Sisters Day

Reflections, Sewing, Sisters

Before I begin I want to apologize for being away so long. It was a couple of days ago when my most loyal reader, who also happens to be my husband and my editor, mentioned that I needed to get another post up, that I realized that it has been almost three weeks since my last post. I could come up with a whole bunch of excuses but that’s all they would be – excuses. Instead I will beg your forgiveness and hope you enjoy this post. 🙂

“Sister. She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink. Some days, she’s the reason you wish you were an only child.”
― Barbara Alpert

I love the above quote as it accurately describes my relationship with my sisters. Honestly there were not many days of “wishing I was an only child” and those days are long gone, but the rest of this quote describes us.

Last Friday was sisters day. What is sisters day??? It’s simply spending time with my sisters. There are no rules for sisters day because we would probably break them anyway. Sisters day might be two, three, or four of us getting together, but it is not exclusive to us sisters. There might be aunts, cousins, daughters, grandkids or friends involved. Husbands, sons, son-in-laws are also welcome if they want to put up with our shenanigan’s. 🙂

Our activities also vary but since they often include some type of crafting it should come as no surprise that last Friday we spent time shopping at Joanne Fabrics. I came home with fabric to make two sewing projects that I have planned; several skeins of yarn that I have no immediate plans for (but if you knit or crochet you’ll understand that you can never have too much yarn); and a hairpin lace loom. Hairpin lace is a method of crochet that I recently learned of and now that I have the required tools I am looking forward experimenting with new creations.  (Watch for this in future posts.)

One of the sewing projects that I have planned is a do-over. If you are a long time reader you probably remember that despite not being skilled at sewing I usually dust off my sewing machine and attempt to sew something at least once or twice a year. My sister, Kathy, on the other hand is very skilled at sewing and has been teaching my other sister, Jamie and my cousin Abbey for a while now. In September I decided to get in on the action.

Below are wo of Kathy’s recent projects.

20191116_200646
A perfect fit and the dogs name is Daisy. 🙂

 

20191115_162601
This shirt is a pattern she would like us all to try. I really like the style but making button holes is scary.

 

September Sewing

We selected a pattern for a hooded shirt that we all liked and decided that we would each make our own. Kathy had made one for herself and when I tried it on I really liked the look and the way it fit. I was very encouraged when she said it was an easy pattern to make. We then went fabric shopping and each selected our own fabrics. There were so many options and as you will see in the photos below we all had different ideas.

It was a week later when we got together to begin making them. Kathy helped us with laying out the pattern on the fabric, telling and showing us things about the salvage and the stretch of the different fabrics. She also helped with making sure that my fabric was cut properly so I could line up the squares and that the flowers on Jamie’s fabric would all be right-side-up. We also talked about what type of stitch we should use, machine settings, seam allowances, and I assured her I had a ball point needle that she told me I would need.

Before we parted that day Kathy gave us the directions for the first few steps, sewing the front and back together, attaching the sleeves then sewing up both sides of the shirt. If we had time we could complete those steps before we met again. We could also line the hood and attach it if we thought we could do it on our own. If we had questions just give her a call.

By the time we met, a week later, I had completed many of the steps. The body and sleeves were assembled and the hood was lined. I had decided to wait for guidance when attaching the hood. I was glad I waited because I ran into some snags but by the time we parted that day the hood was properly attached and the band around the bottom was pinned in place – ready to be sewn. After that all I would have to do is sew the cuffs on and it would be finished. WOO HOO!

The next day, after I had successfully attached the band on the bottom of the shirt I pinned the first cuff in place and was feeling really excited as I was sewing it in place. I was almost finished! Once I had that cuff finished I held up the shirt and realized I had sewn the cuff on inside-out. Ugh! The seam was on the outside of the sleeve. I wanted to cry.

Instead I got out my seam ripper only to discover that instead of ripping out the stiches I was ripping the fabric, so taking that cuff off and redoing it was not the answer. I talked to my sister Jamie and she said she would probably sew the other on the same way and wear it like it was intentionally done that way. LOL. Since I had quite a bit of fabric leftover from the cuffs I decided to redesign them. It was already messed up so what harm could I do?

Nervously I cut about six inches off both sleeves. I then cut pieces of the cuff fabric that would fit the area that I had cut off.  I pinned them to the sleeves so that the seam would be on the inside and sewed them on. I was actually quite pleased with the results. You will see it in the photo below. In fact I liked every thing about the way the shirt turned out – except the way it fit me. 😦

Before you see the results I want to tell you that the photo of me is not very complimentary (it’s a horrible photo of me). Not only does the shirt not fit well I seem to have a Frankenstein thing going on with my hair. I was hesitant to even include it but I didn’t think it was fair to write about it all but not show the end results. So please don’t judge me on this photo.

 

IMG_5840 (2)
Abbey and Kathy
IMG_5841 (2)
Jamie and Ruth (Me)

I really learned a lot from this project. Not only about the sewing process but about the way different fabrics act. We all made the same pattern in the same size (Abbey decided not to add the band on the bottom), but each of the shirts fit differently. When I tried on Kathy’s shirt and Jamie’s shirt (it’s a sister thing you know – we grew up wearing each other’s clothes) they both fit me well. My shirt was a better fit on each of them as they are a bit shorter then I am.

Jamie, who had said several times while we were making our shirts how much she liked mine, made me and offer. If I gave her my shirt she would buy me fabric to make a new one, hence the “do-over”. Even though Jamie had mentioned liking my shirt previously, I tend to think her offer had a lot to do with encouraging me not to give up.

It is said that “practice makes perfect” and “if at first you don’t succeed try, try again” so that’s how I will be spending some of my time over the next week or so. Keep your fingers crossed that you will see an updated post revealing great results (and a better hairdo LOL).  🙂

Thanks for reading.

Have you ever tried sewing?

Do you prefer to wear prints or solids?

 

 

 

 

34 thoughts on “Sisters Day”

  1. I admire you, as I haven’t sewn since high school in the 70’s and usually my mother would finish it for me. I understand sewing machines have improved a lot since then! But I always enjoyed picking out the material and pattern and cutting it out.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Fabric shopping is lots of fun. There are so many different textures and patterns. My sister belongs to some online sewing groups and now gets her pattern files by email and has them stored on her computer. When she wants to make something she prints the pattern then it has to be taped together in the correct order. So another step in the process. Not bad though especially for someone who enjoys doing puzzles. LOL!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. Pingback: My Do-Over | Don't Eat It! Soap and Skin Care

  3. Good job! I should dig out my machine, dust it off and make a table runner or something. For shirts and dresses I like both prints and solids ~ depends on me mood! I do not have a sister but my husband actually likes to sew and seems to know what he’s doing so he can help me. I bought the machine years ago when I was going to make a brand new wardrobe even though I didn’t have a clue how to sew and no one to guide me at the time, LOL!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks. I just finished up my “do over” yesterday and am very pleased with the way it turned out. A table runner sounds like a good starting point. I had high expectations for myself when I bought my machine many years ago too and am happy that I am starting to learn how to use it more. It really does help having someone to do it with. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  4. The shirts are cute! Great job! Yes I have sewn before. I typically like to do piecework blankets as they are quite forgiving. I may end up sewing a new years costume. Our group is doing a themed 20’s night as we go into the year 2020. I am actually hoping to find something suitable at the Goodwill or a thrift store!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks Faye. A few tears ago I had fun making memory blankets for my daughters out of all the t-shirts the got when they were in high school. A 20’s theme sounds fun whether you make or shop for a costume. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  7. Aww it’s lovely to read about your sisters & the sewing projects! I can’t sew to save my life. I think I’d be too daunted by the arms let alone the button holes of a shirt so I’d never even get that far 😂
    Caz xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I have thought about making aprons before. I have a pattern that I bought years ago and just never got around to it. Maybe now that I am building a little more confidence. 🙂

      Like

      Reply

  9. Daisy’s duds look great! I envy you for getting to spend time with your sisters. Mine don’t live close by, so we see each other only a few times per year. I like to sew. I’ve made costumes for my husband, daughter, and I to wear to fan expos. (oops, my geekiness is showing) I wish I had more time to create things. That hairpin lace loom sounds interesting.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Kathy said that even though Daisy posed nicely for pictures she really didn’t like wearing her coat. I laughed at myself after I saw the picture because even though I was with Kathy when she bought the fabric I didn’t make the connection of daisy fabric for Daisy until I saw the picture. LOL.
      I know what a blessing it is to have this time with my sisters. In July when Kathy’s husband retires they are moving out of state so we won’t have so much time together. Creating costumes sounds like fun. I haven’t started playing with the hairpin lace yet. I am eager to but thought I should finish at least one of my two crochet projects first.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  10. How nice to have a “Sisters Day” and have sisters to share time with. You are blessed Ruth. I once upon a time made all my own clothes because I am tall and and have long arms and legs – years ago (70s) they did not make clothes for tall people, or people who had long inseams or arms – all my clothes looked like they belonged to my little sister. I would tell people I sewed my clothes, however … my mom would baste in sleeves, ruffles, do all the hemming … so she did a lot of work on the garment so I didn’t technically do it all myself. I like your shirt and think it is great you all worked off the same pattern – I always liked buffalo plaid and it is difficult to sew plaid as you must match it up to ensure it is lined up right and not mismatched, so kudos to you Ruth!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks Linda. It really is a blessing it is to have my sisters and be able to spend time with them.
      When I was in high school we had home ec class that was half a semester of cooking and half a semester of sewing. I learned the basics but with the availability of store bought and the popularity of designer clothes it wasn’t necessary or popular to sew and I think home ec classes were soon faded out.
      Now-a-days I have such admiration for those who make their own and families clothes and love one of a kind designs.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. I had home ec too Ruth in 8th grade, and didn’t learn too much about cooking – I think we made cheesy weenies which were hot dogs with bacon wrapped around them and cheese drizzled over top and it was in a croissant pastry if memory serves me right and honestly I can’t remember what else I would have learned there, but we made an apron for our moms (which I was sorry I couldn’t find it for my post on making aprons in home ec and I know it is here in the house somewhere) and we made a shift-type dress. We all had the exact same pattern for the dress – and all of used a similar calico fabric. Mine was blue – I remember it well. Our neighbor made all her own clothes and all the curtains … they had four kids and I believe that she made the girl’s clothing but the three boys she did not. I wonder what they teach in home ec these days – nowadays you can pull any recipe off the internet, usually in several different versions.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Back when I took it, we rarely went out to eat dinner and I don’t recall having fast food for many years after that. My mother cooked dinner seven days a week – on a rare occasion, probably for my benefit for a treat, did we have Swanson frozen TV dinners – my favorite was the wieners and beans and apple slices and cornbread. Strange things you remember. Why I picked that I don’t know as my mom made wieners and beans and fried potatoes sometimes for dinner – must’ve been the apple slices. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  11. I treasure our sisters days and I really enjoy sharing my love of sewing with you. It is really cool watching the progress and sharing your excitement ( and frustration) as your projects come to life. As a bonus I have been doing more sewing for myself so that I can try out projects you girls might like. But sewing or not whatever sisters day brings the best part is being together ❣(p.s. buttonholes really aren’t scary if you have a good machine)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Yes! The best part is spending the time together and I am thankful that we are able to do that.
      I think I have a “good” machine for doing button holes – just have never tried. We will figure it out together.
      Love You!

      Like

      Reply

      1. Fabric can be pricey, but our recent trip to shop for clothes proved that ready to wear is expensive too. Plus the garments you make yourself are definitely better constructed than what you find in stores.

        Like

I would love to hear from you.