The original concept and the finished product (the bodies wrap around to the back).
You ever get half way through a project, realize that your in over your head, and finally decide its time to call Mom? And later realize you probably should have asked her advice to begin with to save yourself a lot of heartache? This has been the running theme of my sewing projects as of late.
That was certainly the case with the zoo shirts I recently made for my boys. It was a project I had seen on Martha Stewart's website (I'll get into that wonder another day). The original project: freehand machine embroidery. Was supposed to be simple, or so said the cute girl that was making them. Fast forward several months and I'd started envisioning taking my boys to the National Zoo, now that we just moved under 3 hours from Washington D.C. Wouldn't they be adorable in those giraffe and elephant shirts?
So I ordered my supplies, printed the patterns, and was ready to go. Yeah, I said ordered. I live in a town without a craft/sewing supply store. Yes, its horrible. In Colorado Springs, I had Hobby Lobby practically in my backyard. Now the closest H.L. is 3 1/2 hours away. Thank goodness Michael's and Joann's are only just over an hour. But they are small versions of the stores, originals dating back to inception of these companies. Supplies are not always easy to come by and so I'm learning to trust ordering online. Not an easy thing when it comes to fabric that you can't touch, colors that might off, etc.
Supplies finally came in. Started sewing. Realized very quickly that I do not yet possess the control to freehand anything with a sewing machine. I NEED my presser foot. So that will be a skill to develop another time. Went to Plan B, hand embroidering the outlines. Realized even quicker that it wasn't a very good Plan B.
Enter my mom. She right away recommended applique. Applique! Why didn't I think of that? Of course! Applique would be quick, easy, and the more I thought about, make the patterns pop on the bold striped shirts I had purchased. So with my mom's guidance as to what to buy, the project was on to Plan C.
And she was right. My first appliques were so much easier to execute. I love the look of them and can't wait to go to the zoo with the boys. I also now feel like I have a new skill that will come in very handy. Halloween costumes, future outfits, even gifts. I've got so many new ideas for what to do with my new skill. I can't wait to get started.
Almost forgot, here's the blog I referenced to double check that I was doing the right thing: http://www.myhappycrazylife.com/how-to-applique/
Sometimes Plan C, D, or E turns out being the best plan of all.
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