Not another UFO!

This acronym is definitely not a stranger to everyone. However, I came to learn of a new definition to it when I took up a tatting class a couple of years back.

I must admit that the original has a better ring to it... Unidentified Flying Object! The borrowed acronym, Un-Finished Object, though lacking in syllabus, is rather aptly used. (However, 'project' in placed of 'object' would have been more appropriate, I think...) By that, it simply refers to half-done work lying hidden in some corners, at the back of the cupboards -- a case of 'out of sight, out of mind!'

I have often wondered if this happen only to handicraft projects, or generally to projects done in leisure.  After all, there isn't any deadlines per se... Then again, it probably boils down to discipline and boredom. In this arena, I am definitely not guiltless (in all aspects!). I dare not even start to count them as I am sure there are some that I myself am totally clueless about! LOL!

Well, all is not lost as I have begun to retrace my steps, and hopefully, I would not leave any stones unturned when I retire from this earth. A daunting task... but, not to be easily given up! Soyez courageux!

Voila! Bubbling over with pride

The first of these UFOs I've taken on is the "dowdy" A-line, pleated dress (unfortunately, I couldn't locate a picture of!) that I have mentioned in my previous post. It has sat in my cupboard for over two new year celebrations (not a dinosaur yet)! Gladly, that would-be skeleton had been plumped up into a bubble dress. (Yes, it's that infamous grey material from my first project!) May not seem much, but it was a successful transformation in my context. I refused to let this piece lay in the UFO graveyard as I have spent numerous hours tacking the pleats into place and sewing on the beads on the bodice! I've worn it proudly to a cousin's wedding luncheon in July!

A pat on my back! One down, and... many, many more to go! Hahaha...

Learning to sew isn't a difficult task, it's the ability to continuously discipline yourself to carry through and on : the mistakes and unpicks, pin pricks from clumsy fingers, etc -- all taken in good humour. I guess this principle applies to everything we do in life: Taking that first step, and putting in the effort to move on with more steps.

However, what I've learnt is that we must not be too 'eager' to break into a run, as you will soon realized you are flat out of steam before the first lap is over, all ready to throw in the white towel; which brings to mind the fable of the race between the hare and the tortoise.

Yes!, as I keep myself chugging along the tracks of sewing, I will unearth and resurrect my UFOs along the way... and hopefully, with consistency, they will be brought to light in this space...

That Little Step

Unlike my sis, I tend to procrastinate and do lots of pondering before embarking on anything new. I've got my sister to thank for helping me take that little step, about 3 years ago.

During one of our usual family get-together, we started talking about dressmaking. I guess if you don't possess a "standard"-sized frame, it gets a little frustrating shopping for clothes.
On top of that, it just doesn't seemed practical to buy clothes that you will probably wear once for that special occasion.

We goaded our mum to teach us. She produced a neatly drawn record book with the basic blocks for blouses, skirts, etc. Deft as she is with her hands, teaching is not her cup of tea.
A pity though... but I left it as that.

The Hwaiian shirt...not!

However, my ever resourceful sister got herself signed up for a class in one of the community clubs. I joined her there after she's completed her second session of eight lessons.

The first project was a Hawaiian shirt. We were taught how to take measurements and draft, then placing onto the cloth to cut -- an attempt we all eyed with fear! That (the shirt) didn't quite turned out the way it was expected, though I thought it didn't look too bad! (Definitely not the "hawaiian" shirt it's meant to be, credit to my little modifications along the way...LOL!)

Of course, I didn't give up and laboured on! The result? The birth of this laughable low back halter-neck leopard number. (In case you should wonder why I had such horrendous taste in materials...I don't actually. I simply ransacked my mum's store of materials.)

Shouldn't it get better? Well, no...sadly. This is followed by a dowdy pleated number of an A-line dress and a still unfinished brocade jacket. Not only am I frustrated, I was upset. After 16 sessions, I was none the wiser on drafting, let alone sewing fitting clothes. I just felt like a factory girl sewing pieces of material together as told! Utterly disillusioned, I discontinued my lessons as this, is definitely not my idea of dressmaking.

Fortunately, this voyage for me has not yet ended. (Again, all hail my sister!) She found another trainer in another community club who is more structured in her teaching, with proper fundamentals taught. (To Ruby!) Gladly, I begin my journey once again with that little step (since February 2010).

This has become our joke for explaining the difference between prêt-a-porter and haute couture.

3 Little Characters

Sew...this little verb of 3 characters is understood worldwide, without a doubt!
The fundamental and simplistic action of threading a needle with a thread, pushing through a piece of material, in and out repeatedly, brings on a wide array of creations. That, is simply incredible!

I remember being intrigued with all the sewing tools and pattern books since childhood. It is probably due to my mum's ceaseless sewing. Those were the days when a sewing machine is part of the wedding dowry and every woman would have learnt to sew, one way or the other.

My mum was only 12 when WWII landed on her doorstep. She is of a generation where few girls received education and being the eldest amongst her siblings would automatically disqualify her from a cushy life of education. It became mandatory to learn a trade that would lend you some work to help keep your family out of hunger.

I remembered being rather resentful of having my new year clothes made by my mum especially in my teenager years! I envied my peers who get to go shopping, whereas
I don't have a choice but to wear what was made for me. When we were younger, my sis and I used to have clothes made out of the same material and sometimes, the same pattern. Oh how I dread those days...

Now, when I looked back, especially as I embarked on this sewing journey, I should have been thankful for a mum with a pair of deft hands...