I have always wanted to learn how to sew my own clothes, however it always seemed so intimidating! But this story has a happy ending.
You know that I listen to a lot of podcasts and I was trying out a new podcast when I heard Lindsey Rae chatting about her business: Sew to Grow and the class she teaches: Fit to Flatter. She lives in Australia, so I was mostly daydreaming about attending one of her classes while I was listening to the podcast and then she said it: I'm coming to America on a teaching tour.
Yay!
I e-mailed her to see if she was coming anywhere near me and it turned out that she was teaching in Connecticut. Well, I booked the class and a hotel room and marked the dates in my calendar.
Class was great.
Lindsey taught us how to customize pattern pieces…
…so that the clothes really fit our unique bodies. This was super exciting to me! I can now make a dress from any pattern because I learned how to size it up and make adjustments to the pattern. How awesome is that?
We made muslins of our dresses and adjusted them and then we stitched the dresses together out of our choice of fabrics:
We stitched and we serged…
…and we all ended up with fabulous dresses!
All five of us used the same pattern:
Both of these ladies used the same pattern (as each other, but different from the one above):
And then a few women made dresses from patterns that no one else used:
Lindsey was a great teacher.
I have to give major props to both Lindsey (below left) and Viv (right), owner of Sew Inspired.
Sew Inspired is a wonderful shop and Viv was a super gracious hostess. The shop is in Simsbury, CT and worth a visit.
In the meantime, I'm going to wear this dress every single day…or until I make a new one!
Thanks for stopping by!
This sounds like such a fun class. I love your dress…great fabric! Once again, thanks for sharing. Fuj
This sounds like such a fun class. I love your dress…great fabric! Once again, thanks for sharing. Fuj
This sounds like such a fun class. I love your dress…great fabric! Once again, thanks for sharing. Fuj
This sounds like such a fun class. I love your dress…great fabric! Once again, thanks for sharing. Fuj
This sounds like such a fun class. I love your dress…great fabric! Once again, thanks for sharing. Fuj
This sounds like such a fun class. I love your dress…great fabric! Once again, thanks for sharing. Fuj
This sounds like such a fun class. I love your dress…great fabric! Once again, thanks for sharing. Fuj
I saw the photo of the five of you in your dresses when you posted it earlier, and I thought, “Gosh, what a weird coincidence that they’re all wearing the same sort of dress.” I even had a pang of worry that I was missing the boat on what was clearly a huge trend! Now it makes sense, haha!
I saw the photo of the five of you in your dresses when you posted it earlier, and I thought, “Gosh, what a weird coincidence that they’re all wearing the same sort of dress.” I even had a pang of worry that I was missing the boat on what was clearly a huge trend! Now it makes sense, haha!
I saw the photo of the five of you in your dresses when you posted it earlier, and I thought, “Gosh, what a weird coincidence that they’re all wearing the same sort of dress.” I even had a pang of worry that I was missing the boat on what was clearly a huge trend! Now it makes sense, haha!
I saw the photo of the five of you in your dresses when you posted it earlier, and I thought, “Gosh, what a weird coincidence that they’re all wearing the same sort of dress.” I even had a pang of worry that I was missing the boat on what was clearly a huge trend! Now it makes sense, haha!
I saw the photo of the five of you in your dresses when you posted it earlier, and I thought, “Gosh, what a weird coincidence that they’re all wearing the same sort of dress.” I even had a pang of worry that I was missing the boat on what was clearly a huge trend! Now it makes sense, haha!
I saw the photo of the five of you in your dresses when you posted it earlier, and I thought, “Gosh, what a weird coincidence that they’re all wearing the same sort of dress.” I even had a pang of worry that I was missing the boat on what was clearly a huge trend! Now it makes sense, haha!
I saw the photo of the five of you in your dresses when you posted it earlier, and I thought, “Gosh, what a weird coincidence that they’re all wearing the same sort of dress.” I even had a pang of worry that I was missing the boat on what was clearly a huge trend! Now it makes sense, haha!
and now you will need to add a serger to your collection of machines!
and now you will need to add a serger to your collection of machines!
and now you will need to add a serger to your collection of machines!
and now you will need to add a serger to your collection of machines!
and now you will need to add a serger to your collection of machines!
and now you will need to add a serger to your collection of machines!
and now you will need to add a serger to your collection of machines!
Love your dress – the material is great and it looks awesome on you!
Love your dress – the material is great and it looks awesome on you!
Love your dress – the material is great and it looks awesome on you!
Love your dress – the material is great and it looks awesome on you!
Love your dress – the material is great and it looks awesome on you!
Love your dress – the material is great and it looks awesome on you!
Love your dress – the material is great and it looks awesome on you!
Have one! Finally using it!
Have one! Finally using it!
Have one! Finally using it!
Have one! Finally using it!
Have one! Finally using it!
Have one! Finally using it!
Have one! Finally using it!
Very impressed that you all completed your dresses and were able to wear them. A few years ago, I took some sewing classes and was always disappointed that the time allotted was not enough time for a novice to complete the item. (jacket, bag, etc) After 3 attempts at classes at the same store,I gave up. They are no longer in business.
So fun, to have a dress that you made & love!
Very impressed that you all completed your dresses and were able to wear them. A few years ago, I took some sewing classes and was always disappointed that the time allotted was not enough time for a novice to complete the item. (jacket, bag, etc) After 3 attempts at classes at the same store,I gave up. They are no longer in business.
So fun, to have a dress that you made & love!
Very impressed that you all completed your dresses and were able to wear them. A few years ago, I took some sewing classes and was always disappointed that the time allotted was not enough time for a novice to complete the item. (jacket, bag, etc) After 3 attempts at classes at the same store,I gave up. They are no longer in business.
So fun, to have a dress that you made & love!
Very impressed that you all completed your dresses and were able to wear them. A few years ago, I took some sewing classes and was always disappointed that the time allotted was not enough time for a novice to complete the item. (jacket, bag, etc) After 3 attempts at classes at the same store,I gave up. They are no longer in business.
So fun, to have a dress that you made & love!
Very impressed that you all completed your dresses and were able to wear them. A few years ago, I took some sewing classes and was always disappointed that the time allotted was not enough time for a novice to complete the item. (jacket, bag, etc) After 3 attempts at classes at the same store,I gave up. They are no longer in business.
So fun, to have a dress that you made & love!
Very impressed that you all completed your dresses and were able to wear them. A few years ago, I took some sewing classes and was always disappointed that the time allotted was not enough time for a novice to complete the item. (jacket, bag, etc) After 3 attempts at classes at the same store,I gave up. They are no longer in business.
So fun, to have a dress that you made & love!
Very impressed that you all completed your dresses and were able to wear them. A few years ago, I took some sewing classes and was always disappointed that the time allotted was not enough time for a novice to complete the item. (jacket, bag, etc) After 3 attempts at classes at the same store,I gave up. They are no longer in business.
So fun, to have a dress that you made & love!
Love your dress, both the style and fabric! Makes me want to make one!
Love your dress, both the style and fabric! Makes me want to make one!
Love your dress, both the style and fabric! Makes me want to make one!
Love your dress, both the style and fabric! Makes me want to make one!
Love your dress, both the style and fabric! Makes me want to make one!
Love your dress, both the style and fabric! Makes me want to make one!
Love your dress, both the style and fabric! Makes me want to make one!
Hi Julie, thanks for sharing about the dress. I too saw the picture of it on several women in the final post about the “Barn” and thought it looked great. I really need to find out how to cut and fit a pattern like you did. Your’s turned out great. Thanks again!
Hi Julie, thanks for sharing about the dress. I too saw the picture of it on several women in the final post about the “Barn” and thought it looked great. I really need to find out how to cut and fit a pattern like you did. Your’s turned out great. Thanks again!
Hi Julie, thanks for sharing about the dress. I too saw the picture of it on several women in the final post about the “Barn” and thought it looked great. I really need to find out how to cut and fit a pattern like you did. Your’s turned out great. Thanks again!
Hi Julie, thanks for sharing about the dress. I too saw the picture of it on several women in the final post about the “Barn” and thought it looked great. I really need to find out how to cut and fit a pattern like you did. Your’s turned out great. Thanks again!
Hi Julie, thanks for sharing about the dress. I too saw the picture of it on several women in the final post about the “Barn” and thought it looked great. I really need to find out how to cut and fit a pattern like you did. Your’s turned out great. Thanks again!
Hi Julie, thanks for sharing about the dress. I too saw the picture of it on several women in the final post about the “Barn” and thought it looked great. I really need to find out how to cut and fit a pattern like you did. Your’s turned out great. Thanks again!
Hi Julie, thanks for sharing about the dress. I too saw the picture of it on several women in the final post about the “Barn” and thought it looked great. I really need to find out how to cut and fit a pattern like you did. Your’s turned out great. Thanks again!
Love your dress and the idea of the class. I used to sew but as my body became more complicated in my early teens I found it was easier to just buy clothes that fit instead of making something and having it look terrible on my. Hurray for you!
Love your dress and the idea of the class. I used to sew but as my body became more complicated in my early teens I found it was easier to just buy clothes that fit instead of making something and having it look terrible on my. Hurray for you!
Love your dress and the idea of the class. I used to sew but as my body became more complicated in my early teens I found it was easier to just buy clothes that fit instead of making something and having it look terrible on my. Hurray for you!
Love your dress and the idea of the class. I used to sew but as my body became more complicated in my early teens I found it was easier to just buy clothes that fit instead of making something and having it look terrible on my. Hurray for you!
Love your dress and the idea of the class. I used to sew but as my body became more complicated in my early teens I found it was easier to just buy clothes that fit instead of making something and having it look terrible on my. Hurray for you!
Love your dress and the idea of the class. I used to sew but as my body became more complicated in my early teens I found it was easier to just buy clothes that fit instead of making something and having it look terrible on my. Hurray for you!
Love your dress and the idea of the class. I used to sew but as my body became more complicated in my early teens I found it was easier to just buy clothes that fit instead of making something and having it look terrible on my. Hurray for you!
Wow, I am glad they still teach this. I learned it back in home ec( 60 years ago)
It was necessary then because there were not the amount or choice of ready made clothes.
Wow, I am glad they still teach this. I learned it back in home ec( 60 years ago)
It was necessary then because there were not the amount or choice of ready made clothes.
Wow, I am glad they still teach this. I learned it back in home ec( 60 years ago)
It was necessary then because there were not the amount or choice of ready made clothes.
Wow, I am glad they still teach this. I learned it back in home ec( 60 years ago)
It was necessary then because there were not the amount or choice of ready made clothes.
Wow, I am glad they still teach this. I learned it back in home ec( 60 years ago)
It was necessary then because there were not the amount or choice of ready made clothes.
Wow, I am glad they still teach this. I learned it back in home ec( 60 years ago)
It was necessary then because there were not the amount or choice of ready made clothes.
Wow, I am glad they still teach this. I learned it back in home ec( 60 years ago)
It was necessary then because there were not the amount or choice of ready made clothes.
Yea!!!!
Yea!!!!
Yea!!!!
Yea!!!!
Yea!!!!
Yea!!!!
Yea!!!!
thanks for all of the pictures. so cool to see different bodies in the same dress and all of the other dresses, as well. and they all fit so nicely. great job, all students! what a fun class amd an awesome teacher.
thanks for all of the pictures. so cool to see different bodies in the same dress and all of the other dresses, as well. and they all fit so nicely. great job, all students! what a fun class amd an awesome teacher.
thanks for all of the pictures. so cool to see different bodies in the same dress and all of the other dresses, as well. and they all fit so nicely. great job, all students! what a fun class amd an awesome teacher.
thanks for all of the pictures. so cool to see different bodies in the same dress and all of the other dresses, as well. and they all fit so nicely. great job, all students! what a fun class amd an awesome teacher.
thanks for all of the pictures. so cool to see different bodies in the same dress and all of the other dresses, as well. and they all fit so nicely. great job, all students! what a fun class amd an awesome teacher.
thanks for all of the pictures. so cool to see different bodies in the same dress and all of the other dresses, as well. and they all fit so nicely. great job, all students! what a fun class amd an awesome teacher.
thanks for all of the pictures. so cool to see different bodies in the same dress and all of the other dresses, as well. and they all fit so nicely. great job, all students! what a fun class amd an awesome teacher.
You always bring a smile to my face and I always learn something. You are the best!!!
You always bring a smile to my face and I always learn something. You are the best!!!
You always bring a smile to my face and I always learn something. You are the best!!!
You always bring a smile to my face and I always learn something. You are the best!!!
You always bring a smile to my face and I always learn something. You are the best!!!
You always bring a smile to my face and I always learn something. You are the best!!!
You always bring a smile to my face and I always learn something. You are the best!!!
Thats what was so great about this class! You learned how to fit your body!
Thats what was so great about this class! You learned how to fit your body!
Thats what was so great about this class! You learned how to fit your body!
Thats what was so great about this class! You learned how to fit your body!
Thats what was so great about this class! You learned how to fit your body!
Thats what was so great about this class! You learned how to fit your body!
Thats what was so great about this class! You learned how to fit your body!
Congratulations. Julie 🙂 I started sewing at least some of my clothes a few years back. I am still a novice but i always feel like a superhero whenever i wear a dress that i sewed. You and the dress look so pretty. Happy creating 🙂
Congratulations. Julie 🙂 I started sewing at least some of my clothes a few years back. I am still a novice but i always feel like a superhero whenever i wear a dress that i sewed. You and the dress look so pretty. Happy creating 🙂
Congratulations. Julie 🙂 I started sewing at least some of my clothes a few years back. I am still a novice but i always feel like a superhero whenever i wear a dress that i sewed. You and the dress look so pretty. Happy creating 🙂
Congratulations. Julie 🙂 I started sewing at least some of my clothes a few years back. I am still a novice but i always feel like a superhero whenever i wear a dress that i sewed. You and the dress look so pretty. Happy creating 🙂
Congratulations. Julie 🙂 I started sewing at least some of my clothes a few years back. I am still a novice but i always feel like a superhero whenever i wear a dress that i sewed. You and the dress look so pretty. Happy creating 🙂
Congratulations. Julie 🙂 I started sewing at least some of my clothes a few years back. I am still a novice but i always feel like a superhero whenever i wear a dress that i sewed. You and the dress look so pretty. Happy creating 🙂
Congratulations. Julie 🙂 I started sewing at least some of my clothes a few years back. I am still a novice but i always feel like a superhero whenever i wear a dress that i sewed. You and the dress look so pretty. Happy creating 🙂
OMG! I want to do this soooo badly! Learning to sew is something I think about ALL the time!! This is on my bucket list for sure and just mived higher up on that list! Thank you for sharing and so excited you got to do this and love your dress!
OMG! I want to do this soooo badly! Learning to sew is something I think about ALL the time!! This is on my bucket list for sure and just mived higher up on that list! Thank you for sharing and so excited you got to do this and love your dress!
OMG! I want to do this soooo badly! Learning to sew is something I think about ALL the time!! This is on my bucket list for sure and just mived higher up on that list! Thank you for sharing and so excited you got to do this and love your dress!
OMG! I want to do this soooo badly! Learning to sew is something I think about ALL the time!! This is on my bucket list for sure and just mived higher up on that list! Thank you for sharing and so excited you got to do this and love your dress!
OMG! I want to do this soooo badly! Learning to sew is something I think about ALL the time!! This is on my bucket list for sure and just mived higher up on that list! Thank you for sharing and so excited you got to do this and love your dress!
OMG! I want to do this soooo badly! Learning to sew is something I think about ALL the time!! This is on my bucket list for sure and just mived higher up on that list! Thank you for sharing and so excited you got to do this and love your dress!
OMG! I want to do this soooo badly! Learning to sew is something I think about ALL the time!! This is on my bucket list for sure and just mived higher up on that list! Thank you for sharing and so excited you got to do this and love your dress!
Hi JULIE,
You made muslins? It’s amazing. I love Muslin. Your all colorful fabricks makes me happy. By the way, You all five looks good in the same pattern.
Hi JULIE,
You made muslins? It’s amazing. I love Muslin. Your all colorful fabricks makes me happy. By the way, You all five looks good in the same pattern.
Hi JULIE,
You made muslins? It’s amazing. I love Muslin. Your all colorful fabricks makes me happy. By the way, You all five looks good in the same pattern.
Hi JULIE,
You made muslins? It’s amazing. I love Muslin. Your all colorful fabricks makes me happy. By the way, You all five looks good in the same pattern.
Hi JULIE,
You made muslins? It’s amazing. I love Muslin. Your all colorful fabricks makes me happy. By the way, You all five looks good in the same pattern.
Hi JULIE,
You made muslins? It’s amazing. I love Muslin. Your all colorful fabricks makes me happy. By the way, You all five looks good in the same pattern.
Hi JULIE,
You made muslins? It’s amazing. I love Muslin. Your all colorful fabricks makes me happy. By the way, You all five looks good in the same pattern.