Maybe I’m a little behind on my sewing… ok, let’s be honest, I’m a lot behind.  But, when a customer comes in and wants to sew with me I jump at the chance.  Even better when they want to make what I want to make.  Such is the case with Mary and the Wrap Skirt.

Mary lives in the neighborhood and likes to pop in every now and again to check out new fabric or to use the studio.   I can also usually count on her for our Girls Night Out events.  Recently she had to take a break from sewing for family reasons and unfortunately missed the Wrap Skirt class Patty taught back in May.  I had the Wrap Skirt on my list of things to make so when Mary came in a few weeks back we made a date to sit down and work on our skirts together.

Mary made her skirt using a black and brown cotton fabric and unfortunately the picture I took doesn’t quite show how nicely it drapes.   She made her skirt as the pattern indicated, which is a fairly easy pattern to follow, giving us lots of time to catch up on stuff.

Afterwards I asked Mary if she wouldn’t mind me sharing a few details about her sewing history.  And Mary, being the good sport that she is, agreed.

So Mary, how long have you been sewing? I started sewing when I was about 10 years old when my mom bought a sewing machine.  I got serious about sewing when I needed an outfit to wear to my brothers wedding in the early 80′s.  We really didn’t have any  money for me to go shopping, so I made an outfit and it got positive reviews at the wedding.  That inspired to me to keep sewing and I eventually bought a serger when knits became popular.  For a long time I sewed my own clothes, but stopped sewing when I started having kids and wasn’t able to find the time to sew.  I have returned to sewing now that my kids are older and the fabric selection has become fantastic.

Who taught you how to sew? When my mom bought a new Singer sewing machine, it came with free lessons.  She had 10 kids and no time for lessons.  Since I was the oldest daughter, she sent me downtown on the bus to the Singer store that was on Nicollet Mall and I learned there how to use the machine.  I must have then taught my mom how to use it.  She used the machine for all her mending.  After I knew how to use the machine, my mom had me take lessons on how to make clothes with some of my girlfriends.  I remember the lessons at two shops downtown on the Nicollet Mall; Amluxen’s and Dayton’s Department Store.

What are some of your favorite things to make? I love making skirts, accessories to wear, bags and gift items.  I also love to sew items that we can use around the house such as napkins, table runners, tablecloths and pillowcases.  (Mary has been known to spend a full Girls Night Out sewing Holiday gifts for friends and family)

Everybody has a project that didn’t turn out quite like they expected – what is yours? Oh, I know I have had plenty of flops.  Quite honestly, I can’t recall any because I usually quickly recycle or toss those useless projects.  I don’t want to spend time thinking about how much time and money I wasted.

What is your favorite thing about sewing? I love picking out a project, looking at all the amazingly beautiful fabric and the satisfaction of a home-made creation.

Thanks Mary!  I enjoyed sewing with you and appreciate you agreeing to be my first Featured Customer.

I decided to make my skirt reversible by using Hoopla by Moda in both the blue and the pink polka-dots.  Fortunately it didn’t take much altering of the pattern – I ended up skipping the facing pieces and instead cut two sets of skirts.  I then sewed each front panel to the back panel and then sewed both sets of panels together.  I did the tie as the instructions said and hemmed it by sewing right sides together then turning the whole thing right side out.  I then top-stitched all the way around.

I used the coordinating fabric in the same line to make a Pleated Tunic Top which I can wear with both sides of my skirt.

Please ignore the pasty white skin.  It’s been a long winter.