Sewing on Saturday: Project 1/52 (Ruffle-Bottom Boutique-Style Pants)

Last March, (yes, nine months ago) I took a sewing class at a local craft store.

I never learned to sew while growing up and was "too busy" with other coursework to take Home Economics classes while in high school!  Who needs to know how to sew?!!!  Fast-forward twenty-five years...I do!  And it's not so much "a need" as "a desire".

Anyway, I didn't blog about it because I know myself.  I am a perfectionist, and sewing has been my nemesis.  If I can't do it "right" on the first try with this craft, then I usually give up. And, I did.  Give up.

But, my New Year's resolution is to live a more intentional life. 

Meaning, I really need to put the perfectionism aside and be more determined to learn a new skill and find enjoyment in the process.  Regardless of the final result!  :)

So, I am planning on creating 52 new projects throughout 2012.  I think I can manage 1-project a week given my "easy" skill level and can't wait to create clothing for my three kiddos as well as soft furnishings for my home and/or as gifts for others. 

Feel free to join me each Saturday as I "sew my way through 2012".  I plan to share tips and tricks that I learn as a novice, and would certainly appreciate any advice that you, dear readers, might have to offer! 

Happy Sewing on Saturday!!!

"Boutique Style" Ruffle-Bottom Pants

As you can see from the above photo, I struggle with even the most-basic of sewing skills!  The strip of fabric on top was my first attempt at hemming the ruffle.  My stitching was everywhere!  Then I remembered that I'm supposed to use "the guide" as my fabric feeds through the machine.  Thus, the bottom ruffle has a much neater hem line!

And you thought I was kidding about being a novice!

Here is my first attempt, ever, at creating a ruffle.  If you disregard my sloppy sewing skills, you might actually agree with me that it turned out cute, no?  Mary Catherine picked the fabric (pants are the polka dot fabric).  We wanted something "Fall/Winterish".  Darling daughter actually wanted the pants made from the "cheetah" fabric.  I vetoed that idea.  

My work in progress...from far-away these don't look too bad!  And wow...attaching that ruffle to the pant leg, about made me return to my old ways (of quitting!), but I persevered.

The "nearly" finished product.  I still need to add the elastic waistband, which I will do today.

Finally, a few pics of Mary modeling her new pants.

And I have enough fabric leftover to make a pair of ruffle cuffs to add to a turtleneck to make a coordinated outfit.  Which is perfect since I need to really practice those hem lines!

Some Simple Sewing Truths

(I learned along the way!)

• Following an "EASY" sewing pattern is not as "easy" as it sounds for the novice.
• Your seam ripper will become your best friend.
• When in doubt...Google!  There are amazing sewing tutorials out on the web.
• Novices really need to PIN their fabric when sewing seams, hems, etc.  Even if you've pressed your fabric.
• Sewing is best done during naptime.  ;)

Here's the pattern I used...McCall's M6429

Favorite "YouTube" tutorial for creating ruffles to add to pants...

Sewing with Simply Annie Kate

Her blog...Simply Annie Kate