Tuesday, February 28, 2012

fruits of my week off











I took a few weeks off to gather myself and find direction for this blog (amongst other things), which I'll write more about later. I played mom-nurse to two sick kids for a week, too. But most importantly, I was learning to sew! 

Many months back, I stayed up until 3 am reading the entire Ermie blog from it's beginning post. When I got to the part where Jennifer launched her own line, I actually cried. The next morning, with only a few broken hours of sleep fueling my inspiration, I pulled out the broken sewing machine I'd owned for years and decided to finally learn the basics. Chris fixed it up for me and I learned well enough how to wind the bobbin and thread the upper thread, but life took some crazy turns, and I didn't touch the machine again until last week (the lower thread proves trickier, right!) 

I've had Jenny's enticing Wiksten tank pattern waiting in my dresser for several months with the promise that I would learn to do something with it. Seeing her creations in pattern form years back was a hefty influence in my wanting to make my own clothes. After reading Jenny's pattern, it was so very clear that I decided to just dive in, to use the pattern to help me learn my machine, learn sewing, all of it, even though I'd never sewn so much as a napkin.  

I headed to JoAnn's 50% off rack for some cotton fabric and found several cottons that were reminiscent of the garments in my Japanese craft books.  

After encountering a little snafu with my machine while sewing on the pocket, I sulked around for hours, cut a larger pocket to cover the mishap, and finally bought a seam ripper before it hit me: I will not replace this pocket! This imperfect pocket is the mark of my learning. This pocket says, "Someone made me. with her hands (and machine). while materializing a life long aspiration!"  Well, it says that to me.  And this mindset is just as much a feat for me as the sewing itself, I tell you; I'll likely wince at the pocket a few more times before completely believing my pep talk. 


I must say, it feels great to learn something new and love it, to overcome the challenges and feel as pleased with the outcome as the process. I fell in love with sewing from the second I began to cut the pattern, and my love only grew with each stitch and every "aha! that's what those lines on the needle plate are for!" type moment. 
I've wanted to sew for an incredibly long time and now that I know how much I love doing it, I'm certain it will stay a special part of my life. 



I can't recommend Jenny's pattern enough. It's easy to follow (it taught me to sew, after all!), the tank is such a flattering fit, and the pattern also provides a longer dress version. I expect I'll return to this pattern over and over again. My 2012 summer will be draped in it, for sure! 



Now, this new, hard-earned tank of mine needs a name, I think.  The first person to comment with a name shall name it (but we'd all love to hear additional suggestions.) 



What are your experiences with sewing? What's the last thing you made? Is there anything holding you back from trying?



Up next: more Finnish blogs and names, and a very exciting Ask segment with one of my favorite people.  




(p.s. I'm not drinking liquor while breast feeding; The beverage pictured is a club soda with olives! )

16 comments:

  1. Beautiful pics and I'm so excited to see your wiksten shirt. I love the fabric you chose! I have the same pattern sitting on my studio desk- for months:)

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    1. and I'm guessing you'll do something amazing with it, Jaime!

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  2. Amazing job, Kristen!! I can't believe you haven't sewn before, it looks so good. And you look gorgeous in it. Loved this post. It makes me a little emotional to read about someone getting so inspired to learn sewing and then loving it. Your passion and drive to get through it is awesome. Can't believe you did it all by yourself. (Doesn't that feel good?)

    I nominate the name "Olive". The Olive Tank. Love that you're drinking club soda with olives. The perfect non-alcoholic cocktail!

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    1. thanks, Jenny!

      'Olive' it is! And pretty cool that the designer of the garment was the first to nominate a name. I ran out of olive juice and olives today and in my desperation tried my drink with capers/juice . not. good.

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  3. Lovely top! Well done, it's such a full-filling feeling when you have completed your first garment. I recommend you sew more, it looks very well made! Oh and I love your blog, I find it very inspirational. As a Finnish girl, I can't wait for your Finnish-post!

    hmmm, I want to come up with a name for your garment....Maybe Helmi? It means a pearl :)

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    1. Helmi... love it. and can't wait to check out your blog!

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  4. Brava! It turned our really well, you must be pleased!

    It's funny - I just booked myself into a sewing school to learn some basics...I start on Thursday! That top is gorgeous - I must buy that pattern, it seems to be a fave on the blogging circuit :)

    Excited to hear about your new direction. If it means more posts like this, I look forward to it! x

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    1. thanks. I should definitely have a lesson, too. Have fun with yours! such a great pattern.

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  5. Beautiful job! I just recently got back into sewing after almost 20 years (last attempt was home ec in high school)! I'm 7 months pregnant, with my first, and it's given me loads of inspiration! I dove right back in with a simple quilt kit I got at an adorable local sewing boutique... What an adventure! At one point I had to give myself a time out when out of sheer frustration I broke down into inconsolable tears trying to figure out how to sew on the binding edge! I was so close to just cutting the whole thing up! Gotta love those pregnancy hormones... But eventually I came out of it took a breath and finished. It's beautiful! even with all it's minor imperfections and crooked lines, I can't wait to snuggle my little baby up in it! I love it so much! And yes, that bottom thread is tricky!

    Love your blog... I've been stalking it religiously trying to find the perfect name and you are so inspirational!
    Thank You

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    1. the quilt sounds perfect, *especially* for it's imperfections. thanks for sharing and how fun to be setting out on a name journey!

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    2. I just read back over my post, after reading your response, and "holy" overuse of exclamations!! Sorry for yelling, I guess I was excited. :-)

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  6. Love the tank! Great work for a first project! I love Jenny's patterns too and hope she makes more. Club soda with olives sounds so perfect. I'm expecting and not quite sure what to order when out with friends but now I must try this... actually I want it right now!

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    1. haha... cravings can happen so easily! I ate waffles with Nona for two weeks straight after seeing a picture of them!

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  7. Pretty! My first thought for a name was Momoko, inspired by it's rather peach-y colour (at least to my eyes anyway!), but Olive suits it well too.

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