Thursday, December 16, 2010

binge sewing

.



I had the best of intentions (and the best of plans) to get all my Christmas gift sewing done before Thanksgiving. Based on previous years, I knew that it was my only chance: getting it done before the mad slide into holiday insanity of December. And just as in previous years, October evaporated into November which slipped into December with nary a bit of sewing done. There were VERY GOOD REASONS for the lack of sewing. But still: NO SEWING.

My solution was this: a sewing intensive. Me, the machine, iron, ironing board, and notions set up in the dining room for available round-the-clock work. I set myself up on Friday morning and worked furiously, ignoring housework. I let Bean watch Scooby Doo until I was singing the song in my sleep. I stitched hems and ironed seams and pinned patterns until my eyes crossed. And still, here it is six days later and I haven't even gotten to the half way point.

Last night nearly broke my resolve. I'd been working on Bean's Christmas dress all day long - I picked back the seam for the neckline FOUR TIMES. And the gathers - THE GATHERS. The thread kept breaking and I had to go back and sew it again and again and I wanted to stab myself with stick pins. STAB.

But after many hours it was done and ready for Bean to try it on. So cute! With the gathers around the neck and the tiny little fabric-covered buttons! I was so proud. I called Chip over to watch to proceedings, grabbed Bean and told her she was going to try on a brand new dress! (Again: SO PROUD.)

And then it wouldn't go over her head.

She got really upset.

But I wasn't going to give up, not after all that work.

So I tugged.
And wiggled.
And wedged.

And Bean? She wasn't pleased.

But eventually I got it over her noggin and on her body.

And it was.... not good.

Funny fitting. Tight near the arms. With a weird pinched fold up near her arms.

In a word: AWFUL.

And then there was this, from Bean: I DON'T LIKE IT. CAN WE TAKE IT OFF? TAKE IT OFF NOW?
NOW?

I stomped around the house for the rest of the evening, feeling like the biggest sewing failure EVER.

(First rule of sewing: if the recipient of your sewing project says CAN WE TAKE IT OFF within the first 60 seconds of wearing the garment, you have a problem. Second rule of sewing: if the garment won't go over your recipient's head, you probably shouldn't try to force it. ...On second thought, that might be the first rule.)



I'm heading back into the sewing trenches today. I have scrapped Christmas Dress Number One. Ugh. What's making you crazy right now? For me, it's a sewing project that wants me to die.

5 comments:

Amanda said...

Awww. I'm sorry so much work went into something that failed. Grrr. That's yucky.

My current crazy thoughts are two puppy hats I have to finish and that nothing is in the mail yet.

Rose said...

What's driving me nuts? Christmas is in 9 days, and our tree isn't up yet because our house isn't clean.

Stacey said...

I love your finished projects. All of my sewing projects would mirror this story, which is why MY daughter wears all the boring stuff the stores have to offer.

And the only thing bothering me right now (I'm ahead of the game this year) is that I really need to make some goodies for my neighbor so I can invite her to invitation Sunday THIS Sunday and I forgot to make a plate for her when I made my other goodies.

Alicia said...

I am crazy because I am really stressed out right now. To an amazing degree. Happens a couple times a year. Has nothing to do with Christmas, really, although we're leaving tomorrow for my half-brother's college graduation, a celebratory lunch, and three family Christmas celebrations, and we have yet to buy any gifts. Or really have any money to buy gifts. Which is not the stressful part, but the rest of it is too long and AAAaauughhhhhghhhhhhh.

Erika Mulvenna said...

Oh no! I hate when you work so hard and feel like it was all a waste of time. I hope you are having better luck with the rest of your holiday sewing!