Saturday, July 4, 2009

Success!

I took Liana's advise from my previous posts comments and dug out my cut pattern remnants from the trash and taped the T-shirt pattern back together. I made two adjustments while I was at it by scooping out the neckline more and lengthening it by an inch and a half. And it turned out amazing! It feels so gratifying to actually make something that fits!

Thursday evening after work I stopped at JoAnn's to browse the clearance section and found an olive green jersey knit. After dinner I spent another 4 hours taping the pattern back together, cutting out the fabric, and copying/enlarging/cutting the rose pattern from the Alabama Stitch Book. At midnight I did attempt to start stitching but my eyes started to cross.

So I slept in (on a Friday!) and promptly moved into my sewing chair still in my pj's forgoing breakfast. I spent hours with a thread and needle doing the back stitch and half way through I questioned if the design was really worth all this effort.

Have I ever posted a picture of myself on this blog? I don't think so and if I did I don't think it was very clear. I suppose you now know whose behind the MintBasil blog! P.S. I always forget I have freckles on my lips. When I resized this photo I thought I had food on my mouth!

It's just a t-shirt to anyone else, but this shirt represents the first real success in making suitable clothes for myself. Talk about building up sewing self-esteem. And the reverse applique really makes it and I am happy that I actually successfully pulled off an Alabama project.

This is also my 200th blog post! I wasn't sure if I'd actually stick with this whole blogging thing, but little did I know what an amazing and creative community was waiting for me. I'd like to do a little give-a-way as a thank you for all your encouragement. Just tell me what you love most about this amazing crafting community. (And don't be bashful because I would actually say all the generous give-a-ways!) I'm not sure exactly what it will be, but I have a feeling it will involve fabric and my sewing machine. So leave a comment and make sure there is a way for me to get in contact with you if you win. The give-a-way is open until I blog my 201 post.

26 comments:

  1. It's so cute! It really turned out great.

    What I really love is the great people I've met and new friends I've made who have similar interests.

    And the giveaways are pretty great, too! :)

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  2. I agree, the giveaways are pretty fun.

    I like the shirt, I've yet to attempt anything of that sort...so I understand your sense of accomplishment!

    Hope you're having a great Independance Day!

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  3. Aren't you so beautiful?! For me, the best part: all the inspirational friends I've made who allow me to toss out ideas and offer feedback...

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  4. I love the way the t-shirt turned out--I'm new to sewing as well, and haven't gotten up the nerve to sew any clothing for myself, but I'm tempted to do so by that t-shirt!

    I love all the creative ideas I get from reading my favorite craft blogs (including yours), and I love the "been there" support I get from reading mommy blogs. :-)

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  5. The shirt looks great--and I do think the design was worth it. I can tell it took a lot of work!

    Reading craft blogs and blogging keep me motivated to be creative. I get so inspired by like-minded people who I might not otherwise meet locally.

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  6. Just wanted to say...what an AWESOME t-shirt!!
    =) Pearl

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  7. Hi LeeAnn,
    Firstly, I have to say how encouraging your post is to me that you took the shirt pattern out of the trash and started over! Way to go! And it looks amazing with that applique.
    As far as what I love about blogland, well, you know how us crafty people can be! I could talk about nothing but what I'm sewing, crocheting, knitting, quilting and all the cool techniques I've found 24/7 if I could get away with it. Blogging gives me an outlet to do just that so I still have friends that want to hang around me. That's what I love about it, it keeps me from going craft-postal on my friends!

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  8. Good for you for the shirt redo - it looks fantastic. And congrats on the 200th post. I'm so glad that you have stuck with blogging as I love to see your creations. Don't count me in the giveaway - I'm pretty worthless with fabric. Looking forward to seeing what some creative winner does with it.

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  9. Well, I am impressed. The t-shirt looks store bought. I have a ton of tissue weight knit I bought to make myself new pajamas but I cannot seem to make it work! You give me hope. LOL

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  10. I absolutely LOVE your tee shirt!
    I want one :o)

    BTW, you should post your picture all over the place, you are too stinkin cute

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  11. I just discovered your blog and would like to enter your giveaway.

    What I like most about the sewing community is the spirit of sharing that is present. One need only post a question and lots of people come to your rescue. I only hope that I've be as helpful with answers or advice that I've offered.

    I'll be adding your blog to my dashboard!

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  12. I love the crafty blog community. I have never "met" such sweet generous people in the normal day to day setting. Whenever I have a bad day I those who frequent my blog are always there to step up and become my silver lining.

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  13. I love the support, instruction and inspiration I can find online. I find so many free tutorials and patterns and the support that hey, I can make that too! And I do! The other stuff, too hard for me, I just drool over and bookmark for later.

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  14. LeeAnn! You are GORGEOUS! (The fact that we have the same colouring has nothing to do with the compliment by the way.) ;)

    Congratulations on 200 posts!

    What I love most is the inspiration I get from seeing other craftistas' creations, and also knowing that I'm not alone in my crazy obsession with fabric and notions and patterns. :)

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  15. I have freckles on my lips too. I argued with this guy for like 10 minutes once. She said I had food on my mouth but I knew I didn't!

    I love the blogging world for several reasons but I love the creative ideas that come from other peopel and the opportunity to get to know people who I may have never crossed paths with otherwise.

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  16. I love the shirt! It turned out amazing!!

    Congrats on your 200th post. My favorite thing about blogging is all the inspiration I get from other crafty people.

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  17. Awesome--looks professional! I love the blogging world because it keeps me informed, educates me for free (just my time) and it's a nice way to meet great folks.

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  18. i love that shirt! I love being inspired by all the other crafters out there. Seeing what cool creative things others are making, always gets my wheels turnin'! Thanks for the chance at the giveaway!
    -Heather
    heatheranewman@yahoo.com

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  19. i love that shirt! I love being inspired by all the other crafters out there. Seeing what cool creative things others are making, always gets my wheels turnin'! Thanks for the chance at the giveaway!
    -Heather
    heatheranewman@yahoo.com

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  20. i love that shirt! I love being inspired by all the other crafters out there. Seeing what cool creative things others are making, always gets my wheels turnin'! Thanks for the chance at the giveaway!
    -Heather
    heatheranewman@yahoo.com

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  21. I love the T-Shirt! I love the free tutorials and inspiring photos on all of the crafty blogs I read. It's amazing how many resourceful, recycling and talented women are out there.

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  22. congrats on 200 posts! and on a beautiful t-shirt!!! it's nice to see the face behind the blog. :) (i'm still too shy to reveal myself.) i enjoy all the opportunities that blogging has brought my way. it's pretty amazing.

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  23. Wow! The shirt looks great! And fun to put a face to the name :)

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  24. Too bad I missed the giveaway ... but it's still too great a post to not leave a comment!

    Making a t-shirt without a serger is TOO COOL. Even your too-small attempt looked pretty awesome. You're right that the rose design really does make it. I'm so impressed! It makes me feel like a scaredy cat because I'm so afraid of trying to make clothes.

    I got my first freckle on my lips this year. It's in the middle of my bottom lip and every time I see it I think I've dyed my lip purple with grape Kool Aid ... and then remember I haven't had any Kool Aid for at least 30 years. :)

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  25. Too bad I missed the giveaway... because those are a fabulous part of the blogging community! LOL!

    But seriously... CONGRATULATIONS on your 200th post, and CONGRATULATIONS on the t-shirt. It DOES look simply terrific! :-)

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