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Friday, November 25, 2011

Taffy of Terror!!!

OK, it's not the Taffy's fault at all. I just thought it was catchier than Chiffon of Chit! "What," you may be wondering, "is Stacie going on about?" Exhibit A:

I'm a maniac! Maniac! On the floor!

Yeah, that's my Taffy from the Colette Sewing Handbook paired with a rockin' side ponytail. I picked up this fantastic navy and polka dot chiffon the other day. I do not blame this on the pattern at all. I must stress that! I will be making this again. The fabric was horrible! And hey, sewing is fun. If I can't laugh at my mistakes, what can I do?


If you look closely at a scrap I cut, it shredded a good 1/4" into it as soon as it was cut, and as soon as it caught on anything, it would run. I know, chiffon is tricky, but I've used it before! I liked it! I am convinced this was just bad fabric.


Because the chiffon began raveling as soon as it was cut, I just made a rolled hem on my serger, and I kid you not, I had to go a good half inch in to avoid further shredding. I think if this had turned out, I would have gotten maybe 2 wears with no washes out of it. You can see just below my chin the unraveling that is already underway.


On the other hand, I really like the pattern and instructions. This was from the A Fine Finish chapter and actually has amazing instructions on how to make French seams throughout the shirt. I actually did this, but I had to go pretty deep  because of the shred factor, so they were a bit bulky.


Here you can see the seams along my sleeve, and they look fantastic, they just had to be too big.


The back was a bit big, but that could just be the fabric again. This was my first "on the bias" garment, and it really wasn't too bad. I think between user error and/or crappy fabric it just wasn't meant to be. I do plan on making this in maybe a voile or lawn. Like I said, the pattern was fantastic which leads me to...

I had a friend say they would be scared to buy a Colette pattern because they are expensive and never go on 99 cent sales. Here is how I handle that.


I trace the pattern with a Sharpie in the size I need to make it darker.


I then trace the pattern in the size I need onto Swedish Tracing Paper along with any necessary markings. Why Swedish Tracing Paper? (That link is to the store on Etsy I buy it from. Support small business!)You can actually sew it together. This makes for easy pattern fittings. I just baste it, then rip it out to ensure the right parts hit in the right places. This also allows you to make any adjustments you know you need without destroying your original pattern.


"OK, stupid Stacie Thinks She Knows it All, now I have Sharpie all over my floor!"


I tell you what, Magic Eraser by Mr. Clean takes anything off the laminate flooring (and tile) including Sharpie!


About 10 minutes of extra work and your expensive pattern is still in tact and you have a personalized pattern in just your size with any adjustments you need already made! I usually include the pattern name, size and number of pieces to make it easy when I want to make it again later.

Now, I don't do this on my patterns that go on clearance at Joann's, but for my well loved, tried and true and expensive patterns, I don't know a better way to do it! Now go buy that book! I made a tosser, but just wait and see my next one!

7 comments:

  1. I love your honesty and boldness, I even love your taffy! Great blog!

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  2. Awww, thanks! I really appreciate that.

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  3. Looks like the polka dots are becoming polka ovals on the back of the shirt. You're probably right that this fabric is just crap. Looks so pretty thought! Darn it, why is it always the shoddy fabric that's the cutest?!

    Or the really really expensive fabric...

    I'm glad you're not put off buy the pattern, though. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with it in a better quality fabric.

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  4. I'm cutting size 8 (I'm more like a 10 by the size chart). The measurements on the pattern look BIG....I'm afraid this try is going to be a wearable muslin (or worst, I dunno).

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  5. I'm still looking for a fabric I love to try it again, but I just haven't seen much that strikes me. I bet as the Spring voiles and light weights come out I will see something. Good luck on yours too!

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  6. Few days ago i am finding this type fabrics cloth and also this tutorial. no i get it, thanks for sharing.
    Fabrics USA Inc | African Wax Print Fabric

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