I Did It!!!

I'm ashamed to tell you how many patterns I've bought, started and abandoned. 

I have, up until this point, been unable sew anything for myself. Curtains, yes, pillows, book bags, tablecloths, napkins, place mats, stuffed toys, quilts, even clothes for kids, I can do, but I hit a wall when it comes to clothes for me. I'm afraid to cut the pattern, confused by the directions and even more afraid to cut the fabric. 

I even took a class where we were supposed make a tailored shirt, complete with cuffs and collar and buttons and darts. It took WEEKS, painful weeks, and then I missed the last class (kids got sick) so I didn't finish it. At that point I was so sick of that shirt that I didn't even care, and it was clear that it wasn't going to fit anyhow. 

So, over the last year, every time I saw a certain shirt pop up around blogland (here, and here, and here, and here for example), I fought off the urge to go and buy another pattern. I knew it would only take up space and frustrate me because it would never make itself into an actual article of clothing. 

This weekend though, I saw that Hancock Fabrics was having their patterns on sale for $1.99. So, I made myself a promise: If I bought this pattern and did not make it, I would not buy another. EVER! So I bought it. I bought Simplicity Pattern 3835. I know, I know, I'm probably the last person in Blogland to attempt it. Guess what??? I DID IT!!! I loved it so much that I made another one too! (Incredibly flattering photos, right? Taking the photos was WAY harder than the actual making of the shirt!) And there's two more cut out and waiting in the wings! It's that good! It fits great. It's light and summery, and best of all EASY! I think it's officially my summer uniform. 

When the boys go to bed at night, I watch LOST on the computer (I think I'm also the last person in the world to start watching this show - what can I say, we don't have TV.) and I cut and sew. A couple of episodes, and voila, a shirt! 

So, if you've been noticing the shirt too, and thinking that you might like to try it but were unsure, trust me! You can do this! 

I think I'm going to find one of those "YES WE CAN!" buttons to wear on my shirts... not for political purposes, mind you, but only to evangelize the reluctant seamstresses. 

I don't know if either of our presidential candidates has what it takes to lead this country. In fact I'm kind of "blech" about that whole thing. I don't know if those Lost folks will ever make it off the island. I don't know what the weird thing in the woods is. But I know this... I can make this shirt, and that's enough, today, to make me feel pretty great. 

*** edited to add: The gorgeous necklaces are pieces that sweet Eva of Green Leaf and Owl made for me. You can visit her shop here. She has some truly inspired and gorgeous jewelry. And stay tuned too, because some of her work just might show up as a prize for next month's First Monday Contest!