Welcome the Newest Visitors to Wadderville

I call them "visitors" because there may be hope.  Maybe.  For now, they both need lots and lots of time in Narnia - one step beyond the magic closet.

First up is the BWOF trench skirt (8-2009-107).  This has so much fail and it's all because of the fabric.  It's just too heavy for this pattern.  I am bummed about this too because I bought the fabric initially for a jacket.  I should have stuck with my original plan.  Oh well.

It looks horrible on me, so dress form pics are all I have.  The skirt is pinned to the form and so are the buttons.  

Given that I shortened the pattern 1", I probably should have repositioned the diagonal topstitching so that it was proportional.

The hem is turned under twice and topstitched.  With the fabric being so thick, I can't get the pleats to lie flat.  I could unpick the hem and lop some shit off, but I don't feel like it right now.

The instructions aren't that bad if you read them slowly and a few times.  The word maze sort of works itself out in the mind and it starts to actually make sense.

I'll definitely sew the skirt again, but in a much lighter-weight fabric.

Next is the very ambitious interlined eyelet button-front blouse, Simplicity 4077.  This pattern has been in and out of the rotation for...hmm...six years or so.  I made the FBA, but did not like how the darts looked.  So I converted both the front and back darts to princess seams and got the fit that I like.

Unfortunately, something is still off about this version.  Because the eyelets are rather big, I decided to underline each piece with a light-weight cotton batiste.  This thing feels like a suit of armor and I haven't even put in the sleeves or ruffles.  

Meh.  I have no motivation to finish it.

I had high hopes for both garments, but alas, it is not to be...for now at least.

I want to sew something, but my sewjo is on hiatus in the worst way.  I don't even feel like sewing a pair of jeans.  =/  

I'm in a funk inside and outside of the sewing room; I hope the tide will turn soon.

L

2013 Sewing Year in Review: Part 1 (Misses)

Wadders ranked supreme in 2013.  So much so, I thought a completely separate year-in-review post was in order.  The number of wadders I had this year made me question my skill at sewing and fitting.  Some of the misses were due to poor fabric choice, but still.  How much fail can a girl take? 

McCall's 5523 & BWOF 9-2009-137 (skirts) 

Ugh!  The fabric, a very nice rayon-poly-lycra woven suiting, contributed to the demise of these two skirts.  I could have set both of these skirts on the sun and the wrinkles would not be moved.  You win my wrinkly friend.

Vogue 8426 (skirt)

This skirt wouldn't be so bad were it not for the insane stiffness of the denim.  It fits well and I love the topstitching.  However, when I wear it, the back sticks out like a little tent and I'm pretty sure "tent butt" is not on trend.

Jalie 2805 (top)

This was my biggest disappointment because I really wanted a knit top in this color.  This wadder was definitely due to poor fabric choice.  Ponte knit simply doesn't provide enough stretch needed for this pattern.  

Vogue 8379 (wrapped dress)

I think I am the only sewer to have ever failed with this pattern.  The look on my face says it all.  I really want a wrapped dress, but either I have to start from scratch with this pattern or try a different one. 

Jalie 2680 (coat) 

I don't know what happened with this one.  I made a muslin, tweaked the fit, and was happy about it.  When I tried on the nearly-finished garment, it looked horrible.  It was too small in the front, pulled at the front and back armholes, and overall didn't look good.  Meh.  At least I used four yards of stash!

Burda World Of Fashion 11-2005-108 (skirt)

I don't even know what went wrong with this skirt.  It looks great on the dress form and that's it.  The fabric is a wool-acrylic boucle with a bit of crosswise stretch.  It's too big in the waist and yet snug in the hip.  How is this even possible?

Simplicity 2804 (knit top)

Again with the fabric. I feel like I should have my heart rhythms checked or something.  Eww.  Not wearing this.

Vogue 8805 (knit dress) - honorable mention?

I found this one in the donation pile.  I don't remember if this is a wadder from this year or last year.  I like the colors, but this shapeless sack is for someone else.  

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In addition to wadders, I attempted several garments but have yet to decide on how to proceed with fit.  Most were woven button-front blouses and a couple were pants. 

In all, 2013 had its fair share of failures and mehs.  On the positive side, each wadder was a great learning experience and thus is an essential part of becoming a better sewer.

Author and political commentator Donna Brazile says this about failure:

""Failure" is just what happens when we lose perspective."

Up next:  One more review and  2013 Sewing Year in Review:  Part 2 (Hits)

Until next time, peace!

L

McCall's 6279: Complete (sort of)

I sewed on five of the twelve buttons and don't like how the dress fits.  I like the look, but there is a lot of pulling across the chest - a lot more than what I saw in the muslin.  I can't stand for my bra to show from the side and you can clearly see it in the second picture.  I am going to make a small FBA and take some of the extra width out of the side seam below the bust.

Additionally, there's some weird pooling of fabric near the lapel/collar area.  No amount of steaming, pressing, or attempting to turn cloth helped fix this issue.  I suspect the problem has something to do with the interfacing application and attaching the facing to the front.  As you can see, the problem appears on both sides.  Grr.

 I'll take the buttons off and save them for the second version.

L