Thursday, October 10, 2013

Sewing Disappointments

  Can you believe that it's been almost a month since my last post? I have been sewing... but things just aren't turning out the way I want them to. For example: I spent several days perfecting my skirt sloper and once it was finished, I made a skirt out of it. Unfortunately, I forgot to a-line the skirt, and I just don't look good in straight skirts. On top of that, the fabric I used has a touch of stretch, and the invisible zipper in the side seam was just stiff enough that it poked the fabric out really oddly at the hip. I don't even have any photos of that skirt, because I am so disappointed with it.

 Next I spent a week drafting and fitting my bodice sloper... which still is imperfect, but is much better than my previous attempts, especially the sleeves. I sewed a dress up from the sloper, and once the bodice was half-way finished, I thought I was going to love it. But I don't. I feel like a nun in it.
 And oddly enough, even though the sloper fit beautifully, and the dress bodice looks well in real life, there is some pulling in the photos. The thing I hate is the skirt. It's just bunchy and puffy in all the wrong places, and terribly unflattering. I wanted to put in a circle-skirt, for a 50's look, but I just didn't have enough fabric. As it turns out, pleats in this cheap, stiff, fabric really don't work.

  It's shorter than my dresses usually are, because again, I was going for a 50's look, but it should have been even shorter to look right.

 The collar.... it's okay. I would have preferred it to be a bit taller, and maybe open in the front, but I don't hate it. And at least I know that the length of the sleeves works, though some cuffs would have been nice.

 All in all though, it makes me look a lot shorter and even chunkier than I actually am.

  At least my husband likes it. =) Here's what I'd change, if I were to sew this dress again: Add just a bit more wearing ease, lengthen the bodice a bit, leave the collar front open and make it taller, add cuffs to the sleeves, use either a paneled skirt or a circle skirt, and use a fabric with better drape. At least I learned something, right?


  I don't normally wear heels, but again... 50's. I actually didn't even own any heels, but I wanted some just for photos, so I picked some up at the thrift store. And no, I didn't luck out and find some that perfectly matched the snaps on my dress. They originally looked like this:
  Which is a pretty color but obviously doesn't work with a black-and-seafoam dress. I attacked them with some acrylic paints and they turned out like this:

  It's easy to tell they were painted if you get close, but honestly nobody looks that closely at my feet , and I don't plan to wear these again anyway. I'll probably pass them along to someone who does wear heels.

  The rough thing about all the sewing flops is that I really don't have much time to sew right now, and I really need new clothing. I'm just hoping the next thing I sew comes out better... my sweet mother-in-love gave me some denim as an early birthday present, and I want to make a skirt with it.

  Have any of you ever had a streak of bad luck/judgement/taste when it comes to sewing?

Thanks for stopping by,



PS... I have a Facebook page now! It's facebook.com/saygrrsewing if you'd like to check it out.

8 comments:

  1. I think that could really work if it was a bit shorter. BUT I still think it looks good--I recently made a skirt with my sister where we drafted the pattern and fitted it and all that jazz and it was no easy feat (and that was with the two of us!).

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    1. Thanks! I guess it isn't bad... it just really wasn't what I was envisioning.
      It was actually a bit easier to do the drafting this time than I expected... at least compared to my previous attempts. This time, I just went for nicely fitting instead of perfectly fitting, and I think that made things a whole lot easier. =)

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  2. Okay, I love the shoes. I'm sure that you knew I would. ;)
    Katie

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    1. I was pretty sure you would. If you come visit me you can have them... ;-)

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  3. Well, your drafting and sewing are impressive and you are learning by leaps and bounds so this wasn't wasted time. But...it does look like you are a nun in fancy shoes. I am not a fan of all black up so close to anyone's face, either. The neckline would have to be a lot lower or a contrast collar or lace at the top would make it less stark. You are too young and too pretty to look so old and serious, as well. I can't believe that I am saying all this, but even I am not old enough for this dress and I am almost three times your age! Please forgive me for being so bold in my comment. (And, yes, I have disappointed myself many times sewing for myself, especially with my new 'older' body!) Hugs, Karen

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    1. Thank you! It's so nice to know that I'm not the only one who feels that way. I think that if I'd embroidered the collar and hemline to match the snaps like I'd originally planned it wouldn't look so severe, and if I'd had enough fabric to do a flowy skirt it would help too. I'm glad I know that I don't like this style now, so I won't waste my meager sewing time on something like this again. =)

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  4. Charity, after your comment I had to go look for your "Nun dress". I totally love the fit of this! I think you should re-cut the hem line and make it a high-low hem line with a fluffly sea foam slip underneath. You could also add a peterpan collar and a sleeve cuffs in the seafoam color.
    I hope you don't give up on this dress. I think it has some pretty awesome potential!
    with love-
    Jo

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    1. I'm not sure if I want to spend more time on it, since it's made out of such cheap fabric to begin with, but I do love your ideas! A fluffy sea-foam slip even sounds beautiful by itself. =)
      Thanks for the suggestions! =)

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