The Art of Learning how to Sew

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I'm not sure what is happening to me. Maybe it's a mid-life crisis?? Maybe I'm finally realizing that I do have a home-maker feminine side??? I was actually talking with a friend about this recently as she is going through the same thing. I've never been overly interested in the fine art of home-making. I never liked cooking, I only cleaned because I like a clean house, and anything else domestic? No thanks! Until probably about two months ago or so. It's like suddenly I kind of enjoy cleaning and organizing my things so I know where they are when I want them, and apparently I've decided that I want to be Martha Stewart (well...ok let's not go that far; she's had a rough couple of years recently). I haven't really even decided yet if I'm actually "good" at anything that has to do with homemaking, but so far I have really enjoyed learning how to sew....and also talking with people about sewing. It's weird, but in a good way...I think.

Let's talk about cleaning. My favorite day of the week is Sunday. Partly because I work two jobs and this is my only day off and mostly because I get to spend the day with my little boy! So a relaxing Sunday used to be laying in bed or on the couch all day watching Lifetime movies, well then I had a baby so that came to a halt pretty quickly. After having Riley my favorite way to spend a Sunday was to google and girgle at him all day and get nothing done. For some odd reason my favorite way to spend a Sunday now is doing laundry and other misc. cleaning while Riley bums around "helping" me or just running around the house. It's like the perfect mix of interaction with him and productiveness.

For Christmas I got a sewing machine from my mom. This has opened completely new worlds for me and I just can't learn fast enough!! I've learned a few universal rules about the (internet) sewing world, here they are:
Rule #1. Every novice starts with pin cushion and as they learn move up to a handbag....it's like a right of passage. If you don't make these things you're not a "true" sew-er! :)
Pictured below is my right of passage:


The pin cushion thread catcher! Ta-da! It took two tries but success feels great no matter how many times you have to start over!! This brings me to the next rule

Rule #2.Everyone in the crafty/sewing community is SO NICE! I think I'm used to the world of academia where you better watch what you say and think so that you're not plagiarizing a thought or idea that someone else has already had. This is soooo false in the craft world! All the blogs sort of link back to each other and people are practically begging you to take their ideas...and then send them pictures once you have! I love that!! And now I will give you the LINK to find this pin cushion thread catcher craft to try for yourself! Here it is: Pin Cushion Thread Catcher Tutorial  I will also shamelessly share a link back to my OWN blog where I talk about my first attempt at the pin cushion: Anyone Can Be Crafty, Right?

Rule #3.You pretty much need to have a craft room, be thinking about a craft room, planning and organizing a craft room in order to be a super-crafter.

While on the topic of a craft room, I would like to talk about mine. You see I was super proud of my craft area until I took a picture of it the other day! Now I'm mortified!!
Here's sort of what I imagined it looking like:

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Uhh, here's the harsh reality:

I'm so embarrassed! That is painful to look at!!! Some please call A&E and turn me in to that Hoarders show! Send a clean up crew. Yes, I am definitely going to have to do SOMETHING with this area. Any ideas are welcomed!! 

Ok lets move on, quickly!

Rule #4: Masking tape and painter's tape are a MUST for beginning sew-ers! I cannot cut or sew in a straight line to save my life!! I read a blog on Prudent Baby to use tape to help you sew straight. So I put a long piece of masking tape on my sewing machine at the seam line I'm using and suddenly I CAN sew straight to actually save my life!! Same with cutting fabric. Well part of cutting fabric goes under rule #5, however it's important for you to know that putting masking tape on the end of the fabric helps keep your lines straight while cutting as well.

Rule #5: You have to make PATTERNS for things, don't free-lance!

So with my first pin cushion attempt I just measured and cut all the pieces separately. This I believe is part of the reason it did not turn out! None of the pieces I cut matched up! I complained about this to my mother who said she couldn't just cut without a pattern and she suggested I go to a fabric store and purchase one of those Simplicity kits that comes with a pattern. I had my little heart set on making THIS particular project though and the next day she called and said I could just measure out and make my own pattern!! Brilliant! So, I used computer paper and my beloved masking tape to make these patterns for my second attempt at the pin cushion:

This was a life saver! I cut everything a lot faster and my project turned out great! Thanks, Mom! Side note: I put the masking tape all the way around the pattern, for some reason having that on the edge prevented me from getting off course and cutting the actual pattern, I'm literally worse than a preschooler when I don't have a guide. It's bad.

So, my next project that I'm currently doing is top secret because IF it turns out it will be a gift for a friend. BUT I will FOR SURE be addressing the craft room issue again soon!