I bought this sewing pattern a while back in hopes to make it for Brad's aunt, Shirley, a huge Hog fan. Her birthday is coming up, so, being the master seamstress I now am, ha ha, I pulled it out and got started on it yesterday. But then I thought, I better make a practice one. I really did not want to mess this up, since it was going to be my first hand-sewn gift... So I cut the pieces out of the quilted hog fabric as well as some scrap fabric I already had on hand (look familiar, Kay?).
After about four laboring and stressful hours, not to mention a few crying breakdowns (picture Amy Adams a la Julie & Julia when her cooking projects were not going well), this is what I ended up with:
The instructions inside were vague. Okay, so that is my excuse. Perhaps, since it is labeled "Easy to assemble," the instructions are perfect... for someone who actually knows what they are doing. My problem: I cannot see the "big picture" while sewing. So the instructions need to be very well laid out for me - like the Pioneer Woman's recipes (thank you, Stacey) - very step-by-step, and a few more drawings or photos along the way would not hurt.
But, I have decided that it is pretty cute and I am proud that I was able to turn my huge mistake (sewing part of the inside to the outside) into something presentable. That is why it has the shape it has up top.
And it is usable, which is a good thing (though only if you put really light things in it since the fabric is not very thick).
As for the Hog tote... I am not sure if it will ever come to fruition. At least not for your birthday, Shirley, since that is just around the corner. Perhaps I will be willing to tackle it again, say, at Christmas, when my confidence returns...




