First sewing project! Retro dress

I consider this sort of my hobby journal, books, movies, buddhism (more than a hobby to me, but still), etc, so I'm adding my new hobby....Sewing.  Mainly clothes, but other things also. 
This here is my first sewing project (with the exception of the boxer shorts I made for PJs, but those hardly count), which was probably dumb seeing as how I'm pretty much teaching myself.  When I started the dress I hadn't even entirely learned how to use my machine.  I've used sewing machines before, but this one was my grandma's and it is ancient, so quite a bit different.  I'm a fan of it now though, my little antique machine that swivels into the table :)  With all metal parts that don't break, lol.

Anyway, here are some pictures of it in progress.  I made a practice bodice to make sure I got the pattern and everything right, I didn't use it as the lining though, I just threw it away, lol

I ended up using a brown satin for the lining of the bodice.  Another dumb move on my part as I haven't sewn much (though it isn't very hard) and satin is THE DEVIL to sew with.  But, here is the finished product, I loved how it turned out.  I had to do a lot of tailoring one the whole thing was together and I found it didn't quite fit right, so I hope it isn't noticeable.  My sister said it looked like it could have been bought out of a store.  And don't get me started on installing the zipper.  I nearly had a mental breakdown because of it.  My fl over at LJ know all about that.  Disaster doesn't quite cover it.

So, that was quite a project.  Got a lot of movies watched.  A lot of movies.  It felt like it took me ages and I was constantly running into problems, but, live and learn.  And, hell, it isn't like I'm having a shortage on extra time.

And here is my next project.  A grocery bag.  I used a bag that I had gotten on Earth Day as a 'template'.  I have vowed not to accumulate any more plastic bags, so I figured I needed to make some new bags to take to the store with me.  I picked up the fabric (a durable feeling canvas) at Wal-mart, one of those cheap, pre-cut, mess up fabric things.  And for lining, I thought that I would be environmentally friendly and use those hundreds of plastic bags that are stuffed under my sink.  SO, I made a lining out of them :)  Last night I stuck in some Stargate Atlantis and followed this tutorial on how to make sewable fabric from plastic bags.  Made the bag today in just a few hours.  Now that I know what I'm doing though, I could definitely make another one much faster.  Found some things I did wrong/more difficultly than necessary, so, once again, a learning process.
And so, here we are.  First, some process shots...

And the finished product :)  If anyone wants me to make a more detailed tutorial or anything, let me know.  I can tell you when to not make the same mistakes I did, lol. 
I'm also considering adding some embellishments on to it.  Something cute, you know 'Club sandwiches, not seals' or 'please don't eat me' or little veggies dancing around, or maybe 'I'm not a plastic bag', those are a big hit at Whole Foods, I just saw an article about them.  Eh, well, we'll see, maybe, maybe not.  Maybe the next bag.

Anywho, thanks for looking :)  I'm taking a break now, lol.

~Nikki