Hey dear readers,
Today I’ve been thinking about sewing (duh) and how it has its little ups and down. OK, sometimes BIG ups and downs.
I’ve been working on the muslin for the jacket from this pattern from Project Blossom
I made it in the 16, 18 AND 20 with not a great fit. I think the problem is with the raglan sleeves + my broad and forward sloping shoulders (thanks to science for that one). I did an adjustment to add more fullness to the cap of the sleeve and added/subtracted width from every seam imaginable..and it just won’t fit right.
I’m in love with the lovely cerise wool from Sawyerbrook and I can’t bring myself to cut out a jacket that I’m not satisfied with at the muslin stage.
Such a disappointment. I wanted this to work so badly.
No matter how tense and frustrated I got, I kept going back trying and trying to make it work – only to get more frustrated and upset.
I think sometimes I *know* in my core that a project is either worth the effort or just won’t work. I’m learning to listen to that instinct more.
But it’s also important to keep in mind that it ain’t always roses. Sewing sometimes is frustrating when everything seems to be going wrong and you’ve hit the limit of your knowledge/abilities. These are frustrating times, but they are the times to treasure.
This is the 30% of your sewing time that you learn. 70% of the time is smooth, but that 30% can be rough…but necessary.
It’s even more frustrating when you put in all that time/effort and in the end the muslin just doesn’t work – it’s not meant to be. We’ve all been there, I think. But to be honest, for me, probably only 1/10 patterns I’ve used have been *real* winners, 6 have been ‘meh, OK’ and 3 have been utter disasters.
But that’s OK. That’s how we learn and build our repertoire of patterns, skills, knowledge an ability. Not only does this benefit us, but this experience and expertise that we gain through effort is beneficial to others. We have something to share because we’ve made the mistakes and worked out though experience what works.
This is what I value. Experience and expertise cannot be bought or sold and it doesn’t come from celebrity. It is won through both joy and tears, hard fought battles and smooth sails. And it takes years.
That’s the nature of this craft – and it is as beautiful in both the highs and lows.
Relax and Enjoy,
Kat
NB – If you’re making this or want to, please see comments below, as many folks have had problems with this pattern too!
Hi Kat, I made this jacket because I love the swing style. It looks fantastic …..on the hanger! Like you, the fit on me just isn’t great, I’m forever tugging at it to be where I want it, people say it looks lovely on me, but I’m not convinced. I made it in wool felt and lined it in silk
charmeuse, so it’s not heavy and is still warm, but I put it down to (in)experience and the fact that I am just not built like the model drawing on the packet
Hi Jenny! I’m so sorry your jacket didn’t work out. I found I was also tugging at it and it just wasn’t relaxing on my body like a good garment should – no matter *what* I did. I don’t think it’s inexperience, I’ve seen others on the web who have had the same problems and have had to do ‘major surgery’ on the sleeves to make them fit. It always seemed too tight and awkward. I also think that’s a problem in general with ‘vintage’ like patterns. I also hate having an artist’s drawing on the envelope and not a picture…that doesn’t tell me anything! But it sure looks good and made me buy the pattern! Ah well, have to have fun finding an alternative! Thank you for your comment!
It’s taken me a solid year of sewing to create a small batch of patterns I would consider tried-n-true. I used to really stress about unfinished projects that I knew weren’t for me, but now I consider it part of the important process of figuring out what DOES work. I think it’s important for all sewists to remember this, especially beginners, because I personally have learned more from those “fails” than what I would deem “successes.” Great post!
Couldn’t agree more, Burke, and thanks for your comment. Looking back on my sewing a year ago, I can see how much I’ve matured and I’m much more selective now. Glad you hear you’ve learned from your failures…it can bring you down at first, but is always beneficial in the long run.
Those garments that make you feel like you’re wearing your most comfortable treasured pajamas but they’re actually gorgeous outfits…that’s my hope.
Oh yes, I agree. In Claire Shaeffer’s book she describes a couture garment as just as comfortable as wearing pjs. That’s my hope too! In it together
That’s probably where I got that from. haha. Sometimes I skim so fast, my brain retains it but the part of me that wants to remember where I got it from is unavailable for my call.
In it together.
Oh, I’m like that too…that’s why it’s there for reference when I need it – and some light bedtime reading too!
I’ve read sewing instructions to my kids at bedtime. tehehe. I’m a looney. But I have the hardest time staying awake once I’m horizontal. Book reading, for me, has to be engaging or I zonk out. Pattern instructions are apparently engaging.
To use an old cliche failure is just feedback. I try to be pragmatic about my disappointments when sewing and consider them lessons learned for future projects but it is hard when you have spent time and energy on something. I remind myself that it is the process that I enjoy not the end result. I was thinking the other day that I have never made anything I am 100% happy with.
Hi Gill! I like that – failure is just feedback – will remember. That’s true about the process: if it’s about the process not the end result it does take the edge off the sting! I suppose even the most seasoned couturier has something they could do better next time – I’m accepting that this is a life long process and failure is just part of it. But I suppose it’s also important to be easy on oneself and not be beat oneself up about mistakes and instead focus on the beautiful and what you did well and just learn from the mistake.
Nooooo! How disappointing for you … and me I just traced this pattern planning to make the jacket. I’m a 6 or 8 in Vogue … but I would CRY FOREVER if I ruined my $2 mint green wool from the op shop! Hmmmm maybe I’ll make a test run & pray…
Hi Lizzy! Yes, yes and yes…make a muslin for this one!!! It may fit perfectly for you (and I hope it does), but if you have troubles like me you won’t ruin your lovely green wool. I usually make a 16 in Vogue tops, but I found it hopelessly tight around the shoulders/back. So I made the 18 and it was, uh, better but far from perfect. All the best and I’m looking forward to hearing how it goes for you and if you have any alteration tips
I feel your muslin pain! I’ve been trying to make a bra that fits and am now on muslin #6. Or is it #7. I’ve lost count! But I keep going back to it. Because I’m Going To Make It Work. Darn it.
Perhaps there’s just something wrong with your pattern as drafted. I always worry when there’s no photographic evidence! That means that probably nobody sewed an actual test garment. And they do change the draft somewhat from the original vintage pattern for “modern figures”. You never know what that might do to the results.
Hi Louisa! Hmmmmmmm….sounds a bit suspect to me. I worry about that stuff too…no photographs, pattern ‘changing’ etc. Vintage garments do require more work, I think, in terms of alteration because bodies are different now. I do hope it works out for you, but don’t be afraid to play with alternatives in the mean time – you might find something that fits you better. If it’s bad pattern drafting there’s nothing much you can do except practically redraft the thing. Which pattern is it?
How timely….I spent Sunday afternoon carefully making a neat (inside and out!) Renfrew…in a much drapier fabric than previous iterations….and it looked horrible!! I’ve never actually tossed a creation vehemently into the bin, but I did last night….not the slightest guilt about it either!! (which surprised me even more!)
Oh nooooooooo! We must have tossed our creations ‘vehemently’ into the bin at the same time because that’s what I did to mine too. I love that you did it without guilt too…now that’s progress!!!
Bittersweet news for me, I must admit. I made this a few years ago when I first returned to sewing after decades of away time. The jacket was never right. I chalked it up to inexperience, but it sounds like this is a great sketch on the pattern that never lives up to its allure. Thank you for sharing, it helps all of us realize we are not alone. We have sewing friends everywhere!
Hi Susan and thanks so much for sharing your experiences with this pattern. It is bittersweet but does make us feel better because we aren’t alone, as you say. I hate sketches…they’re so deceiving sometimes. If you find a similar pattern, let me know…I’m looking too
I think us seamstresses are a different lot. We could so easily just go to the store and buy whatever we are attempting to make. A lot of people don’t ‘get it’. My success rate is more like 30% but there is something about sewing that just keeps bringing me back to the machine. Probably just insanity.
Well, then I’m insane with you m’dear!
I hear you! I tend to retreat to a quick and easy pattern (usually a skirt. I love skirts and find them sooo easy and quick to sew!) when I get stumped on a new pattern. I’m a ‘Pick yourself up, dust yourself down, and start all over again’ kinda gal!!
And yes, the trash bin is a friend of mine, I am not ashamed to say!!
He he awesome! I’m like that too…it’s like “NEXT!”. The bin is becoming more and more of my friend…and that’s ok with me too! Thanks for sharing.
I have a part finished version of this jacket, which was not a good fit on me either. Its been lurking for a couple of years now, I don’t want to sling it out as the wool is lovely. You are not alone in finding the pattern disappointing.
Huh, well it’s settled then…the pattern is bad! Thanks for sharing your experiences!!