Burda Zip Up Vest...Sewing By Faith

Happy Spring! I am excited to share with you all my newest sewing project. This project was full of firsts. For the first time I ordered a Burda pattern online, but here comes the plot twist, the pattern didn’t come with step-by-step picture directions. The only photo reference that I had was what the final garment should look like. This is why I also titled this post sewing by faith (haha).

Below are the instructions that I followed during the creation of my zip up vest. For seasoned sewers reading and following these instructions would most likely be a breeze, but as someone fairly new to sewing, this was a challenge. I had to rely on what I learned from my past sewing projects to complete each step. For any steps that confused me, I searched on Google.

Pattern instructions. No step-by-step pictures.

This challenge motivated me. I wanted to see if I could complete the vest without pictures and I did!

This project showed me what I am capable of doing and it reminded me of the importance of walking by faith. When we are walking in our God-given purpose, sometimes all we have as a reference is God’s word, the Word that He spoke to us, His instruction. When God shows us what He has in store for us, to get there we have to follow His instructions. While in the process of following His instructions it can be difficult to see why we have to go through certain processes. It can be hard to see what we are becoming, what God is making of us. In those moments, we cannot give up. We must remember that God is making something beautiful in us and through us.

DIY Rose Sleeved Shirt

Not all failed sewing projects are a complete waste. We learn new techniques, work with different types of fabric, learn how to sew in zippers, buttons and so much more. Failed projects are not a waste. They actually make us better. Last year I worked on a rose printed dress (2nd picture below ). I did not particularly care for the final product, but I loved the fabric. I used leftover scraps of the rose print fabric and created this DIY shirt!

Before

This was more of a freestyle project. I used pattern pieces from a basic turtle neck pattern to trace and cut my shirt and sleeves.

This was a simple and fun sewing project. I love the shirt and get compliments whenever I wear it!

Many Pieces

In sewing, a pattern is the template from which parts of a garment are traced onto fabric before being cut out and sewn. For anyone new to sewing, opening a new pattern pack can be daunting. Inside the small paper package is a huge sheet of paper with a set of instructions that directs you to cut out pattern pieces according to your body size measurements. Simple patterns require you to cut out few pieces, while the more challenging patterns leave you cutting out various pieces of different sizes. Each piece has a specific purpose in the making of your garment. 

Just imagine, you see this bangin’ outfit on the cover of this pattern pack and you are excited to begin sewing, but once you open the package and see all the work it will take to finish your garment, you realize that the process will take longer than you expected. It will require some time, learning, trying of new techniques and mistakes along the way. 

Through sewing God is teaching me a lot about the processes of life. I am guilty of coming up with cool ideas and jumping the gun. Sometimes I don’t think through the process of what it will take to reach my end goal.  At times I see what it takes to carry out a goal and become overwhelmed, but I know that the process is necessary. 

This year I am committing to the process in both life and creativity. It is okay to take your time to make sure that the end result is your best. The process is essential for growing and stretching. Our lives are like pattern pieces, containing many parts. Like the instructions, some steps that God nudges us to take don’t always make sense in the moment. But as we keep at it and commit to the process, we better understand and see why we had to endure. 

I encourage you today not to give up on your process. You never know the beauty that will come out of your life by your obedience.