Fixed sewing machine, finished the shirt.

I did it! Burda pattern number 7798, shirt.dress.blouse. I did the shirt, in a pale natural colored linen. My next step is I am going to embroider on it in white embroidery thread, a simple line drawing on the bottom part.

For those following the sewing machine debacle, the problem was ridiculously simple and SO the product of a nervous amateur seamstress. Somehow I just threaded it wrong. After taking the entire machine apart, cleaning everything, changing the needle, experimenting with the tension, putting it all back together and sleeping on it, I woke up and re-threaded it and it was fine. Allow me to pause and roll my eyes...

OK, so what did I learn, besides a million things about sewing from a pattern? This piece was a learning piece as I make my way toward designing five perfect patterns which will comprise a uniform of sorts for me: patterns which are all interchangeable and layerable and multi-seasonal.
The goal: to obsess madly over sewing, patternmaking, fashion, and my wardrobe in the short term,  in order to create a long-term life in which I rarely ever have to shop, and I am neither distracted by the constant changes in the fashion world nor am I walking around in ratty hand-me-down clothes as resistance to the mass-produced clothing industry. Feel good in my clothes, spend less money, resist sweatshops and mass production, and spend my time on more interesting things. Rad!

So some elements of this pattern could be a part of the final pattern which is a base shirt pattern. It might be too complicated: these things have to be simple and fast to make (although I will undoubtedly get much speedier each time I make one). There is something about the pleats and a-line style which make me feel a bit like theater curtains on a stage where people have gathered to witness some boobage. Its a bit too boob-framing. But I should probably just get over that.

And, in this particular round, the armholes are a tiny bit tight and its a leetle tight around my rib cage. Other than that, it fits pretty well. I am going to alter the pattern slightly (eek!) and make one more using something other than linen (just to see). Thanks to all those who commented and gave advice about the sewing machine!

Comments

[Caroline]

Looks pretty darned good for a first attempt! I used to know how to make my own clothes... some day I'll re-learn!

[High Desert Diva]

Congrats on conquering the machine (and the pattern)!

Last time I attempted sewing I ended up throwing a spool of thread across the room...not a relaxing craft for me...

[bj]

If you did all that stuff to your machine you probably fixed several things while you were at it. Start with a new needle too - that helps. Great looking top!