So many projects so lil time.
I got the idea in my head that I need to make some Regency Era dresses for next year and various events. Why would anyone want to do that you say? Well I am sorta hobby crazed sometimes and I like to always add a lil something new to my hobby line up. And besides, I am a member of the Puget Sound Jane Austen Association of North America, which has events that members dress up in attire from that Era. Also, I am dreaming of attending the Jane Austen Festival in Bath, United Kingdom next year in September and well I need dresses!
I ordered a few patterns to begin this journey. However, when I opened up the patterns I was like Oh Boy, I think I better start sewing something a lil easier before I attempt this dress/costume project.
Trying to think of ideas, I finally decided on one. For a couple of years now I have been admiring these vintage and dress like aprons thinking one day I will get one. They are super adorable and well I NEED one. 
My Mom got a new machine and I thought how hard can it be? So, I went down to the fabric store to find a pattern, fabric and sewing accessories. I picked out material for myself and had my Mom pick out one for herself. I mean hey, it was her machine she should get something out it, right?
Here is the pattern:
Mom’s material:
The material was this orange sort of paisley with gold outline. I am not a bright colors type person but the pattern on the material was very pretty. I am thinking this would be a fun design for a cake!
I started on Sunday afternoon studying the pattern and realizing I really am out of my element here with this sewing business. I remember thinking I probably need to take a class before I start. But alas, I have everything so why not just try it. Worse case scenario I ruin material/thread and have to buy a new set.
After a movie (Singing in the Rain), a Lil bit of the Food Network, Oh and studying the pattern, Sunday about 6pm, I managed to get set-up as I had thought the pattern required. My Mom walked in from work and saw me. She came over and first thing she said was you have to pin the pattern pieces (wrong side down) to material. I asked, well more like impatiently snapped where does it say that? The pattern did not say anything about that. Sure enough the pattern did allude to that but did not spell it out. So learning tip number 1, read the entire damn pattern first and make sure you read the pattern pieces as well and while you’re at it make sure you know your sewing terms. I realized this was going to take way more than a day if this was how it was starting out. So after re pinning correctly, I cut out pieces and got everything ready to sew. I should mention that I was not making the apron style exactly as laid out so that would be another learning tip. Learning tip number 2, try not deviate from the plan until you know what you’re doing. I mean it works in baking why not sewing? Hmm. At any rate, I completed the set-up portion and was now on to the sewing portion. Did I mention I had not touched a machine in 24 years? Ummm yeah, definitely not going to be a half day or anything. I had to take a crash course on how to work the machine, threading the machine, the bobbin madness and general machine workings. An hour later, I started to sew the pieces together. I really had no patience with the pattern instructions as they were confusing so I did it my own way. Note to self and learning tip number 3, get some patience.
By 10 pm I was 60% complete, tired so decided to turn in. This 60% progress included me ripping seams and pieces that I felt were crooked or the thread bunched up somehow and a few other learning trials. I was a lil disappointed that I wasn’t finished by bedtime but that was just my insane desire to conquer the apron project.
By Monday afternoon, I was excited to finish the project. On the way home, I was mentally chanting, I will conquer the APRON! I came home and got to work. I did have some issues with uneven pockets, thread bunching up on the back side of the materials and wondering how to turn fabric outside in that you has sewn on the reverse side (think belt/strap). The answer to the last one (inside out fabric issue) was with various kitchen tools, the spatula, swizzle stick etc. I knew my kitchen gadgets would come in handy for other projects!
At last the finished project. It took me a few hours but I am pleased with the results of a Fall themed apron for Mom.
The finished apron:
I am pretty pleased about my first adventure in sewing, after some years! I am definitely looking forward to sewing my apron now that I have an idea of what to do and what not to do.
After another apron or two I may be ready for the Regency Day and Ball gowns. Wish me luck!
-Tara
