Meet Charlotte, aka Charlie

  I've always been good with hands, since I was very young I enjoyed doing crafts, sketching, cutting other people's hair, cutting my hair, whatever included manual work I could direct was my thing.
 A couple of years back my brother (who is a few years older) got me this super cool sewing machine as a surprise gift. His intention was to get me back on the track, to help me express my creativity and maybe to help me choose another profession. When it was first delivered, I didn't know what to do with it, how to use it and/or where to keep it, it seemed like a very complicated gift to deal with. I felt as if someone just gave me a hamster. Not that it was needy, but just as one of those gifts you're not suppose to present (you are not supposed to give animals, unless requested). Nowadays, I can say I really appreciate his gesture. It hasn't drastically changed my life, but for sure it has had some positive influence on me.

At first, I started off a bit too ambitious, got Burda (a fashion magazine with patterns) and wanted to sew a tailored jacket. The problem was that I didn't even know how to thread the machine, not even to mention the use of other parts. It took me ages to understand how to put pieces together, countless tutorials on youtube and numerous searches on google. By the time I learned how to do it, I got annoyed, it was too time consuming and I wasn't seeing any results, so I gave up and put it away in a closet.



 A year ago, I got tulle and lace fabric for my Halloween costume and after the party, had quite some leftovers that I didn't want to throw away, but  didn't know how to use either. (for everyone imagining Carrie- Paris dress, not that  much!) After a small search online I got some inspiration and started making fabric flowers. This got me to the next step, pulling out my sewing machine so I could apply the flowers onto something. The first piece I ever sewed was a small black satin purse. I wasn't that handy with zippers at the time so you can find glue traces all over it. I think the final result actually looks very nice, even though I have never used it because the lining (an old bed sheet) gets into the zipper and blocks it. I'm very satisfied with how the flowers turned out as well.

Here are some pics of the purse

front

back

inside

 I have to say that I still don't know how to use my sewing machine well, I still have breakdowns when it doesn't work as it should or when it blocks (it's my fault because it means I'm not using it the right way), but I really enjoy being able to make something with my hands that I can wear, or to make my friends happy.

 Sometimes I stay in instead of going out and I sew. It might not be quality time with friends, but it sure is quality time, I'm developing a new skill. I named her Charlotte (Charlie for friends) so I don't feel alienated when I tell my friends the reason I'm not joining them. Sounds better when I say: "Tonight I'm hanging out with Charlie".

Have a lovely weekend!