I have been a bit obsessed with the idea of sewing clothes lately. While I’ve never felt up to taking The Sew Weekly challenge or anything, I love the idea of making everything I can.
I learned to sew clothing about 6 years before I learned to quilt. I still have my first dress and although I never fully sewed on the lining and the zipper was inserted incorrectly, it’s not so bad. Currently, half of my dresses are made by me and while I’ve dabbled in tops and pants, I’d really like to expand my skills.
I completed this Cynthia Rowley dress a little while ago, made from a Khristian Howell fabric I fell in love with last year. I didn’t love the dress while I was working on it but by the time it was finished and I tried it on, I loved it.
My favorite part is the orange plaid pockets. If I make this again I will definitely shorten the bodice and maybe add an A-line skirt instead.
I am currently working on the Banksia top from Megan Nielsen and it’s needing a little altering. Hopefully though, it will be a staple piece. Then after that, I have this whole stack of fabric all washed and ready to become more dresses and tops, including my first ever voile purchase!
Stack includes, from top to bottom, Cameo voile by Amy Butler, Grey posies by Denyse Schmidt, Downtown Los Angeles by Jay McCarroll, Habitat by Michelle D’Amore, Nettie dot by Timeless Treasures, and Washi by Rashida Coleman Hale.
I have focused on clothing lately because I’m beginning to doubt my ability to do quilt commissions. I usually work well under pressure but the couple of times I’ve gone past a deadline, I’ve completely torn myself up about it. I don’t like disappointing people. I don’t like having to tell them that I’ve let them down. But is avoiding situations where that might happen the best way to deal with it?
Do you make quilts by commission? Do you have a contract of some sort you give the person? What does that entail? Is trial by error a good way to develop a business?
