Thank you for all of your lovely comments on my Minoru. It felt great to share it after such a long creation process! Now, back to catching up on some older projects!

Before Crab&Bee, which was born in February of 2011, I blogged here. It was a quiet little blog, but I was writing there when I started getting serious about making my own clothes. I’m sharing my pre-Crab&Bee creations in a few posts, as well as a bit of my sewing history.

Winter 2010 {Simplicity 2451}

In the fall/winter of 2010, I discovered a little pattern named Simplicity 2451. I was not aware that I would end up making four (and counting…) of the exact same view, but there it is. The first one was a wearable muslin in the space invaders ikat fabric that has since  (seen in MMM ’11), and this blue denim beauty was the second.

This exposed-zipper black denim version came directly after the blue one.

Winter 2010 {Simplicity 2451}

I still wear both of these skirts, as well as the third (never shared on my old blog but made at the same time as the other three), but I feel like they look a little frumpy. The denim is thick but hasn’t been holding its color with washing. Also, I didn’t trim the seam allowances on the waistband on the blue one, and they’re pretty visible. One of these days, I’m going to trim that out!

Now, this hot lil number below was the result of my first attempt at a Vogue pattern (1150). Since I was sewing at a feverish pace, making a last-minute Christmas dress, mistakes were made. I made the suggested size based on  my measurements and the dress was huge. Then I went down too many sizes and the dress became a little too tight for the ponte knit cotton and a little scandalous for this prude. I still wore it to Christmas festivities but wisely decided against the ripped fishnets in the photos.

Winter 2010 {Vogue 1150}

Winter 2010 {Vogue 1150}

I finally decided to part ways with this dress a few weeks ago, but I’d be curious to try it again in the right size. And probably not in ponte knit – it’s thicker fabric but somehow still seemed to show every bra straps and whatnot.

What I learned from these projects: Trim seam allowances. Denim from Joann Fabrics is not to be trusted. And, as I learn time and time again, hasty sewing is a recipe for projects I don’t wear often.

It’s also funny to see how my style has been evolving since I started sewing. I used to favor more fitted clothes, even though I never intended for the red dress to be as fitted as it ended up!