Welcome back everyone to A Beginner Sews! After a crazy few weeks at the studio, amidst lockdown and flooding and just about everything else you could imagine, I have emerged the proud maker and owner of my very own Jarrah sweater. So read along to hear all about the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of this instalment of the Beginner Sews series.
A Beginner Sews: Olive
Now, I’ve been an admirer of the Olive dress & blouse for quite some time. I’m actually wearing a gorgeous Olive sample in my “meet the team” photos, and I can often be found just staring longingly at the stunning pink sample we have on a dress form here in the studio. It just looks so perfect for spinning in a field, you know? So, I decided that for my next Beginner Sews make I’d have a crack at Olive!
A Beginner Sews: Eucalypt
There are certain items of clothing that are honoured with the title of “staple”. A good pair of blue jeans, a classic white button-up, black heels which take you from day to night. I’m rounding out my wardrobe staples with the help of my new Eucalypt dress: a classic, sophisticated tank style dress with the added benefit of comfort! For this post for Beginner Sews, I’ll take you through my journey sewing Eucalypt!
A Beginner Sews: Flint
Another month, another make dear readers! And this time I’m tackling our recent pattern of the month: Flint! Full disclosure: I had my heart set on making Flint pants for our Beginner Sews Series even before we announced it as our pattern of the month in Feb. There’s a gorgeous sample in the studio in a beautiful dusty pink shade that I’ve coveted since I started working here. Trying that sample on just confirmed what I already knew: I needed a pair of Flints, and I needed them now! Pants are one of those things that can be so tricky to get right. They’re obviously a staple, but if you’re long in the torso (like me) with wide hips (also like me), finding a pair of pants that are well-made, stylish and comfortable is near impossible. So even though I learned my lesson with Sudley to take things slowly and not get myself in over my head (you can read all about that experience here), I was determined to have my own Flint pants. Needless to say, I am grateful I didn’t let myself get psyched out, because I now have not one, but TWO Flints in my me-made wardrobe!
A Beginner Sews: Sudley
Take it slow, they said. Don’t rush into sewing without learning the basics they said. Well, they may have said it but I chose to ignore it all and instead dive headfirst into making a Sudley blouse (View B, to be precise). And whilst the entire exercise left me stressed out about lines of stitching not staying straight, sewing bias facing correctly, and attaching sleeves, I have to admit—it was really fun! I’m that person who wants to be amazing at everything they try on the first go. I’m a serial hobbyist—I pick something up wanting to give it a try, and when I’m not immediately good at it I get discouraged and decide it’s just not for me. So I’m putting a lot of my frustrations with sewing Sudley down to the fact that I’m just not as skilled as I thought I was—and that’s okay! Because I still loved making it, I have a gorgeous blouse to show for my efforts, and I’ve begun my sewing journey.