That’s a no from me
Even though it’s been a few months since this sewing disaster, I’m still upset. For me, this has been a great lesson in how a change of fabric can highlight fitting issues. Deep breath. Let’s start at the very beginning…
Back in July this year, I blogged my Linen & Liberty Nell Shirt. I loved this make. The pattern had some great design features and the shirt felt very ‘me’. When I have success with a pattern, it’s very common for me to sew another one, or two, or ten!
For my second Nell, I selected some precious cotton shirting from the stash. Shirting was listed as a suitable fabric for this pattern.
It turns out that shirting has absolutely no give, and the front bib was a nightmare to ease in. The result… both puffiness and hollowness in the bust area, as well as terrible drag lines that follow the contour of the front bib.
Very very disappointing.
And for the sake of comparison…
When it comes to this pattern and my body, it appears that linen is very forgiving compared to cotton shirting. With nothing more to say, I’m going to exit to the left…
Pattern: A Verb for Keeping Warm’s Nell Shirt (paper (US readers), paper (Australian readers) or pdf
Size: 39″
Fabric: Cotton shirting from The Fabric Store
Alterations: Sewed down the lower edge of the back lining
Accessories: Elk beads (however they were a fantastic find from the op shop!) and Raffia Chic shoes from Scarlett Jones
Oh well! I’ve got a few things that I should have done differently. I consider them learning opportunities!
I totally agree Linda. Next project…
How completely weird! Who’d have thought? They look like two completely different pattern makes. Such a shame your precious shirting was sacrificed in the making of this shirt 🙁 and I’ve reassessed my ability to go shoe shopping with you after clicking that link xxx
Don’t fear. I’m good at shopping at many price ranges…. from op shops to places where champagne tastes are celebrated but mostly in the middle and mostly when things are on sale!
It Seems to me that the problem is in the pleats at the bottom of the bib . Maybe doing an inverted pleat or even taking it out and sewing a centre front seam might help ?. It’s lovely fabric . I LOVE the linen one
Thanks for your thoughts Mem. Unfortunately, we’ll never know as I’ve already donated the item to the op shop. Hopefully is will be happy in it’s new home.
Ha ha Sewjillian I’ve done that too! She may buy her beads from op shops but the shoes are the real McCoy! 🙂
That is weird and disappointing. Linen is notoriously shifty and perhaps that curved yoke was a place where linen’s foibles were an advantage.
I’ll be blogging a dress that looks like maternity wear soon, so I say cheers to keeping it real! 🙂
I like to mix my shopping up! I have another wadder to share with you soon too… think football umpire! Keeping it oh so real…
Also did you snip into the seam allowance around the bib ? This allows it to give a bit which your linen did because it is a looser weave
I had to think about that, but yes I did. The seam allowances are pressed under and hand stitched in place. There was no way that was working without clipping into those curves.
Oh wow! It certainly does show what a difference fabric makes. Perhaps you could cut up the latest version and use it for trim on another linen version because it is rather pretty fabric and a shame to waste it!
Refashioning isn’t my thing… I don’t have the patience, so it’s now at the op-shop and hopefully will find a new and happy home.
Oh you look so sad poor love!
Ha ha haaa…. I am… I should have put my grump face on for the photoshoot.
Sad, never mind onwards and upwards. Has it put you off the pattern?
Unfortunately it has Louise, but there are many more patterns in the sea!
The fabric has so much to do with the success of a garment. I’ve lost count of the number of items I haven’t finished or donated because the fabric just didn’t work with the pattern.
So so true Anna. I’m pleased to hear I’m not the only one.
Well, I have to agree–the fabric didn’t agree with the pattern. I’m sure it’s exquisitely made though! On to the next!
Thanks Sarah Jo. This one is well and truly behind me now.
Yay for keeing it real – although what a shame given how beautiful the first version was. Thanks for sharing, because we can all learn from each others’ experience, good and bad!
I’m all for keeping it real Jane. Another ‘opphs’ to share later this week after I sneak in another win first!
Yes, such a shame about the pattern /fabric mismatch.. And those beads.. What a find! – I’m obviously not looking in the right shops ; /
Nice beads in op shops are rare as hen teeth. My best success is with designer jeans!
What a shame. I remember the linen one and had liked it very much. It’s interesting to read of your experience though with the shirting fabric. I had a similar issue with the bib on the M & M Dress Shirt using a quilting cotton. Maybe I should try it again but with a linen. Thanks for sharing the lesson learned!
Your M&M experience is interesting too. Thanks for sharing Melissa.
I have to do this face O_o
Version 1 = totally awesome top of radness!
Version 2 = all the sadness
Team Linen for the Ness it would seem 😀
The perfect summary!
Such a shame after all your hard work. The fabric is lovely.
My thoughts exactly Jean Margaret. Oh well, we can’t win them all.
oh, so frustrating! Been there, done that – too many times…
I really learned something from this post, though. Very surprising that such a similar fabric would yield such a different result.
It makes me realize that even making a muslin before tackling the real project would not be foolproof. That has happened to me, too. And I thought I was just going crazy! 🙂
It’s good to learn from our own mistakes, and those of others, which is why I think it’s so important to share the good, the bad and the ugly on my blog!