I have made attempts in the past. Lots of them. I usually end up spending half the time yelling for my mom to come fix the sewing machine because something is wrong and I don't know what. Another large chunk of time is dedicated to watching my mom fix whatever it is that went wrong, likely of my own doing. The majority of the rest of the time was spent asking mom to explain what to do because, as Martell can attest, I am not one to read instructions if at all possible. They are the dryest reading EVER and I am just a little too A.D.D. to handle that. I honestly don't know how people can read directions period, much less how some of you do it once and get it. IF I read directions (that is a big if) it usually takes me about 12 attempts. Seriously. So reading patterns was pretty much up to my mom too. Which ultimately means that my attempts at sewing were ultimately my mom doing everything but push the pedal and some pinning here and there. (yes, I know I'm pathetic)
Then one day as Martell and I were discussing the future prospects of our family (including the potential that I might have to figure out how to raise girls) I realized that I am going to have to learn how to do this sewing thing. What mom doesn't know how to sew? At least a little. I think that's what my own mother was thinking when she bought me a sewing machine as a high school graduation present. At the time I am pretty sure what crossed my mind was "great, it will be about a million years before I need this thing and even then I sure as heck won't know what to do with it". I guess my mom figured I'd come around.
And I have. A little. It kind of started with that conversation with Martell. The biggest turning point may have been when I realized that if (when) we have girls how are they going to have prom dresses with sleeves? My mom always sewed them on for me because they just don't sell modest prom dresses where I'm from and I don't think they are going to get any easier to find.
The other big turning point was our couch. It is really ugly. Like brown, floral, velvety upholstry ugly. It was a steal from the local DI at $25 and it is something to sit on. But is definately not something to look at. Besides that it looked completely horrid against the backdrop of our pistachio green living room (not our choice of color) I finally got sick of looking at it and so I sewed. I realize that they sell slip covers, but I couldn't justify spending 40-70 bucks on a big piece of fabric. Not one that usually looks pretty lame anyway because no slip cover stays where it's supposed to. I figured, if I was going to have a lame looking piece of fabric sitting on my couch I could always just throw a sheet over it. Then I got ambitious. I figured, if it's going to look lame anyway, why not try my hand at sewing? If it looks bad, who cares. That 70 dollars would have looked pretty bad too once it was sluffing off the couch in sat-upon-a-couple-times slip cover fashion. So I did it. I sewed. And here are the results. Yes, I know it's wrinkly. No, I don't plan on ironing it. And no mom, I probably didn't use any good sturdy sewing techniques (I didn't eve pre-shrink the fabric) and yes, I am ashamed. But just look at it. And know that I made that.
10 comments:
I like the pistachio green. Probably a little too much. And I really like your pillow fabric choice too. That's not to say I don't like your handcrafted slip. Save the most impressive for last. Good job!
Katie, you sew. You're a sewer. The fact that you made the decision to make that and then you actually made it says so many wonderful things about you. That blue is lovely. Don't you feel so satisfied? Woohoo!
Wow! I am sooooo impressed! Good job and way to take the initiative! That color of blue makes me happy when I look at it:)
I like how there are 3, count 'em, 3 guitars behind the couch...and probably more that cannot be seen.
Martell: "Where are my guitars?"
Katie: "Oh, didn't you know? I got rid of the couch MONTHS ago. What you are sitting on right now is actually 17 guitars with a couch slip over them."
no Tim, that is all the guitars we have here(here being the key word)But you missed the ukulele sitting in the carseat next to the couch.
Ummmmm...you DO realize where that baby guitar/ukulele came from don't you? You shouldn't leave all of Martell's guitars unsupervised and semi-hidden behind the couch like that. You're going to need that baby seat.
First - Tim and Tracie - Thanks for making me laugh. I personally think they are going to have to hang them on the walls and have guitar sculpture.
Katie - I love the slip-cover. Maybe not being a trained seamstress is what gave you the courage to try it. I think you did a great job, you may see it's imperfections, but I see a willingness to try something you know can be done, but don't know how to do. That is exactly how pre-existing prom dresses get made modest - good problem solving skills. If you can figure that out you can figure just about anything else out about sewing.
Oh, and I like one more thing - you thought about it, acted on it and finished it without doing the dopey think I always do. I always end up buying material for more than one project and then only getting one of them done. One at a time is a good way to go. Good job!!!!!
Good for you, Katie! That was very resourceful of you! Glad you made friends with the sewing machine and were so clever with the home improvement. You rock!
hey katie...would you please make a slip cover for my motor cycle? great stitching, girl! luv...unca dale
Katie, I am with you on the reading directions...not only are they confusing on the pattern, but then they follow them up with french, spanish, chinese and who knows what other language and I get even more confused thinking that all that is still the English version! You are also right that store bought slip covers never fit nor do they look professional. I like your ametuer attempts much better.
I thought the uke was for the baby, and that is why it is already in the car seat.
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