Learning curves (and zippers).

It's too hot to bake bread right now, and the vegetable garden is producing plenty (we finally got some decent tomatoes!), but it's on its last legs. I should be planting winter crops, but as you know, I never do.

So what am I up to? I'm sewing. A ton. Baby pants. Baby dresses. And now, I'm attempting to sew myself a dress.

If you've been following this blog for years, you know that sewing for myself is not something I do often.

Why?

Because I suck.

I love the idea of sewing clothing for myself, but I have really high standards for clothing that I wear. It has to fit properly and be nicely made. My sewing skills are just not up to the challenge. I can make a garment, sure, but will it fit? Will it be flattering? Will I actually wear it? I don't want to waste my time making things I won't use. And so I make quilts, baby clothes, potholders, and perhaps the occasional apron.

But here's the thing: You have to be okay with doing things badly if you ever expect to get better at them.

Bummer.

Which leads us to my latest foray into overambitious garment sewing!

Not my actual pattern. Mine is a size 14 1/2. And it's too small.

In theory, I'm making View 1: the longer sleeved, fuller skirted model. "Half-Sized Slenderette" seems to be vintage pattern speak for "Petite," by the way. Which, based on this pattern, seems to have meant "stumpy torso with very, very long legs."

In reality, I've reacquainted myself with this old friend:

That's a seam ripper, in case you are not familiar. It is used for ripping out all of your bad sewing, for the fifth time.

I may not be making much progress towards a lovely wearable vintage-styled dress, but I am learning a ton.

Ha.