Wadder #1: Felled By a Beginner's Mistake and Too Much PinkThis began as a Textile Studios Santa Monica Tee and a pink jersey knit with little rows of ruffles that I picked up on sale in the annex of Paron Fabrics. Its life was cut short by a foolish beginner's mistake of a) not precisely matching the rows of ruffles on the side seams on one side; and b), not catching that I had screwed this up before I starting trimming the bodice fabric to make the hem. If you've made this mistake before you'll know it's like cutting a Mobius strip (probably the wrong analogy but you know what I mean).
Yes, I could have saved this top but I'm overdosing on pink tops, what with my Preppy Pink Jacket and all, and it was looking too three-years-ago for me to invest the time. My wadder rule of thumb: If I spent $12 or less on it then I can quit and cut my losses. Besides, I love it now in this incarnation:
Wadder #1 has a new life as a scarf just right for spring.
Wadder #2: My Serger Ate My HomeworkI confess I am new to serging, having just gotten my first serger for Christmas. Setting out to make Butterick 4738 with some near-sheer polyester paisley I got dirt-cheap at Metro Textile, I thought goody—a perfect chance for me to try a serged narrow hem! I practiced first: The results weren't great but they were good enough for government work (a phrase my husband likes to toss around). Then I tried serging the hem on the actual top, and as you can see by the hanging serger chains, the serger couldn't consistently grab onto the fabric to make the narrow hem.
I have plenty of books at home that told me what I was doing wrong, and I could have salvaged this top. But then I recalled that I didn't really like this pattern the first time I made it two years ago. Cost of this wadder was less than $12 so it and the pattern went into the trash. Nuff said.
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Coming this week: A review of that garment district store so many people love to hate—Mood Fabrics. Look for a new poll this Friday. And I finally made it to the hot new flea market in Brooklyn—loads of fun and I picked up a super-fun item one of my lucky readers will win in a random giveaway. Stay posted!
10 comments:
Great save with the scarf, very cute. Doesn't it just seem the mistakes come in pairs or groups? Don't worry, you will master the serger.
I just had to comment, your post title was too funny!
Great reincarnation as a scarf. Very pretty. I still have the same problem at times with my serger/overlocker. I've learnt to practice - lots - on scraps of the 'real' fabric. But they're great machines.
I like how you turned the shirt into a scarf!
Too bad about Wadder #2; I really like that fabric!
You had me going until the government remark!
Affectionately,
your sister, the government worker!
I love wadder #1! It is really cute as a scarf.
When you figure out how to make a rolled hem on light fabric with your serger, do let me know. I have had my serger for years and there are still things I can't do with it.
I think wadder #1 is prescious. You made some nice pink lemondade from that lemon! As for the top, practice, practice. Some years back I went on a rolled hem binge but it has been a while. Wish I had lots of hints for you. How about serging with some water soluble stablizer underneath? I think I would give that a try.
your sister, the government worker, is too sensitive.
Love the scarf. Didn't like the other shirt so I think it's a good thing you screwed it up.
Whats a wadder?
Affectionately,
Your Other Sister
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