My husband always jokes that I seem to unpick more than I actually sew… and he’s not wrong! I’m a bit of a perfectionist and would prefer to unpick and redo several times over rather than let something go that’s not quite right. I realise this is why it takes me so long to get stuff finished and why I have a pile of ‘WIPs’ (read stuff that’s 90% done but just needs a few finishing touches or adjustments).

But this week I’ve been unpicking an entire project, not because the sewing wasn’t up to standard but so I can make it into something completely different and something I’ll hopefully have a better chance of wearing.

I booked onto the Sew with Serena class at Sew Confident last June. Serena (the 2021 Sewing Bee winner) released a book last year and the class involved sewing a skirt from of the patterns.

I love watching the Sewing Bee and was a fan of Serena, admiring her love of sustainble sewing and her attention to detail! The class was on a weekday but luckily I had just finished up in my previous role and had taken 4 weeks off before starting the new job. Perfect for a bit of down time!

I bought a checked linen I’d had my eye on from Merchant and Mills and thought it would be perfect for an Autumn/Winter skirt.

The pattern was a good one- self drafted so based on your measurements with a few options- I opted for a midi length with a slit to just above the knee and added pockets. The waist band was elasticated and, although I was really happy with way the skirt looked (and my sewing for a change!), it just didn’t suit me. This was mostly due to my fabric choice as the elasticated waist meant too much bulk and it wasn’t flattering. It may have been different if I’d chosen a lighter fabric but I just knew I wouldn’t wear it as it was. I tried making a thick tie belt to see if that pulled in the waist a bit…it did but it was still too bulky. I unpicked the waist band and added a few rows of shirring…didn’t work and more unpicking.

So it’s been sitting in my WIP basket since but I love the fabric and I’m keen to do something with it.

I’m booked on to the Sew Confident Sewing Retreat in a few weeks time (after really enjoying last years) and started thinking this week about what project(s) I want to take. I’ve seen the Steele pinafore dress a few times on Instagram so I’ve ordered that in the hope that I’ll just have enough fabric to make it. I’m going to learn from the first time around and opt for view A which doesn’t have gathering around the waist.

Fingers crossed, in 2 weeks time, I’ll have made something I’ll wear time and time again with the fabric!