Meet the Misses!

Friends, when you sew as much as I do -- which is almost daily -- inevitably you're going to make some things that just don't work.

You may have gone into a project with the best of intentions and the result might even be a garment that fits well and is nicely constructed and which others admire (or seem to).  But you know, deep down, that it just doesn't work -- proven by the fact that, over time, you never wear it.

The shirt up top, which combines gingham, florals, and black lace, was a true labor of love.  What it taught me, however, is that I should avoid any garment that exposes my nipples.  Also that a scalloped hem on a men's shirt -- no matter how carefully finished -- is not a win.   Still, I can't quite part with this shirt, yet.

Speaking of nipples, this clingy rayon knit shirt I made for Michael a few summers ago (below) is certainly nicely finished, and while it may not literally expose his nipples, it's just a bit too...nipply for him to wear comfortably.  It now sits in my shirt drawer.  But I don't wear it much (okay, at all).

I loved the idea of blue linen coveralls, but the Kwik Sew pattern I used, KS3389, resulted in a garment that droops, especially in linen.  I still own this garment and hope to salvage it someday, perhaps by adding an elastic waistband in back.  Right now, it's a miss.

Moving right along, I loved the idea of making a stiff black denim jacket out of a vintage 1940's men's pajama pattern (below).  The result is (predictably) boxy and stiff.  I gave this one away a long time ago, which is sad, because it had some nice details.

There is really nothing wrong with this plaid wool cape, cut on the bias.  But it's too bold a pattern and is very hard to style.  LESSON: solid colors are much more practical, as are sleeves.

Next up, no matter how awesome-looking the fabric, if the colors don't flatter you, move on.  Live and learn.

Unusual fabrics, like the shirting below that looks artfully eroded, are interesting to inspect but don't make very attractive clothes.  File under Nipply.

And now a few misses from the more distant past (one might call them the greatest hits of my misses):

Harem pants -- a very big ix-nay.

Baggy boxers -- fine until you need to get into a pair of pants.

Culottes: there are no words.

I recommend you avoid this fashion faux pas of the Fifties (below): this style shirt disappeared for a reason!

Finally, if you must wear leopard pants, avoid cherry red.

Friends, I know many of you have had your fair share of misses too.  I hope, seeing some of mine, you'll feel better about yours.  Hey, sewing involves a lot of experimentation.  If we wanted to play it safe, we'd shop at the Gap! (and maybe some of us do).

Care to share your greatest "miss"?  Jump in!

Have a great day, everybody!