Thank you for dropping by my Raising Jane Journal to participate in my giveaways! We’ve chosen a winner for this giveaway already (click here for details), but don’t be afraid to leave a comment anyway. I love reading them. And stay tuned for more great MaryJanesFarm giveaways.
In the Dec/Jan issue of MaryJanesFarm, on newsstands Nov. 7, you’ll find a feature about a great website and online magazine called Seamwork (Seamwork.com). Seamwork is all about designing and creating your own wardrobe, piece by piece, with approachable patterns that match both your style and your schedule.
A monthly membership to Seamwork offers patterns, hacks, ideas, and inspiration to help you craft the clothes you want to wear. For a chance to win a FREE one-month, premium Seamwork membership, tell me about one of your favorite sewing projects in the comments below (I recently taught my grandgirls how to use an electric sewing machine and they made doll blankets–I loved every minute of it). I’ll toss your name into a hat and draw a lucky winner sometime mid-December.
Stay tuned for more magazine-related giveaways. If you’re not yet a subscriber to my magazine, MaryJanesFarm, subscribe here for $19.95/year.
Although I’ve made everything from clothing, to sleeping bags, to prom dresses, to tents, probably my favorite ones, so far, have been the Halloween costumes I have made for my children. Even though they are adults now, I have saved some for them to show their own children someday.
I made fabric baskets to use for gifts.
Thirty to forty years ago, I sewed all of my clothing and made clothes for a friend’s little girls. However, once I started a nursing career and had my own family, I never had the time or energy to keep that going. Today, I still have the little Halloween dress that I made for my first daughter when she was 18 months old and my second daughter wore it until it was too small at age 3 1/2. I get it out every year and hang it in the family room for fun.
I loved to sew and make hand designed clothing for myself, but I think that the quilted coverlet that I made four our queen sized bed was my favorite all time piece. I had three weeks off at Christmas and started and completed it during that time. The entire piece was made from recycled fabrics. I used tablecloths, curtains, fabrics and dresses from the thrift store. !00% cotton and mostly patterns with yellow backgrounds for one side and with white backgrounds for the other.
My favorite thing I made was a sleeping bag, for when we go traveling. It can double as a picnic blanket. I actually just made it like a quilt and Instead of using a zipper for the sides I used Velcro strips. I used Monaluna Organic fabric and also some organic cotton batting.
My all time fav sewing was my first time and I can remember like it was yesterday and it was 54 years ago. I made my daughter a pair of shorts and a long sleeve top out of cotton duck. Shorts were yellow and top was striped in different hues of yellow . Cut out a big giraffe of the yellow and sewed it on the top with a small zig gag stitch. Amazing how good the outfit turned out for my first time ever!❤️
My favorite sewing project was the green and white quilt/blanket that I made in my high school sewing class. It took me a long time and lots of hard work, but still to this day I am so very proud of how it turned out. I remeber my fingers were so tender from all the needle work and tying of ribbons. Later on I decided to make me a matching pillow with the left over fabric.
Probably my favorite was the first quilt I did for my first grandson. I machine quilted it and ended up with a tiny hole where I got “jammed up” in the center. I put a little ladybug applique over it and was told no one would notice it. My grandson will not leave that ladybug alone – he has picked the feet and some of the body loose with his teeth!
I can’t say it was my favorite but I was proud of this project. My eldest daughter ,when she was ten ,was going to Savannah, Georgia to the birthplace of Juliette Low, Founder of Girl Scouting in this country. She and her fellow scouts were to wear the uniform of that time, 1912. It was like a sailor outfit and blue, it had a long skirt, a top with long sleeves and a shawl collar that ended in a tie . That was the challenging part! Everyone had to make this or find a friend to see it! I was happy that it came out well! Whew !
My favorite project was my wedding dress. Saved a lot of money and it was a one of a kind.
One of my first sewing projects remains one of my favorites. Being a kid who grew up in a rural ranching coomunity, when one graduated eighth grade from the one-room schoolhouse, one had to go “out” for high school. I boarded with with a friend of the family for the first two years, but when my brother was also old enough for high school, my folks rented an apartment and we kids and my mom spent the week in town and weekends at the ranch.
One weekend, i stayed in town for a school event and decided I was going to make a skirt. I gathered up up all the spare change in my desk drawers and counted up what remained of my allowance and headed downtown to the Idaho Department Store to peruse the pattern books and fabric options. After carefully considering all the possible choicess, I chose a back zipper, fly front straight skirt pattern and a navy blue fabric printed with red, white and yellow stylized daisies. I went home, cut out the pattern (paying no attention to grainline), and started stitching. Things went along pretty well until I got to the zipper; somehow my efforts were not matching the pictures in the directions. I pressed on and managed to get it in, even though both sides didn’t quite line up at the top, and there was a curious little bubble at the bottom I had to stitch and press flat. I decided that a perfect length was 18 inches. This was, after all, the era of the first mini-skirts. Monday morning, I proudly wore my new skirt down the stairs, topped by my best Granny-style white blouse and a red leather headband. My mother looked up from preparing our morning eggs and pancakes. Her eyebrows shot up to get hairline as she asked,”Are you going to wear THAT to school.”
I proudly said, “Yes.”
She tsk-tsked and shook her head, but didn’t say anything else.
I felt extremely stylish, and was so proud when my girlfriends asked where I’d gotten the new skirt, and I said, “I made it!”
as a stay at home mom, I used to make all my girls Halloween costumes, my favorite being her Tiger Lily dress, from Peter Pan, confused with Pocahantus…I also made a dinosaur for my youngest girl, and a monkey. I’ve passed them down to various nieces and newphews.
My granddaughters love to twirl and love skirts or dresses that float away from their bodies as they do so. I found the perfect pattern and have made 4 skirts that already shown signs of wear because they always have one of them on.
Is there anything better than taking a twirl with skirt that adds to the experience?
One Saturday when I was in high school (over 50 years ago) I decided to make something to wear to the dance that night. I went downtown, got some bright green print fabric to make a short jumpsuit, with a long back zipper. Managed to get it finished in time to wear that night.
I think this book would be wonderful in any home that sews or creates or loves being inspired in the craft/sew world. I am a sewer/quilter/crafter/fiber lady and love to see
what other ideas are out there. I hope to win such a book for my home.
thank you for this offer. Winnie
I always wanted to learn to sew.
My mother could do buttons, cross stitch and crochet, but she didn’t have a machine.
My oldest sister in law helped me sew my first dress when I was a preteen.
we found the pattern in the local newspaper.
it didn’t have a zipper, and only 2 seams
I couldn’t understand the armhole facings.
the dress slipped on over my head.
it was a great first project
and so much fun in getting to know the newest member of our family.
thank you and rest in peace, Mary Lou
I think the best thing I ever did sewing was to make my own apron without a pattern. Just by taking measurements of myself. Cutting and piecing the fabric together then ultimately Ewing it into my favorite apron by far. Now that my 13year old daughter saw what can be done she has asked me to teach her how to sew.
My favorite project I’ve sewn so far is the First Communion dress I made for my Goddaughter
My favorite project is the pink and white gingham apron I made in HomeEc in 7th grade around 1969. It was awful! But I was so proud of it. I proudly gave it to my Mom as a gift. I never saw her wear it and later she even threw it away. But it didn’t dampen my enthusiasm. Thank goodness my sewing improved over the years!
I love to sew and look forward to learning how to build a wardrobe that is easy to sew.
My favorite sewing project was the first quilt I made for my first grandson. I still love the back of it – I used a cream toile with woodland animals (at that point we didn’t know if he was a he!). I wish I had bought the whole bolt of that material so I could use some on his little brothers’ quilt that I’m currently working on!
My favorite sewing moment was when my grandmother taught me how to sew on my great-grandmither’s Treadle seeing machine. Previously i had learned to sew in an electric machine so the treadle was weird. It was hard to control at first and my grandmother chuckled as he i tried to get the right speed. She also taught me to crochet which i still do today.
My favorite sewing projects are teeny vintage barbie clothes! If I need a break from the tininess, I sew period-correct american girl clothes.
One of my favorite sewing projects is making a baby quilt. I have made at least 15 of them over the years, often using the same tried and true pattern with different fabric themes, everything from Beatrix Potter designs to circus scenes, and cowboy flannels. I like to use high loft batting which is easy to hand tie. A flannel or Minky backing is cozy for babies and toddlers. This always makes a baby gift that is very happily received!
I used to do a lot of sewing all kinds from baby clothes to my daughters’ silk wedding gown. But I think the things i’ve Enjoyed making and using the most were a Bimini top for our sailboat and a little red canvas purse I made with all kinds of pockets, zippers and catches.
My love for sewing came from greataunt Margie. I lived in Denver and was blessed to spend the summers at their ranch in Wyoming. She had an antique gown I adored. She helped me sew a replica of it with scrap material and homemade pattern. I cherish that memory and will do the same with my granddaughters. I still have and adore my special replica.
My fave sewing project is the flannel Christmas quilt I made with my mother.
I have made reenactment clothing (but with a machine not in the original hand sewn fashion) and love doing that. My absolute favorite to make was a doublet for my husband. It turned out beautiful!
I am in the process of making a wedding quilt for my son and his fiance, such fun
I was the girl in high school who made many of my own clothes. Now I’m a quilter and a thrifty clothes shopper. BUT, I think I should revert to my earlier self. At my age (59, no, really, I am 59), I am finding it harder and harder to find clothes that are ME. I would love to give this a try.
Didn’t read the directions. My favorite project were all the clothes I made for my trousseau in 1980.
My favorite thing to sew has been anything that actually fits when I’m done. lol
So far, I’m mostly a pillow and basic curtains sewer but I would love to be better at making clothes.
Some of my favorite sewing projects the last several years have been cute little reusable gift bags. They’re quick and easy which is what fits into my life right now. But I have also really enjoyed sewing half circle skirts and peasant blouses for my girls. Most of my sewing now days tends to be mending but I have bins of fabric waiting for more time. =)
Thank you for the giveaway. This looks like fun!
I have been sewing since I was about 9 years old. I enjoyed sewing for myself, but I loved sewing for my children! I think my favorite item was the quilt I made for my daughter featuring her favorite colors and her favorite theme of polka dots.
My favorite sewing project was actually my bridesmaids dresses for my wedding!!
I love most projects from quilting to sewing a skirt. I’m so limited with time in this phase of my life that I’m just thrilled when I do get to sew!
My mother was a seamstress and I loved to watch her create. My mom and I designed my wedding dress and successfully made the whole thing. A dress I’ll cherish forever. Not sure she will with all those little buttons down the back. Now I’m teaching my granddaughter how to sew. Maybe we will share the same memory in our future.
I recently began sewing and my first project was a hot wheel car holder for my three-year-old son. I made it out of Batman fabric and he about died when he saw it! He actually sleeps with it as it holds his favorite cars.
I love sewing! I make a lot of my clothes. Right now I’m making my son in law a shirt. We don’t live in the same state so it has taken me 12 months and 5 muslins to get it to fit. I can’t wait to finish it for him. I am also looking forward to making my daughter a vintage Simplicity coat pattern out of left over hot pink wool fabric that my grandmother made a suit out of in the 70’s. I’m excited to do it and she’s excited to get it.
My very first sewing project was a quilt my mother showed me how to cut, piece and sew. Next I learned how to sew my own doll clothes. Never looked back.
I learned to sew from my Mom and I feel a special connection every time I sit down at my machine! My newest family tradition is to make I Spy quilts for my grand kiddos 2nd birthday! Need to get started soon on #7’s special quilt
My favorite project is any one that I can take an afternoon , shut myself in my sewing room and create.
I enjoy making matching tops for my dog and myself.
A few months ago, I found 3 fabric chickens at an estate sale. I fell in love with them right away, and only later discovered that they were pincushions! I gave one to my friend. This same friend asked me to teach her to sew, and together we made a pattern from these fantastic chickens! She was sewing her own in no time :).
I now sell chickens made from this pattern, filled with buckwheat & lavender (I call them Zen Chickens!) and smaller ones that are ornaments, filled with cloves. All are sewn from vintage fabric I find at estate sales.
At the same time I found the chickens, I also found a vintage sewing machine at the thrift store for $19. I cleaned it, oiled it, replaces some parts, and now it runs like a machine! All of this is inspiring me to sew my own clothes again, especially dresses with pockets!
Been sewing since I was about 12!! If it can be made out of fabric, I’ve made it! My favorite projects are sewing for my grandkids!! I’ve made five PC Popples!!
I love to sew dolls for all the girls in our family and for the little girls at church. It is such a blessing to watch their eyes light up when they get the little dolls to play with and carry around.
Enjoyed sewing for my toddlers….many years ago.
I think my favorite memories of sewing projects were making curtains for my children’s rooms. I still remember the green, yellow, and orange curtains and how the light lit them up. Right now I’m making fleece throws for my grandchildren for Christmas.
One of our quilters brought her granddaughter along when we were quilting. I showed her how to thread a needle and gave her some scrap fabric. She loved it! Then I heard she was taking sewing classes and she really loved designing clothes. The next year when we were quilting, she started sewing quilt pieces together on my Featherweight. She also proved her ability when she would crawl across the table and move the quilt fabric around when we were designing the quilt top. I think she is hooked and perhaps destined for greatness!
Found chairs at a thrift store and made new bottomand back cushions for them , just repurposed fabric from a sofa cover into pillows fro my living room. Love to use fabric to change your decor!