My top 5 misses list is actually only 4 items. I reviewed my list of finished items twice trying to find a 5th, and I think because I made a lot of repeat patterns with similar fabric substrates I had a pretty high success rate this year. I made 38 garments and bags this year, but only used 15 patterns. I quickly identified my favorite patterns and made several (6 plantain tees, 4 springfield tops, 3 melilot blouses, 3 fairfield button-ups, 3 finlaysons).

Anyway, here are my biggest misses of 2017. You may recognize the first since it’s also a top hit!

Top 4 Misses

Rose gold cork leather purse

Even though I love this purse, I am kicking myself for leaving the edges exposed on the strap and parts of the bag. I did extensive research about sewing with cork leather before diving in and it seemed safe to leave edges raw, but over time the backing fabric has started to fray and poke out and looks fuzzy. I’m sure no one else notices but it drives me insane. I suppose you could finish the edges like you could with leather? Also, the light color + my dark jeans = a completely stained back. I clean it off with some alcohol but it’s still annoying. So it’s a hit, but also a miss with some lessons learned. I think I’ll make this exact bag with black cork pretty soon, making a folded strap instead.

Lark tee

I was pretty disappointed in the fit of the Lark tee. It’s so popular and I expected to like it, but the shoulders fit me terribly. I still wear this to run errands, but have archived the pattern and doubt it will see the light of day again around here.

Lodo Dress with interlock knit

I really liked my first Lodo dress, so I was pretty bummed about my second. This disappointment was entirely fabric related, and though I wore it once and thought it was OK, I’m not sure if I’ll ever wear it again. It might get cut up and made into something else.

Melted denim fabric

I fell in love with this fabric at Stitch Sew Shop. I bought enough for an Alberta Street pencil skirt, and prewashed it. And it melted. MELTED. Well, the colorful printing and glitter on the denim melted. And adhered itself all over the inside of my washing machine. The fabric went right into the trash, and luckily it was only a yard and wasn’t terribly expensive. The upside to this disaster is my washing machine was very very clean by the time I got done de-glitzing it. Still sad though, just look at how awesome it was before washing!!