Sewing 101

There are things in life that you just wish you knew how to do. For me one of those things is learning how to sew. I don't have aspiration to audition for Project Runway or anything but I would love to know how to work a sewing machine, do hems and make some bags. Simple things. So I was so excited to hear that our local recreational center was offering classes. A dear friend of mine, Patrick, and I share this desire to sew so we are taking the class together. It's so much fun to take a class with a friend.

 I wasn't able to go to the 1st class so Patrick filled me in on the details of the class. The first project will be a reversible apron. I'm over the moon about making an apron. I've been wanting an apron for the longest time. They're just so expensive and when you do find one at a decent price it's either ugly or too small. So I was jazzed to hear that an apron was our project.

Patrick come over to my place to show me what we had to do. I'm not going to lie. I was very overwhelmed. I know nothing of sewing. My sewing ability go as far as sewing on a button. I looked at the pattern that the instructor gave us and was so confused. Thankfully Patrick sensed my trepidation and walked me through the process. First we placed the pattern on the material and then pinned the pattern down on the material. That was a very tedious step and difficult. Let's just say that blood was shed. Once all the pattern was pinned we pinned down the 2nd material. Once everything was secure we had to cut the pattern out. Once again I was a bit worried. I didn't want to make a mistake but I bucked up and started cutting. Homework done.

Last night was my 1st class. The instructor taught me how to thread the machine and the bobbin. We worked on the bands and the pockets. The sewing machine pedal takes some getting use to. It's like learning to drive a car. You're unsure of the pressure you want to place on the pedal. It takes a lot of practice. The top thread kept coming out so I was fixing that quite a bit. It was frustrating but at least I now know how to thread! I felt so accomplished! I've never made anything with my hands, craft-wise. I felt like I could make anything. It was so empowering to be learning this new life skill.

I'm so stoked to finish this project and moving on to the next, a zippered bag! Oh, the possibilities!