coriander

I bought a yard of Alexander Henry yellow black coriander in NYC in June.  I stared at it for months hoping to be inspired to make something great.  I didn't want to make another purse.  I continued to stare.

In October, I finally had the brilliant idea to make a shirt.  I went to Joann to pick out a pattern.  I have told you multiple times that I am pattern challenged because I have major difficulties reading instructions.  But I want to sew more than purses, curtains, and lopsided skirts.  I bought the following pattern; you will notice it is for children.  They don't make many patterns in my size that aren't for old women.  Isn't this why I'm making my own clothes in the first place--because I can't find things in the store that I don't have to alter?! 

I had to buy a little extra fabric (yellow), a zipper, and buttons.  I laid out my pattern and then found out I bought the wrong pattern.  I bought the pattern for little little girls and not my size.  I went back to Joann and they didn't have the right size; I went to Hobby Lobby and they did.  I laid out the proper pattern.  I began sewing.  I had sewing machine issues; this was nothing new because my machine was a little old and worn out.  I also had pattern reading issues and had to rip out a few seams.  I had to go back to Joann to get a different color zipper (yellow to match the yellow fabric instead of gray to match the buttons).  I didn't get back to sewing because I had finally reached the point of frustration and became very busy with November activities.  Then I was distracted by Christmas.

I got a new sewing machine that inspired me to finally finish the shirt.  The machine was exactly what I needed.  It came with presser feet for buttons and zippers.  The miracle machine!  I still had to ask my mother what I was doing at every step of the instructions, but at least I was getting somewhere.  Here's the point where I felt like I was finally getting the hang of things.

THEN the instructions told me to put in a zipper.  The nightmare hadn't ended like I had hoped.  And another trip to Joann!  The pattern called for a 9" zipper but it really needed a 7" zipper.  Three zippers later...

I successfully put in the zipper and the buttons.  So much fun when you have the right tools.  Here's the finished shirt!

The body part was a little wide/fluffy so I had to take it in a bit.  I have also decided to wear it with a belt.  The belt is from one of my favorite pairs of shorts and the pin is a cheapo find from Walmart.