yes no maybe - check one

As far as my idea of making my own dresses goes, I was recently advised by a good friend (who also happens to be a proficient seamstress) to consider moving the fabric I bought (but not enough of) on to a different project. Not having purchased enough yardage to work off of my original basic pattern will only breed stress and frustration. I don't have the level of skill to alter the details very much if/when things don't turn out perfect on the first try. I'm not keen to enter into such a complicated endeavor when I know my limits and my chances of failure are high. I'm an easily discouraged crafter and only do well at new projects if I'm confident, ambitious, and willing to experiment - I just don't feel that confident in this specific thing. My beginner-level projects need to be things I can conceivably accomplish without shooting myself in the head or walking around muttering "stupid Jasie, stupid Jasie", ala George Michael Bluth. Someday I'd LOVE to make my own clothes, but for now my focus is on smaller, more do-able things that bring me some of that much-needed instant gratification us children of the 80's so desperately crave.

This same friend has also been inspiring my sewing lately, though I'm not sure if she's aware of it. She's done many recent posts detailing her trek through a particular sewing book (that claims itself to be "for beginners", but SO is not). I helped her cut out and organize the pattern pieces weekend before last and was SO FUCKING OVERWHELMED by their sheer impressiveness and mostly by her drive to CONQUER them. I mean, seriously, I've been around sewing all my life, and while I may not be any good with a machine, I'm fairly adept at hand-sewing and the things I do know - these garments are hard, people. Hard. With a capital H. And bolded. Hard. And that instant gratification stuff? You won't get any of that when making these pieces.

Even though I don't possess the "dive-in" attitude that these projects require (and that Kelly very much so seems to possess) , the attention to detail and pattern mixing really struck a chord with me and I felt compelled to incorporate some basic patchwork into the things I make.

This even led to a new section being added to the shop! So while I totally make sewing promises to myself that I'm not equipped to keep, it's all about the little things and successfully branching out where I can and rocking it.