How to pick yourself up when things go wrong

This weekend I had an sewing fail which has upset me more than it should. I can probably blame hormones and 'winter blues' for my reaction but it has made me wonder how you all pick yourself up when things go wrong?

I made the Atelier Jupe Julia sweater with some lovely wool sherpa that I got from a destash. It was originally for Fabric Godmother so it was good quality and I was keen to do it justice. I've never made anything with thick fabric like this before, and I also noticed that it did have slightly more stretch than a polyester sherpa or polar fleece.

I knew the extra stretch would cause the garment to be a little more oversized so I sized down and hoped it would be OK.... it wasn't!

Due to the construction it is very hard to try this garment on until almost everything is complete which is anoying. On top of this, my overlocker really stretched out the seam on the sleeve and it sticks out at a really odd angle, despite pressing it with a tailors ham. I probably should have adjusted the differential feed to allow for the thickness of the fabric.

I really wanted this garment to work as it would have been ideal for the current cold weather. I have seen so many versions of this that all look great. However, I am not sure the oversized style it really suits me and I am not sure I have the enthusiam to buy more fabric and try again.

On the plus-side, I did manage my first placket successfully - even if I didn't get to the point of attaching poppers!

· 6 days ago

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AnnieRose · 6 days ago

Oh I feel for you! And I can see from your pictures how nice it should have been.

This is what I do:

Accept what I have learned (hard sometimes!)

Put the garment away for awhile if I can't stand looking at - although sometimes I do the oppossite and hang it / put it on my form so I can see it (see below)

Make something I am familiar with - an easy win to pick myself up - or you may just need to do something else that works for you.

At some point (and sometimes that is at some distance!) I look at the offending garment ( which is why it is sometime useful to see it in passing) and think. Sometimes it is worth washing it to relax the seams etc. and see if it settles better. I think:

Can I wear this when I'm gardening or whatever?

Can I finish it quickly and donate it (if it's a question of fit)

Can I remake it (for instance, could you cut off the sleeves and make a gilet?)

Can I use the fabric somehow? I have a beautiful Harrison shirt where the yoke, under collar and front facings are from a top that didn't work out.

Good luck, and don't let it get you down - we have all been there!

· 6 days ago

Laura · 6 days ago Community Member

Thank you for your thoughtful reply Annie. I know we have all been there and there are far worse things happening in the world. It's just disappointing. It is possible that in time I could take the sleeves of at the dropped shoulder and wear it in the garden. However, I definitely need some distance from this make. It's currently in the naughty corner!

· 6 days ago

AnnieRose · 6 days ago

You're allowed to be disappointed, whatever else is going on the world! I have just remembered the wise words of Michelle Pye (she closed her English Couture Company 18 months ago) whose advice I miss - I hope she is enjoying her retirement. Anyway, she advised to always wear something 3-4 times and wash it once or twice to see how it settles.

· 6 days ago

SewHayleyJane · 6 days ago Admin

Oh Laura I can feel your disappointment in your words and sending you lots of love. It's totally ok to be disappointed, and Annie has given you some excellent words of wisdom and encouragement.

Let's look at the positives first - you learnt something new and the placket looks amazing! It looks like sizing down was the right call - the fit looks spot on! So there are some wins to come out of this!

I agree with Annie about stepping away from it for some time but when you do come back to it - does it need overlocking? Will the fabric fray? If not I would consider chopping off the sleeve where it has stretched as close to the stitching as possible and then reattach it just on your sewing machine - if you need some extra length in the sleeve from what you've lost your could add a cuff. If the seem needs finishing perhaps a bound seam would work better?

· 6 days ago

Laura · 6 days ago Community Member

Thanks Hayley. The fit on the body isn't great, but you can't really see from the pics as the fabric is dark. Anyway, good advice on the sleeves. I'll tackle it when I am feeling less 'meh'. I hope to see you on a social soon x

· 6 days ago

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