After my last post talking about why we don't already wear our hand-mades, how funny that my latest make falls directly into the Uncomfortable category!
First up, this dress actually fits really well! I did have to grade it up a fraction in the bust, waist and hips and also shortened the dress quite significantly to a length I prefer to wear. It also fit's into my personal style and is on my Summer Sewing List. So, why is it going into the 'Hand-mades I'll never wear because they are uncomfortable' pile?
You guys, this is the grossest, crappiest fabric ever!
It's a charity shop fabric that I paid about $2 for (thank goodness!), so I can't really complain, but because of the fabric, this dress is completely unwearable. I'm pretty sure it's some kind of poly-cotton blend thingy, but whatever it is, it sticks to my legs even when worn with a slip (and no tights!), it crinkles when you walk (never a good sign unless you're using taffeta or similar and want to crinkle when you walk - a la Mammy's red petticoat in Gone with the Wind!) and for the life of me, I can't seem to iron out all the creases! Even though it looks ironed when I finish, any slight movement seems to cause a crease in the fabric, hence the reason I only managed to get 3 photos I liked.
I probably wouldn't even pay the $2 I spent on it now. The colour is it's only saving grace, but that just goes to show that just because it looks pretty, don't mean it's meant to / or should be worn.
I do plan to re-make this dress and I'll call the current version a non-wearable, but good fitting toile. I'm going to un-pick it, keep the vintage zip for something else, and take all the bias binding and elastic for my next version. No point in wasting good notions I say!
The rest of the fabric is being relegated to the rag pile. Good riddance!
Do you ever unpick bits of your un-wearable hand-mades to recycle? Or is it just me? (Please say it's not just me!).
xx
Jen
First up, this dress actually fits really well! I did have to grade it up a fraction in the bust, waist and hips and also shortened the dress quite significantly to a length I prefer to wear. It also fit's into my personal style and is on my Summer Sewing List. So, why is it going into the 'Hand-mades I'll never wear because they are uncomfortable' pile?
It's a charity shop fabric that I paid about $2 for (thank goodness!), so I can't really complain, but because of the fabric, this dress is completely unwearable. I'm pretty sure it's some kind of poly-cotton blend thingy, but whatever it is, it sticks to my legs even when worn with a slip (and no tights!), it crinkles when you walk (never a good sign unless you're using taffeta or similar and want to crinkle when you walk - a la Mammy's red petticoat in Gone with the Wind!) and for the life of me, I can't seem to iron out all the creases! Even though it looks ironed when I finish, any slight movement seems to cause a crease in the fabric, hence the reason I only managed to get 3 photos I liked.
I probably wouldn't even pay the $2 I spent on it now. The colour is it's only saving grace, but that just goes to show that just because it looks pretty, don't mean it's meant to / or should be worn.
I do plan to re-make this dress and I'll call the current version a non-wearable, but good fitting toile. I'm going to un-pick it, keep the vintage zip for something else, and take all the bias binding and elastic for my next version. No point in wasting good notions I say!
The rest of the fabric is being relegated to the rag pile. Good riddance!
Do you ever unpick bits of your un-wearable hand-mades to recycle? Or is it just me? (Please say it's not just me!).
xx
Jen
That sucks! At least you got to use the cheapo fabric to test out this pattern, which fits you well by the way. I try to tell myself the same thing when I realise at the end of a project that I chose the wrong fabric... It helps me accept the fact I just blew a lot of time on something I won't wear.
ReplyDeleteAs for recycling notions, I too might unpick a zipper or some binding in failed projects ... if I don't just toss the whole thing in the donation bin in a fit or rage! Sometime my temper gets the best of me! I gotta say you are cool as a cucumber about this dress!
BTW, I loved your latest post about reasons we don't wear our creations (I even put up a link towards it on my latest post). It really pushed me to think more about comfort and personal style when planning a project. Thanks for the insight!
Rox - it's taken me a loooooong time to just accept when something hasn't worked and move on. I think I've come to realise that the ones that don't work are just as important as the ones that do work, especially when it comes to learning and not doing the same thing twice!
DeleteAlso, I've had moments of rage where I can't even look at what ever it is I've tried to make :) We seamstresses seem like such a cool headed bunch, when really, behind closed doors...
lol, it's not just you. I like to take buttons off things and sometimes zippers. I never thought to take elastic but I should! The dress looks lovely and fits you nicely. Too bad about the fabric but at least you know the pattern is a winner now!
ReplyDeleteHehe, I thought I may as well take the elastic since it's cut to the exact measurements I need for a wearable version of the dress!!
DeleteI too save notions. Just think it's all cut to the perfect length for this dress so you can just cut it from some better fabric and go!
ReplyDeleteHope your next version is more wearable cause it looks like a lovely style.
I always unpick and reuse the notions. I thought I was the only one. The color is fantastic, too mad the fabric is so crummy.
ReplyDeleteGah! Cheap fabric is the worst. But thinking of it as a good muslin is the way to go. I'm sure the next version will be to your liking. I have picked out a zipper or two to save in my day, though I like cutting off buttons more.
ReplyDeleteBummer! At least it wasn't expensive material. I'm too lazy to unpick my unwearable hand ades. I usually send them to the garage sale pile so I get money back to buy new notions anyway.
ReplyDeleteGood thinking Kat - I'd never even considered sending my non-wearable me mades to the garage sale pile!
DeleteI never unpick to save notions, but I have been known to massacre a garment for its zips or buttons. I just cut them right off.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great style on you, shame about the fabric :(
Definitely reuse bits and pieces! And if the garments not good enough for the op shop it gives in the rag bag to be used on the cars!
ReplyDeleteToo bad the fabric is so crappy, because the color is lovely! Luckily it was very cheap. Well you can see this dress as a muslin and make another one in a better fabric :)
ReplyDeleteIt doesnt look so cheap in the pics though :) Well I only alter un wearable handmades.. And if it still doenst fit then I done use them .. I dont have patience to unpick at all !! In fact while doing a project if I make a mistake I jus scrap away that if the fabric was not expensive.. By the way I just popped you an email .. did you find time to see it :)?- Diya TheHobbyHarbor
ReplyDeleteThanks Diya! I've just replied to your email :)
DeleteOh no, how annoying! But it's a very pretty muslin that's for sure! And now you can whip another one up in no time...in nicer fabric ;o) I would definitely take the zip out to re-use...not sure I'd hate the patience to do the same with the bias binding though!
ReplyDeleteI definitely take off zippers and buttons! Cheap fabric is the number one reason my projects don't work out. That and improperly pairing weight/drape with pattern. I know cheap fabric isn't worth it but I just keep making that mistake...
ReplyDeleteWell that stinks but I guess at least you know the pattern works for you and got the fit down. I always recycle my unwearables too. I save everything!
ReplyDeleteYay! So glad I'm not the only one!!
DeleteSure buttons The rest isn't worth my time
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame about the fabric, the colour is lovely!
ReplyDeleteI take as much as possible to re-use, even the hanging ribbons (from the shoulders) on store bought tops ;D
Awww man, that's so annoying! It's a beautiful color on you and the silhouette looks great-- it's a cheap muslin, I guess! I'm sorry that you put so much work into something unwearable, though. I do unpick debacles to salvage zippers and buttons, and I try to salvage them for pocket linings/etc if there's any way I can, but sometimes there's nothing worth saving in a really bad garment. :(
ReplyDeleteEven though the fabric is crappy it's worth it for "muslin" and you now have a pattern ready to go! Happy to hear you're planning to make this again because it's simply lovely on you.
ReplyDeleteI have unpicked zips to reuse, but I usually can't bear to throw out hand made garments! I do need to get stricter about that though. Pity this fabric is rubbish. It's a lovely colour, and looks great on you.
ReplyDelete