Funny title. I know. I can't think of anything better.
I love reading other sewing blogs and seeing the amazing things people create. However, I often wonder if what they make actually works for them. Did they wear it often? What bothered them after some time? How did the fabric wash/wear? So I thought I would start a Friday post showing some past makes (I'll pick a few each week), describing what worked, what didn't, how they washed, what I would change. Because usually when I sew something I'm too excited to show it to you so I photo it right away before it's even worn more than that moment.
Let's start with
the "works" for each of us.
Me:
October 6th, 2013 Ottobre 05/2013 1A
I know this is very recent but I really have put the mileage on this top. I wear it the minute it's clean and it is always so comfortable. The fabric has been washing well so far. The neckline bugs me because it is so big/low and the sleeves are slightly tight but I still wear it. I always have a camisole underneath, just in case.
It is one of my "loves" and I'd pick it over RTW any day.
Miss K:
Oliver + S Ice Cream Dress on June 4th 2012 and also
June 19th, 2012 Take two
I really enjoyed these cute dresses. They did get tons of wear all summer 2012 as well as spring/summer 2013! I call that a win! I did have to pair it with leggings this year because they are starting to be too short - more like tunic length now. K loves these and chose to wear them herself a few times. They are starting to become a bit snug in the bodice after all this time so I'm not sure they will make it to spring 2014. I wish I wasn't so silly and cut into the pattern or I'd make her some new ones in a size 10. With so many patterns already, I'm too cheap to re-buy this. The fabrics washed and wore well. There are no stains or tears. One gripe is that the tiny "V" in the neckline likes to fold over and not lay flat. Some interfacing there would have helped.
Mr. T:
June 26th, 2013 Ottobre 06/2011 #37 Shorts
I love these. T loves these. They fit well, they are the longer style. He grew a bit into them before school and actually
chose to wear them to school often! win-win. The fabric is a dream, nice and thick but not overly hot. They wash well and haven't had any rips/tears or boyish destruction to them. I wish I had piped the back pocket but other than that I'm really happy with these. I plan to make some more for him this next summer. *hmmm. I bet I could make some sweet
pants out of this pattern for the spring! super excited now.
Craft:
April 2nd, 2012 Mushroom plastic grocery bag holder.
Still love it. Still use it, tons. All my plastic bags go in it. I've received many compliments on it from visitors too. It matches my kitchen well. It is holding up perfectly to the abuse of over-stuffing and ripping bags out one-handed. I'm actually making one for my MIL and SIL for Christmas because they love mine so much.
And the "didn't works"
Me:
April 17th, 2013 Vintage Simplicity 8072
As much as I loved the look of this top, sewing this top, and the fabric, It just didn't work out :(
I'm actually really sad about it. The fabric is a luscious rayon challis and I wish I could roll around in it. It is super soft and buttery. So what is wrong with it? The string never wants to stay put and doesn't cinch tight enough. This is because it doesn't go all the way around. The back with the buttons pull open every time I try to tighten the top. Also, the buttons in the back don't lay flat enough because of this and gape open or pull to the point of almost popping off. I cry inside even looking at these pictures.
Miss K
May 2nd, 2012 Rainbow Dress.
I should have known this stinking thing would never work. The raw, serged edges and poor fit just didn't make this dress fun to wear. I did know as I was making it that the fit was terribly sack-like and wanted to ditch the pattern, but love the fabric. I also didn't finish the pattern exactly as the instructions stated - I left them halfway because I no longer liked the pattern. I could have made it work - I just had no ambition at that point. I have this in my pile of didn't works and will make effort to salvage the fabric to make something else.
Mr. T:
February 27th, 2013 Ottobre 06/2011 Zen T-shirt pattern
In all fairness this is my own fault - seems to be the case often! Loves: the fabric. I freaking LOVE this fabric! It sewed well, washed well. I re-purposed this Tee into underwear for Miss K. LOL. What didn't work? The fact that I broke a stretch twin needle, tried to use a regular twin needle, got a hole in the shirt doing so, and had to take 2 inches off the bottom. Then the hem made the shirt too short. K wore it for pajamas for a bit. Also, the sleeves suck. They are too long and skinny and self drafted terribleness. Chalk it up to inexperience at the time. I've come along way since February! ;-) So this is a didn't work - not because of the pattern though, I love the pattern and it has worked other times.
Craft:
January 18th, 2012 Hammer and Thread Owl
This is only in the didn't works because the flannel washed so terribly. It pilled horrendously. Also the sewing on it is bad. really, really bad. This owl is well loved by K and still has a spot on her bed. I just need to make her a better one now that I sew better.
I hope you enjoyed memory lane with me. I think that is why I enjoy sewing so much - it fills me with such fond (and not so fond) memories; I hope my children have memories with these things too.
~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~
and sells for $4-6 per tub in a ton of colors. For the fox I used Burnt Orange and for the Zelda triforce I used Pewter. I found that sponging it on worked better than a paint brush.
