So, a role-playing character enters the bar:

“Where you been? Haven’t seen you in ages.”

“Sewing-land” (sighs heavily, hand tremors)

“Bad, was it?”

(nods) “Bad like you wouldn’t believe” (drinks deeply) “Ah, that’s better!” “Yeah, real bad, but I survived!!! I made it through the dark forest of topstiching, the swamps of non-stick interfacing and finally I fought the dreaded zipper-toothed dragon”.

Yes, I’ve really and truly completed my first sewn garment. Burda 7947, view C, I think I should have chosen something easier … not a 3 out of 4 dot effort. Also, I made it needlessly difficult for myself deciding to do mock flat-fell seams. Yes, of course, I see all the imperfections … the interfacing is too stiff (but firmly stuck!). There’s some problem or other across the front at hip level, same issue I often have with RTW clothes. And it’s really too big for me, who knew tape measures were so subjective?

But I’m really glad I’m done – not just relieved, I feel I’ve learnt so much, and now have new confidence to tackle sewing challenges. And let’s face it, any sewing is still a challenge for me … ah, the joys of being self-taught.

Out of interest, I scrolled back to when I first got interested in sewing, it’s about a year of reading, thinking, dreaming …