Friday, May 10, 2013

DIY Anthropologie Fail!


I've been wanting to join in the Spring Top Sewalong over at Made by Rae, so I started looking for some inspiration. I spotted Anthropologie's Spotted Peasant Blouse (ha! see what I did there?) while browsing Pinterest, and got all excited because I had a similar-ish spotted chiffon in my stash. I set out to whip up a top for myself, although I should have known that poly-chiffon does not lend itself to whipping. More like swearing, gnashing of teeth, rending of clothing, etc. Although, compared to the beaded and crinkled chiffon, this perfectly smooth stuff was a breeze. Of course, I had to complicate matters by deciding that I wanted to change the neckline and do a half-placket instead of fussing with binding that little keyhole detail and turning a tiny tube. I quickly sketched up a blouse shape, cut out my pieces, and went about French seaming everything. I was so confident, I went ahead and sewed everything without 1) making sure the top would fit based on my measurements, 2) trying it on as I sewed, or 3) stepping back to give myself some perspective.

You don't look particularly happy there. 
Yes, I was addressing my photo self in the previous caption. 
Okay fine, I'll fake a smile. 

And like I said, chiffon tops do not whip up. After I'd more or less finished, I realized that my placket did not come out as neatly and professionally as I somehow imagined it was coming out while I was caught up in the sewing spree. Even starched within an inch of its life, it still came out looking decidedly Becky Home-Ecky. Even worse, when I tried the top on, I realized that it was way too tight in the shoulders. That's what I get for slapdash patterning.

Up close, the placket is messy, and it wants to flop open to accommodate my wide shoulders. 

The only thing I could think of to widen the top was to cut a slit in the back and guess what -- bind that opening and make a tiny tube. I'm pretty sure that's a situation that belongs in Alanis Morisette's "Ironic" song, although possibly "it's like having to make 1/4" self-fabric bias binding and turn a narrow tube out of non-creasing poly-chiffon when you specifically set out to avoid such a situation" doesn't have quite the same ring as "it's like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife."

Even when I sewed the tiny tube on, I made it too long, so I had to tie a tiny knot in it. *sigh* This top is just full of fail.

And worst part is, after all that fussing, I still don't like the blouse. It hangs funny even with all the modifications, I'm constantly readjusting it every time I raise my arms, it's an awkward color to match, and it's non-breathing polyester in a summer top. I know it looks okay to the casual observer, but I just feel uncomfortable in it. So, off to the donation pile it is! I guess that's one way to bust a stash...

Awkward face to go with the awkward arm-raising. See all the weird pulling? Yuck. 

42 comments:

  1. The fabric is cute, the idea is cute, but I see your problems.... I hope you are not too frustrated with yourself!

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    1. I was frustrated immediately afterward, when the wasted time and fabric was fresh in my head, but I'm okay with it now. Somebody at the thrift store will pick up a new top that's hopefully better on her than me!

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  2. Never mind, you have enough fabulousness 90% of the time to balance out this small bit of meh. And love your alternative lyrics :)

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    1. Awww, thanks! And my alternative lyrics were actually inspired by the ridiculously awesome (but sadly no longer updated) tumblr fyeahseamstresstiger...most hilarious meme ever.

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  3. I actually think it looks fab on you! I'd happily wear it. Love the colour as well. But if you don't feel comfy in it then can understand why it needs to go on the charity shop pile...

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    1. With the other, more liked me-mades in my closet, I just know this one will never get worn, so I'm pre-emptively donating it before it can sit in my closet for a year :)

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  4. And yet, I have seen things a lot worse than that on sale for a lot of money!

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    1. Hahah true! But if I wear it out, people will ask me if I made it, and I want to be able to say yes with confidence.

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  5. okay, well it definitely doesn't look as bad in pics as you describe, but can we just call this version one? you need to make another because the look you were going for is so cute!!

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    1. I'll try for version 2 someday! I do like the idea of this style.

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  6. Oh no!! The inspiration is so cute - and it definitely doesn't look nearly as bad as you describe in the photos, but sewing fails are always the worst! Such disappointment! But I like you're "donate it and move on" philosophy!

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    1. I don't think it looks bad (even when I'm looking at the pictures I'm pleasantly surprised by how normal it looks), but my feelings while wearing it mean that I'm pretty sure it needs to be passed on to a different owner! Normally I wouldn't be so quick to donate it, but since we're moving soon I need to start being more decisive...

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  7. Oh, how frustrating! I've had some of those projects myself - they look okay but just don't feel right. But you took some good photos of it, so you can sort of keep it even when you give it away. =)

    (And I'm wondering if a gusset in each sleeve would have solved some of your fit issues...)

    ~ Brooke

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    1. Hmmm, I wouldn't have thought of a gusset, but by the time I finished French seaming the chiffon, there was no way I was going to go back and add a gusset! I like the idea of keeping it in photo form, though!

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  8. Nobody would tell there's something not 100% perfect. Just don't lift your arms.
    And - I have to agree you need to make another one which I'm sure will be perfect. The idea itself is very nice and you don't need to do many modifications to make it fit comfortably.

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    1. Hahahaha! I like that philosophy...if only I had maids to follow me around doing everything that required arm-lifting!

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  9. The same thing happened with one of my self drafted tops.. I used Cal patch book for that.. ANd I was big time upset with the way the top turned out :P Those instructions did no good !!:D You can check out the top here . Click here.

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    1. Aww, yeah, that's so sad when self-drafted tops don't work! Your fabric was so pretty too!

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  10. Aw, too bad. On first sight, it looks pretty great, but when you feel uncomfortable in a garment, you just won't ever wear it. The tiny knot in the tube is kinda funny. :)

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  11. I'm glad you still posted about this top! It's always reassuring to see that other people's ideas don't always work out perfectly the first time either... And I'm sure someone will get a lot of use out of it, because it's a cute shirt!

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    1. I was about to just donate this top without taking pictures, but I knew that I had to follow my own advice and blog the fails too! I really hope somebody else with less broad shoulders enjoys it!

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  12. i totally, inexorably love your blog: you are so downright cotton-pickin' honest and it's a pleasure to read such self-deprecating sarcasm ... thanks for the awesome laugh this morning ... oh, yea, sorry about the fail; i feel the same way about *that* kind of fabric -- rather a root canal (well, can't really say that; the dentist drugs are great!!!) anyway, better luck next time ... LOL

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    1. You are so kind! Somehow fails are the best way to bring out the sarcastic humor. And I've never had a root canal (knock on wood!) so I'll have to believe you on that!

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  13. It will find its home! I think it's lovely but if you don't like it, it's perhaps best to donate it. :)

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    1. I know I won't enjoy/wear it, so I really hope someone else can!

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  14. I am admittedly not very fussy with my clothes when it comes to fit, hoisting too-long pants higher by tightening my belt, pushing up sleeves that don't reach my wrists when they're supposed to...but I think your top looks great on you, and I like it better than the one you based it on.

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    1. That is so nice of you to say! I think normally I would just make do, but since we're moving soon I'm trying to clean out my closet...and even though chiffon doesn't take up much room, every bit counts!

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  15. That's because chiffon should be set on fire!

    I love the idea of it and think with very, very, very minor tweaks you'd have a perfect top. :)

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    1. You know, I feel that way about chiffon every time I use it, and then I promptly forget once the sewing is over. Darn its delicious drape!

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  16. So sad it doesn't work for you, it looks nice, I understand though, I have plenty of me made donations myself!

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    1. I only wish we could somehow tell the person who gets our me-mades that the item was handmade with love (and sweat and tears and blood and cursing)!

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  17. Sorry it didn't work out the way you hoped but thanks for sharing your project! I have several failures to blog about myself.

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    1. Failures do make good blog fodder, though...all those chances to poke fun at oneself!

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  18. Oh I am so glad you are human like the rest of us! As virtually everything you make is perfection, and looks wonderful on you, it is encouraging for those of us on the early sewing stages to know that even the most expert sewer can have sewing melt down!

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    1. Haha oh dear, no, most of the things I make have dodgy bits that just don't show! And I wouldn't say I'm anywhere near expert, but that's very sweet of you to say!

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  19. Check this out! A site for the Corset Queen! http://www.karendelahuntydesigns.co.uk/index.html
    The video clips are interesting, especially the Queen of Chocolates covered in Cadbury wrappers!

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  20. Poly sheers are evil! You did a great job with a terrible fabric. I used to love Anthropologie's designs, before all RTW went to polyester boxy tops. Fast fashion sucks :(

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    1. Haha there's a time and place for polyboxtops, but just not the summer! Or winter. Maybe a week in spring, when the weather is perfectly balanced against the non-breathing, and yet sheer, qualities of poly-chiffon.

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  21. Oh Well, it's just one of those times where you have to be happy to learn from your mistakes and not do it again!

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  22. Oh, BOO, no fun! Hate it when that happens! Live and learn, I guess, and on to a new project!

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  23. Like everyone, I think it looks much better in the pictures then you describe, but if you don't get happy feelings wearing it then it is good to see the back of it! But I do hope you have another crack at it because the concept is gorgeous, and hey, even if the fit wasn't quite right it looks beautifully made and how many people would just sit down one day and decide to draft and whip up a chiffon blouse - and have it turn out complete and wearable, even if not wearable by you?

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