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.
Welcome to a Beginner Sews!
Welcome to A Beginner Sews, a new series here on the blog! And Hi! I’m Belle, a new team member at Megan Nielsen Patterns – but probably a familiar face if you’ve checked out our Curve pattern range (or not, it’s okay, I promise I won’t get mad). I’m many things—a Masters student, a writer, a movie buff, a Capricorn—but one thing I’m not is a dressmaker. Don’t get me wrong, I know how to thread a machine and sew a straight line or two, but that’s where my knowledge ends. Starting work here was like getting thrown in the deep end: words like baste, bias, overlock (huh?). I was in way out of my depth.