This summer Anna Maria Horner came out with some of her new fabric. I really like Anna Maria. I don’t actually know her, but I stalk her on Instagram. I have been trying to get her to come here to do an event, so far she hasn’t jumped at the chance to see all that Fargo has to offer. Weird. Anyway, I challenged Kerry to make something out of it with me.
Let the games begin!
I decided I am going to make a pattern I found on ETSY. Its called “The French Dart Shift Dress.” I like the pattern because of the collar. I haven’t done a high collar before. The only problem is, it’s a PDF. Big thumbs down, BUT I like it enough to print off all the 8 million pages and slightly damage my brain trying to assemble them. Also, did I mention it is an European pattern? That means that they do not use inches. I have to convert. WWWWHHHHYYYY? I miss these details all the time. Not just in my sewing world, but in my everyday world. Ask Darren. His nickname for me is “details.” I am a BIG picture girl. He knew that when he married me, so he can’t complain about it now! Geez.
Once my pattern is taped, my fabric is washed and dried (a detail I may have not done in previous projects). I am ready to start. I decide I want to add a frill sleeve. A frill sleeve is basically a ruffled sleeve that connects to the shirt 3/4 of the way down.
I call Darren and tell him to bring me home a ruffler foot.
He brings me home this. I just stare at it. What in the heck am I supposed to do with this? I do not even know where to begin. I want to change my mind and just do ruffles the old fashion way. You know, basting stitches, pull the bobbin thread and boom, ruffles. The flip phone version of ruffles, BUT this is a process of learning. I turn to Youtube and type in “How to attach Bernina Ruffler Foot.” I seriously do not know how to even attach it to my machine!
Turns out it’s not that hard, it does make perfect ruffles. I practice on scrap fabric to make sure I like the length of the ruffle. (A detail I have missed in my early days. PRACTICE??? Who needs to practice?? I am learning, slowly.)
I learned some tricks, like magic tape. I use this tape for holding fabric together when sewing so they don’t shift. I use it for zippers too. It’s a great tool to have for garment sewing. It doesn’t gum up your machine and it washes away.
The last part of the project that causes me agony are the sleeves.
I do not know if I will ever get good at them. They are still very difficult to get perfect. EVEN though I have used every single pin I own!
At last another project is complete.
If you are wondering about Kerry’s project, I will not be sharing it. Kerry IS into details and her project IS perfect. I do not support perfectionism on this blog.
Just kidding. (not really)
Here it is. Perfectly lined up plaids and all. I hate her.
Cheers!
Andrea
P.S. Bernina Ruffle foot is 25% off all month of October:)
