the blue blog archives: identity crisis

Blue is for knitting. And maybe a little sewing too? Here's part of my first big project pinned out and ready for cutting. I love the look of sewing patterns pinned to fabric, don't you? But it's awful hard to believe that it's going to end up being a dress. Pinning took just shy of forever. I don't suppose we'll get to any actual sewing in my natural lifetime. Despite my whining, I am really enjoying it. It's a lot more precise than knitting, but less worrisome - it's fairly reassuring to already have pieces that look like what they are supposed to be! It does seem as if it's one big finishing job, though: getting the pieces into the right shape, assembling, seaming. But somehow I like it more than finishing a sweater. Maybe it's just because I'm looking forward to using the machine again! I really enjoyed the feel of sewing while making the needle case. Uh oh, I think I'm hooked.

Oh, and in case you read the little article in the new Interweave Knits about knitblogs and were wondering: no, I'm not Ivete. What up wit' dat?!

posted by alison at 7:49 am | in sew dressy

Comments

Welcome to the world of sewing. My daughter received a sewing machine for Christmas and is herself embarking on this new thing. Her first project was a skirt for herself. This weekend we're making a dress. I'm cheating a bit by teaching her to make her own patterns from dresses she already likes first (bad, Jen) but so far she seems okay with this.

(And now I have to track down a copy of Interweave Knits).

Posted by: Jenanne at January 31, 2003 8:01 AM

You could probably get away with only pinning the corners (outer and inner) and maybe the notches of your pattern. Can't wait to see how your project turns out!

Posted by: Laura at January 31, 2003 8:59 AM

Yeah, and that article was posted to the knitblog list long before it was published, and the error was pointed out then. I was sorry to see the correction didn't make it into print.

I remember sewing. I've got a gorgeous Viking sewing machine that only gets hauled out now for Dale steeks. I swear that it glares at me when I walk past it.

At least I'm using it for Scandinavian steeks, eh?

Posted by: Wendy at January 31, 2003 10:18 AM

The thing about sewing is ... it's not so easy to pick up and put down. A 3yr old = not enough time to get out the sewing machine ,sei it uo & oil it [! ] and them get a decent bit done . Same goes for spinning at the wheel .
Just wait until you're confident enough to not use patterns ,but just copy things that reallt fit !Will always love knitting more though ;-] .

Posted by: Emma at January 31, 2003 10:37 AM

I saw that and thought "wait a minute, the blue blog is alison and the twins!!"

p.s. forget about sewing, now you can quilt!! :) it's the easiest sewing i've ever done (i mean in terms of sewing dexterity. obviously picking out fabric to go together can be quite stressful, but the sewing part - shmooth!).

Posted by: Carolyn at January 31, 2003 10:56 AM

Hey Jenanne and Emma, any advice on a reference source for learning how to copy clothing you already have?

Posted by: alison at February 1, 2003 4:14 PM