Now that I celebrated my successes of 2013, it’s time to move on to the not-so-perfect makes. I know, we’re moving fast here, but the end of the year is almost upon us, so I have to hurry this shit along. So, without further ado, here they are!
This dress never got worn after this photo shoot. The waist was too low to begin with, and only got worse as the rayon fabric sagged over time. Plus it’s too long (I like my dresses to sit above my knees, not below them) and the whole dress was slightly too big. Bleh.
Too big. Not suitable for everyday wear, or any-day wear if I’m being honest. Wrinkled if I so much as looked at it. While I was proud of the amount of effort I put into it, it’s just not something I have any occasion to wear.
In contrast to the others posted here, this blouse is just too small. I’ve tried to convince myself it isn’t, but it is. It is uncomfortable tight across my stomach, and the hook and eye just will. not. lie. flat. As such, it hasn’t been worn outside of this photo shoot. It has potential, though, since I’m still losing weight, so I’m keeping it around!
Coming in at number 4 was a vintage Butterick shift dress that I tried to make out of a floral sheet. The sheet was too thick, the pattern was supremely unflattering, and I looked like a pair of your grandma’s curtains. I threw it in the bin in disgust and didn’t give it another thought (until now). No photos exist of it, and none ever will.
5. Colette Meringue
This project never made it onto my blog – in fact, it’s pre-blog. It was okay, but it was WAY too big around the waist, and slightly too long. I didn’t know anything about fitting, or pattern adjustments, and just thought oh well, too big, I’ll give it to Goodwill. I regret doing that, but haven’t been able to really motivate myself to make another Meringue, either. I just don’t think it’s the right skirt for me.
Basically, my biggest obstacles to wearable garments are fitting and suitability. While I’m losing weight, I have to accept that some stuff can’t be altered easily, and so it will be transient (and I can always remake it in a smaller size). And these days, I’m starting to work on things I’ll wear a lot – knit dresses, skirts, and when I get around to it, an Archer shirt. Not as exciting as pretty dresses, but they get a lot more use! Don’t worry, though, I still can’t resist a pretty dress, so I’m sure there will be more in future 🙂
KJ Sews 
Making something and then not having it fit properly is the worst! I can definitely feel your pain on this one.
Love the fabric (and the cute shoes!) of your Hawthorne blouse! It's so disappointing when things don't fit well.
I have some of that fabric left, actually, but I have no idea what to do with it!
The pattern would be fun and unexpected if you used it as a lining for a staid navy jacket or something.
Your Hawthorne is adorable! For what it's worth, it doesn't look tight in the photo.
Oh, thank you! It's ok if I'm standing up, but once I sit down, I'm afraid of bursting a stitch!