I've been sewing so long that I have a tendency to breeze right through directions for something as simple as a bag. Seems like I've put the bag bottom in wrong. You might not be able to tell from the picture, but it will affect the hang of the bag. It's a do over.
I've had some pretty funny sewing mistakes. In my senior year of high school I took a speech class. We had to do a demonstrative speech so I decided to show how to make a dress. I went with something similiar to this. We made arrangements to give my speech in the home ec room. I had parts of this outfit finished in advance and as I gave the speech I finished a facing, a seam, etc. I sewed the last seam together (the seam that went up one leg and down the other) and, with a flourish, gave the dress a shake. Unfortunately I grabbed the wrong sides and the dress looked like it would be just right if I was doing a perpetual split! Everyone cracked up and from what I hear the look of my face was pretty funny. I still got an A. Another time (still high school) I made a dress with a toile fabric. Unfortunately, I placed the pattern going the wrong way. No problem, I cut out a smaller dress for my sister. Made the same mistake with a Holly Hobbie dress for Laura. No cutting smaller this time, Laura was two. When I pointed out the mistake Laura said it was better - she could see Holly better! She loved that dress and wore it constantly (including a family portrait with the in-laws).
Is this worth the trouble?
I bought a pound of merino fleece to try out an ebay vendor. It's very short with weathered tips. I've tried carding and combing and nothing will get all the little neps out. I tried spinning very fine and that helped, but was extremely slow and it still had some neps. I'm thinking I gave it all I could. The color is very blah, not a rich brown, although the yarn is very springy.
If combing doesn't get out neps, nothing will. Oh, did you try "precarding" the locks? (Drag lock through a face-up handcard before lashing on the comb.) That helps with breaking off weathered tips. It does take time, though - is it worth it?
ReplyDeleteOh dear......I have had some of those very same kind of sewing errors. You have to laugh afterwards, but you want to scream first...LOL.
ReplyDeleteThe merino.............I would scrap it. Life is too short to have to work that hard. Merino is hard, it has to be in really good condition, for it to end up being nice to spin. You will just frustrate yourself beyond belief. I've been there and done that a number of times. :( Of course when it IS nice, it is heavenly to work with :-)
Yes, I've made my share of sewing blunders. I have been spending lots of time spinning and have neglected my sewing room so I know that I will have to pay extra close attention to what I'm sewing when I sit down to sew again. I have a little quilted tote bag, it's called the Pocket Tote, that I need to put a binding and the handles on. I have been dragging my feet and I just need to go in there and get it finished because it's a gift for a friend. I will need to sew slow :-)
ReplyDeleteThe merino IS a nice color, but ply a little of the yarn and wash it before you do anymore spinning. The sad fact is that if it pills while you are spinning, it is weak enough to pill in the wearing.
ReplyDeleteMy vote is nope, not worth it. WAY too much time spent for something you don't love 110%. If it wsa the perfect color you'd been searching for, or a beloved pet....fine.... but generic wool off eBay? Sounds like mulch to me.
ReplyDeleteNot worth the trouble. Even I who will go to odd extremes to salvage neppy VM laden merino have to say this. My new motto - "life is too short"
ReplyDeleteThis is a good lesson. The lesson on when to give up when fiber is just not appropriate for processing and spinning. I'm paying attention.
ReplyDelete