News Flash: I Finally Used a Sewing Machine! (and I hated it)

As all of you loyal followers know, I don't own a sewing machine and have never learned to use one. Every quilt on this site, for the last 13 years, has been made entirely by hand. Well, a few weeks ago I made this little purple dress for Gigi and was frustrated with the way the middle joined. The free directions were extremely vague so I improvised, but the seam kept coming apart in the middle gathers and I resewed it like five times. I was getting mad so my husband suggested that I dig out the beginner sewing machine my mom had given my oldest daughter 8 years ago that no one had ever used. I thought maybe he was right and it would hold that seam better so I agreed.

Well I took one look at the directions and my brain froze! So I made Mr. Babyquilts stop painting the kitchen to set it up for me. He'd taken home ec in highschool and claimed to remember how to thread the beast. I found a spool of machine thread I'd bought by accident long ago and we were off. I wasn't very good at it but I challenged myself to make an entire new dress with only the machine.

Here's the little dress I made, a copy of the purple one. Summary? I hated every second of using the machine and kept wanting to throw it out the window and go back to hand. It kept unthreading itself every ten seconds and I really didn't know what I was doing. Plus, to add insult to injury, I couldn't get it to sew over the gathers in the middle and ended up sewing it by hand again anyway!!!! Grrrr..... So guess what, this one comes apart in the middle every time I wash it too. I realize it's probably not the machine's fault, but I genuinely disliked the entire experience and am extremely unlikely to repeat it. You ladies can keep the machines!

At any rate, Gigi loves it and that's what matters. If I have to sew the middle a hundred more times, it will be worth it. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go sew it again, it just came out of the wash. (I only wish I was saying that to be funny!)

I Made a Skirt!

I'm VERY proud of myself for finally branching out into clothes!!! Yes, it was just a 2 year old's skirt, and yes it was from a free Oliver+S tutorial that did not involve a pattern, but I did it! I love it, and especially love how the yellow ribbon "glows" at the bottom. Double click photos to see better.

Before I started I got out the beginner's sewing machine that my mom gave me years ago and I actually opened the box and tried to get it sewing. Yeah. Didn't work. I have no idea how you people do that, it's very confusing, lots of threads everywhere and dials and such. So I just sewed it by hand. I'm going to try their other free pattern, the Popover Sundress next, and this one does have a pattern, so we'll see how it goes.

By the way, Gigi is sick this week, so above you see the rare paci-during-the day and the grumpy face that only happens when she's sick.

Yes, SHE is very grumpy.

Wolf wanted me to show you the "pillbug amusement park" that he and his friends made for their pet pillbugs. He was very proud also. I love how "boy" he is, always dirty and grass stained and sweaty-haired, running the neighborhood with his friends.

Forgot to show you, check out the sweet swag my sister sent me! These are vintage cutter quilt blocks made into pillows, and a gorgeous wallet using Nicey Jane fabrics. Thanks Heidi! Gigi's dolls are enjoying the pillows.


And lastly, I have some bread to show off! I'm trying out the new book Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day. The whole concept is that you make up a batch of bread and keep the dough in the fridge. Then when you want a pizza crust or a cinnamon roll or a loaf of bread for dinner, you just lop off a chunk and rise it, then bake. Voila, fresh bread every day. It's pretty good, not life changing, but I bake almost every day anyway, so it would be more life changing for someone who rarely bakes.

What are you up to lately?