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#SewingTop5 Misses

December 22, 2017

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!!

Filed Under: process, wrap up Tagged With: lark tee, lodo dress, traverse bag

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Here’s a @noodlehead531 #woolandwaxtote with som Here’s a @noodlehead531 #woolandwaxtote with some amazing canvas from Japan. Which cloud are you? I’m really feeling the angry lightning cloud.
Here’s my #closetcoreblanca dress in Merchant & Here’s my #closetcoreblanca dress in Merchant & Mills laundered linen from @stitchsewshop! I’ve been wanting to make a dress version of this pattern for two years. This fabric is very good. Also my plants are very good.
Here’s my second pieced quilt, made for my very Here’s my second pieced quilt, made for my very special bff @s.a.m.r.i.v! We met 40 years ago as tiny bebes in the park, and through the years we drifted apart several times but always found each other again at various dance recitals, school field trips, beach clubs, fabric stores, and summer jobs. The universe kept shoving us together til it stuck. This quilt is a hug from afar. I might not be able to get up to New Jersey frequently but this quilt will be there for cozy/comforting times as needed. 

I picked out my fabric, then used a quilt generator at savoreverystitch.com (the last slide), then imported it into Photoshop and colored over it (second to last slide), basically changing the whole thing, but it was an awesome starting place.
It’s our 9 year anniversary and 22 year friendiv It’s our 9 year anniversary and 22 year friendiversary so here’s a nice photo! 📸 @maggiewinters_
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I'm a graphic designer, small business owner, occasional knitter, and reluctant sewist. This is my sewing notebook. Read more

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