Saturday, January 3, 2015

My first year sewing: In Review

So, my first post of 2015 will be a look back to 2014, the year I bought my sewing machine, my first pattern ever, and the the year I learned that patterns are not nearly as scary as I always thought.

When I got my first apartment at the age of 23, my mom gave me her old sewing machine, and I started making curtains, pillows, tablecloths, even a slipcover for my tiny Pier One couch/futon. None of them were all that great, but considering I was winging it, everything was fine for my purposes. (Except the slipcover, which never quite worked!). I even made a tree skirt with piping, which I use to this day and is really quite impressive given that I knew nothing and I made up the pattern myself. The only complaint to my more discerning eye today is that the piping seam is on the front of the tress skirt. Now I know better ...

Anyway, it has been a good year of sewing for me. I exceeded my goals set at the start of 2014, although as I had no idea what to expect, the goals were just random guesses of what I could accomplish.

In hopes of improving my blog consistency (which all comes down to the difficulty of getting good photos of my finished makes), here is a final round-up of my first year of sewing.

Overall, I am really pleased. While I cannot even remotely compare to so many of the sewists out there (one blogger described her year of 23 makes as measly!!!), I am pleased that I made a total of 16 items, of which 11 are liked and have been worn. (Another two may be wearable with some adjustments ...) I have 2 UFOs, one due to issues with fraying fabric and one due to sizing and the fact that it is a summer skirt that I cannot be bothered with in these cold temps!

My favorite makes of the year are my denim Mortmain Dress by Gather Patterns and my fuchsia Hazel dress by Victory. My biggest fail is probably my second Chardon skirt (the first being wonderful!), as it seemed cursed from the outset and should have been easy as it was my second make from that pattern. Oh well ...

Here is a run-down of my makes since my last post. Apologies for the lack of photos, but I will add them as I can! I really need to work out a system here for taking pics of my new wardrobe as it is being built!!!

Deer and Doe Jupe Chardon

I made the Deer and Doe Jupe Chardon from a lovely and heavy linen that I bought in Paris. Purple, and I added the band at the bottom in light grey. This make came out really well, the pleats are perfect, and the fit is really good. The zip was a bit tricky and took two tries, and as I did not know about interfacing for the zip area, it is unfortunately fraying a bit, as the linen frays like mad!!! I love this skirt and will wear it more, but I need to replace the zip and deal with the fraying. However, as the skirt fits like a glove, I am not sure what to do, as there is not a lot of room for taking it in a bit. Lesson certainly learned in working with linen! I have worn this skirt once and will wear it many more times once I fix the zipper.
Learned: more zipper practice, using interfacing on the zip area, the fraying properties of linen, pleats.

Deer and Doe Jupe Chardon
As I loved this pattern so much, I decided to make a second, out of a light blue, polka dotted heavy-weight linen-like material from Goldhawk Road in London. I do not know what happened but this skirt was cursed from the start. First, I cut into the fabric without realizing that I had folded the selvedges wrong and was not cutting on grain. Fortunately, this fabric seems to have no stretch at all, so it seemed okay. Then, I still do not know what I did, but I messed up the pleats because the skirt was way to small. I let out two pleats in the back. I do not think it is noticeable, but I know and just do not love it because it is not even. Then, my topstiching around the pleats is terrible!!! And it shows because the thread was a bit darker. The zip went in really well, thanks to the free Zipper class on Craftsy, by Sunni. It is a great instruction video, and free too! I watch it before inserting any zips!!! So, in the end, the skirt is okay but not great, so I have not worn it yet. It was very frustrating because I thought making something a second time would mean it would be even better, but perhaps this was a case of being over confident and not careful enough. I certainly learned a lesson there!
Learned: not to rush and take your time, even on second makes, more zip techniques, pay attention to the selvedge (as Gertie says, think and measure before going whak! whak! into your fabric.)

Colette Sencha
Again, thinking something I had already made would be a cinch (ha ha!) the second time, I was again proven wrong with my second Sencha, this one in a purple cotton, super soft and supple. I had purchased it in Paris, having loved the blue Sencha and wanting to make several more, as I always need more blouses. I decided to make a smaller size in the upper chest, grading out to the original size in the hips. I thought this might help with the needed SBA, since I still really do not understand how to make this alteration. That was a mistake!!! It fits just a bit too tight in the neck, and honestly, it looks a bit tight across the bust. With the buttons down the back, it is hard to get on and off, and I cannot seem to button the middle button once it is on, so I need my husband to help me get dressed. There is also something off about the darts at the waist. One seems to be backwards from the other, but I cannot quite tell. I have not worn this one at all, although I am still hopeful. With a good ironing, and as I lost a small bit of weight, we will see ...
Learned: I need to figure out the SBA, more beautiful button holes, did some extra interfacing based on learnings from the last, as the buttons were too heavy and needed some reinforcement

Frou Frou Noisette
This company has the most adorable packaging, and I am a sucker for packaging. So I bought the Noisette pattern, wanting a sweet little nightgown as part of my handmade wardrobe. The pattern is in French, and despite my decent command of the language, I did not understand a few things. Also, as this nightie does not have any zips, buttons or other closures, it needs a tiny bit of stretch to fit over the shoulders and not be too lose around the bust. I am not really happy with the fit overall for this reason and wonder if cutting on the bias would make a difference? The straps also came unsewn within two wearings, and I could not figure out one technique that helps cinch the nightie under the bust. Overall, this is sitting in a drawer and will probably be cut up for scraps, facings, etc. Dommage!
Learned: need to understand cutting on the bias a bit better, and need to work on my French vocab for sewing!
UPDATE: I bought this pattern for a colleague at work who is also starting to sew. She made hers and had the exact same issue with the tie under the bust, and her French is much better than mine. So, this may be a pattern problem, not operator error!!!

Sewaholic Alma Blouse
I love the concept of Sewaholic, as I have wide hips and a smaller top. I was excited to make the Alma blouse after reading so many great reviews of Tasia’s patterns. I used a blue shirting material with tiny red flecks in it, and I bought matching red cotton for the belt. Both came from Annecy, France. Overall, I really like this make, although I got a little aggressive on the sizing so it was a bit tight for me. It fits a bit better these last few weeks, wooohooo. Yea for Pilates! I did not do so well on the zipper on the side. First, I put one in that was not an invisible zip. I did not realize it was not an invisible one, and though it did look fine, I really wanted to follow the pattern and use the invisible zip. So out it came, and to the store to buy an invisible zip. Which I put in wrong, with one side twisted. Out it came a second time, and the third time was a charm. Except a tiny bit of the tail of the zipper tape got caught in the seam and sticks out the tiniest bit. I did not notice until I had finished and as it is under my arm, I have been too lazy to fix it. But I will. I really love this make and am pleased with it overall. I have worn it twice and I have plans to make some of the other versions.
Learned: Pay attention to the zip! Don’t be vain with sizing!

Colette Crepe Dress

I decided to use the Crepe dress pattern to copy a dress I saw in the window of Bongenie, a super expensive store here in Lausanne. The dress in the window was a pink linen, with a sash at the waist, costing over 400 CHF!!!. The Crepe pattern was an almost perfect match. I bought the fabric here in Lausanne, so it was a bit expensive, and I was nervous about the outcome, but overall, it is pretty good and a lot cheaper than Bongenie. The top is still a bit big, and my husband says the dress is a bit boring, but I like it. I have worn it once and received lots of compliments, perhaps because my pink polka dot shoes matched so beautifully.
Learned: French seams on the skirt (thanks Gertie), still not thrilled with the facing on the sleeves and neck

GBSB Pencil Skirt
So once again trying a second version of a pattern I liked, I made the GBSB pencil skirt, this time out of a thick cotton (?) I bought on Goldhawk Road. It is beige with fuschia velvet fleur-de-lys-like swirls. It is so beautiful. Actually, I bought the same material but with a teal velvet a few months back, with a plan to make the Mortmain dress. But I want to make it in a lesser fabric first, to test it out before going whak-whak into the lovely teal. Anyway, back to the fuschia version. When I was back on Goldhawk Road and saw the fuschia, I just couldn’t resist. I bought one meter, and the salesman asked me what I could make with a meter. A pencil skirl of course! I am proud to report that the second version of this skirt is great! It is an easy pattern, with only 6 pieces, and it comes together quite simply. I cut it out on a Sunday afternoon, but it was 3 weeks before I could sew it together. I am pleased with the zip, this time a real invisible zip. The only mistake I made was sewing the waistband facing on backwards, which was just me not paying close attention. An easy fix and no one will ever know! I have the perfect shoes too ... two pairs actually. The top of the zip is a bit wonky, but as I plan to wear a sweater with the skirt, no one will ever see it, and truly, it is not too bad! I am now highly motivated to make the Mortimer so I can use the teal fabric. It is so lovely!
Learned: more practice on an invisible zip, still need to pay better attention!!!

Mortmain Dress by Gather Patterns
This is my best make to-date!!! I want to make this pattern in the beige material with teal velvet flocking that I bought on Goldhawk Road, but I felt I should make a toile first. I had bought some nice thin denim in the coupon bin at Manor and thought this could make a good wearable muslin, as I cannot get excited about sewing a muslin with muslin. It feels like such a waste of precious sewing time!!! Anyway, for this pattern, I was extra careful with the seam allowances, the sizing, everything, and it paid off. Everything fit together perfectly and fit me perfectly. I love the bodice, and I also love the pleated skirt. Maybe next time I will eliminate the pleats at the side seams, as I do not need any extra there with my hips!!!
My only issue: the exposed zip. While easy to insert, there was a big hole at the bottom which I could not figure out how to fix or why it occurred. It did not help that I had an exposed zip that separated, but I could not find a fixed zip anywhere in that length!!! After almost crying at the hole in my skirt, I put it away for a few days, brainstormed lots of ideas  to fix it, and in the end, sewed the back  center seam up a bit higher and in an bit more, to cover it. It is not perfect, but there is no hole and I think it works really well!!! LOVE this pattern and plan to make it many times!!!
Learned: better attention to exact seam allowances, exposed zips

Hazel Dress by Victory
This was the first dress pattern I bought, but I only made it now because it took a long time to find the right fabric. I originally bought some green cotton voile and some black cotton voile, thinking this would be perfect. While the colors would be great for the color blocking on the Hazel, I do not think the fabric would really work, being too thin and without enough body to hang correctly. Then, one day I saw Ladystitcher’s version, made in a fuchsia crepe, without the colorblocking. I love it so I shamelessly stole it. We do not live near each other so I doubt we will ever run into each other wearing it on the same day!!! I hope she does not mind!
Anyway, back to the dress, I made it and am really pleased with the final. It looks nice, not too shapeless, which I do not care for as a style for me, and am looking forward to wearing it. Of course, I made a really big mistake, in that I sewed the neck tie and facing on wrong, so they were on the outside. I had to unpick them, which is hard with the crepe I used, as it is very fragile and frays terribly. I probably need to do something to the inside seams since I do not have a serger. I pinked them but am not sure this will really hold up. I like the lining technique on the dress, although it does feel a bit bulky at the waist. But I am afraid to trim the seam allowances too much, for fear they will fray completely. Will have to closely watch this with wearing. I made one change in the order of directions, sewing the hems of the sleeves before sewing the side seams. I find it too hard to sew these small holes on the machine and much easier to sew them flat. Does anyone else do that? It seems so much more logical to me ...
Overall, I am happy with the outcome. I will wear it this week and see how it goes!

While I was making this, Coletterie posted a piece on the blog on if you have one thing in sewing that always messes you up. For her, I think it was cutting. But, the article really resonated, because I cannot even count how many times I have sewn things together backwards, without the right sides facing. I do not know if it will improve as I build my skills or if I am just cursed with this!!! Probably, I just need to slow down and read the directions more carefully and double check everything before sewing. Some basting would probably be a good step too!!! We will see if I improve in this area! But glad to know that we all have our sewing Achilles Heel!

UPDATE: I now realize why it is important to sew the cuffs together and then hem. The edge of the cuff now stands out a bit, so I will need to apply some bias tape or something to the seam ... But I wore the dress for my birthday and got loads of compliments. I really love it and felt great wearing it!

Renfrew Top, By Sewaholic
I cut the pieces out, view C with the cowl neck and the long sleeves from view A, before I went to San Francisco for 11 days for work. When I got back, it was another 1.5 weeks before I could get to sewing it. It is a very quick sew, even for me, but I still took 2 days and tried to take my time with it. And I love it! The fit is great, the style is great. I love the cowl, which is a style I really like and wear a lot of. I used a pink and white striped knit that I bought on Goldhawk Road, and it is soft and the perfect weight for the shirt. 

The sleeves are a bit long and the cuffs are quite loose, but I still really like it. I will adjust those next time, but this will definitelz be the first of many. I am more and more impressed with Sewaholic each time I make something. I cannot wait to try the trousers, but I am not quite ready for this challenge!!!

I wore my new Renfrew out for some final Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve, and it was very festive. I look a bit like a candy cane ... in a good way!

* * *

As for 2015 goals, I want to exceed my 16 makes and improve my percentage of wearables. I also want to continue improving my techniques and learn lots of new approaches. I will not set a number (although 24 makes, 2 per month seems reasonable, given my intense work and travel schedule), so we will just see what happens. I also really want to get a good system for taking photos of my makes, so I can actually blog them and contribute to the amazing sewing community that has taught me so much in 2014!!! Thanks, everyone!

Monday, September 22, 2014

Sewing So Far in 2013: I would call it a success!


While I have been terrible at blogging, I have been quite good about sewing in 2014, my first year with a sewing machine.

I have been even better at fabric shopping! I am on a self-imposed ban while I whittle down my stash, which according to all the blogs I follow, is a common problem among dressmakers! The ban might be broken as I have a trip to NY next week, and by all accounts, Mood Fabrics is not to be missed ...

Back to my progress update: When I bought my machine at the beginning of the year (it arrived the 3rd week of January), I set a goal of 12 makes for the year. One per month seemed quite reasonable for a first-year dressmaker.

With the year almost 3/4ths over, how am I doing?

I am proud to say that I have exceeded my goal, and while not everything I have made is wearable, I have made some lovely pieces that are quite good for my novice skills. And more importantly, I am wearing them!

Here is a quick overview of the first 6 makes, along with some learnings:

Miette Skirt: Tilly and the Buttons

Miette Skirt, but too big!

Came together really well but was entirely too big, even as a wrap skirt. I am pleased with the overall construction, but I certainly learned a lot about sizing and looking at the finished sizes. I find that Tilly’s patterns have a lot more ease than I am used to. This is in a pile for a possible alteration one day, we will see. I love the contrast I did with the grey and pink. (Forgive the pictures, as it is hard to photograph something on a hanger.)
Learned: first time ever sewing by a pattern (and a PDF one at that! BTW, I prefer paper patterns in general) and following instructions. Learned a lot about basic sewing. Love Tilly’s on-line tutorial.
My helpers with the PDF pattern assembly

Colette Crepe Dress

I made the Crepe dress with a stunning raw silk fabric I bought at Manor. It was quite pricey (although this is Switzerland!), so I was nervous about cutting into it, but I did. I was quite pleased with the end result and have worn it once. It fits quite well, except the bust area is a bit big. I did make a muslin of this dress, and I learned that you do not need to cut every possible piece out, just the necessary parts for fitting. So I have pockets and facings lying around in muslin, ha ha! I am not really sure the muslin helped, because I did not really understand how to do a small bust adjustment. I also do not really like the facings, as even though I understitched them (thanks Gertie for that tip!), they still flip out a bit. I want to try bias binding as a finish for necks and arms, so something to learn. I also put the pockets in upside down (ha ha!), and I could not figure out how to fix them without a lot of unpicking, so I just removed them. Overall, very happy with the dress and received lots of compliments.
Learned: to only cut necessary pieces for a muslin, so much easier! Learned understitching. Learned how to pay attention to pocket insertion! And, I only discovered Gertie's sew-along after I was finished, so I now know to search for sew-alongs before beginning any new project.

I made the pencil skirt in a blue suede that I have had for ages, when I used to make curtains and such for my house. This is a fairly simple pattern, with only a few pieces, and it has no waistband. I did not have an invisible zip, so I did something like a lapped zip, although I am not quite sure what I did and where I found the instructions. The stitching around the zip leaves a lot to be desired, but the thread color is such a good match that it is not too noticeable. But, it was my first zip ever, so I am going easy on myself! I was not sure how to iron suede, so I neglected to press the seams, until once when I forgot and scorched the inside waste band facing. At least it is inside the skirt, but it itches a lot if the scorched area is touching my skin!!! I have worn this skirt twice and am semi-pleased with it.
Learned: zipper (sort of!), sewing with suede, need for a press cloth!

Colette Sencha
Note my assistant photog in the corner. Always helping!
Inspired by the Tilly and the Buttons Sencha blouse, and with some amazing cotton voile that I found in Paris, I made the Sencha, version B. I love this blouse. Again, with Colette, I really need to learn how to do an SBA, but this is not too bad with this blouse. I also really do not understand the sleeves and while I understitched and handstitched them, they kept flipping out. I finally topstitched them a bit shorter than I think they should be, but they look better now. I love the buttons down the back, and I found the most beautiful pearl buttons, also in Paris. My button holes are stunning, but I credit my fantastic Janome machine for this. This is one of my favorite makes. I have worn it three or four times.
Learned: button holes, neck darts

For my first knit, I went with the Coco dress. There were so many reviews and great tutorials, so I thought it was a good place to start. I like the knit fabric I found on Goldhawk Road in grey. I also bought a similar weight in purple and made the sleeve cuffs and a band at the bottom of the dress in the purple. I did not add any pockets, as I find the pockets look really small and out of sync with the rest of the dress. I am really pleased with this make. There is a slight bit of pulling on one side of the neck, but it is not terribly noticeable, and I received lots of compliments. I like the instructions and tutorials from Tilly. I have worn it two times.
Learned: sewing with knits

I next tried the wrap dress in the GBSB book. This is still undergoing revision to see if I can ever wear it. First off, the pattern and instructions are not that good! The instructions seem a bit out of order in a few places, like hemming the sleeves, which seems like it would have been easier before stitching up the side seam, as the wrist hole is quite small and hard to get around the sewing arm. It also has pleats in the bum??? Who needs pleats in the bum? They stick out a bit in an area where I need no additional help! This is also a knit which is challenging, and I am sure it has stretched out with my sewing. I am not sure I chose the right type of knit, as I bought it in Annecy, and the labeling was not great, and my French knowledge of fabrics is not much better. I followed all instructions, but in the end, I took off the bias binding that edged the entire dress. It was too heavy/bulky for the fabric and made the dress look a bit awkward, plus my installation was not really that good, with seams in some very visible places. The hem is not quite even when wrapped (due to stretching, I am sure), and it is a bit large in the top area. Overall, not sure if I will ever wear it ... we will see after ironing it and trying it on once more.
Learned: bias binding as a decorative edge, more sewing with knits, pleats. Also learned that just because the instructions say it, there may be better ways. I will do more research before starting a project.

I will add the next batch of projects in a future blog post, as this is already quite heavy. If I were a better blogger, I would have done an individual post on each of these. Let's see if I can improve in this area in the future!

Thanks for reading, and Happy Sewing! I am off to work on the Mortmain Dress from Gather in a light-weight denim-look fabric. We will see! I love the style of this dress!

Monday, May 12, 2014

A tool or a toy?


It depends on who you ask! I bought this pin cushion in Paris over Easter weekend. I really needed one but didn't want to spend precious sewing time making one, even though I have seen some really good ones. I also did not want the traditional red tomato one.

When I saw this one, with polka dots, I knew it was perfect.

I am not the only who thinks so.

Maurice and Aurélie (our cats) also love it and will run off with it whenever I turn my back. They bat it around, pins go everywhere, and it is a mess. Aaron says I should just give it to them already (sans pins, of course), but I just cannot. I need a pin cushion ...

In the end, I am sure they will win. They always do. Who can resist their cute antics, and besides, they are big helpers in the sewing room!

What do you think? Tool or toy? Should I give it to them or selfishly keep it for myself?!


Saturday, May 3, 2014

Je suis accro à la couture (I am addicted to sewing!)

I learned a new phrase in my French lesson last week and it has stuck with me, probably because it is so true!!! I am addicted to sewing! I just love the idea that I can make the clothes and styles that I love.

I am sure that much of this comes from the early success I am having and the compliments I am receiving. I have made 5 items now:

  • The Miette Skirt, from Tilly and the Buttons: Not blogged because it is too big. Even though it is a wrap, it is enormous. Not sure what I did wrong, or how to fix it, but at some point, I will rip out some of the stitches and try to re-size it.
  • A pencil skirt in blue suede, from The Great British Sewing Bee book 2: A really nice and easy pattern, but what was I thinking sewing in blue suede? This is a bit advanced for a beginner, non? I wasn't sure how to press it and accidentally burnt the inside waste band, and the zipper (my first!) is not great. These things are only visible to me, but undecided if I will wear it ...
  • The Sencha blouse from Colette: Will blog it soon. I love it!!!
  • Coco dress from Tilly and the Buttons: Really love this one too and will blog it soon! I just need my lovely husband to take some snaps!
In the meantime, I am working on a stretch knit wrap dress, also from the Great British Sewing Bee book. Hoping to finish it today, so I can start on my next project: a remake of the Colette crepe in a summery pink linen.

Here is my inspiration for my next Crepe:

I was walking through Place St. Francois near my flat and passed the Bon Genie department store, known for gorgeous window designs. There in the window was a perfect pink summer dress with a tie at the waste. I was smitten, until I saw the price tag: Robe (dress) 449 Swiss francs. (And the adorable shoes are even more at 460 Swiss francs!)


I immediately thought of the Crepe dress. While not a perfect pattern match, it is quite close with the waist tie and overall feel, and I have been wanting a chance to make it again in a lighter, more casual fabric and with the sweetheart neckline. So, I will be making my own version, for a much more reasonable price! Now, where to find a better deal on the shoes ...

Stay tuned! Pics to come soon, I promise!

Hugs,
Stacey

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

My first make

What a feeling! To wear something you made, something you can be proud of having made. Well, today was the day for me! And I must say, I am smitten with sewing!

Today, I wore the lovely Crepe dress from Colette. I vowed before leaving the house that I would not tell everyone I met that I made the dress. Instead, I would wait for the inevitable comments on the stunning fabric, the style, the quality, the total look.

And I mostly managed to keep my vow. I told one woman in my office who knew I had taken up sewing, but otherwise, I waited until people said how they liked my dress, and then, I would break the news! I tried to be modest, but it was all I could do not to sing it from the roof tops!

For those of you who sew regularly, perhaps I seem a bit dramatic. But truly, for the first garment I have ever made, with visions of Red Valentino designs on my sewing machine to lull me to sleep each night, I am so pleased.

I love the style of the Crepe dress, with the wrap dress and ties around the waste. It was fairly simple for a beginner, with no zips or buttons, and it looks great.

I had seen the fabric at Manor, the local department store in Switzerland. I think it is a Duponi silk, but I am not sure. It was too expensive, as is everything in Switzerland, but having thought about it for a week, I couldn't resist returning to buy it, armed with a 10 CHF coupon to soften the blow. And I am glad I did, because it is perfect for the Crepe.

I made a toile first, because I did not want to just cut into such lush fabric and immediately make a mistake. But, I must admit that I was lazy with the toile. I just could not get too excited about the cotton fabric I bought from Ikea. I did not iron anything, and I barely took all the steps. It really defeated the purpose of making a toile, because I cannot say that I really made any adjustments, other than to cut the bodice one size smaller.

You can see that it is a bit large in the top. I will have to learn how to do an SBA. The toile should have revealed this to me, but again ... LAZY ME! To try and solve it, I made the darts a bit larger on the front, then sewed a larger seam allowance. With a sweater, I do not think it is too bad.

I struggled with the arm and neck facings flipping out constantly. No amount of ironing solved it. I finally gave up and went to the trusty Internet to see what I could find. And what else, but Gertie did a sew-along with this dress, complete with videos and everything. I was thrilled to find it but sad that I had not found it earlier. I will follow her excellent instructions this weekend to sew the facings to the seam allowance. Brilliant! And next time, before I begin any pattern, I will search for all sew-alongs in advance. I learned quite a lot from Gertie on the Crepe, but too late for this version. But, I am sure I will be making a few more.

Another little bit: I was so excited to be making pockets that I brazenly stitched them in without paying enough attention, only to discover at the end that they were upside down. Upside down pockets do not work. I tried to fix them without removing the entire side seem, but it was a complete mess, so in the end, I removed them and sewed up the seams for a pocketless Crepe. Okay for me, if this was the worst mistake I made. And, it is kind of funny!

I made this dress all by myself with lots of help from the on-line sewing community. Thanks to so many of you, as I have been lurking and reading so many of your blogs and following so many tutorials, which gave me a wealth of great resources and knowledge from the start. How did we ever live without this thing called the web? How did I ever live without sewing?

Thanks everyone! I would love to hear all about your first project? Were you happy with the result? Did it motivate you more?

My trusty helper, Aurélie