Monday 30 July 2012

Project complete

Amazingly, I have managed to finally complete a project.  I bought this vintage flowery material a few weeks ago, washed it and that is as far as it got.  I decided I wanted to make a pillowcase, so today, was determined to finally get on with it.  Here it is.  It is backed with calico and is too big for my pillow, but I used an existing pillowcase as the pattern.  The stitching and execution would not bear close inspection but I am pleased with it and it gives the material a new use.  However, having completed the project, there are a few things I have learnt for next time.
Notes to self:
1. Remember that when you wash fabric, any fabric, but especially vintage fabric, it may change in texture.  When I bought it, it was a stiff-ish cotton fabric which I thought would be great for soft furnishings.  After washing it, it became very slippery and was extremely difficult to sew, even when I pinned and tacked it. 
2. Try to think about the pattern and get the pieces the right way round, which will save time and temper.  I sewed it all up then realised I had sewed the flap of the pillowcase the wrong way round. Grrr!  Elementary mistake, but I really should have avoided that.
3. Tidy up as you go along.  Anyone who knows me knows that I am messy.  This morning, there were threads everywhere, sewing paraphernalia everywhere and a general pickle which now needs to be tidied up before I have lunch.  Tidying as I go will perhaps never be a target I meet, but I can try harder.
4.  Choose a suitable material for your project (even if you love the fabric you have just bought and are determined to use it, no matter what).  The vintage material was a nightmare to sew.  If I had used a nice simple cotton material, things would have been much easier.

Do you think I'll remember any of these very sensible notes next time I embark on a project?  No, nor do I.

4 comments:

  1. It's lovely! A proper vintage pillowcase. Very pretty. I know what you mean about getting things the wrong way round - i get "right" and "wrong" sides confused constantly and invariably end up having to unpick something!

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    1. Dear Gillian
      Thank you very much for your comment. It was really nice to be able to use the material for something useful, but the process took me longer then it should have, due to the unpicking and re-sewing. Perhaps I should bear in mind the 'measure thrice, cut once' rule, except it should be 'think about it thrice, sew it once' in my case!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  2. Love this fabric - what a perfect use for it to make a pillow case. I so know the feeling about wishing I had thought things through to avoid trouble and effort further down the line but on the other hand one can spend so long thinking things through one never gets started so take heart! Despite the fiddle of the fabric turning slippery etc you have a beautiful pillow case! Enjoy! E x

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    1. Dear E
      Thank you very much for your comment, especially as you are on holiday. It is a lovely fabric even though it was a bit tricky to use. Thank you too for your encouraging words (and from someone who made the most beautiful pillow cases, the words meant a lot!)
      Enjoy the rest of your holiday.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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