Ha! It's funny the things I have to say to myself to prevent a complete melt down. I just completed a total Wool coat reconstruction for a client. I had to downsize it about 4 sizes which meant taking in the side seams and substantially cutting down the shoulder and blade area. I successfully do ALL of that (without any problems) and am about to close it up---only needing to add the shoulder pad back, tack down the lining and hand sew in the sleeve (like tailors do)! Only thing is that pesky shoulder pad is MUCHO thick! Argh....!!!
(thick shoulder pad in question. It's about 3/4" wide at it's thickest part)
After several attempts of trying to do it on the industrial machine and "hand walking" the wheel it's not going to happen. I almost had a near meltdown out of frustration but it's not worth it. It's at that point I had to chant....
This Shoulder Pad WILL NOT END My Sewing Career!
This Shoulder Pad WILL NOT END My Sewing Career!
This Shoulder Pad WILL NOT END My Sewing Career!
and one more time (with conviction).....
This Shoulder Pad WILL NOT END My Sewing Career!
I gather my thoughts and decide I'll just put it in by hand. Technically, that's just what you do in that case. I got emotional because I couldn't get me way. And if I had a dollar for every time I got frustrated in the sewing room I'd be rich. Frustrations happen but you don't let them stop you. If you stopped because of every time you got frustrated you would get NO WHERE!!!! You got to suck it up and push through! In this case the meltdown was avoided. Glad I got my head back on straight. Because you know what.....
This Shoulder Pad WILL NOT END My Sewing Career!
LOLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!
On that note I'm back to sewing...........LOLLLLLLLL!!!!
Isn't it great to have a place to vent where there are individuals who so get it? I no longer sew any shoulder pad in by machine. I may have done the first three or four that way but now it's a quick sturdy tack here and there to the seam allowance and we are good to go. Handwork is part of tailoring as you well know with your studies. This will only add a few extra minutes. Keep calm and stitch on!
ReplyDelete(lol) At least the shoulder didn't disintegrate in your hands. I recently ran across a wool coat I bought when I was 16...the coat itself was in good condition, but the lining was completely ripped and the pads completely fell apart. You're a pro, Victoria, and this shoulder pad WILL NOT END your sewing career!
ReplyDeleteYAY for you! There are those times that we won't be beaten.
ReplyDeleteI once found a beautiful long black cashmere coat from, I'm guessing, the 80's. BIG raglan sleeves and shoulders. I carefully took it apart, replaced the linebacker shoulder pads with some smaller molded poly ones, put in a new lining and then sent it to the cleaners. When I got it back, the "molded" pads had completely unmolded. I might as well have just wadded in some loose pillow filling. So I had to take everything apart again and put in some proper small pads. Moral of the story: use proper stitched-together shoulder pads. I still love the coat.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the frustrations... but in a weird way it is nice to know that even those as skilled as you are can have those times!
ReplyDeleteHow fun to read as I have totally been there myself! Glad you persevered!
ReplyDeleteSue
Good for you! Way to push through. Do you like sewing on an industrial machine? I have recently converted to industrial machines & although I have had a few issues (due to the machines, not the fact that they are industrial) I love it!
ReplyDeleteOh I think we all would be rich if we had a dime for each time we found sewing frustrating. Its amazing that any of us carries on actually...
ReplyDeleteGood for you. You showed those shoulder pads who is Boss.
ReplyDeleteThese frustrations and mishaps happen to all of us! Glad you persevered.
ReplyDeleteBad shoulder pads! Stick them with pins! I only sew for recreation not clients, but when something's not fitting in right for me a little hand stitching usually does the trick- and it calms me down!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing as a newbie I have this experience more than I care to share!
ReplyDeleteI know this feeling ALL TOO WELL lol. Way to show it who's boss lol
ReplyDelete