Sunday, October 11, 2009

Charlotte's Jumper

I need to learn how to sew. Not something I want to do for enjoyment....I get enough of that in quilt making. No, it is necessity. It is impossible to find modest clothing in Charlotte's size. I hate to see her in pants all the time, and she feels good in a dress or skirt. A trip to Joann's to buy some 99 cent patterns (on sale), and some pretty corduroy and off I go.

It can't be too difficult. I got a pattern with no buttons, no zippers, and no sleeves. What else is left...it is a bag for cryin' out loud! I find this is a foreign land of tissue paper patterns, interfacing, and bias tape. There are no 1/4 inch seams, rulers, or rotary cutters, and instead of "fabric", I have "material".
Though the neck line was intimidating, I managed it with no seam ripping....in fact, I did not rip ONE single seam throughout the entire process! I kept the directions close by and followed each step carefully.Ta Da!!!And it lays flat too!!!!The arm holes (is that what they are called?) called for bias tape. That stuff is YUCK! I made my own from the left over fabric......uh, I mean material. It turned out ok....next time I will cut it a 1/2" smaller.I even did a slit!! That was tricky, too, but it turned out nice. And here is Charlotte, modeling her new jumper......The back.....(that is not a seam, but a crease in the fabric....er, material. I need to press that out.)Now to try a skirt! Not today though. Today I will spend my free time hand quilting.

19 comments:

Sue said...

Nice job! You made quick work of that. You'll be a whiz of a seamstress before you know it :)

Enjoy the hand quilting!

Love Bears All Things said...

You did a great job. I love these styles of jumpers and am looking for one for myself. I made two similar ones back about 10 years ago.
I know what you mean about the styles of clothes for young ladies. They are not the modest or age appropriate.
Mama Bear

Carolina Girl said...

You are very talented, indeed! It took me three days to make a pair of shorts for my son, and that didn't even include bias tape! I am so sewing-impaired it's not funny. I can crochet a hat in a day, but can't make a jumper to save my life. Maybe someday when I get the time... :-D
Shellie
PS - your daughter is beautiful in it.

Susan said...

This was just your first time sewing? You are one talented lady! Charlotte's jumper is beautiful.

Nancy said...

She looks very grown up....

I made the girls little dresses when they were small, but not any more. Heck, I don't even like to hem...

A skirt can't be any harder than the jumper. Just add elastic but no facings!! lol

copperswife said...

Yee haw, Bren!!!!! You go, girlfriend!!! Great job. So, do tell........I am not a quilter (yet), but I am a sewer. I almost always refer to "it" as fabric and not material. Is this is a mid-west phenomenon, it it's fabric for one purpose and material for another?

Andrea Cherie said...

Very nice! I need to dig out some more photos of when my mom sewed us all sorts of matching outfits!

Winona said...

Very nice Bren! You did a great job and Charlotte looks beautiful in her new jumper. I sewed clothing for our kids for many years before I started quilting. I always called it material. I have just started calling it fabric since I started quilting. LOL It might be a midwest thing. The skirt will be a breeze after the jumper. A tip that might make putting the elastic in easier... I press my seams open. (Don't those 5/8" seams feel huge after our 1/4" quilting seams.LOL) Before I fold the top over to make the band for the elastic, I sew the seam allowance down just a little bit (maybe 2 inches) on the side where the elastic will be threaded through. This keeps it from getting all caught and balled up when you try to thread that elastic through the casing. You can take it out if you want after you have the elastic in, but I usually just leave mine. Also, if you sew through the elastic right on the pressed open seams, (once it is in and sewed together) it will help keep the elastic from rolling in your skirt. It is not pleasant to try to unroll that elastic each time you do laundry. LOL Looking forward to seeing more pictures. Any chance Charlotte might be interested in learning to make her own clothes? I was about her age when I got interested in sewing. Have a good evening. Winona

Winona said...

Bren, sorry, didn't mean to leave a book for a comment! LOL Winona

Donetta said...

way to go!

Crispy said...

Hooray!!! Charlotte looks very pleased with your creation. I've thought about making stuff for my granddaughter but I got over it pretty quickly LOL.

Crispy

Brenda said...

Sorry it has been so long since I checked in! Learn to sew? I'd say you did very well.

Debi said...

See looks beautiful and very happy with her new jumper. Great job Bren.

METAL.MOMMA said...

A jumper was a perfect piece to begin on and you did it beautifuly! Good luck on your skirt!

Julie said...

Awesome! You are so talented. I have been trying to learn to sew for those same reasons for three years now. I guess I need to dust off the machine and try again.

moreofhim said...

Dear Bren:

I have a habit now of reading your blog just before going to bed. It quiets my day, refreshes me and makes me remember that there is a wonderful person out that that lives a Godly life and persues the things that God calls her to persue.

I'm totally in awe that you made that beautiful jumper without having made clothing before. You're amazing! The jumper is SO cute and Charlotte looks so adorable in it! Very cute!

I love your basket quilt. Your quilts are gorgeous and really works of art.

I will be praying for your family and for Charlotte during this difficult month. It truly is a war of the heavenlies and we need prayer and faith. Satan roams the earth like a lion looking to devour us, but thank God (literally) that we have Jesus to cover us with His blood and fight this fight for us. Many prayers will be going up from me regarding this situation!

God bless you, my friend. I can now go to bed with peaceful thoughts.

Love, Julie

Meggie said...

Very nicely made, Bren! Charlotte looks lovely as a model.
We notice a lot of clothes are in what we call, "hussy" style, & not suitable for young girls at all.

Kimberly said...

Wow! All in one day? It is adorable! Finding clothes doesn't get much easier as they get older either. You did a wonderful job! It looks so nice on her too.

Niki said...

had a busy weekend and just getting caught up on my blog reading! Great JOB!!! I don't sew either....clothes sewing kind of intimidates me...but now that I've conquered my fear of sewing machines through quilting, maybe I will give something a try....there is a peasant blouse pattern I like..... Charlotte looks beautiful!
Hugs to you, my friend!