will sew for food
I have decided that painting murals and faux finishes is just not enough to keep me busy (read: not poor). The jobs dry up just when we've gotten used to the extra money. So I have been contemplating "expanding". I have always sewed little things for friends now and then, but I was painting at a client's house last Saturday when she asked me if I know a seamstress. Uh, maybe. "What do you need done?" Anything but a slipcover, please not a slipcover. She says she's got some fabric with which she wants to make a bumper pad for her daughter's crib. Confidently, I tell her that I can do it. I think. A bumper? Not too hard, essentially a long tube with batting, right? She also has a dust ruffle for the same crib that needs to be shortened, and getting all cocky, I tell her I can use the scraps from the ruffle for piping along the top of the bumper. Turns out sewing piping between all that batting is tough!
So here it is, all done. Did I choose the fabric? Nope. It is lovely. She got it here. Did I pick out the ruffle, the pretty silky purple that's peeking out there on the bottom right? Nope. But I DID learn some lessons:
No. 1- I learned that it always takes longer than you think to sew something.
No. 2- I learned that piping is tricky.
No. 3- I learned why tailors and seamstresses charge so stinkin' much!
Comments
I'm so very impressed. It is just lovely. I've contemplated piping many a time, but I know I would get mad at that stuff. uh huh. I can't even do binding. Well done Alicia. Just beautiful.
Posted by: Angela | October 3, 2006 2:47 PM
That turned out beautifully!
(And I love that stinkin' store... but all I can do is look. They are so stinkin' expensive!)
Posted by: capello | October 3, 2006 2:54 PM
That came out beautifully! I would have been nervous, working with Lauren A. fabric. I hear that place is pricey.
My mom used to have a woman from somewhere in rural Missouri that made slipcovers, and they were super cheap. I have no idea how she made money. I guess you have to get really fast at it.
Posted by: amy h | October 3, 2006 3:14 PM
absolutely gorgeous!!
Posted by: lera | October 3, 2006 4:11 PM
I just had a friend make some pants for Tristan and I feel like I should pay her $50 a pair or something. I know that sewing is a lot of work. The bumpers look great, as does the painting.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | October 3, 2006 8:38 PM
you are the bravest sewer i know. i love that you just jumped in to this project. and it turned out wonderfully! way to go, girl.
Posted by: molly | October 4, 2006 6:44 AM
this is beautiful alicia! sewing for money huh? that is big time!
Posted by: hannah | October 4, 2006 7:42 AM
You've got the skills, babe! No way would I attempt stuff like that. Up your rates!
Posted by: Amy | October 4, 2006 8:16 AM
fantastic. i would have fainted just cutting through Lauren A. fabric - that stuff is $$$.
excellent work. I think this is a terrific idea, because your work is very well-executed and you have a great eye for custom work and helping people make color decisions if they'd need help. Do it!
Posted by: estea | October 4, 2006 12:39 PM
You did a nice job!
Posted by: erin | October 4, 2006 1:54 PM
hi alicia,
i'm impressed too. the bumper looks great. i still want to learn to sew! maybe one day soon. xo s
Posted by: shari | October 4, 2006 2:37 PM
You did a beautiful job!! I am so proud to have such an artistic and creative friend.
Posted by: suz | October 4, 2006 9:05 PM
That is gorgeous!
Posted by: Joanna | October 4, 2006 11:13 PM
Umm, this is what I have yet to make a bumper for Ava's crib. I decided a few years ago that I was going to sew for extra money. I used my sister in law as a guinea pig because she had just moved into a new house and needed window treatments. I HATED it. Everything was way more work than I anticipated and because it was for someone else I wanted it perfect. I started to resent sewing for her. So for now, I'm only sewing things that I like to do, which is why my mother in law's ottoman is still sitting uncovered in my bedrom.
Posted by: beki | October 5, 2006 8:51 AM
OH MY GOSH ALICIA!!!!!!!! When I get prego again you better have your sewing shoes on (that is if my mom will not do it for me). These are amazing you did a great job!!!!!
Posted by: michelle | October 5, 2006 9:02 AM
geezzz, that's awesome alicia!
Posted by: babybug | October 5, 2006 8:45 PM
You did such a great job! It looks really beautiful and professional!
Posted by: Veronica TM | October 12, 2006 10:49 AM