Oh dear time to reflect on things that didn’t quite go to plan.
1. Jersey ballet dresses.
I had three attempts at making the Dixie DIY ballet dress and I finally accept it just isn’t the style for me. It’s the waist seam I think, as it appears more obvious in jersey than other fabrics. I just love a horse-print version I made so hope it might be saved if I make it empire line. Then I’ll be able to share it with you all.
2. Unlined garments
My electric purple belladone dress was made from a gorgeous Robert Kaufman chambray. And I made my belladone skirt out of a wonderful crazy colourful quilting cotton. BUT I didn’t line either of these garments and there was my mistake. They stick to my tights even when I wear my (acceptably rubbish) half slip so I don’t wear them unless I can go bare-legged. From here onwards LINING ALL THE TIME!
3. Mathilde Blouse
Too tight around the upper bust from the start and it shrank in the wash. Rubbish! Not sure there is much more to say.
4. Morse Code Sorbetto
I never wear this. Seriously. It is not the one for me. I like the contrast bias binding and the fabric and I’ve had lovely compliments on the top but it’s just far too boxy. I didn’t even write a proper blog post about it as I was so out of love with it.
5. The Ball Gown that wasn’t
I won’t rehash old ground. Safe to say I’m still a little mad at my ball gown woes but life must go on! There is always next year’s ball to cook something up for.
I love reading everyone’s round ups. There’s solidarity in sharing the misses as well as the hits.
Plus everyone is really a learning experience… I’ve figured out what patterns don’t suit me, that I can’t live without linings and to accept that big plans don’t come off every time.
Here is to next year, which will probably contain a few more misses but I don’t mind that.
These are all great learning experiences– sometimes it’s so hard to know what works until you actually make it! I heard someone say once that you can’t try on clothes before you sew them, so it’s surprising we don’t have MORE failures when you consider how many garments go into the dressing room at a store and how few come out!
I’m so with you on lining garments. The stuff I need to wear a slip with I just don’t wear. Plus, it really extends the life of the garment.
That’s SUCH a good point. I’m extremely fussy in a changing room too haha. I think I either need to make a gorgeous slip or line everything from here out. I’ll probably go for lining though.
I’m so sorry your ball gown didn’t work out. Something’s are just ‘not meant to be’ that’s the hideous thing my mother always told me when I was disappointed about something. Mind you she also said “if you leave it and return later to buy something and it’s not there it wasn’t meant to be yours”
THIS IS A LIE in the case of fabulous fabric – NEVER hesitate just buy it!!!
Look forward to seeing your 2014 successes.
Heheh I’m just looking at some fabulous fabric coincidentally 😉
That purple is so pretty! So unfortunate about the lining though and a good lesson learned. And the ball gown that wasn’t? I have done that as well… This year I had the 4 Christmas dresses that weren’t… :/
Four Christmas dresses! Wow. Well you know, sometimes it’s nice to cut through the stress and say NO, this isn’t happening.
I agree with you about the lining, however I only will put it in for dresses that I know will be trans-seasonal. If it is too summery looking, I know a lining will never be required 🙂
It’s good to have the learning experiences even though they are frustrating at the time. Besides, less mistakes to make in 2014 right?
I look forward to seeing your 2014 makes 🙂
Thank you! I do think I’ve made a lot less mistakes since my 2012 round up so I totally agree with you. Trans-seasonal is a good point 🙂
The main thing is, you know why they were a bust. And man, I hear you regarding linings! Cotton for the bodice and slippery something in the skirt. I’ve made that mistake, not making it again!
Linings forever more!! Let’s remind each other of this if we start wavering 🙂
It’s so frustrating when projects don’t work out the way you’ve planned or there’s one little thing that stops you wearing it so much isn’t it? But at least the process of making them will mean your sewing this year will be even better! Looking forward to seeing your makes this year!
Thank you! I really can see a great difference from last year’s misses.
Wow, these are your misses? Your misses look better than a lot of my hits!
Bah you joke. You’ve got some amazing hits!
I use a static spray on all my dresses that are clingy. I just turn the dress inside out, spray it and then let it dry before I put it on. Maybe that would work for your dress too?
Ooooh interesting! I’ll try it out
Your misses look like hits to me! But as long as you’ve learned some valuable lessons and you’re happy, all’s good ;o)