Sewing Wish List:

If I had an unlimited sewing budget, these are the things I would buy:

1. Singer Featherweight 221-1 - with attachments
2. Juki Overlock Machine
3. Juki Industrial Machine
4. Gigantic, sturdy antique wooden table
5. So much fabric!
6. Pattern Paper
7. New Scissors in asst. sizes
8. Clover Bias Tape Makers in asst. sizes
9. Every Vintage size 6 pattern. Ever!
10. Interfacing

I've noticed that the plate on my iron is FILTHY! The last thing I need is for some weird iron residue to make its way onto my fabric. Here is the best way to clean an iron.

1. Turn the iron onto it's highest setting and run it across some newspaper until all the gunk is gone.

2. Turn the iron off (wait for it to completely cool) and use a washcloth dampened with vinegar to clean the plate.

Sorbetto No. 1

Today I made an entire Sorbetto top with some surprisingly nice grandma/floral cotton. I made my first scalloped hem, bias tape, sewed it all and finished everything in a matter of hours. I even went as far as to sit down and hand hem the bottom. The scallops were a fairly hassle-free success as was the concept of using cotton to make my own bias tape. There are a few small imperfections but overall I am able to wear this top without the fear of someone saying 'uh....did you...make that?' - Not in a good way.

It has been an uncommon sewing success. I learned and executed a scalloped hem and I made and used my own bias tape without the aid of any kind of bias-tape-maker. I am one tiny step closer to becoming an excellent seamstress.

Here's what I learned:

1. Iron on both sides. This might be self explanatory for some, but when you're used to rushing everything and cutting corners it's a revelation. Who knew that taking the time to iron things well would make such a difference?

2. Cotton is the best fabric for beginning a project. All muslins will be made from cotton from now on. It's stable, not ravel-y, and responds well to ironing.

3. It's all about confidence. If you have to forge your own path, make sure you at least take the time to do it right.


This is kind of a big moment for me. I cannot really think of another time that I have ever completed a sewing project and actually felt okay about wearing the finished garment. At 26 yrs old I am finally making my own clothes. Awesome!

Here is a preview of the finished top.
Look how nicely those arm holes and neckline
are laying with the bias tape.
I made that.

Here are a few sewing tools that I don't need, but would make my life easier:

1) Clear Ruler

2) Interfacing

3) Sharp Pinking Shears (I found an extremely dull pair that are basically useless)

4) Tailor Chalk

5) White thread

What's frustrating is that 4 out of 5 of those items are in Kansas City until the end of the month.

Tomorrow I'm making another :)