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From: DorothyL
Date: 02-07-2007, 08:17 AM (1 of 46)
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OK all you new sewers who make dumb mistakes and feel discouraged -- guess what I did? Boy -- talk about a dummy. Talk about stupid. Talk about careless. I'm making a shirt for my son-in-law. It's just a simple straightforward Hawaiian style shirt. The fabric has palm trees all over it with a narrow band of hula dancers just off center. The trees and band were printed so that if I cut on grain they would be on their sides. So I cut it against the grain so the band runs around his chest. The front matches pretty good really and the band is perfect. The pocket has the band across the top of the pocket. It means there is a bit of tree that doesn't match but that was a choice I made. It looks great. The upper collar is from the band and I made it a new way (for me). I sewed the long edge together and under-stitched it then sewed the sides. It looks really good -- no roll but still real loose and flowy looking not structured like top-stitching. The collar thing worked so well that I under-stitched the front facing -- from the top button down so the lapel doesn't have a top stitched look. The facing not rolling was important because when I was cutting I was running short of fabric and had to cut it on the grain with the palm trees laying on their sides. Get where I'm going here? 1) this thing looks good. 2) I used all the fabric trying to fit the thing in right and matching and all. So I go to put the sleeves on and guess what -- one is upside down. The trees and dancers are standing on their little heads. There is no more fabric to cut another sleeve!! Boy -- talk about a dummy. Talk about stupid. Talk about careless. So I tear through my stash and find some solid black to make the sleeves out of. Crap (to put it nicely). Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: toadusew
Date: 02-07-2007, 08:33 AM (2 of 46)
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Don't feel bad, Dorothy. I've done the same thing! I made my mom a flannel nightshirt for Christmas a couple of years ago. I didn't realize it was a one way design until one of the sleeves had the design upside down. I did have enough fabric to cut another sleeve so that wasn't a disaster. You're post actually made me feel a little better. I've been struggling with a little girl's dress and made some really stupid mistakes. I've made this dress before (although it was some years ago) but this time around had me wondering if I even know how to sew! I thought I did... 
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User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: toadusew
Date: 02-07-2007, 08:35 AM (3 of 46)
I guess I should clarify why your post made me feel better. I've always admired your sewing skills and knowledge, so knowing that you make a mistake once in a while makes me feel a little better. It sounds like you found a creative way to "correct" the problem with the shirt and I'm sure your son in law will love it!
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User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: temom
Date: 02-07-2007, 10:01 AM (4 of 46)
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Oh man oh man. So very sorry. But on the brighter side, think of how many of us will think of you and check, check again, and recheck our layout. I figure if you learn from it, it is a good thing. If others learn from it, you can call it a success! It reminds me of a book I read about teaching art to children. No pencils or erasers are allowed - only pens and markers. If there is a perceived "mistake", the child is encouraged to find a way of incorporating it into the drawing, so it looks like it should be there.
Theresa
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User: temom
Member since: 01-19-2007 Total posts: 410 
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From: paroper
Date: 02-07-2007, 11:20 AM (5 of 46)
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Some brands of shirts always have solid color sleeves with prints...if anyone says anything just make out like it was well-planned. Sounds great!
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: MaryW
Date: 02-07-2007, 11:35 AM (6 of 46)
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Sheesh, don't be so hard on yourself. Everyone makes mistakes. You wouldn't call someone else those names would ya.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: lendube
Date: 02-07-2007, 11:58 AM (7 of 46)
How annoying but how human!  I tend to sew seams inside out. I think lots of us go into auto-pilot and don't stop to think as often as we should. You are not alone!  Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 02-07-2007, 01:40 PM (8 of 46)
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Sheesh, don't be so hard on yourself. Everyone makes mistakes. You wouldn't call someone else those names would ya. Yeah Mary, I probably would if they did something that stupid. Lennie -- Sometimes when I plan a French seam by habit I start with right sides together so I have to take it out. Sometimes I even trim it first then it is really a problem. And sometimes when I'm going to serge the edge I forget and sew it wrong sides together. That's easier to fix, though. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: MaryW
Date: 02-07-2007, 02:19 PM (9 of 46)
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Mean ole lady.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: Magot
Date: 02-07-2007, 02:35 PM (10 of 46)
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You know it wasn't what you planned, Dorothy, but HE doesn't need to - of course it is deliberate that it has plain sleeves - it brings out the pattern more. we've all done it.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: Sherri
Date: 02-07-2007, 02:40 PM (11 of 46)
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I made my son who at the time was under a year a pair of flannel overalls with dogs all over them. Imagine my disgust when I finished the things and put them on my son and half the dogs were upside down. At least you noticed when there was still time to fix it. My son on the other hand wore his beloved overalls for quite a while with half the dogs upside down. Sher My website
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User: Sherri
Member since: 02-07-2001 Total posts: 357 |
From: PaulineG
Date: 02-07-2007, 02:48 PM (12 of 46)
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Isn't it wonderful the uncritical nature of the young - I wish I'd started sewing earlier so I could have got away with some of my beginning mistakes. I did my first flatfell seam on the outside of a skirt for my daughter when I put it together the wrong way - it was an underskirt so only a few inches showed under the overskirt. Sometimes you get more out of having to fix mistakes than you would doing everything right. Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 02-07-2007, 03:05 PM (13 of 46)
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Ah come on -- You're all very nice and all but I really didn't learn anything from this. I already knew not to cut the trees upside down! I'll post a photo when it is done. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Magot
Date: 02-07-2007, 03:14 PM (14 of 46)
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OK Dorothy, if you insist! you did WHAT! What kind of klutz are you!!?? love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
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From: paroper
Date: 02-07-2007, 03:18 PM (15 of 46)
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Tell him it is a new fad...all the sleeves on that side of a printed shirt are SUPPOSED to be upside down....it is the trend!
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: PaulineG
Date: 02-07-2007, 03:21 PM (16 of 46)
Yes you did - pay attention you silly git!
Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: mcfay
Date: 02-07-2007, 03:28 PM (17 of 46)
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When I was a child my mother sewed for the public. I have a neice theat is only 5 years younger than me. We never did get along. When I was about 12 or 13 one night my mother was cutting out a dress for a lady, this was very expensive fabric. Something like 8 or 9 dollars a yard, (this was back in the 50's) well, my neice and I were fighting about something and my mother had to stop cutting and come and stop us from fighting, well needless to say she mis-cut the dress and had to go the next day and but more fabric. She wound up going in the hole on that project, but I got a really nice skirt out of it. (At least I got it and not my neice )
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User: mcfay
Member since: 01-30-2007 Total posts: 16 |
From: lendube
Date: 02-07-2007, 03:49 PM (18 of 46)
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"I already knew not to cut the trees upside down!" Apparently not, Dorothy!  Lennie
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User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: dmoses
Date: 02-07-2007, 04:17 PM (19 of 46)
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Dorothy, I feel your pain so much that I want to kick myself. Now, *that* would be stupid! Seriously, though, we have all made mistakes. Often it's because we are distracted by the very fact that we have to be more conscientious about certain projects like this...trying too hard to not mess up. I would also love to see the shirt when finished, as I am sure it will be an excellent example of how to rescue a sewing project 'victim'.
Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964 
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From: MaryW
Date: 02-07-2007, 05:23 PM (20 of 46)
That one sleeve with upside down trees will be the one he always looks at, because they will appear right side up to him. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: Sherri
Date: 02-07-2007, 05:31 PM (21 of 46)
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Another thought would be maybe the trees are supposed to be upside down so that when he looks at his arms they are right side up. Then you messed up the other sleeve. Sher My website
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User: Sherri
Member since: 02-07-2001 Total posts: 357 |
From: dmoses
Date: 02-07-2007, 05:37 PM (22 of 46)
It could be a Saturday Night Fever shirt...you know the pose with one arm in the air...
Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964
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From: Mrs.O
Date: 02-07-2007, 06:43 PM (23 of 46)
Tell him it matches his personailty.. He will either love ya or chalk it up to the MIL thing
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User: Mrs.O
Member since: 01-18-2006 Total posts: 59 |
From: mommydionne
Date: 02-07-2007, 07:06 PM (24 of 46)
I did the same thing this winter with Jamie's christmas pjs, upside down cars on one sleeve, but he's two and they are PJ's so it didn't really matter, but I should know better too!!! I was majorly %$#^ about it for a couple of days. No one has noticed except me...
Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 02-08-2007, 08:06 AM (25 of 46)
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I'm putting plain black sleeves on it this weekend. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: MaryW
Date: 02-08-2007, 08:35 AM (26 of 46)
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Well, I certainly hope that will cheer you up.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: IsabelleB
Date: 02-08-2007, 08:45 AM (27 of 46)
I agree with Pam! This way, when he looks down on his sleeves... He sees the dancers the right way! 
Isabelle
Sewing blog: Kitty Couture |
User: IsabelleB
Member since: 10-25-2006 Total posts: 265 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 02-08-2007, 05:10 PM (28 of 46)
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I'm working on a dress right now that has 2 right arms. Or maybe left. ...errr... What's the difference at this point I messed up a sleeve hem so badly I had to start over, so I re-cut it, but re-cut it the wrong way. I can tell from the way it hangs on the hanger, since they both sort of turn the same way, but I think it'll be ok on a moving figure (DD).
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 02-08-2007, 11:45 PM (29 of 46)
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Andrea -- In my daughter's kindergarten picture the sleeves are on the wrong sides. She's a lawyer now and I didn't notice until a month or so ago. So you are right, just keep moving and no one will notice. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 02-10-2007, 02:19 AM (30 of 46)
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I made a pair of pants for my DD in a napped velour knit, and cut one leg with the nap, the other against. Boy could you ever tell! I'm sure the shirt will be great! It sounds like a real fun shirt.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 02-11-2007, 09:49 AM (31 of 46)
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Here is the finished product. http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e212/DorothyLong/100_0486-1.jpg I couldn't get a good picture of the buttons but here they are. http://www.equilter.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/st_prod.html?p_prodid=22017&sid=31U 9Hz1jj2dH5DX-54107422007.8a Hope that all works. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: dmoses
Date: 02-11-2007, 11:07 AM (32 of 46)
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Great shirt, Dorothy!!!
Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964
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From: Magot
Date: 02-11-2007, 11:12 AM (33 of 46)
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you'd think those sleeves grew there - nice buttons!! love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
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From: DorothyL
Date: 02-11-2007, 11:42 AM (34 of 46)
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Yeah, I think it worked out as a pretty good salvage. Thanks for the support folks. He's in Buffalo so I think he can probably use a little Hawaiian warmth right now. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: lendube
Date: 02-11-2007, 12:38 PM (35 of 46)
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Looks like it shouldn't have been made differently. It works, absolutely! Good job, girl. Lennie
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User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: PaulineG
Date: 02-11-2007, 02:39 PM (36 of 46)
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Well done - he'll never know - unless you tell him. Love the buttons - do they match the panel? Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 02-11-2007, 03:12 PM (37 of 46)
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Your shirt turned out gorgeous Dorothy. The sleeves look like they were planned that way. You're not the only one that does goofy and strange things when sewing -- for instance, I'm sewing a black wool crepe jumper ($17.99 a yd fabric). I've made this pattern before and hung a lining in it which is what I'm doing this time, using the facings to hang the lining from. What do I do but sew the back facing to the front lining and I even serged and trimmed the seam. I discovered I had done this after the finish work is done. So, I rip the entire thing out and at least do remeber that I have to trim the seam allowance on the correct pieces (the back lining) before I sew it again. The reason I did that is because when I was cutting the back facing, I didn't finish cutting it out and when I opened it up, it was cut on the fold as I did the bottom part of the front lining. Duhhh!!! I only discovered it when I tried to match the back lining pieces to the front facing pieces. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: HeyJudee
Date: 02-11-2007, 07:04 PM (38 of 46)
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Love the shirt...especially the buttons!
TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 02-12-2007, 08:30 AM (39 of 46)
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So, Patsy, How are you salvaging the jumper? Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 02-12-2007, 10:05 AM (40 of 46)
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I was able to take the serged seam out without doing any damage to the wool crepe itself and resew the facing to the correct back pieces. The jumper is finished except for hem in the lining and the jumper and attaching the lining with the hangy things to the jumper itself. I had left a 3/8 of an inch seam when I trimmed with the serger so I was good to go with the back lining pieces. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 02-12-2007, 10:46 PM (41 of 46)
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Great shirt Dorothy!! He's gonna love it!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: MotherInLaw
Date: 02-12-2007, 11:32 PM (42 of 46)
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I had to laugh at myself when I read this post Dorothy. I just made two little dresses for my grand daughters and had plenty of fabric left over from the first dress and didn't realize that the searsucker had a nap and I cut the back out one way and the front the other way. Oh well, the baby sits in a carseat / carryall when they go out and when she will wear it so no one is going to see the back and front at the same time. LOL She got the dress and the Mother was pleased and her sister wouldn't take hers off when I put it on her until she went for her bath.
I'm regressing back into my youth, I just have to figure out how I'm going to convience my body to come along with me.
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User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005 Total posts: 1118 
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From: grandma C
Date: 02-13-2007, 09:35 AM (43 of 46)
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Dorothy, I'm glad you posted your booboo because I made a big one yesterday and am kicking myself too but not as much as I might have had it not been for your revelation. I am sewing on some beautiful shimmery floral fabric I paid $20.00/yd for. and I was putting Frey Chek on cut edges of fabric and dropped the bottle and made a spot right on the front at the neckline of the blouse Probably just where the bias trim wont hide it. I am just hoping when finished it will blend with the print. If not I guess I will have to find some matching ribbon and make a pretty rose corsage to cover it. Grandma C Necessity is the mother of invention |
User: grandma C
Member since: 01-15-2007 Total posts: 263 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 02-13-2007, 04:36 PM (44 of 46)
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Grandma C -- I got some Fray Check on a jacket I recently made -- not a lot, just a couple small spots and it stained but they came out when I washed it. The fabric was a cheap poly. Here's hoping you have the same kind of luck. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: sudo
Date: 03-23-2007, 06:15 PM (45 of 46)
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I think the shirt looks great - I wouldn't even ATTEMPT something so complicated! Isn't it wonderful the uncritical nature of the young - I wish I'd started sewing earlier so I could have got away with some of my beginning mistakes. *giggles* I used my son as a model when I made a dress... I would have got away with it too if I hadn't accidentally left THIS photo on my 'phone... 
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User: sudo
Member since: 03-17-2007 Total posts: 15 |
From: lendube
Date: 03-23-2007, 06:49 PM (46 of 46)
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He looks like he KNOWS he's wearing a dress! (Although extremely cute.) Hang on to the pic. It'll be great blackmail material later.
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User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
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