Sewing is one craft/skill that I’ve stayed away from for most of my life. Sure, I took some sewing and embroidery lessons in Home Economics class while I was in gradeschool. I indulged in cross stitching as a hobby as a teen/young adult. And, I do hem, mend clothes and sew buttons by hand occasionally. I even sew things in to some of my mixed media art work.
But, I’ve never owned a proper sewing machine before. Well, not unless you count the el cheapo tiny machine I bought for $30 while I was living in Singapore that I never really used because I couldn’t quite figure it out.
So, I really never fancied the idea of learning how to sew. As in, really sewing. At least, not until about a couple of years ago.
You see, I’m a maker. I like making things. I’d probably end up trying most craft in my lifetime (provided I get the chance to grow old and grey 
)…
And now, I figured it’s time to try something new.
After much uhm-ing and ahm-ing, I decided to buy my very first real sewing machine a few days ago. Even if I had no idea what exactly I was looking for and all that. I just went ahead and got one. I had a dud to start with, but ended up finding a really good buy from Spotlight (one of our local art/craft chain stores). But, that’s a different story to tell another day.
For now, let me just share with you my first four sewing projects that I finished this weekend:
1) Basic Tote Bag (w/ handmade felt heart applique) – Everyone told me to start with something really simple. So, I went for the basic tote bag. This one wasn’t great, but I was excited to finish something so quickly. I even decided to try sewing a handmade felt heart applique on the plain blue bag. My first attempt at sewing appliques! And, my first ever attempt at making a bag too.
2) Super Hero Cape (w/ handmade ‘C’ applique) – This one’s even simpler than the tote. Just measured and hemmed a plain blue rectangular fabric. Then, added patterned ribbons to tie the cape. I also created a felt letter ‘C’ to use as an applique on the cape. Was happy to see my boy’s reaction to having his very own personalised superhero cape.
3) Monster Soft Toy (designed by my 4.5 year old boy) – When I asked my boy to draw something for me to make, he got really excited. So, he drew me this ‘monster’ (drawing in picture)… and I just made it in to a soft toy. The boy had a good giggle when I finished the toy. Even played with it for a while. Just used: fabric, felt, hobby fill, 2 colours of thread (red/white).
4) Little Girl’s Dress – This is probably the most difficult project of the lot, even though it was the only one that didn’t involve embroidery or appliques. I think it’s because it was the only one that needed to have proper measurements and fitting to get it right. And, it’s *not* easy measuring a moving subject! Anyway, I ended up having to do this over a couple of times. But, it was so sweet when I heard my girl’s “Oooooohhhhh!” when I put it on her the first time around. And, she happily modeled her new dress for me.
So, there you go. My first attempts at learning how to sew. I still have a long, long way to go to come up with anything really amazing. But, I’m happy I got started. Almost makes me wonder why I waited so long to try. A real reminder to me that sometimes, when you want to try something, you just have to give it a go.
Kari (3)
Mitch Mitchell (3)
Connie (2)
eds (2)
Rachel Cotterill (2)
Anne (1)
bcylady (1)
Jazzille (1)
macy (1)
Mel W (1)
Wow!! I can’t believe you got that much done in one weekend, very impressed! The dress is so cute, I love the fabric. I don’t know what spotlight’s are like in Oz, but here they are known for their totally crap service, I go to a specialty store that is a little more pricey, but far superior service, and usually better quality. My next elephant class is in just over a week and my family is visiting this weekend, will have to get the sewing machine out and work on it every night this week!
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Shai Coggins reply on July 31st, 2008:
Thanks, Nicola. I really find the best way for me to get in to things is to spend a lot of time on it to start with.
On Spotlight: I think it depends on who you get, in terms of service. But, they’re not totally bad from my experience. And they do offer good value w/enough options available. I love going there. But, I’d love to find a local indie shop that I can also support.
Good luck with your project. It sounds fun. And, enjoy the family’s visit!
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Those are great. I love the blue dress, even adults can wear something like that!
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Shai Coggins reply on July 31st, 2008:
Thanks, Em Dy. I totally fell in love with the fabric when I first saw it. It was a bit pricey, but felt it was worth it. Not easy to work with, but fun. I’m happy w/ the final result.
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Sweet! I can tell already that you are going to have a ton of fun with that new sewing machine!
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Shai Coggins reply on July 31st, 2008:
Thanks, Hope. Yes. I’m definitely loving it. Although I haven’t touched it again since the weekend! ‘am itching to get another project started.
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It’s funny how easily we talk ourselves out of things that we perceive to be too hard isn’t it? And then you take the leap and it isn’t that hard after all. Dedicating a weekend to the task was a great idea as it allows you the time and space to go slowly and develop your skills. Now of course it means you have yet another craft temptation in your life – you get to wrestle with a fabric addiction (and resulting stash guilt) every time you go into a craft store.
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Shai Coggins reply on July 31st, 2008:
Melissa – You’re absolutely right, of course.
I’m already dreaming of my next fabric shopping spree. Yikes!
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Hey, great going. I love the fabric in your little girl’s dress. Turned out great, too. Did you folow a pattern for that, at all? I suggest you get hold of a book called Reader’s Digest Complete Guide to Sewing. It has everything, and I mean everything, you will need to know. Your library will most likely have a copy, but it’s definitely worth owning. Even has how to thread a sewing machine. Excellent book. I’ve had mine for years and still refer to it every now and then. Good value.
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Shai Coggins reply on July 31st, 2008:
Hi, Heather. Thank you. No. I didn’t follow a pattern. I basically made it up as I went along. Unorthodox, I know. But, I didn’t have any patterns and didn’t know where to start. So, I just tried the ideas that came to me.
Thanks for the book recommendation. I did hear good things about it. Do you think it’s better than the Complete Guide to Sewing? I’m tossing between the two. I’ve seen a copy of the Complete Guide in a bookshop & thought it looked great, so been wanting to buy one.
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H’s dress turned out quite nicely! Can’t believe she’s grown so much bigger now!
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Shai Coggins reply on July 31st, 2008:
Thank you, sis. I think she does love it.
Too bad she can’t really wear it much yet, since it’s the middle of winter. I can’t wait for spring & summer when I can make more dresses for her. And yes – she’s definitely grown up a lot since you last saw her. 
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Your little girl looks mighty happy in that cute dress!
You’re such an inspiration Shai! I love the bag, the cape, the dress, but most of all the stuffed toy. You got even the little red nose scribbles sewed in.
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Shai Coggins reply on July 31st, 2008:
Yes, Toni. She was very pleased with it.
And thank you for the kind words.
And the monster soft toy: Thanks. Yes – it was a challenge my boy presented me with his drawing. But, was quite happy to translate what he designed in to a toy. It was fun to do.
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Wow! I’m impressed! You made that dress without a pattern?
Me sewing? LOL! Here’s a story ’bout that…
Took HomeEc I for one semester in sophomore yr of hs. No room in HomeEc II in following yr of hs so they scheduled me in HomeEc III. Why? Good question.
Anyway, HE III teacher had me make a tank top. Did that, crooked one, but did it.
Next she hands me a pattern for a 3-pc suit. WHAT??!! You’ve got to be kidding me! She wasn’t. I failed HE III.
Needless to say, it was 35 yrs before I attempted to sew again. I must say it’s more fun when you do it your way at your own pace.
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Shai Coggins reply on August 11th, 2008:
Thanks, Angela. That’s a funny, strange story. Another proof that sometimes, we don’t learn the best things from the school system.
And you’re right, I’m enjoying learning to sew better now that I’m doing it at my own pace, my own way. I pick up an idea & think of a way on how to make it work. I didn’t think I’d ever love sewing, as when I took it up at Home Ec, I made wonky projects too. Heh. And, when I tried learning it on bad machines, the idea that I can’t be good at it. If I knew a good machine & some ideas are all I need, I would’ve started AGES ago.
In any case, on the dress: It was a combination of trial & error (had to patchwork the back a bit, after sewing and re-sewing) + a good pre-sheared fabric that helped. But, I’m loving the whole process. It really does make me happy.
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