official project #1

i got a sewing machine for christmas this year. actually, i got TWO sewing machines (one was returned). when my nephew eli was born, his mom requested some large swaddling blankets. i scoured the internet for a simple tutorial, and was able to use my straight stitching skills and make 2 large blankets for him. i pretty much feel in love with turning fabric into something, and started to ponder what my first official project would be. i wanted to start off super easy, so as not to get discouraged. at joanns, armed with my coupons, i browsed for a beginner pattern. i found a kinda cute jumper-style dress in jenna's size, and then let her chose a material to become her dress.

growing up, i helped my mom at cutting out patterns, but that's where the 'lessons' ended. i was nervous and had to give myself a few pep talks. i pulled out the directions and read over them a dozen times, and was feeling less confident. i cut out the pattern and the material and started with a few of the simple stitches. i gave up twice, but couldn't stop thinking about it. i seemed to figure it out once i stopped looking at it for an hour.

total time needed to make my first project= less than 2 hours (of course spread out over the course of an entire day)

*disregard the unevenness represented in the picture- she wouldn't let me tie the straps evenly.*
i was thinking about adding some embellishment, maybe some decorative buttons or flowers, but really, jenna has already said that she doesn't like it.

surprise, surprise...