Sew? Not Really.

Did you know I sew? Not well, but I pretend. Not often, either, for that matter. But once in a long while I’ll get the bug, and whip something up. I’ve been really entertained by everybodys “Sew? I knit!” projects. The other day I was over at Amy’s Blog, and she had made a skirt that I knew I just had to try. So off to Joann’s I went! I used a nice, soft, and just a bit stretchy 40% off cotton shirting material. I wanted a madras plaid, but Joanns was clearancing everything for new stuff, so no plaid.


I’m very happy with this though! Summery. I didn’t like trying to follow the sewing directions. They may as well be written in Japanese for all I understand what they’re trying to tell me to do. Good thing they use photos. I kind of half followed them for the zipper install, after that I just used the common sense I was born with. I’m very proud of how clean the zipper looks. I have plenty of zipper installation experiance under my belt, I shudder to think what would have happen if I didn’t. Sewing machine in pieces across the room comes to mind.

I also didn’t line it. I was lazy. Sue me. Seeing as I don’t have a serger, and I didn’t want raw seams, I used what my mom described to me (Over the phone. From Michigan) as “french seams” where you sew the pieces together on the right side first, then turn it inside out and sew them from the wrong side, so you get a nice little tubey seam.
My mom’s a smart one. She used to sew most of her clothes in high school, using my grandmas sewing machine with one stitch setting and a pedal thingy, so she was always in fashion. I think I’m better at this than I think I am. I come from a long line of seamstresses, and quilters, and people who are amazing needleworkers, so it’s in my blood. Even my dad can sew, I think. He’s great at fixing sewing machines, anyway! My sister, though, can’t even sew on a button. I’m not kidding. Really.

I finally choked throught the last few rows of my sunrise jacket! Man, that was rough. I just wanted to be done, already! I knit it in a bigger size, since it’s a jacket, and I want to layer under it, I have a sneaking suspicion that the sleeves will be too long, so I am prepared to cut a row out and knit a new cuff, if that should be the case. Won’t know til I seam it.


I’ll be having a seaming party tonight! I love to seam. I know most Knitters can’t stand even the thought, but I love love to seam! That means I’m finished, and care in seaming really makes a differance in the finshed garment. So if you need me, I’ll be stitching down miles of hem facing………

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17 Responses to Sew? Not Really.

  1. sarah says:

    First, I am in love with my Meteor Vepser yarn! Thank you. Second, all this sewing I’m seeing on knitblogs is making me want to do some sewing too – a good summer craft when it’s too hot for wool. Your skirt is gorgeous. Third – can’t wait to see your SCJ all seamed up, I’m having sizing indecision of my own for this project…

  2. Annie says:

    Cute skirt- I love it! I’m just starting to get into sewing- so it’s fun to see other knitters crossing over. Glad to see that you’ve plugged through the Sunrise Jacket. I bet it’ll look great!

  3. caitlyn says:

    Beautiful skirt! I just love the fabric.

  4. Jen says:

    What pattern did you use for the skirt? Its so cute!

  5. chris says:

    Wow, for someone who doesn’t sew often, you did a great job!

  6. Dye Swap Pal says:

    Fabulous skirt! Love the material you chose.

  7. Sarah says:

    That love of seaming must be the sewing genes in you 🙂 I love seaming too, it’s fantastic to watch everthing come together so perfectly!

  8. Chris says:

    I like finishing because that’s the only time I listen to the gazillion podcasts I’m behind on… Looking forward to seeing the final version of the sunrise jacket!

  9. Wendy says:

    You and I must be channeling each other or we were born under the same sign. I was thinking of sewing just about the same skirt!

  10. Your skirt is so cute!! I love the fabric that you picked out. You did a really good job on the zipper, and I’m going to try the seams that you described the next time I sew something! Thanks : )
    Your jacket is looken good too!

  11. Leah says:

    Very nice. I learned how to do French seams about a thousand years ago when I was making baby clothes for my first son. Sometimes I think I prefer them to serging. They make such a nice finish.

    And I hear you on the seaming. I love finishing. Must come from my hand sewing background.

  12. Lolly says:

    Yeah, that fabric is so pretty! Great job on the sewing! Sewing is supposed to be in my blood too. Mom and Dad, as well as my grandmothers all did it so well… I have no idea why I didn’t get those skills! Maybe it is just practice…

    Yours looks great!

  13. aja says:

    Go you on the skirt, I am very impressed (being nearly inept at sewing) Model your jacket when you are all finished, cant wait to see it!

  14. katie says:

    I like seaming, too! At least I do now that I know how to do it right. I used to hate it, when my seams were lumpy and ugly and crooked. I also like sewing in ends. I don’t know why, I guess because it’s just different from the knitting. Like a breather.

  15. Heidi says:

    Wow! I really, really like the fabric. It’s so colourful and I think if you wear it you will immediately get in a good mood. Yeah!!

  16. crzjane says:

    Great Job on that zipper! I love how the directions tell you to seam up the sides, front and back pieces and then put in the zipper. I always put the seam (using the large basting stitch where the zip is going in) in first, put in the zipper and then sew the sides together. Oh yeah, putting in sleeves? Do that before you sew up the sides. Working on stuff like that flat is a lot easier then trying to fool around with “tube shapes”.
    News on the CJ Sock front. Sock#2 has turned the heel is now on the homestretch.
    Keep sewing, looks like you do a good job.

  17. keryn says:

    i love the style and colours of the skirt 🙂