Happy Blogiversary Badskirt

I promised cake and balloons, but I've failed to deliver. I thought Craig would at least get me a card to celebrate a year of Badskirt, but he didn't see the significance. I really wanted a card and a cupcake. I may have to buy my own.

Badskirt started a year ago today. Unsurprisingly, it's name came from my third sewing project - a highly unsuccessful effort at a funky skirt. Designer hopes crushed in one fell swoop.


See, I told you it was bad. I'm not sure what you'd even call that wadded up fold that I created. I think the technical term might be slop.

Inspired by my friend Cindy, I stumbled into sewing after a failure at beading. It's a wonder that I stuck with it. I had grandiose plans. I was going to save a fortune and make my own clothes. Ummm... yeah, that didn't work.


My collection never grew and I'm left with the dregs of these monsters. So I moved on to aprons with the help of the Emmeline pattern from Sew Liberated. I made them for everyone I knew. Friends, family, you name it! I learned to applique. I paired colors. I choose ridiculous poses and attempted self-portraits all in aprons slightly too big for me, but perfect for the average person.


Having run the full-course of apron making and with only a handful of gals left on my list. I moved on to anything and everything I could think of. Wallets and passport holders came early on. Then I regressed to simpler things like totes, peg bags and buttons. Maybe it's more of Picasso-like evolution?


There were some quilts and quilt tops along the way. A couple of which, I'm not too proud of. I'm sort of a throw rules aside quilter. I've made coins, bullseyes and even hexagons this year. And those few that I won't even mention...


And could I forget the toys? I'm sure you know all about the toys. Did you know they started when I sent a letter to Melly and Rosie asking how hard it would be to make softies with their patterns. I was (and still am) an abysmal failure at commercial patterns. I was hoping I'd fair better with independent designers. Melly and Rosie sent a nice letter back encouraging me. I think it started "Anyone who can make clothes..." Boy, did the overestimate my ability! With my newfound unsubstantiated confidence, I tackled their little giraffe. And then I couldn't stop making...


I started my online shop and then followed with my markets. Sometimes I feel sad for my early buyers. I wish they had the critters I make today. I've improved so much...

The first year has been exciting. I wrote some tutorials, I picked up some followers and I've met some amazing new friends. I've learned to sew and just keep learning. I'd tell you more about it, but I've got to go find some cake.