Dressmaker

I’ve been sewing for a long time, but the only wearables I’ve ever successfully completed were PJ pants…

Then I had to go to a wedding in Austin, Texas. In August. When I was trying to figure out what I was going to wear, a weird, planets-aligned series of events occurred. I found four yards of embroidered linen I got on sale back in my Hancock days and the Emerald Dress by Rae Hoekstra pattern in the Desert issue of Making Magazine around the same time. Having everything I needed, and not much of a budget to go out and buy a dress, I thought I’d give it a go.

Admittedly, I was pretty intimidated. How much ease was this supposed to have? Linen needs a walking foot? Understitch facings? But after a lot of googling, my first facing turned out just like I wanted it. I just got in the groove and sewed.

When all was said and done, I loved it, but it was a little bit casual. I decided to dress it up with a belt and strappy sandals, and then it was perfect for an Austin summer wedding. And yes, it has pockets.

• 

• 

Has anyone else made the plunge into apparel sewing? Tell me about your experience in the comments, or tag a picture on social with #fiberadventures!