#mmaw2015-My First Make!

Hurray! I have finally, and very belatedly, finished my January make for the #mmaw2015 challenge 🙂

I decided a little while ago that I wanted to try and work my way through Tilly Walne’s fab book, Love at First Stitch.
It makes sense, as it is aimed at beginners dressmakers, and with each project it walks you through the steps you need, increasing in complexity as you work through the book.
I made the very 1st project-a simple headscarf- a while back, and project number 2 was these drawstring PJ trousers (Margot Pyjamas).

I procrastinated, and prevaricated, and for some reason found it really hard to get started. I think with young kids around, and a blog to blog, a new website to populate, and a book to finish, I always had some other pull on my time, and then I was struck down a horrid lurgy for 2 wks, and, and, and, and…..
I find it really strange that I found it so hard to get going. This is something I am supposed to enjoy. Something I am supposed to be looking forwards to, and be chomping at the bit to get started.
It may be because: a) I have to many other things to do already; b) It feels a bit selfish asking hubby if he can occupy the Smalls for an afternoon, ‘just’ so I can sew; c) I’m worried I won’t be able to do it/it will end up a huge mess; d) I wasn’t that keen on the PJ’s, but I knew I needed to do them, to take on board the skills I would need for the projects that come afterwards.

Anyway, they are done.
And they are wearable, they fit (except the waist is quite large-thank goodness for drawstrings!) and I have learned a lot.

Here are Some of the Things That I Learned About Sewing, and About Myself, That I Probably Already Knew, But That Doing This Has Emphasised!

1) A lot of sewing is not actually sewing.
It is cutting out patterns, and clearing space on the kitchen table/floor, and measuring, and pinning, and searching for the right colour thread, and discovering that there is a law that means that you have every other colour you might ever need already wound onto bobbins but not the colour you need this time, and ironing pressing
2) It would be better to try and carve out a large chunk of time to get everything done, rather than snatching an hour here and there, often a week apart, when I have totally lost track of where I am up to!
3) I am impatient to get to the sewing bit and try to take shortcuts with all the other bits
4) Number 3) does not make the sewing bit go as smoothly as it should
5) It is important to read and follow all the instructions, and to read through all the instructions properly before starting
6) When tracing patterns, all the little circles and lines/notches are actually quite important and need transferring across…
7) Sewing requires precision and accuracy
8) I am not a precise or accurate sewer (person)
9) I do not have the patience to zig zag seams (I used pinking shears…) but I am aware that I will need to either develop the patience OR source and master an overlocker
10) I would quite like to source and master an overlocker
11) I am not as good a sewer as I imagine I am in my head or as I want to be
12) But that’s ok, as it’s all a learning curve, and I need to take my time, and learn from my mistakes
13) I need to learn to walk before I can run
14) I am now keen to start on my second make!

How are you all getting on with your #mmaw2015 challenge?
I’ve seen some great bits of Facebook and Twitter, and have started a Pinterest board where we can all pin our makes. If you want to join (and I would love you all to!), we need to be following each other on Pinterest before I can send you an invite, and I need to know your Pinterest name, so leave a comment below/on FB/Twitter and let’s see how full of awesome makes we can get this board!