Tuesday, March 11, 2008

The 'ol College Try

Okay, so I can't sew. Can't isn't probably the best word - sewing challenged may better describe it. I took home ec classes and all that good stuff but it was quite a while ago and I just didn't use my skills and as they say "use it or lose it." I've tried my hand at sewing on several occasions since home ec. Perhaps most notably was the cafe curtains I dared to try when we first moved into the house (blame HGTV!) - let's just say they weren't the best looking things. I kept them up for about 2 days. I think the silent wide eyed looks from family did them in.

I had a sewing machine on my Christmas list this year but then took it off - figuring I wouldn't use it enough to justify the expense. I've looked into sewing classes but most of the ones around here require you to bring your own machine and even if I did have one - I'm not lugging it across a parking lot! Other projects and ideas have pushed sewing out of the way for now though I feel I'll revisit it again someday. All this being said, I had a hankering to try making a heart softie recently. I decided that I could hand stitch it (these skills aren't much better then the machine ones!) to save my sanity. Above is a photo of the results - I actually do have it displayed in a prominent location and my husband seems to genuinely like it! Let's just not look at the stitching too closely now.

xo,


21 comments:

Lolly said...

LOL! I just learned how to sew in November.....I bought a brand new sewing machine in 2005 and it sat in the box until this past November when I was "ready" to learn....now I love it and am quickly learning all the sewing tricks. I love your heart!!
~Lolly

Jenn said...

You have a sweet softie heart here ;-)

I am not great at sewing, it took me a month to finish my plain apron...LOL, but I love it..hehe

Jenn

Heidi said...

What a sweet heart, made with such sweet determination! You can buy used sewing machines cheap in the thrift stores, maybe try that first? Then you can always use it to sew on paper, which is a blast!

*Heidi*

Jennifer Hayslip said...

Karla,
Oh goodness girl! I've finally have met another NON SEWER! hee! hee! I CANNOT sew to save my life. Last time I tried was at Silver Bella and I flopped on my project. :( Your heart still turned out really cute tho'. ;)

Susan @ Blackberry Creek said...

Karla, I love your heart softie. Don't count out your sewing skills just yet. Maybe all you need is a little confidence and practice. The heart is lovely.

Anonymous said...

Funny!! In my house, my husband does the sewing!!
P.S. I left an award for you on my blog.

Beth Leintz said...

I'm not much of sewer either, I wish I was- I just priced pillow shams at $40 a piece- I sure wish I could sew some!

When I do sew, its usually little handsewing projects I can do in front of the TV- and I say the same thing- don't look to closely at the stitching- but I'm really impressed that you could get a heart shape to come out- I've never been able to do that!

Preppy Lizard said...

What a pretty heart! I can't imagine hand sewing all that...good for you!

Britt- Sparkled Vintage Charm said...

I can't sew either! lol. It scares me. My hubby bought me a sewing machine for Valentines. I have barely even looked at it. lol. P.S. I gave you an award on my blog :-)
xo Britt

Lori said...

Karla, i think your heart is darling sweet, i love the pinked edge and the lace and ribbon embellishment are gorgeous!!!

roseroomnz.com said...

Looks good to me:) Rachael

Cape Cod Washashore said...

That is a very lovey sweet heart! Well done!!! =)

I HATED sewing in junior high school - even my teacher said I was a hopeless case! lol (How's that for inspiration from a teacher!) Then a few years ago, I decided I wanted to make a pillow, and I decided I liked sewing after all (perhaps because I was doing it on my own terms this time)! =)

Artifax said...

As someone who gave up on sewing machines years ago... I can relate. I saw a little one for kids at Target at Christmas time though and thought -- surely I could make one for 8 year olds produce a work of beauty. LOL! I didn't buy it, but I think about every now and then.

Your plush heart is beautiful! I've always found handsewing to lend more of the handcrafted touch to items and that it has more charm :)

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Your heart is adorable! I am with you when it comes to sewing. I can sew a straight line, so I have made drapes and I do sew the lavender sashet pillows for my website. But don't ask me to add ruffles, or fringe or zippers!!
Hugs,
Penny

Anonymous said...

Well done! I just quit worrying about the rules of sewing and have fun. It has really helped me enjoy it...Plus, it has been awhile since my homeec class, I don't remember what I am supposed to do, just know I am not doing it!

mushroommeadows said...

Did you say that you did that by hand?? Very nice, indeed!! No wonder your husband likes it. :)

Free Art Printables said...

That heart is so cute! Believe me, that is much better than I could have done!Thank so much for stopping by my blog for a visit!
Jen R

Anonymous said...

I am actually trying to teach my daughters to sew so that in return one of them will actually get good enough to teach me! Patterns are the absolute worst for me!

Fete et Fleur said...

I think it's wonderful and it doesn't look sewing challenged at all. I've always had this fantasy of making my own clothes, but I've never learned to sew. You've inspired me.

Hugs! Nancy

Natasha Burns said...

I love your softie Karla! We'll have to do some hand sewing together when I come over!
I got a cheapie sewing machine after I was tired of borrowing my mother's every week and returning it only to lug it back over again. It does collect dust but it is handy for those times when you really do need it!

kecia deveney said...

it's sweet - especially with the pinking sheared edges! nothing's better than hand sewn.
kEcIa

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