My "Meh" Makes Round-Up

Right. First things first: this is not one of those posts that's all aspirational and motivational with glowy photos of professional looking garments. If you'd hoped to find some sewing inspiration, then you should just turn your fine self around and head another direction! Sorry about that - nice to see you!! (it also includes quite a bit of ablogogising and overuse of the word 'meh': you have been warned!). 

I toyed with the idea of not writing this post, because obviously it's a bit shit to write a post full of crappy sewing projects, but then I decided to just charge on ahead because, well, I think it's important to present a fairly genuine picture of my efforts here. And sometimes, let's be honest, sewing doesn't turn out how you planned! (especially so for a beginner - and I still consider myself that!) So in the interests of trying to be an 'authentic' [oh god, did I really just type that unironically?! what have I become] sewing blogger - here are some terrible pictures of some very MEH makes! (accompanied by distinctly MEH photos of my dressform indoors, at night. Sorry about that. I have been trying to include myself in pictures more often, but I'm currently sporting a nasty and disfiguring allergic reaction to dry shampoo all over my face, so in the interests of not horrifying you further, I'm hiding. In summary: I look MEH as well as making MEH garments. What a winning week!)

First up in the crappy-makes honour-roll, we have: a Colette Wren Dress! Ta Dah!

Just look at that terrible bagging around the armscye! WTAF?! Seriously - I could tuck an extra couple of boobs in there. If only I were a 4-boobed martian. Alas, I have but the two boobs, and they can't fill up this much saggy fabric! Sigh....

To be fair, I did ignore the instruction that clearly said "before you finish the armholes, check for fit and make any adjustments". I ignored it because it's so much easier to hem armholes flat...and because I sew my Monetas up without adjustments so I foolishly (arrogantly) assumed that I knew better and that this dress would be the same. FOOL! I should have done as the pattern suggested. More importantly, I should have read a few more reviews online before making this because it seems the bodice block is totally different than Moneta and lots of folk have had major armscye issues. Anyway. Not to panic. This was always intended to be a wearable toile, so at least I made the mistakes on my draft version.

A pretty simple dart ought to fix the problem I think (I've pinned it here). I could do a band to finish the armhole, but I think that would ruin the softness of the neckline drape. So a dart it shall be!

I also made this version with the 6-gore panel skirt instead of the gathered skirt, and I have now decided that's not the right style for me. I was planning to make this dress in the wool fabric from my last post, but...maybe I need to make another less expensive toile first?! Anyway. This is not a wearable toile. I could maybe lop off the skirt and make it into a surplice top?? Or admit defeat and bin the whole thing? MEH.

Next up in this Blog Post of Glory...a Seamwork Mesa dress! I have to confess that this is still unfinished - it needs a neckband and that'll pull the ridiculously wide neckline in a bit. I was inspired to make this after seeing so many lovely versions online (like this one by Beth), and I figured it would be an easy pattern to knock up and have a lovely wearable, casual dress. And it might yet be that...

 ...but...but...what the HELL is going on under the arms?! Let's look closer....

Can you see that sagging armpit?? It doesn't look as bad here as in real life - there's SO much excess fabric. It's not even really in the armscye area - though it looks it here. I think the actual sleeve block is too big?? And I could afford to lose a handful of flab on my upper arms, so it's not my 'scrawny' arms that's the issue. Maybe it needs a dart too? I don't know. MEH. At least it didn't take too long to sew I guess...

As I'm not really a competent knitter (to date I have made a hat and some fingerless gloves), I've been dying to sew a cardigan and start getting some good layering pieces - to complete the me-made wardrobe! I thought the Seamwork Wembley cardy would be a good start (yay cheap patterns) and I had this lovely hacci sweater knit from Girl Charlee UK which seemed a grand match. Here 'tis:

I don't really know what to write for this one. It's ok I guess. Weird, maybe? I don't like the lower back/front thing - I know that's the shape of the pattern, but it seemed much more pronounced in my version. I also hate the sleeve cuffs. And the sleeves are really baggy. Hey - maybe this is a Seamwork sleeve block issue? Maybe I need to narrow them? Or maybe this fabric is just too loose a weave to really use in this pattern. It was a bit of a pain in the arse to sew, so maybe it's my fault. *shrugs* This is just a meh make.

And finally - my LONG awaited Maria Denmark Rachel Wrap Dress. This one was started in late summer if you can believe it! My sewing machine HATED the fabric. Like sworn enemy 'death to you and all your family' level hatred. It took me 4 needles and about 8 stitch attempts to get half way through the first seam (which still ended up snapped and broken and useless) before giving up in rage-fuelled defeat! (Truth: there was a lot of swearing and flinging of fabric). But then I got my beloved Elna and thought - maybe there was still hope?! And so there was. That gorgeous overlocker just zipped through the seams and boom - the dress was done! (so fast!).

A close up - to better see the blue colour - it's much more obvious than the main pic shows.

I totally messed up the front panel instructions as I couldn't work out from the graphic drawing what I was meant to do (total spatial awareness/visualisation fail), but I get it now so next time will be fine. Why then, is this dress meh? Well...I hate the fabric. I thought I liked it, but it's so busy and mad - it's all just waaaay too much of everything. Also, I think it lacks the right amount of stretch for this particular dress. It's weird fabric. The print is sort of painted on to the fabric, rather than being knitted/woven in? I am failing in my description, but the print basically restricts the stretch of the actual fabric. So it's unlikely to be worn, if I'm entirely honest. But of all the meh makes, this one holds the most promise. I do need a good wrap dress pattern, and this one will be worth another shot. 

And there you have it. My Meh Makes round-up! I've joked a bit here, but actually, it's really frustrating to have so many makes that I won't end up wearing. Such a waste of time (and money), and with no real reward. It's really messing with my motivation and creativity. I need to go back to a tried and true. I fancy making a Megan dress but it's so cold at the moment that cosy stuff is what I'll actually wear so maybe I'll make another Moneta or Linden? One thing is for sure: I need a win!