I'm either a lifelong seamstress or a total beginner, depending on how you look at it. Although I've been sewing pretty much my whole life (doll clothes, stuffed animals, ringbearer's pillows, constantly altering store-bought clothes to fit my tiny frame, all this mostly by hand), sewing to me was always more or less a tool for crafting than a bona fide skill set. About once a year, I'd go to a fabric store, try to find a pattern that I didn't dislike, and a fabric that I didn't dislike in which to make it. I'd follow the instructions and the results were hit or miss- sometimes I'd end up with something decently wearable, and sometimes I'd end up with something that looked too homemade to be taken seriously. And because I am so small, things only fit properly after a lot of guessing and fussing.

Then, a few months ago, I met up with a friend for coffee and she was wearing a beautiful red coat. I complimented her on it, and she told me she had made it. This was a revelation-- that I, who have never in my entire adulthood had a properly fitting coat, might actually be able to make my own coat, something that wasn't black and shapeless like all other coats I'd owned, and have it turn out like that! That was when I decided it was time to learn to sew for real. I bought a sewing book ("Naehen Leicht Gemacht" by Burda) and started to learn proper techniques - pattern alteration, seam finishing, proper ironing, pin-fitting, paper pattern fitting, etc. - no shortcuts or workarounds, basting and ironing whenever it will have an effect on the final product, and as little fudging as possible (still end up having to fudge some little things, since I'm a beginner and make mistakes :)

Since then I've really learned to love all aspects of sewing (well, except maybe cutting the fabric- that's not very much fun, especially when making a coat with 50 pieces in it!). I have been enjoying thinking about design and color and texture and how to alter patterns to realize an idea that I have in my head. And needless to say, I love having coats that fit now :) Though I'm pretty new at this, I'm learning plenty with the help of Burda Style and all of you!