This is my first Works-for-Me Wednesday on my blog. I stumbled onto We Are THAT Family awhile back and thought it was such a clever and well written blog. So now that I’ve started my own blog, I’m so excited to participate in Works for Me Wednesday.
When I had my daughter I knew I was in trouble. My first child is a boy. Boys are so easy to shop for. You buy shorts and pants, shirts and shoes. Simple. We found out we were having a girl around 22 weeks into my pregnancy with my daughter. I still remember the awe I felt the first time I walked into babies r us after learning the news. There was a part of the store I always ignored. The girl part. All those pretty pink clothes and ruffles and bows. Well now I saw them, and I could not contain my glee. I think my husband had a bit of fear in his eyes, but he seemed excited too.
Luckily, everyone buys clothes for a girl (we got barely any clothes for our boy when he was born? Girl clothes are more fun to buy I guess!). So we had oodles and oodles of clothes for our daughter until she was around 10-12 months. I didn’t shop much for her during that time since we were barely getting one wear out of all the clothes she had been gifted.
I decided that I wanted her to wear a very special outfit for her 1st birthday party. I went to a boutique and almost cried when I saw a simple appliqued onesie on sale for $30. I looked at some of the cute outfits I’d seen girls wearing around the Mother’s Day Out I taught at. Price tags of $100 and up. I could not do it. I went home determined that I would make her birthday outfit. I had had several attempts to sew in the past and I simply wasn’t patient enough for it. But this time I was determined.
I told myself it was okay if I messed up and that even if I did I had to keep trying. This was a skill I was determined to learn and I was adamant about it!
Success! I had taught myself how to sew and fulfilled my desire to have my daughter wear something special and unique for her birthday. I have made her MANY outfits since then, and even made outfits for others. I actually started a small business venture (very small!) out of my newfound talent. I took something that I had previously failed at and made failure not an option. And best of all, I excelled at it!
We all have that desire to do something that has tripped us up in the past. Maybe we weren’t patient enough, maybe we didn’t’ have the right materials or the right attitude towards it. With a bit of persistance though, I truly believe that you (and me!) can do anything you set your mind to.
Hey, it worked for me 
Kudos to you for not giving up! I'm re-discovering my love for sewing, although I'm no where near perfect!
Self taught as well.
That's awesome Phoebe! I'm nowhere near perfect, that's what 1/2 in seam allowances are made for, LOL
Oh, my goodness! As someone who has been sewing for about 40 years, I am really impressed! I wouldn't guess you are a beginner by that adorable outfit (on a cute little girl)!
In the coming years, you will be so grateful you took up sewing. Just wait until you try to dress your daughter at age 8 and find most of the cr*p out there would be better off on a 15-year-old!
Thanks so much mom2fur! That really means a lot. I am sure I could stand to take a class or two, but I think I do a pretty good job too! I need to post some pics of some other outfits I've made. If I can do it, anyone can!