Hi Sewcialists!
How exciting this is, the first time I write for the Sewcialists blog! When I read the theme was denim I immediately thought about my bucket full of torn-apart-jeans. I got this bucket from a local lady who was giving away her fabric stash and it has been sitting under my cutting table ever since I got it, waiting for the perfect moment for me to dig in it.
Before we get on to the projects I made, let me give you some background information: I’m originally from Puerto Rico and moved to Texas around 5 years ago. I am a preschool teacher and I have a 22 month old son. I barely have time for anything, especially sewing but I was really feeling the anxiety of not having that moment to myself where it’s just me and the sewing machine. That moment that helps me unwind and calm down the nerves of everything that goes on back at home in Puerto Rico and everything in between so I made it a point to sew on the weekends during my son’s nap time. That gives me about two hours. That’s all I have, but I’ll take it! Sometimes, if I don’t have homework to do, or have too many dishes piled up and I have some energy left in my body, I will also do some late night sewing. Disadvantage? I’m always sewing in a hurry and things happen you know? Like hemming a pair of jeans and wearing them to work and realizing you have one leg shorter than the other one. #momlife
The first denim project I ever made was transforming this beautiful denim tunic I bought at a thrift store that was 2 sizes bigger than my size. It sat in my closet for about a year before I actually transformed it and I remember I did it in one night where my baby was really sick. I could not sleep making sure he was breathing properly so to keep myself awake, I took on this project and pulled an all nighter but I finished it! I loved working with denim and thought I should start hunting down more denim garments at the thrift stores “whenever I had time” (yeah… that never happened).
Since I wasn’t able to hunt down denim garments like I wanted to, when I saw this kind lady post on a Facebook group that she was giving away her stash, and I saw a bucket full of jeans I was all for it! I went to her house almost immediately, picked up the bucket with all of these ideas in mind of everything that I was going to do that have yet to be done. For example, for this month’s theme, I wanted to turn my botched jeans into some bell bottoms but everyone got sick at my house so it never happened. However, life has its ways and my mom came to visit me from Puerto Rico and brought me some patterns I had left at her house years ago. Among those patterns was the Simplicity 5151 pattern. I thought it was the perfect project for this blog post! (Thanks mom!) It was fun to finally dig in my bucket of jeans to find the perfect color and weight variations for this cute and sturdy bag. I used muslin for the lining and a couple of broken needles later, I ended up hand stitching the lining and it looked even better that way. I went to bed close to midnight feeling very accomplished with my small sewing project.
I have learned to feel accomplished with small projects but it used to bother me, not being able to constantly make garments. I used to sew A LOT back in Puerto Rico but all of that changed once I moved to Texas and it was a complete change of lifestyle. After my son was born, I had a very hard time adjusting to not being able to sew as much as I used to and it was like losing a very important part of my identity. It took some time, and I’m still adjusting and learning to be content and appreciative of the little things I am able to tackle. The community of sewcialists has helped me a lot in this process because I have been able to relate to many of your stories especially those “who we are” series. I conclude this contribution by thanking you all for being so inclusive and sharing your stories. Let’s keep each other grounded and inspired. Happy sewing!
My name is Karla Menéndez. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. I love the tropical weather, I miss the beach, I try to sew for the seasons but somehow I never make it. I plan to start my own blog this year but in the meantime, you can follow me on Instagram as @karla_menendez01.
Love your projects and your story!
Thank You!!!!
That dress is an amazing transformation and the purse is adorable!
Thank you!!! I have yet to wear it. Only used it for this picture ha
Great refashion!
Did you remove the sleeves before you remade the dress? (I can’t think how else you could resize it.)
P.S. Also LOVE your play theater! (I sooo need one of these!) Is this your design?
Hi! Yes, I removed the sleeves, the pockets and cut it at the waist and made a few pleats on the skirt. The okay theather is my own design 😁 my son loooooves it! You should definitely try it.
I meant to say “puppet theater” not okay theater
Love the dress!! You look A-Dore-Able!!!
Thank you!!🥰
Congratulations girl for your first vlog entry. I can’t wait to see more of your projects. xoxo
Thank You!! I truly enjoyed this! Even when I was stealing time in the middle of the night or during my lunch break at home, haha
Hey, enjoy that baby. Someday you’ll have hours and hours to sew. From Old Woman
I know, he is growing so fast…one day I will put him down without realizing it will be my last time carrying him in my arms😭
Definitely relate to your story, thanks so much for sharing. I just had my second baby and finding time for sewing is so hard when I only have a couple hours in the evening after the kids go to bed to do everything that needs doing, including hanging out with my partner! After my first son was born I found myself doing a lot of embroidery work because it was something I could pick up and put down easily even if I only had 15 minutes to work on it.
Congrats on your baby! It must be even harder with two kids, I can only imagine but what have to keep that part of us that makes us feel so authentic, that part of our identity that only belongs to us, even if its 5 minutes at a time 💓
Ok, the aurocorrect on my phone is killing my replies…😒
Love the story and your work with denim.
I have been wanting to find denim to recycle for various ideas and projects, but I had to rebuild my wardrobe a couple of years ago and there’s years of wear in my current jeans and my local charity shops (thrift stores) only sell good clothing, too good to cut into because it is good enough to wear (the bargain bin or £1 rail being an exception). I have had to dress myself from charity shops and don’t want to take clothes that might fit someone else who would wear them, for me to chop them up. Today I finally went in and asked if they ever got jeans and denim too scruffy to sell and the answer is yes, and they’ll save it for me.
Thank You! do you participate in local sewing Facebook groups? or you can post on your page if anyone has jeans to part with to just give it to you so you can start making up your stash but how awesome it is that the store is saving those jeans for you! you are so considerate.
Hope to see your projects!
Good luck!
All lovely creations! 😍
You have a 22 month old! You should be proud of yourself that you find time to sew at all! My sons are grown now, but I remember days when I got up at 5 to do a load of laundry because that might be the only thing I might feel as a household accomplishment all day. But as you keep working in time for your sewing, you will find you can accomplish more and more as he grows. You are already off to a good start. You’ve done a really nice job with your bag and tunic refashion!
Thank You! and That’s a good way to look at it, at least I get to do something 🙂 I have a little more time now with this COVID-lockdown….stay safe!