One of my resolutions this year was to make, thrift, or mend a clothing item if I need a new one. I hadn’t sewn a garment since I was in college (20 years ago), and that was pajama pants (not a difficult thing to make).
I’ve started attending a new church (OK, fine, “sporadically attending” would be a better way to phrase that). People at my new church dress up on Sundays, and I don’t have many dresses. I decided to go crazy and make a dress.
I made the Fen Dress by Fancy Tiger Crafts. Is it perfect? Hell no. Is it done? YES! I’m looking forward to wearing it for the rest of the winter. I used flannel, so the dress is nice and cozy. It’s basically pajamas I can wear in public.
I made lots of mistakes while making this dress, several you can probably see in this photo if you are an avid sewer. I have a hard time loving crafts that I’m not immediately good at. I did enjoy the process enough to want to sew more. I would like to get to the point where I’m OK at sewing. I don’t know if I’ll ever advance to zippers.
The Fen Dress pattern comes with a shirt version of the dress. I think I’m going to make that next. I want to see if the process goes better the second time I make the pattern.
Do you sew? Do you have any easy sewing patterns you would recommend? What is your favorite thing to sew?
mildlygranola 
First time to sew a garment in 20 years? You did great! On a pattern like this, fitting the bust is really important because it’s actually a major part of the design, and yours fits very nicely! I would definitely encourage you to make a top, so you can work on the things you want to improve. More sewing will just make you more confident and skilled. As for zippers, start with some little crafty project to understand how your zipper foot works, and then when you actually put one in a garment it will be much more comfortable. I’m curious how the pattern had you finish the neckline, was it a facing or bias tape? If it was bias tape, I would suggest making your own from your fabric, it always comes out better for me than the store bought kind. Well done!
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Thank you! The pattern had me make bias tape. I was actually thinking I might buy bias tape when I make the shirt, but thank to you I won’t be doing that. I would like to eventually be comfortable around a sewing machine, but that is a long ways off for me.
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You’ll get there, just keep sewing!
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I think it looks great! I adore socially acceptable pajamas
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Your dress is fantastic!! I love the idea of it being like pajamas:)
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WOW! That is impressive! It looks great, and what a great idea to make it in flannel! It will be cozy all winter 🙂
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It looks great! I love the idea of a flannel dress!
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That’s a really nice dress. You did a great job! Now I want to sew one. I love the idea of a flannel dress.
I felt like I picked up where I left off in sewing. It was amazing how it all came back. I remember struggling through when I was learning and making every mistake, but really that’s the way I learn best.
I know enough to sew most things, but it would be a challenge to sew something like a shirt dress – which I am considering – because of all the tailoring. Maybe I will make this dress instead!
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I was about 15 minutes into the project when I remembered how much I dislike sewing. I don’t like having to be precise, sewing a straight seam is hard when your mind is wandering.
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It looks fantastic! It’s so cute and cozy, and it has pockets, and it’s flannel?? Love it!
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“I have a hard time loving crafts that I’m not immediately good at.” I love this confession. I’m glad someone else feels this way enough to share it. Thank you for the authenticity. xD
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It really bothers me that Instagram and Pinterest are full of “easy” crafts that always turn out. I wish people would be honest about the process.
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[…] today I spent my time tearing out messed up seams sewing. I made a Fen Shirt, as the I loved the Fen Dress so much. I like the shirt, but if I make it again I’ll make it longer. I’m tall, and […]
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That’s a lovely dress, it’s making me want a sewing machine even more!
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[…] my project bags I was ready to tackle a bigger sewing project. I bought some seersucker for another Fen Dress soon after I made the first one, and I decided it was time to put it to […]
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