One Year Anniversary! And The Sewing Machine Dress

One year ago, August 19, 2021, I posted my first entry on my blog! It was my “About” page, so not really a sew, just an explanation about what I was doing, and why. You can always go back and re-read that post by clicking on the “About” section in the menu in the upper right corner.

To celebrate I had my loyal followers, or anyone who was paying attention that day, vote on their favorite sews of the year. But more about that later.

Here are some statistics about my blog as of today. I have had 6,571 views. My top five most viewed posts of all time are;

#5 “1967 Dress, Modern Day Problem”

#4 “Russell and Marisa’s Camper Project”

#3 “Eagle Field Fly In; Part One”

#2 “Alice”

and my most viewed blog post of the year;

#1, “Thank You Kiley, The MVP”

As the year has progressed I’ve gotten more and more views for each post. Now don’t think it’s all about views for me. Yes, I would love for a fabric company, or pattern company, or HGTV to discover me and fund me. A girl can dream can’t she? But the basic reason for me starting all of this in the first place is still my driving force, yet it’s changed a little in the last year.

I started just wanting to sew every pattern I now own. I wanted to share my adventure with friends and family, and explain what I was doing, so I started this blog. But in this past year my driving force has changed a little. I want to sew all of my patterns, but I also really enjoy making unique items for my friends and family. Everyone is so happy to get a custom outfit, imperfections and all! There’s something about dressing up, and having your pictures taken that make you feel special. I even make myself feel special when I wear something I’ve made. So until I’m discovered and you can say you knew me when, making people feel good is my motivation.

In this year I’ve also enjoyed weaving my stories, and the stories of my family in to my sewing projects. I named my blog “Sewing With Grandma” because of my Grandma Doris’ passing, inheriting her sewing things, and sewing along with her patterns and notions. But as the year has progressed I’ve realized that all of my grandparents are part of this blog, because they are a part of who I am, and in their own way have made me the creative person I am today.

So here’s to them all!

Sophrona and James Bert Johnson

Clara Belle and William “Willie” Ricks (The whole clan is in this picture)

Grandpa Nick and Grandma Barbara (*the grandpa I’m named after)

Grandma Doris and Grandpa Bert

And let us not forget Grandma Joyce, my husband’s grandma, who taught me how to knit, and who will be 100 this November!

But never fear! I have more grandparents than this, maybe in the upcoming year I’ll tell you a few stories about them!

Since this is a sewing blog let’s get to a sew! I chose to make this pattern for myself using two fabrics, one for the top and another for the bottom.

I didn’t get very many pictures of the construction, because sometimes I fail at this! Here’s me sewing the bodice together.

Attaching the sleeves.

Putting in the zipper.

Hemming it up.

And here it is! No need to find a location because my kitchen is vintage enough!

The skirt is very full! There was a lot of gathering involved, that’s why I didn’t get very many pictures, I was tired!

Matching my dress to an item! Nothing shows this dress off like an antique treadle machine.

But not just any treadle machine, this one belonged to my Great-Grandma, Clara Belle Ricks.

It still works and is one of my many treasures from my Grandma.

But wait, maybe this dress needs a hat, and a pair of Sophrona’s gloves! I should have called this blog “Accessorizing With Grandma”, HA!

So what ended up being everyone’s favorite sew of the year? “Don’t Be Afraid, Be Yourself”!

This simple little jumper that I made in a flash was a fan favorite!

I am often asked if all I do is sew all day. No, really, I don’t. Sometimes I’ll be in my sewing room for a long time, but sometimes only for a very short amount of time. I get things done because I make myself do something each day. Even if I only do one step at a time, it’s still a step forward. Progress can be either slow or fast, but it’s still progress!

Although I am sewing by myself, I could not have made it a year without help! Thank you to my cousin Melanie, for always digging and sending me family pictures. Thanks to my Aunt Tamy for buying me fabric, and always promoting my blog to others. Thank you to Michael, my patient husband, who supports me in my hobby, and doesn’t mind when there is fabric all over the kitchen counter! Thank you to all of my family who reads along and encourages me.

Enormous thanks to everyone who reads this each week. Many people have told me that it’s part of their Friday morning routine. So whether it’s your routine, or something that you just like to check in with, thank you for reading!

And last but not least, I have my think tank holding me accountable each day for a step forward. They encourage me, advise me, organize me, disagree with me, but more importantly, support me in this sometimes overwhelming, but very rewarding challenge that I’ve gotten myself into! So forever thanks to Michelle, Elizabeth, and Mia.

I am very excited to see where my sews will take me in the upcoming year! I wonder what they will be, who will I sew them for, and what will I learn in the process? I hope you read along and find out!

As for me, as always, onto the next!