1st Project: Pajama Pants!

 I bought a simple pattern for pajama pants at  JoAnn for $1.  It's an It's So Easy pattern which makes it great for a beginner like me.

Simplicity pattern A9871

Vanessa from the Crafty Gemini has a great video tutorial here.  She uses a different pattern number, but the directions work for both.  I purchased the cheapest fabric I could find ($2/yd. at Walmart) and followed along with Vanessa . 

My Mc Hammer pajamas!

Hits:
Learned how to read a simple pattern (yay!).
Discovered Vanessa's website/YouTube channel!
Learned to install an elastic waistband.
learned what notions are.

Misses:
Pants are a little bit too baggy (even for pajamas).  Next time I will compare pattern to pajamas I already have and fit.
Not too crazy about the fabric, but  I did love the price! 

Sew the Adventure Begins!

Three months ago I signed up for my first sewing class.   I was super excited and rushed to the craft store to purchase all of the supplies I would need.  I set up my sewing kit only to later learn that the class was cancelled due to low enrollment!!!  I was devastated! Then, I got an idea!  I was going to teach myself to sew!  How hard can it be????  I read through several sewing blogs and chose projects that seemed possible to make given my sewing skills (none!!!!).  I will share my hits and misses along the way on this blog.  If you also hear a sewing machine calling your name, join me on this new adventure.  So, the only thing left to do is thread that machine and get to it!

My first sewing machine: Brother XL 2600i

Born to sew!

My relationship with sewing began the day I was born.  Both of my parents worked as "sewing machine operators" in various sweatshops in Los Angeles.  I have vivid memories of running around the factory as the machines roared away.  I took naps on piles of jeans fresh from the hands of tired workers.   My parents worked from 6 to 6 every day and got home with blue hands, thread dangling from their clothes, and denim colored dust all over their faces.   Sewing was the last thing I was interested in.  In fact, I learned to loathe it.  Last summer that changed.  I learned to see sewing as an art and  not as a job that paid less than minimum wage!   And so, my new relationship with sewing began!