I made this.

Oh my gosh yous guys... I've finished my first clothing item!  I call it the Disaster Skirt.  I don't know why I tried to wing it with my first.  I've been buying up patterns for a buck for months and instead of using them I tried to copy a favorite skirt.  I sewed pockets, added a lining, and added an elastic band all kinda without watching any refresher totorials... until it was too late.  There are so many things wrong with this skirt!

I am pretty proud of the blind hem, which I did by machine because hand sewing still terrifies me.  But seriously, I had no idea how to use the blind hem stitch (even though I did see this demo and it helped a lot!).  Still, I felt like I had brand new hands the whole time; turning the fabric around this way and that.  I did mess up the first two times.  Also, the hem is definitely not perfectly straight.  But I will wear the hell out of this skirt.  It's my first.

I had started on this a while back but was too scared to finish the waist and hem.  I didn't want to end 2013 without at least finishing my first piece.  It just felt like a bad omen.

So here it is (picture quality to improve soon, promise).  I was already at work and getting myself all wrinkly when I decided to take a picture, sorry (and it actually doesn't look this bad in person).  Happy New Year!  I am sure that 2014 will bring amazing things!

Disaster Skirt.  My first Me Made.

My First Crafty Projects... Pre Sewing.

I'm not naturally crafty. Honestly, during my adult life I've avoided most creative projects.  Mostly due to an overwhelming fear of failing horribly.  But this is the new me, who's afraid of nothing!  This year I was tempted to try a few Etsy inspired projects.  They were fun even though they didn't turn out perfectly.  Perfection is overrated anyway.

So... I would like to share most of them with you.

I saw on Etsy these letterpress trays converted into jewelry holders so I gave it a shot.


















Fun with Fabric part 1 and 2.

I totally used this fabric with the print going in the wrong direction.  Oh well, I still made some cute upcycled covered pushpin boards.  I found the boards at an estate sale for a dollar.

Fabric covered earrings, yay!!






















And Finally...  I kinda lied.  I'm also going to post my first ever sewn item.  It's my first tote bag from the sewing class I took at 8 Limbs.

Put a bird on it!

Happy Christmas!

Much Love to everyone.

Beginnings.

There's no other way to start but to start.  I am learning to sew and this is my beginning.  

What's in a name?  Zoila was my grandmother.  Starting in her early teens she worked as a seamstress in Cuba, and she worked hard.  When my family moved to the U.S. she stopped sewing for a living and only sewed for loved ones.  Once, in grade school, a teacher asked if she could pay my grandmother to make a copy of the matching grandma-made dresses that my sister and I were sporting; I was so excited and proud to ask my grandmother.  She refused; she only sews for family, she said.  When I was fourteen I begged her to teach me to knit and sew; I quickly got bored, it was just too hard, and gave it up later that day.  I regretted that always.  I am naming this blog after my abuela because since I started sewing I haven't stopped thinking about her.  It's as if she's still here, helping me learn, all of these years later.  

I want to blog about this pilgrimage because I want to hold myself accountable, and not quit this.  Honestly, I'm the world's biggest quitter.  But that's gonna change, this is too important to me...  I want to be more like my sister, who is fearless; my mother, who is hard working, wise, and passionate (and gorgeous did I say gorgeous?); and my best friend Sara; who is brilliant and will probably rule the world some day.

And, also, a little like all of you.  The many inspirational and lovely sewing bloggers out there; teaching me about the beauty of hand made things. Thank you all so much.  You don't know me but I am in awe of your passion, grace, beauty, and SKILL.   I hope that I do you all justice.  I'm not gonna name everyone in this post because, frankly, I haven't discovered all the wonderful blogs out there yet, but don't be surprised if I mention a few of you from time to time.  Thank you all.

So, that's it.  Please be patient while learn to get good at this.  All advice is welcomed.   Sorry about the current layout, I promise to try and get crazy with the Cheez Whiz as learn.  Also, I'm known as "The Typo Queen" but I promise to do my best.

Oh!  I almost forgot...  I'm also in love with letterpress.  I might feel the need to blog about that too.  A lot.  I hope that's alright.

Abuela Zoila - some time in the forties.