it was cuter in my mind

Eh, I thought this would look different.  This was a little project that I came up with right after I made Ava this dress earlier this fall.  It's been sitting on my 'to-do' pile ever since then.  Because I was feeling a bit twitchy after having not touched my sewing machine in about a week I decided to whip it up during nap time this afternoon.

First off, this cute little bird is lost on that brown background, and I think the flowers look kind of stupid.  After sewing on the appliques and feeling disappointed, I kind of didn't care how I finished it off.  If you look closely, you can see that my stitching on the bias binding is totally wonky.  But, I persevered and finished it, hoping that seeing it on Ava would make it look cuter.  When I put it on her, it almost reached her ankles!  Oh well, I don't think she'll be wearing it any time soon.  Matt said it looked like an apron.  Hmm, that's an idea - maybe I should turn it into an apron?

I'm not too upset about this flop.  I did finally learn how to use my rolled hem foot, which was something I had never explored before.  As I often tell Lily, we learn from our mistakes.  Next time I'll give a little more thought to the applique and measure my subject before making her a dress.  Not to sound like a total sour puss, there are things that I like about the dress - I love the color combination of the brown and red, and I love the ruffle at the hem.  The dress would probably look better if I had done away with the appliques all together.   Less is more - lesson learned!

Comments

[Anina]

I think it's kind of cute, but I know how it feels when something doesn't turn out the way you visualized it.

[Teresa Hardy]

I think it's gorgeous and I wouldn't change a thing.

[Zoe]

OK - flop!? NO NO NO!!! This is adorable - ADORABLE!! :)

[Sarah Jackson]

I'm sorry you don't love it - I think it's cute. That little ruffle is adorable! And you're right - the learning is the most important thing.

[Thimbleanna]

Maybe you're too close to it 'cause I think it's awfully cute! I love the color combination.

[Melissa]

I think it's soooo cute! I'm going to sew my girls Christmas dresses this year. I'll practice a few before I use the nice fabric. I know my flops will be WAY worse than this darling dress. Hold on to it until she grows a bit more. I think if you look at it again by then you may see what we see!

[Stacie.Make.Do.]

I can see what you mean, but I am in the "it's cute anyway" camp. But not having things look the way you dreamed is a downer. It's too bad, but glad you're not too bummed. What does Amy say in her Bend the Rules? Leave it for a week and then it will look wonderful.

I think the flowers make the bird look at home, matchy-matchy, though the bird does blend into the brown a bit. If this was mine to tweak, I would make a pocket or a patch to match the flower pockets, to place where the bird is now, and re-applique the bird on the patch.

But hey, a dress, a pinny or an apron, it's still cute!

[amandajean]

I like the color combo, too! I think it is a sweet little dress.

[Melanie Taylor]

How could this be any cuter? It is adorable. I would buy that in a shop and I think the little bird makes it even sweeter. Put it on Ava, take a pic and then let us ooh and ahh over her cuteness!

[Elizabeth K]

Maybe re-fashion it as a skirt if you don't like it as a dress? I agree with Melanie. We need to see it on Ava.

[Judy]

I wouldn't change anything. I get that way when I make something. I made my granddaughters all dresses this summer, and found fault with them all. We can be too critical of ourselves sometimes. It's beautiful, I like it.

[christy]

huh?!..... it's adorably perfect!! absolutely not a flop. i'd be so proud to have one just like it for my daughter.

[Robyn]

I really like the colors and think it's pretty cute. The bird is a bit lost on the brown. What if you re-do it, putting some of the pinkish fabric as a background?

[Velma]

I love this kind of mistake, though - it's always good to bomb out every now and then!

[Mary Sarah]

I think it turned out really cute! Great colors and ideas!

[Wende]

Oh, I think this is really sweet! But, I get something not turning out in your head like you expected. Happens to me more often than not. :D

Blessings on your weekend.

[Wende]

Yeah, so... that last comment makes no sense. I SHOULD have said, "I get something not turning out in real life like it looks in your head." Ahem... I have no excuses. :D

[jona]

I have to agree with the other comments. I really love it. I think the bird is a great contrast but still subtle and the pockets are cute and peppy.

I really can't wait to see how you improve on this!

[Carla]

Even though it didn't fit perfectly, I love all the great colors. Glad you learned to use another foot on your machine. Everything is a learning experience!

[Cindy]

I think it is cute, too. How about placing a colored background piece behind the bird like a frame? Unless you bonded it.

[carol]

It is cute even if it's not what you planned. I have no doubt that next week it will be a sweet little apron smock on your adorable Ava!

[MéLisa]

I think that it's very cute!!! Lost bird or not! :)

[robiewankenobie]

yeah, i'd resize that sucker to fit, and remove the pockets. i think the bird looks "off" only because the of the pockets. those fabrics are superb, btw.

[amy]

i wish my mistakes looked this good! i love the color combination and the bird!

[erin]

i think it is cute, but if you don't love it, who am i to argue? i think the applique might pop more if it had a solid between it and the brown. but i still love it just as it is....

[kat]

it's pretty darn cute Beki! I wish my flops looked this good :)

[sammyjo]

i like it, i really do its cute

[Annie]

Too cute!

[heidi]

i thought i would agree with you about the appliques, but then i looked at the bird again and realized it is far too awesome for me to be partial. the ruffling looks very nice as well!

[Mirre]

It looks adorable to me!
I'm sure Ava will love it when she's a little bigger!

[Kimberly]

I know what you mean. Sometimes you have it all cute in your mind and then when you do it - it's not the same, but believe me that dress is cute. When your eye goes to the pocket and zeros in on that cute flower on the pocket, then your eye travels back up to the top and rests on the bird which is perfectly coordinated. Very cute!

[Kimberly]

I know what you mean. Sometimes you have it all cute in your mind and then when you do it - it's not the same, but believe me that dress is cute. When your eye goes to the pocket and zeros in on that cute flower on the pocket, then your eye travels back up to the top and rests on the bird which is perfectly coordinated. Very cute!