A year of sewing

I’ll just start this post off with a reminder: There are still lots and lots of links out there pointing to my old url http://astrid.thusgaard.com – so please update your links and feeds, as the new url is www.connectingthedots.dk. Same blog, still me behind it – and I really need you all to come along! Also, thank you to those of you who have it changed already – I really appreciate it!  😉

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That said, I’m here to tell you that I have been sewing for a year now – one whole year!

A while ago, Chris and Jeannine posted about their sewing history, and I wanted to share as well – however, I decided to wait for my sewing anniversary, which is now – like right now!

Sewing history 

Like most people in Denmark, I had sewing classes when I went to school – I think it was about the time when I was 13-14 years old. The class was about learning the basics on how to use a sewing machine. I don’t really remember making much, but I do remember sewing in paper, trying to make straight and equal lines and stuff like that.

Since then, I haven’t really been sewing – until last year. Ronja needed a dress for shrovetide – just like this year – and I went and bought one at a costume sale. I wasn’t quite pleased with it, though, so I bought some ribbon, sequins, and little fabric roses, in order to spice it up a bit. So I spent a lot of time sewing them on to the dress by hand, and Ronja loved it, even if I still wasn’t completely happy with it.

Princess 

Anyway, this got me started. I realized that in order to get things the way I wanted them, I would just have to get out my inherited sewing machine and start sewing. Went and bought some Onion-patterns and fabric at a local sewing shop, and when I came back to buy more Onion-patterns, the shop owner asked me if I’d heard about Ottobre – it would be cheaper for me in the long run. Just guess how much I appreciate that piece of advice! Got my first magazine in Swedish, which was how I found out that I completely DO NOT understand sewing terms in Swedish, so when I decided to subscribe one week later, I ordered my subscription in English. A few weeks later, I bought my new sewing machine – a Pfaff 2027 – and I love it!

After that, I have been sewing lots of stuff for the children – just check out the mosaic above. And that isn’t even all. I have been learning so much, not least from the Ottobre English Sewing Group, which I have mentioned a few times before. I was afraid that when I started working, it would be hard to find the time, but now after two months “out there”, I still love spending an evening with the sewing machine, so that doesn’t seem to be a problem.

Tonight, I’m adding the final touches to Ronja’s angel costume – I will show you soon, promise!

21 comments

  1. Christa says:

    Astrid,
    Congrats on your one year sewing anniversary! You have made so many beautiful things. I am so inspired by your pretty garments.

    Happy sewing,
    Christa

  2. Ruth says:

    Astrid—You’ve only been sewing for one year?!!! You are amazing. Happy sewing anniversary and best wishes for many more years of sewing. 🙂

  3. Jeannine says:

    Astrid, Congratulations, and what a great idea. I have not even seen some of your earlier creations. I love the wrap around dress with the matrushka dolls. Was that an Onion pattern? If so, I think I have the same pattern, and your dress inspires me to make it. You have a real talent, and should stick to it.

  4. Maria says:

    Congratulations on your anniversary! Absolutely fabulous pictures 🙂 I must go through your archives some day. You are a living proof that sewing isn’t rocket science. Although one needs to be enthusiastic and motivated as well as thorough. You must be all, your work looks awesome. My sewing career isn’t much longer although I was fortunate to have more profound teaching at school.

  5. Melissa says:

    Congratulations, Astrid. What a lovely year of accomplishment! I remember when you were shopping for your machine.

  6. Rena says:

    Goodness Astrid, I wish I’d made such great garments in my first year of sewing! Most of mine ended up in the wadders pile:-)!!!

  7. Kristina says:

    Virkelig flotte ting du laver :-)Men ville egentlig bare fortælle, at linket til højre – der står ‘go here’ – for at læse mere om dig, mangler et .dk i adressen.

  8. Annette says:

    Så er du ændret i min blogroll :o)
    Jeg prøvede også på det i sidste uge, men kunne ikke få det til at virke – fatter ikke hvorfor… Men det vigtigste er, at nu er det på plads. Og så ville jeg gerne engang lære, hvordan man flytter hele sin blog med kommentarer og alt over på nyt domæne. Jeg har nemlig engang købt mit eget, men kan ikke overskue at flytte bloggen, så det lever en hensovende tilstand… :o)
    Hvor vildt at du kun har syet i et år!!! Jeg er meget imponeret, det er vildt flotte ting, du laver!!!

  9. Karen says:

    Happy Anniversary! You are truly skilled, and I love that you keep sharing your learning experiences with us. You have a real eye for design (and the CUTEST children to dress in your creations!). Keep up the beautiful sewing!

  10. Lisa says:

    Can’t believe you only rediscovered sewing a year ago! Love your photo mosiac of all your gorgeous creations. Happy anniversary – can’t wait to see what you make next! I wish my kids were still young enough to wear clothes that I have made them – now I just make them pyjamas.

  11. Lara says:

    My goodness, only one year of sewing! You have such an eye for it and your creations are so lovely. Congratulations – I would have sworn you’d be sewing for ever.

  12. Clairee says:

    Congratulations on your sewing anniversary, and congratulations on your learned skills!
    You sew beautifully, and have a wonderful eye for colours and details!

  13. Astrid says:

    Everybody – thank you SO much – I really appreciate it. It means so much to me, that you find my work inspiring, so thank you a bunch!

    Jeannine – the wrap dress actually came from a Danish magazine that I came across – I do think, though, that you could substitute the pattern, because it really wasn’t that well drafted.

    Melissa – yep, I remember shopping for my new machine as well – I made such a find! 😉

    Annette – det er altså ikke første gang, jeg har hørt, at nogen har haft problemer. Faktisk har jeg selv oplevet det, når nogen har flyttet en blog – aner ikke hvorfor… Men tak fordi du kom med! 🙂

    Really, everybody – thank you again! 🙂

  14. Karen Klarbæk says:

    Tak for din hilsen på min blog. Ja, jeg laver bolig kataloget hos Stof og Stil. En anden gruppe laver tøj kataloget.
    Jeg kan genkende en bunke af “mine” metervarer blandt de fine ting du har lavet.
    Skønt at se det i brug.

    Knus
    Karen

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