StitchSlapped: Stephanie

I tried to make this McCall's M6437 blouse in style D. It ended up looking like a martial arts Gi or Victorian bathrobe!

I made a muslin that fit, but the final fabric still made it look stifling and old-fashioned.

I get exasperated trying to gather that fabric! I really want to know - ladies, do you use a gathering foot? Doing this with basting threads always looks uneven to me, and I get tired. If you do use a gathering foot, how do you measure the gathers to fix exactly around the joining piece that is not gathered? Does the foot just help do the work that your arms would do, or does it sew down the gathers, so that they cannot be spread apart or put back together to fit?

I even added button loops on the back using the voile. The final disaster was the bubbling of the interfacing. I learned that I should use sew-in interfacing, or pre-shrink it, or use more expensive kind that does not shrink? What do you use?

This gave me quite a sad face. I hope I can remove the collar and save this fabric for something else.
I posted more details here.
I'm not giving up on our challenge, and I look forward to seeing more of your new clothes! It is very motivating for me!

It's Stitch-Slapped Friday!

Here's hoping you have nothing to share! :-) 

It's STITCHSLAPPED Friday!

It's STITCHSLAPPED Friday!

Correction: StitchSlapped experiences posts go here

My apologies ladies....  

I wasn't aware that you wouldn't be able to access the StitchSlapped page without administrator rights.  Consequently, we will post our experiences here instead (please add "stitch slapped" as a label/tag when you post).   We have deleted the StitchSlapped page.  

The guidelines for StitchSlapped post will remain the same.  However, if you would like the .jpeg file for the StitchSlapped logo, please let me know.  I can send it under separate email if you aren't able to right click and copy.  Feel free to include the logo when you have a "sad tale to tell."  Vita :-)

Guidelines:

1.  Include heading in the post title(e.g., StitchSlapped: Your name)

2.  Limit photos to three images (e.g., a picture of the pattern and the mess that resulted; you may also include the StitchSlapped logo)

3.  Describe what went wrong

4.  Describe what you learned from it

StitchSlapped--Vita, Jan 4, 2013

Vita, Jan 4, 2013

After many months of being intimidated by Vogue 1159, I decided to tackle this one.  It's a Donna Karan design--fitted, above mid-knee length dress has front pleated at back dropped shoulder, crossed fronts forming drape effect.  This was the worst StitchSlap I received in 2012



What went wrong: 
I was thrilled at how well it seemed to be coming together even after I took a 45 minute break to work through some intimidating design and construction issues.  Yes, it looks cute on the dress form, right?  The cuteness ends there....  After struggling through the final details of construction, I clipped the final strings and ran to put it on....  I was horrified!!  I can only describe it as an expensive-looking kitchen dress.  What's a kitchen dress you ask...?  I don't know, but that's what I call it.  I looked like Aunt Bee (from Andy Griffith) having a "sexy moment"--the neckline can showcase cleavage.  The criss-cross feature in the front jutted out too far (and, no, it wasn't my gut).  All that fabric twisted and bunched together in the front just wasn't flattering.  The hem hiked up in the back.  And...AND...it was NOT flattering to look at from behind.  I'm not positive where it went wrong.  I don't think it was the print because the pattern jacket features a similar print pattern.  I honestly think it may be more flattering in a smaller size (like 2...lol).


What did I learn:  
I won't sew it again, but I do think it's a great dress.  I wouldn't recommend it if you're larger than a B-bra cup.  If you are, you might need a FBA (which is not easy to accomplish with this pattern)--I felt like it was pulling a bit across the front and back.  I would also recommend that you not top stitch as the pattern suggests.  Be careful as well when stay-stitching on a knit.  That created a few problems when attaching the upper back.  I have yet to successfully complete a wrap (or faux wrap) dress.  I will try again.

Welcome to "StitchSlapped Fridays!"

Hi Ladies,

It's SEW great to have you all along for the ride :-).  Today, we're introducing StitchSlapped Fridays!  What is StitchSlapped?

StitchSlapped

  \ stich-slapd \  , noun; 

to have a garment, pattern, or fabric turn rebel and go badly; a sewing do-over; a crafting mess.

Yeah...I made it up myself...but we've all had the experience!  Now's your chance to share....  We will use Fridays to highlight these mishaps, share experiences, and learn from mistakes.  


Guidelines:

1.  Include heading in the post title(e.g., StitchSlapped: Your name)

2.  Limit photos to three images (e.g., a picture of the pattern and the mess that resulted; you may also include the StitchSlapped logo)

3.  Describe what went wrong

4.  Describe what you learned from it