Fail Part Deux.

I thought I'd give you some evidence of the fails.

1.  FAIL.  The "I'll Just Throw This Together" sundress:

2.  The Vintage Vogue that doesn't fit:

3.  The 20-Hour Sundress That Looks Like Crap:

4.  A shift dress that I really like, but needs revamping - help me with ideas, my sewing sisters!

All these failures!  But I am resolved to put on my faithful sewing sweatshirt (about 20 years old, created and given to me by my sister):

Roll up my sleeves,

And get going on some successes like this one!

Thrifted Liz Claiborne skirt, shorted and bias hem added:

Any suggestions, especially on that shift dress, are welcomed!  Bring it on!

xoxoxoxox

Fail.

OK, I hate to admit this.  But I hate it even more when it happens.

Fail.  Fail, fail, fail.  The last 3 things I've made were failures.  They were all dresses.  One was a simple tubular maxi-dress for Mia that is too full and too short -- and the fabric was a NIGHTMARE with which to work.  It was one of those "I'll just throw this together" things that should have easily worked.  It did not.

The second was a vintage Vogue that has pintucks, which I had to tear out and redo, and then it didn't fit because I didn't try it on before I got into it (I did check the measurement on the pattern, but there you go -- always make a muslin!).  It may end up fitting one of the girls, possibly Emma.  It remains a question as to whether she'd wear it.  It's not really her style.

The last dress had gaping armholes, which I fixed after taking the entire bodice apart, lining and all and taking it in.  I compared it to the armholes on a sundress I already have and copied that.  But the thing just looks (if you'll excuse the expression) like crap!  And after probably 20 hours of sewing!  It's the pattern.  I just can't pull off box pleats under an empire waistline.

Sigh.  Sometimes it just goes in waves like this.  My body has changed dramatically from the days when I'd just make a size 10 and it always fit.  I don't have the patience to make a muslin -- except why not when it takes me at least that long when it doesn't fit?  Arghhh!  Ack!  The frustration of it all!

I say to myself often, "I don't want to fight the world today."  I don't want to fight my sewing room either, since it's supposed to be fun.  I just want to make a simple sundress for myself THAT FITS.

I'm going to give it another try today.  Here is why:  there was one success amid the failures.  It was shortening a thrifted denim skirt.  I made a bias binding out of the leftovers, and sewed that onto the hem.  It turned out nicely.  I am wearing it right now.

I don't know if I can salvage the last sundress, on which I worked until about 2AM, but I am going to try and keep the skirt.  If not, well, we all know what Scarlett said --

"Tomorrow is another day."

xoxoxoxox

Almost There

Well, the sewing room has almost been reconstructed.

Things have been a bit hectic around here. I'm a full-time student, so there were finals. We were planning on putting our house on the market as of April 12 -- but by March 22 we had a signed contract! We didn't end up closing until May 8 -- but we moved the weekend of April 24.

Needless to say, it's been crazy.

But -- the sewing room being done was a gift from my girls for Mother's Day. It is fabulous! It's a lot bigger, a lot nicer, and I'll be able to both sew and do YouTube tutorials. I have a couple of ideas, so hopefully I'll be able to post those soon.

Although I'm unpacking (a HUGE process because we moved a 2500+ sq. ft. house full of 7 people's stuff!), I finally have time starting this week to really dig in. I'm looking forward to both the challenge and an actual family room that I can walk through without stepping over and around a myriad of things.

So I'll be checking in again very soon --

xoxox

Absentee Posting

I wish I had more time. Time to sew, time to get a decent night's sleep.

Unfortunately, lately I have been drowning in the chemistry of biology. Ask me whatever you'd like about how atoms combine or what DNA is made up of -- I can tell you. Even tonight as I sat in the library studying with my friend Maxine, I noticed we were right next to books whose spines read "Flat Pattern Design" and the like.

I did get my two new patterns from Hot Patterns, which are the Three Graces tops and the Jeanius jeans. I will try them out as soon as I get some time.

The Babydoll needs a backpack for her laptop. I have toyed with the idea of ironing plastic shopping bags to fabric for this, but honestly -- backpacks aren't all that terribly expensive, and I'd rather make clothing. So as much as I like to recycle, we'll see how far I get on that project. Probably I'll just give up and buy her a backpack.

Rose also would like a laptop case. Same thing. We'll see.

In the meantime, I have a fall wardrobe that is sorely lacking. I have a class in study skills - one of those classes every freshman has to take -- and it has required me to answer several questions relating to personal success. I have actually had to write some goals and plans down, and one of them (duh!) was to take time each week for myself. I think sewing should be at the top of THAT list.

BY THE WAY . . . the Mac is here, and I LOVE IT. I have always been a Mac, just never knew it. This thing is fabulous. I use it for everything. I am bilingual now; I speak both Mac and PC! What a hoot!

xoxox