My dressmaking was interrupted with a very welcome interlude of a stroll to the park with my husband and then a mosey down the pub for lunch and a beer or two. I’m not sure if it was a good idea to operate the sewing machine after that but things seemed to turn out OK.

I was particularly pleased that I managed to make French seams which are good for delicate and lightweight fabric like this. They make the finished garment feel stronger and prevent fraying because there are no raw edges exposed. I’ve added a video tutorial to the resources page (under ‘dressmaking’) on how to do French seams in case you’re not already in the know.

I also love these little flower buttons which really go with the colour and style of this fabric. I bought these at a fantastic craft fayre in Brinsley a year or two ago. I wish those craft fayres could happen all the time.

Although I’m happy with my new cute top I’ve learned that I’m not yet ready to cut my own patterns as the shape is far from perfect. That’s OK though because I’ve lined up a whole load of patterns to watch in eBay ready for the snipe!

By the way, did you notice that my little ole blog has had a makeover? You like?

So what can I and can’t I do? Well, I’m not an absolute beginner. I can find my way around my sewing machine, although I haven’t got to grips with everything these wonderful contraptions can do yet. I can hand sew and embroider a little and I know a couple of crochet and knitting stitches. I have a few basic beading tools and accessories for making jewellery too. But there’s room for much improvement and so much to learn.

My aim is to make this more than learning the techniques alone, I want to train myself into knowing what works aesthetically and what doesn’t , what suits me and fits well and what is the most responsible way of going about it.

So here’s an official ‘out with the old’. Here are a few things I’ve made in the past and do actually use but with a wave goodbye to the so called techniques that I invented to put them together. To my experienced crafter friends these will seem obvious but they’re all honest mistakes. To other newbies like me, these may seem familiar…

The summer top

I love this little top and I have worn it on the few warm days we get around here. I got the fabric from a terrific craft fair in Brinsley (just outside Nottingham) a couple of years ago. I managed to score myself some gorgeous 1970s fabric on that day I tell you.

LESSON LEARNED:
Finish a job properly
Fabric frays, its a fact of life we can’t ignore – you just can’t leave raw edges on a hem, especially if the item of clothing is getting some good wear and tear. Learn the ways of the bias binding my friend or learn how to do hems properly for goodness sake!

This goes for any project or item you’ve taken care to make. Why go through the whole thing cautiously making sure your sewing is in perfect lines and looking all neat and tidy just to rush the end for that quick gratification? Its just not worth it.

Jewellery

I have a few hand made items of jewellery, some of which are my favourites, like this bracelect that looks just like juicy pomegranate seeds and this necklace with the pretty leaf bead at the end. I have lots of beads which people have given to me over time and I’m sure that eventually I’ll find a use for them all.

LESSON LEARNED:
Get the right tools
OK so teeth were around long before pliers and pinchers but that doesn’t mean they make the neatest and most secure finish to your work. If you’re going to spend hours lovingly threading individual beads onto the wire then at least spend a little cash making sure they stay there.

As much as I love using shoes for hammers and knives for screwdrivers I have to accept that whatever you’re making there’s no substitute for the right tool.

Bags, purses, you name it

Basically I’m talking about anything with a lining. Bags are the things I’ve made the most with linings whether they’re cotton totes, crochet clutches or kitch little handbags like this one which was made from a shirt. They all need linings and deserve to have them done properly.

LESSON LEARNED:
It’s what’s on the inside that counts
I know that sounds like something from the Oprah Winfrey show but it is true. Although no-one may ever see your lining you’ll still know if you didn’t put enough effort into it.

Everything that has instructions

This is the simplest of all but the most important and my downfall everytime. Instructions? Tutorials? Patterns? Phooey!

LESSON LEARNED:
Read the manual!
I don’t need to say anymore. The implications are obvious, I just need to make sure I follow my own advice.