It's not pretty

Sometimes I get a little bit discouraged seeing how awesome all the projects are on Sew Retro. Is there a rule that we should only post the ones that turn out well? Or does everybody only post the projects they are proud of? I hope I'm not out of line posting something that didn't turn out well.

I'm still pretty new to sewing, and I mess up A LOT. My last post here was the dress with with the failed first attempt at sleeves. On this project, Vogue 2848, I got the sleeves right, but the dress is so big through the shoulders that it's awful. I didn't bother to finish it. See for yourself:

The dress is awful, but it's not a complete failure. I am now almost over my fear of working with a knit, and the sleeves actually turned out OK. Some day I may revisit this one and turn it into something wearable, but not any time soon.

More details about it on my blog, Chronically Uncool.

Help Me Get Over My Fear of My Sewing Machine

Hello everyone! I've been reading this group and being inspired by all of your work. Since joining the group over six months ago, I've sewn exactly one thing on my sewing machine. I am terrified by it! I don't know what to do when things mess up.

I have a problem where the bobbin thread sometimes bunches up like crazy in one spot on the fabric and doesn't hook up with the top thread. Sometimes it goes away when you snip out the bits of thread, and sometimes it seems like it resolves itself over time. I don't know what makes it happen or how to make it stop.

That's the first part. The second part is just that I'm not familiar enough with sewing machines, and am afraid of cutting the fabric wrong and ruining everything. Please reassure me.

I have been looking for basic adult sewing and garment construction classes, and I can't take any of the ones that are offered in the next month and a half, so I'm waiting to see what the summer schedule is like. Until then, I have several patterns and some ideas to remake clothes we have into things for our children, but I can't bring myself to start them.

What I really need is a sewing buddy. Is there anyone in this group from the Puget Sound area?

Thank you all for listening.