Wednesday, May 6, 2009

french seams - holla!

Oh that's right. My sisters are wincing right now with my use of holla - they can't see that I also have my hands up over my head and am raising them up and down in a motion I believe is called "raising the roof." And with a grand bow, I am officially uncool.

Except that I don't even care because THIS is what I'm totally excited (I'll refrain from using the word stoked) about:




How do you like me now?! About halfway through making this, Ainsleigh came in and looked through all the fabric and began asking questions. At that point, the top had not been gathered and it looked gigantic. Joel wondered if it was a miniskirt for an obese person. So I explained to Ainsleigh about how it was going to be the twirliest skirt she ever had. "Whoa," she quietly said, "That's.so.cool. Can you finish it today?" Well, it wasn't that day (or even then next), but I finally finished it. And I'm immensely proud of myself.

I would have finished a while ago, but I chose to do my seams a little different this time. My friend Susan was over and admiring the girls' Easter dresses. She said that her mom used to say that something was only as pretty as it was turned inside out (or something like that), and that she used to do french seams because otherwise it bothered her kids.

Ooooh. French? seams? What is that?! (it MUST be better. i MUST know!) So she explained how it's basically two seams, but so you don't have any raw edges. This is obviously more work, but makes for very clean seams. I don't think I need to stress how much I love doing more work when it means better results. And the added benefit of secretly believing I'm doing something superior (see: cloth diapering, making all my own baby food, and cleaning my counters with a toothbrush. also see: personality, type A). I became determined to french the hell out of my next seams. And I did. (what is more ridiculous than swearing at seams? nothing.)

(extreme close-up!)

(ok, in all fairness, I only frenched the horizontal seams. I was afraid that doing both vertical and horizontal ones would make the seams too bulky. So I opted to do the ones that would be likely to fray more - the gathered ones. I think there is wisdom in that decision)

Yes, I realize that this is, perhaps, the most uninteresting kind of post for most people, or at least my dad. BUT, let's not forget that just a couple months ago you would have had to pick Joel up off the floor where he would be rolling around in laughter at the mere suggestion of me sitting at the sewing machine. Evidence that it is never too late to start a new hobby. Despite what the grumpy fabric mavens working behind the counter at Joann's seem to think. Harumph.

8 comments:

Alice said...

Awesome. I always wanted a skirt like that to twirl in when I was younger. Do you knit and build houses too?

wanda said...

Now I'm feeling guilty that I didn't bring you my old serger. But congrats on the french seams. Your next project, try flat-felled seams!

Anonymous said...

"...I realize that this is, perhaps, the most uninteresting kind of post for most people, or at least my dad..."

Word. Still, I'm impressed.

Anne said...

awesome!! if only i had girls....

Marylynn said...

I love the skirt! You have inspired me to learn how to sew, only wish I could have someone teach me since I barely know how to use a sewing machine. But like you said it's never too late to learn.

Suzie's Armoire said...

Great job! I did French seams, once, on the baby sling I made for Alina. I'd have to look it up again. But, yeah, more work. I've been meaning to make Alina a sundress, but haven't gotten around to it. Thanks for inspiring me.

Lisa said...

"I became determined to french the hell out of my next seams."

That is so beyond awesome. :)

Margo said...

I am drooling at this cool skirt. What a lucky girl. I also love the flower in her hair. It totally adds to the cuteness.