Sewing

I have finally taken up sewing. After years of procrastination, I finally decided to start making stuff with a sewing machine. I've always wanted to: I love costumes, clothes don't fit, and I live a weirdo lifestyle where there's always another dog blanket, strange home furnishing, or other miscellanea needing construction.

And so, I sew.

Some of my Projects

• Egyptian Costume (Hallowe'en 2005) - This one was easy: we modified a brown silk tunic (added trim, etc), made a kalasiris out of some iridescent metallic mesh, Jessica beaded a wide collar. A few purchased accessories, and we had ourselves an egyptian!
• Pirate Wench Costume (Hallowe'en 2005) - cheap cheap $2/yard fabric Lisa found at Wal Mart, some purchased trim, this is the Simplicity 9891 Arwen dress (a basic princess lined dress), with modified sleeves. Turned out beautifully. Lisa made a crinoline to go underneath.
• Pirate Costume (Hallowe'en 2005) - a pirate frock coat made of suiting from Len's Mill Store (with beautiful metal moose buttons), quick'n'dirty track pants of brown broadcloth, a cavalier hat made of black felt, folded up into a tricorn, an eyepatch thrown together out of black felt at the last minute -- a few purchased accessories, I'm quite proud of the outfit. If I remove the beard and eyepatch, and put on my glasses, I look like Paul Revere, instead. :-)
• Coming Soon: Pirate Shirt - My pirate shirt is nearly complete -- I'm wearing it right now. It just needs buttons and buttonholes. When I get them on, and some pictures taken, I'll post some of them. (December 2004)
• Blue Dress with Jacket - I made Lisa a dress and jacket from a Simplicity pattern for a wedding reception we were invited to. It's done, and turned out great!
• Hallowe'en 2004 - 2004 was the first Hallowe'en that we did significant sewing work for the costumes: every one of our costumes has elements that Lisa and I made or modified. I'm particularly proud of the Gandalf hat I made.
• Christmas Stockings - my 2003 Christmas present to Lisa and Jessica (and Lisa's to me!) These pieces mean a lot to me.
• Pixie's TuTu - a halloween (2003) costume for our black sausage-dog, made by Lisa.
• Sweatshirts - my first project from a pattern
• Repair work - my drover coat and a blanket (2003)
• Dog blanket - my first serious project - for poor cold Buddy (2003)
• Drawstring dice bag - my first project (2003)

My Equipment and Environment

My experience with others sewing, and with other hobbies, is that if your tools are no good, you might as well give up and go home. (One of the most valuable lessons I ever learned from my dad, and the one that stuck with me is: 'Use the right tool for the job'). Consequently, I spend some energy on my work environment and bought a new (not used!) sewing machine.

I have a room in my house that's set up for crafts and the like: the sewing machine occupies prime space in the room.

I have a Sears Kenmore sewing machine: the 18 stitch (value) model. Not the fanciest or most expensive model in the world, but one that has gotten good reviews, it seems a good solid workhorse machine.

Since I've started sewing, I've accumulated a fair sized stash of fabric (don't all sewers?). It's growing all the time.