This weekend creative inspiration (or insanity) struck me and I've decided to take sewing classes. This all happened after our dry cleaner majorly screwed up a very simple alteration a few months ago (I just wanted a skirt hem let down an inch) and I've been boycotting her ever since. In the meantime I've bought a few things that just need to be hemmed (the continuing curse of being short!) and my lovely purchases have been just sitting here going to waste until I find a new place to get alterations. I made it my mission for this weekend to solve this problem. I finally found a great place in Berkeley and I'm very hopeful that she'll do a great job with the alterations. I'll find out on Thursday when I get my pants and dress back.
This whole maddening process made me start thinking about how it's nuts for me to pay for such simple alterations when I have a sewing machine in the closet. To be honest I'm just intimidated to pull it out and try to use it without someone here (MOM!) to help me when I get stuck. So I looked online and found a great fabric store nearby that offers lessons and after reading the glowing reviews on yelp I decided to check it out. I was really happy to see that it was a cool store that felt more fashion-forward than "crafty". There were several hip guys working there along with a girl with a nose ring and a few normal looking mom-types. Nothing looked crafty. There were no patchwork sweatshirts with ABC lettering or puppies - or anything of the kind. All of the displays were of things I might actually wear and the fabrics were all really cool too.
The 5-class series called "Beginning and Beyond" starts in 2 weeks on Saturdays. I really wish I had a friend to go with me. I feel weird going alone. Maybe it's best that I don't know anyone there so that I can make a total fool of myself and not have that spill over into the rest of my life. :) I'll report back soon with my creations. I have big dreams of being able to sew beautiful things and then have Heidi Klum crown me the winner of Project Runway. We'll see.
Blake, you can wake up now.
10 comments:
If you go through with this, it will absolutely be the most interesting thing that has ever happened at a fabric store.
OMG! I totally took sewing classes last fall! For the same reasons. Now I can offically sew a pin-cushion, pillowcases, an apron, and take in blouses and skirts.
I, the modern woman, feel so liberated now that I can hem my own things!
lol! I dont know why I'm laughing. I think I still haven't gotten over the ABC comment. I SOOOO wish that I was there to take this class with you. And I'm actually very impressed that you're doing this, because I know you have a crazy busy life. But I also know the frustration of needing things hemed. I got a new pair of sevens for Christmas and they are still in my closet because I'm afriad to have them hemmed because what if they turn out too short!? I can't wait to see how it goes. And also, I'm just wondering, what does it mean to you that the one girl there had a nose ring? Just wondering waht message that sent to you... as I am a nose ring girl too. :)
btw, I love that you are blogging more! Keep it up. I miss you and it helps me feel connected to you.
Nose ring = awesome! I was super happy to see her because I knew she would up the coolness factor. I am terrified of frump!! I wish you were here to take this class with me too! Keith is laughing at me and is honestly worried this will become a repeat of his childhood "torture" of being dragged through fabric stores.
Keith is right, no good ever came from a fabric store. Oh and even if it looks "hip" it probably still smells like Ben Franklin's (the store not the Founding Father.) I wish you the best of luck
I am "sew" impressed Ann. Me and sewing don't mix. The only article of clothing I ever sewed was a fleece hoodie in 10th grade. After hours of unpicking and trying to figure out what the crap I was supposed to do with the pattern, I produced a crop jacket with a hood that was twice as big as the jacket. I'm sure you will have much more success than I did. Have fun!
The first thing that came to my mind was, "What will Keith think of this?" I know how much he hates fabric stores. No matter how cool this place is, if you like sewing and take this up as a hobby that means more trips to the dreaded fabric store.
I think it's wonderful you're taking the classes. I want to learn how to sew more than aprons and hair scrunchies one of these days.
I'm very tempted to take it with you, except for the drive... I do mend and alter my own clothes, although it's not necessarily for my own good. I'm botched a couple jobs, but overall I figure it's just as likely that the professional will as well.
If you want there's a lady in the Spanish branch here that a friend told me is fabulous and cheap.
But congrats to you for taking sewing classes. Maybe you'll inspire me to do the same. I seriously need a hobby!
I am glad you are taking the sewing lessons. Good luck.
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