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Tuesday, March 29, 2011

it's a shirr thing.


shirr failure, originally uploaded by badskirt - amy.

badskirt. an appropriate name. bad skirt and a bad top too...

It's always a bit demoralizing when you have a fail at a sewing project. Moreso when it happens twice in one week. Though I've been successful sewing for kids, I've found sewing garments for myself a greater challenge. Getting the right pattern and fabric then making them work together is a big challenge.

This weekend started with a simple shirred Liberty top. Or it should have started that way. It's my first time shirring and I've practiced a bit with other fabrics. I've got the hang of shirring, but I'm well on my way to making a Liberty sack. Right concept, wrong print for the task. I've cast it aside.

And then I tried the Sew Lisette Market Skirt B. The pattern is easy to work and the directions are easy to follow, but the shape isn't right for me. It's an office girl skirt. I thought it might have a bit more taper, but I realize now that's an illusion in the photo. In actual wear, it fits more like a pencil skirt. It's ok, but not right for me frame.

So both garments have gone to the top of the "rescue fabric from me for other projects" pile. And I'm reminded again (and often) that I'm mortal. Deflated, I think I need a cupcake.

15 comments:

  1. Cupcakes are good! And I always find success in a good a-line skirt. Easy enough to make, always look good (on me anyway, in my opinion) and don't easily date over the years!!

    We are all mortal. Thanks for sharing you're sewing failure so that we actually know that you're mortal too!!

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  2. Don't feel too bad. I had a fail while hemming my work pants last night. I tried twice before giving up - they just looked dodgy. I can invisibly stitch quilt binding down and hem jeans but can't hem slacks - go figure!

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  3. a cupcake is definitely in order! but, also, keep your chin up, amy. and i agree with bell... secret: while i could make a 7 tier wedding cake with all kinds of fancy? i cannot bake brownies. simple little brownies. give that pattern to a friend who can work the office girl look and get yourself some sort of hotsy totsy other pattern that's right for your body. next!

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  4. That's a pity, I love the look of that skirt, do you think that view A would be less severe?

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  5. I'd have at least 3 cupcakes, Amy!

    I have not been successful at sewing for myself - very sad :(. My SewLisette patterns are all here waiting but am too scared to start. I did, however, order that (extremely daggy looking) book that Liesl recommended on the Lisette site about fitting patterns - and it came today, so maybe I'll feel braver once I've had a read. Will let you know if it's worth getting...

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  6. oh, - and should have said - I LOVE the Liberty top you made a while back - it looked gorgeous on you! Blog that one!

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  7. Okay, it might be that I just woke up, but I've shirred tops before and I can't really see what's wrong with the one in your photo.

    (See, wouldn't you rather at least know you've erred and be demoralized, rather than not know and walk around happily in something that doesn't fit you? Well...Hmm.)

    Seriously though, I actually don't see what's wrong. It seems like you're referring to the print itself, so all I can imagine is the flowers grouping together. But once you put it on, they'll stretch back out, I think!

    Okay, I've tired myself out with speculating. Let me know!

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  8. You are not alone. There is a reason that I sew children's clothes most of the time!

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  9. Clothes are such a tricky one- also my area for failed projects too. I try and force myself to make something up in rough too out of a sheet just to check it out before cutting into the good stuff but I resent doing it. I have just bought the same pattern, more for the tops- that skirt could easily go A- line though.

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  10. I am horrible at adult clothing. And might I suggest ice cream for your feel-better meal... I had a terrible sewing accident last week and it worked very well for me!

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  11. Cupcake and a nap. I sometimes find that if I'm having "that" kind of day, it's better if I just call it a wash and walk away. For what it's worth, I admire the fact that you DO successfully make clothing, for kids, yourself, and Smith! I'm utter fail at clothing beyond sewing on a button!

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  12. Aw, have two. That bites - I'm sorry to hear your disappointment. I have several skirt and top patterns and even fabric for them, but it's stories like this that prevent me from trying (that and the fact that every time I've tried to make clothing since I was a teenager it looked so darned homemade I'd never wear it). I'm really good at dinosaur, princess and Harry Potter costumes, though. Small silver lining.

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  13. And now you know why I don't sew for myself.

    Have ended up disappointed every.single.time

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  14. Shirring drives me insane, I avoid it like the plague, just the thought of winding the elastic on to the bobbin agh!

    Also never sew for myself, so much energy goes and I'm often disappointed with the outcome.

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  15. Eck! Draft from a skirt you already wear, and love. Guaranteed result.

    I'd like to have seen more of the Liberty top, to get the gist of what you are saying, but I believe you nonetheless. Some prints just don't suit, no matter how lovely they are. Although sometimes a trim can work unbelievable magic, too.

    Keep sewing and posting - I'm too burnt out to do any at the moment, but always enjoy seeing what you've got going on.

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You are a rockstar! Thanks so much for your comments!