Grumpy cats

P8190404kitty v1395

Meh. You know when you make something that should be perfect on paper but you feel ambivalent or disappointed with the finished result? Sadly that’s the case with this dress. I mean, it’s a TNT pattern and cat print fabric! How did it go wrong?

kitty v1395

This is my fourth Vogue 1395 dress, and I really thought it’d be a quick win of a weekend sew. While I can roll all the multiple hems in my sleep now, I managed to make a catalogue of stupid mistakes while sewing this up. I ripped and sewed the shoulder seam a total of four times due to sewing it inside out – twice – and then realising the whole dress was pulling to the back, requiring an urgent forward shoulder adjustment, the first attempt at which I also sewed inside out. And please avert your eyes from the hem pulling up perilously at the front. I dunno what’s going on there.

kitty v1395

The whole balance just seems to be off, which I haven’t encountered on any of my other 1395s. Perhaps because this is quite a heavy creped polyester with a bit of crinkly stretch, so likely my cutting was inaccurate and the extra weight in the overlay is pulling the whole dress backwards. It just doesn’t feel too comfortable to wear unfortunately – it feels like it constantly needs adjusting and the obvious wrong side of the fabric keeps peeking out.

kitty v1395

Even the kitties don’t look impressed, do they. I’m crying that it didn’t work out as planned for such an awesome fabric (a Walthamstow market find).

kitty v1395

It might just be that this dress and I need to cool off a bit after a less than pleasant sewing experience. I’m going to stick it in the wardrobe for a bit and perhaps try pulling it out again come autumn to try with tights and boots – it might be more successful that way. Ah, sewing. Just goes to show that even when you think you know what you’re doing, something can come along to trip you up.

21 thoughts on “Grumpy cats

  1. Andie W

    What a shame that you had an unpleasant sewing experience and don’t like the dress. It looks really cute on you. Definitely leave it for a bit and revisit it later. If you still don’t like it, you could make the top into a crop top, maybe? Or cut off the skirt for a new skirt. Don’t let that incredible fabric go to waste. :)

    1. Katie Post author

      Yeah, I think a refashion could happen if it doesn’t grow on me – my second choice for the fabric was a midi skirt, which could be possible with what I have left.

  2. Camilla

    Shame it’s not turned out the way you wanted. If it’s still meh after a few months, maybe it could be re-fashioned into a top. That kitty fabric is too cute.

    1. Katie Post author

      A top would be tricky due to the multi-layer back, but there’s enough fabric to salvage something, I think!

  3. crab&bee

    Aw rats! I’m sorry this project gave you trouble. I think pulling it out in the fall is a good call. I’ve noticed that the back pulls on my dress. If I make it again, I’m going to underline the front but not the back pieces.

    1. Katie Post author

      Yeah you almost need a stay for the front to balance the back – I couldn’t do that because of the alterations I’ve made to the pattern. In fact this probably would’ve worked out better if I just used the original pattern – the extra seamlines probably help with balance.

  4. lisa g

    Hate it when that happens! Looks cute enough in pics, but I know that only tells part of the story. Hopefully some time in the magic closet will fix it! ;-)

    1. Katie Post author

      I think a little time out will do us good! I’m wondering if adding an elastic waist seam would help with the balance issue. But I can’t be bothered just yet :)

  5. Anne

    I hope you’ll like it better when you pull it out of your closet again. It looks good but of course I can’t feel it the way you can and it’s so uncomfortable having to adjust something all the time.

    1. Katie Post author

      Yes, it photographed better than it looks/feels in real life unfortunately. But I won’t write it off just yet!

  6. Christy

    What a shame it didn’t work as planned. I often find that I pack these items away and the next year they are much more awesome than I remember and wear them all the time. Whatever you do, don’t throw it. Just sit on it.

  7. Katie

    I’ve definitely had this experience (actually with this dress pattern – not the same issues, but a lot of issues and I used a beloved fabric) – and you’re so brave to blog about it!! I hate when you have the ideal project in mind, and the mojo is just off. I think after some time, when you pull it out again, you might just love it! :D

    1. Katie Post author

      I think it’s cool to throw in some projects that didn’t come out so great occasionally – and I got some good advice in the comments so it was worth it!

  8. Heather

    I think it looks just fine, but I can totally relate. I think sometimes a bad sewing experience can tarnish the finished garment. I bet if you put it away for awhile, it won’t be as bad as you think next time you pull it out. The fabric is great!

  9. Sonja

    Oh no! How sad! This is such a cute dress, but I know the feeling of making something that just doesn’t feel good to wear. I hope when you revisit it that it either feels better or you’re inspired to refashion it- it’s such a sweet print!

  10. Mo

    I thought this dress was one of your best on.The fabric is lovely and the hem looks as if it should be higher.Before deciding to resew it ask a friend to put it on or even wear it out with you for a drink. I guarantee you’ll fall in love with it,at least I hope you do.

Leave a Reply to Katie Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *