Seams Like a Story

June 6, 2021January 21, 2023

The Simply Complicated Dress

Persevering through sewing challenges

This dress should have been simple but….

In a recent post, I mentioned how my sister inspires me and supports my creative endeavors.http://seamslikeastory.com/the-shirt-off-her-back/

A clothing boutique she frequents in Chicago was having a sale on their designer fabric remnants. Knowing I was blogging about sewing and creativity, she bought a few items and made a surprise package for me. When the box arrived, I found 3 yards of navy blue window-pane checked rayon, a yard of interesting upholstery fabric, and two packs of vintage buttons.

A box from my sister contained these treasures!

I decided to make a summer dress with the rayon and had just enough for this NEW LOOK pattern(N6651). It looked simple enough, but it wasn’t long before my challenges with the project began.

I had just enough fabric and the exact amount of buttons needed for this project.

Challenge #1: Cut it out.

Continue reading “The Simply Complicated Dress” …

May 28, 2021January 21, 2023

The Shirt off her Back

100 Acts of Sewing Dress #2 hack

Ok..I didn’t actually take the shirt off her back. My sister is eight years younger than me. We never got the chance to share clothes when we were growing up. But when visiting Chicago this fall, I envied my sister’s buttercup-yellow print top. It was the kind of thing you could pull on with a pair of jeans and be stylishly comfortable. I could make that, I said to myself. When I got home, I looked through patterns online. I finally decided to use 100 Acts of Sewing dress #2 and cut it down to make a top. ( Looking back, I think I could have used the Tunic #1 pattern instead.)

I had 2yds of yellow print cotton in my fabric stash. I discovered that wasn’t quite enough, so I decided to experiment with adding contrasting colors. If you look at pictures of 100 Acts of Sewing projects, often you will see the sewist has added contrasting borders, pockets, and trims to create interest to these simple styles.

https://www.pinterest.com/longis/100-acts-of-sewing/

The top went together smoothly. When trying it on , I discovered the neck opening was a bit too large so I made a simple pleat in the back. A fish tag fashioned from a scrap of fabric added a touch of whimsy. (I have no real interest in fish…I just thought it was cute!)

The pattern called for making your own bias tape. I had never done that before so I did a little research and purchased a bias tape maker. After a few false starts, I made enough bias tape to use for the neck facing and the border trim.

What started out as a copycat of my sister’s shirt turned out to be a unique creation! We didn’t get the chance to share clothes, but now we share inspirations! Maybe this shirt will come with me on my next trip to Chicago.

Threads of Thought

Did you ever share clothes with a sibling?

If you are a sewist, have you tried making your own bias tape?

Where do you get inspiration for your creative works?

Read more from Debra:
Out of the Crayon Box:Thoughts on Teaching, Retirement, and LIfe http://amazon.com/author/debravandeventer

May 21, 2021January 21, 2023

This Apron Rocks!

Sewing with Lillian part 2

A few years ago, I taught my granddaughter Lillian to sew. She learned how to thread the machine, wind a bobbin, and practice straight stitching on paper patterns. When she was ready, we made some fabric bookmarks.

http://seamslikeastory.com/stitch-up-a-memory/

On a recent visit, older and wiser Lillian expressed an interest in doing another project together, so I suggested we try a simple apron. You know me… I’m ALL about aprons! http://seamslikeastory.com/apron-strings/

A “Swift” trip to the fabric store…

Off to the fabric store we went. Along the way, we cranked up the radio and belted out a Taylor Swift song. Having recently taught fourth graders, I was familiar with the song and Lillian thought it was funny that Grandma knew some of the words.

Once in the fabric store, Lillian had definite ideas about what she wanted. She was drawn to anything pink, purple, or sparkly. We decided to make the apron reversible and chose a yard each of a pink cheetah print and a turquoise-rainbow-unicorn-kitty fabric. We also purchased a small amount of rainbow-cheetah- print for pockets.

To complete our girls’ day out, we stopped by Starbucks where Lillian confidently ordered “a tall hot chocolate, kid temperature, with whipped cream.”

So now we sew…

Continue reading “This Apron Rocks!” …

May 14, 2021January 21, 2023

My First Class

3 Things I Learned in My First Year of Teaching

It was the summer of 1975. My first job interview:

“Do you think you can teach kindergarten? We’ve got a half-day opening.”

“I have a kindergarten endorsement and I did student teaching in kindergarten this spring…” I began as I inched my credentials towards the principal.

“Can you start next week?”

No one asked to see my grade point average, my transcripts, or my letters of recommendation. School was to start in two weeks and a last-minute swell in kindergarten enrollment had opened up an additional half-day position. They offered me a job on the spot. The contract confirmed my annual salary for the half-day position would be $3,500. I was elated.

And so my teaching career began.

Here are three things I learned from that wiggly group of 28 Kindergarteners:

Continue reading “My First Class” …

April 30, 2021April 30, 2021

Apron Strings

Blest be the ties…

This is me portraying someone who cooks.

No longer the Chief Chef

I’ll have to admit, I don’t cook much anymore. I used to. When my kids were living at home, my repertoire was Kraft Mac and Cheese, meatloaf, chili, spaghetti, fish sticks, and some sort of gray concoction that involved minute rice, ground beef, and cream of mushroom soup. In my defense, this is what I learned from my mother. Besides, as a full-time teacher, I was always in a hurry and on a budget. I enjoyed baking cookies, cakes, and pies. I still bake occasionally, but after the kids left home, my husband Ed took over the cooking and elevated our dining experience to a whole new level.

Ed learns to make pasta on our Italian vacation. (pre COVID)

Apron Obsession

So, I don’t cook, but after I retired from teaching, I rekindled an interest in sewing. For a while I was obsessed with aprons. They are fun and easy to make, and I love giving them as gifts. A few weeks ago my aunt asked if I would make one for her daughter (my cousin). When I asked about colors and patterns, she said Rebecca liked bright colors and butterflies. Part of the fun for me is selecting the fabric. I enjoy putting together different colors and patterns, and with aprons, you can let your imagination run wild.

Rebecca’s Flutter-by Apron See &Sew pattern B5274

Blest be the ties

While I’m sewing, I like to think about the person who will wear the apron. Then I christen it with a name and bless it, hoping it will bring amazing food and happy times.