A Special Shirt

Late last fall, I stumbled upon a beautiful skirt on flickr made by Jimin of Smallville. I was immediately drawn to her classic designs and marveled over the quality of her items. The first outfit I ever made was last summer and my sewing skills madly needed help. I really didn't even know how to get better. I kept trudging along, hoping with time the stitches would look neater, the patterns more professional (I made my own because I was too intimidated of others), and somehow I would figure out that darn serger. When I found Jimin's clothing, a sense of professional quality emanated from each photograph and it was clear that a lot of time, love, and careful attention to detail went into each and every piece she created.

Jimin and I soon struck up a friendship online and she was always willing to answer my questions on sizing, garment construction, and pattern making. I valued her advice and she inspired me to really improve my sewing; something I really needed for the direction I wanted to head. So thanks to her, over the winter I got busy and my sewing grew by leaps and bounds. I studied the way store bought clothing was put together, cut up cheap shirts and pants to study the shape of the separate pieces to get ideas for my own patterns. I bought some patterns to take apart and saw how the shape of each piece changed as the sizing got larger. I traced the rise of a favorite pair of the little one's pants and used that as a guideline for making my own. I went through yards of muslin, sheets of paper for writing patterns, a basket full of scraps for mastering the serger, and read all I could on constructing your own clothing. And I honestly wouldn't have done the majority of this without being inspired and supported by Jimin.

So when her spring line came out, I knew immediately that one of her beautiful purple shirts had to find a home here. It came in a lovely package, complete with some fun "extras" and was worn by the little one right away. It fits perfectly. The craftsmanship is amazing and the details were all so obviously lovingly created. Elisabeth loves her new special "purple shirt" but I think I love it more. Thanks Jimin, for all your help and inspiration.

You can find her Etsy shop here!

Comments

[shelley caskey]

what a beautiful shirt! and what a great mentor and friend to find. :)

[joanna]

that's truly a beautiful top!! =)

[teresa]

Beautiful Erin, i like very mutch.

[knitsational]

Really beautiful! Her work is so lovely.

[knitsational]

Really beautiful! Her work is lovely.

[melissa]

gorgeous top and a lovely tribute to a blogging friend! your little one really suits that colour.

[Grace]

It's gorgeous. And ditto to what Shelley said. :)

[Carrie]

SO classic yet fresh and I am lovin' purple a great deal right now!

[Meredith]

Hi Erin!
Great to chat for a minute or two! I gave you an award over on my blog! Just a cute little thing, but it was my first ever, so, there you go. :) Talk to you soon!

[meg]

what an inspiring post. I am just thinking about starting to make garments (for me and my kids) and it's scary to start. Your story is very helpful. And did you see? your tutorial won on Sewmamasew. Congratulations!