One of my favorite holidays is Halloween. I like Halloween before dark. After dark it seems to change from the magical dressing-up to something dark. Last Halloween I drove home late and was quite creeped out by the parties and people that were out. I like the Halloween that sweet, cute children in happy costumes go trick-or-treating.
And I like to sew my children's costumes.
Before children, after college, I had about a year. For Christmas my parents got me a sewing machine with strings attached (not literally, sort of). I could have the machine on the condition I promised to take a sewing class. I was done with school, no problem. I signed up through Community Ed and took the best 8 week sewing class ever. I learned to sew. So, I have a little "know-how". Just a little. Over the last 10 years I have sewn several Easter dresses, many Halloween costumes, and a few things in between. I even learned to sew a suit jacket in my class.
I finished Camie's "Trixie, the Halloween Fairy" costume last night and Camie couldn't be happier. She hardly slept because she was so excited. That is why I like to make the costumes, because my children get so excited planning and then me being able to make their ideas come to life.
The problem is this. I can sew, I know how. The item I sew stays together. But if you look very close, it looks terrible! The zipper is a little crooked, the seams don't line up, the darts pucker, etc. So how do you make the garment look nice? How do you get from beginning sewer to one that isn't embarrassed to have anyone look very close? I like knowing how to sew and I really have fun with it. But, is it just not my talent? Is that why the fine details looks so . . . not so fine? I'm not giving up, will continue to sew as long as my children will wear what I make them. I was just wondering.
3 comments:
I had a sewing teacher once who swore that pressing as you go (seams, darts, etc.) was the secret to professional-looking results (and a step I often rushed/skipped).
Not that my results look professional, but they do look marginally better when I take the time to do that.
I'm impressed that you somehow find the time to sew costumes!
I am a trained Home Ec Teacher and will give you the same advice. Press as you go.
Zippers are hard even for me who has done many, but I could teach you a few tricks to help keep them straight. Sew the seam close and press. Then I usually hand baste the zipper in, then I put tape on the outside and sew along the tape. Makes for straight lines around the zipper every time.
I feel your pain, Steph, although I sew much less than you do. This year I am trying to help some of the younger kids make costumes and teach Julia to make her own dress. I was wishing you lived closer so you could give me pointers!
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