really quite depressing! Looking forward to your basics series
the blouse looks really cute.
although i know how to sew i think it would be nice for readers to see how you altered the built by wendy pattern. alterations are a learning process we all could benefit from
yes that would be wonderful! i have a sewing machine that i really should use and im just too scared to do more than i have which isnt much! so it would lovely to come here and some visuals! thank you for the help!
oh, i think it’ll be fun to do this – thank you all for your input!
@natalie – i’m so glad you are getting inspired to sew! i would suggest getting a machine that comes with a case or buy one separately. i try to keep mine in the case when i leave the machine out so spoo kee doesn’t get his paws on it! also, you can get a childproof container for your sewing supplies and store it where little H can’t pull it down onto her head!
i would very much be interested in seeing more of your sewing! i haven’t given my sewing machine much love lately and i’m in desperate need of inspiration.
your take on the built by wendy dress is just adorable by the way!
I think a tutorial on a pattern would be great! You should choose a vintage pattern, but that’s just me.
xo!
I know that I’d love to be able to make my own garments, but I feel as though I’m completely inept. I don’t know where to begin! I think a step by step process is a great idea, and would prove to be very helpful.
Anyone interested in sewing tutorials????? Yes, ME ME ME!
I would love it.
Funny enough, I am a curly girl myself, after finding the method on a blog post!
That dress is sweet. I am myself starting the process of making dresses from vintage patterns. So far I am in the middle of my first one….the fabric is not the most apropriated, but it was really just for the sake of trying it one first (of many I hope) time.
I also tried felting (hot water and soap, is that what you were talking about?) shortly ago…..but it didn´t seem that bad…..
You´re more then welcome to check my experiencies out in here http://starsfearsandmagicdust.blogspot.com/2009/05/and-still-this-weekend.html
i’m definitely interested!
love the fabric you chose! perfectly sweet, without being sicky
saw you have begun the sewing lessons. i think this will be fun, even for those of us who have sewn before… especially as there is a lot of difference between just sewing and sewing a clothes pattern, i feel. thanks for sharing!
Oooh! That dress you’re making is darling! I adore the fabric–you always find such beautiful material!
I love the vintage dress pattern. Can’t wait to see the end results. And I would love to see the process of Built by you dress!
oh so lovely! Wherever did you find that beautiful voile fabric?? Sigh…..I can see it as the perfect summer frock! And that pattern is so sweet!!
I love that print and the pattern! Can’t wait to see the outcome.