MY SEWING FAILS...and 3 Tips on How to Avoid Them!

[@janewolfe890]

It's great that you can laugh at your mistakes and share them so we can also learn from them. You are truly an inspiration to other sewests

[@handmadeharriells]

Thank you Jane! I started sewing to keep myself sane in the world, so there’s no reason to get mad at the fails 💕

[@nancyring8104]

I remember that jacket!! I still kinda like it, though!! Mistakes are what makes sewing fun!!❤️🤣

[@handmadeharriells]

🤣I can’t seem to let it go, tho I never wear it…

[@Musicwarmsmysoul]

I know! I don't think it's so bad especially fuzzy body side out. Kind of like a unique take on the teddy bear jacket trend. :)

[@nldias5234]

Sewing mistakes never, learning always! I so enjoy you wonderful people, thank you Marcy and Rob for the smiles and the laughs. Enjoy your day.

[@handmadeharriells]

You’re most welcome, Nancy!!

[@HGCUPCAKES]

Two votes for Robs crouch shorts. Turn those bad boys around and you’ve got a completely different meaning to “I’m stuffed.

[@handmadeharriells]

LOLOLOLOOOOOLLLLL NOOOOOO 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@bastanley]

That short orange striped dress was not a mistake. It looked adorable!! If you ever want to sell your "mistakes" I for one would buy that short striped orange dress! I'm also short waisted. And I love the material of the jacket! And Rob's pants just need a shirt that's long in the front to cover the halfdick - lol!!! Love all the material you use and yes learning from our mistakes should be fun like you make it - so thank you so much for this video! Love you Harriells and your positivity!!!

[@handmadeharriells]

Thank you Barbara, we're both blushing! That orange stripey dress indeed went to another...but I might need to set up an etsy shop soon. My closet is reaching overload levels! (I'm keeping those pants for myself, tho 😅)

[@bastanley]

@@handmadeharriells An Etsy shop would be awesome!!!!!! Please take a video of the Boss Woman (halfback) pants on you! 😁

[@zeldakasumi]

If it makes Rob feel better, I never noticed the pattern placement as being "that" when I watched the matching outfits, pattern hacking video. I would love to see the pants be remade. For example, black fabric for the torso area, but with some snazzy pockets that the wax print fabric is used to trim/bind so that the contrast really pops. And then, the wax print used for the legs. Since the wax print has a very wavy design, maybe instead of making a straight horizontal line break between the black fabric and the wax print, you could appliqué the wax print onto the black fabric following the curve of the print. If it's on the side of the leg, the appliquéd on wax print could also serve as pockets for some incredibly snazzy cargo pants.

[@handmadeharriells]

Wow I LOVE the appliqué idea for those curves! Part of me wants to just keep the pants for myself…I was thinking some fabric paint could save any untoward pattern organs 😂but if I get ambitious, I’ll go for those curves!

[@TwixyNo]

I laughed out loud at the print placement comments! Thank you for the laughs.

[@handmadeharriells]

Always happy to make a comedian laugh!

[@joniibryant6462]

I was having the worst day today. This video, and all your videos really, made me laugh and smile and just put me in a better frame of mind for the day. Thanks for sharing your joy!

[@ziggiezag938]

Rob, I feel for your, and REALLY appreciate how good a sport you are! Watching you two is an absolute joy!

[@handmadeharriells]

😁😁😁he’s the definition of a good sport 🤣Thankya from both of us!💗

[@debbiesnyder4778]

Hahaha I laughed so hard. You 2 are awesome!!! Yes I’m 66 I’ve been sewing since I was 12. Have made many mistakes along the way and still learning. My funniest was I made a shirt and somehow I cut the back and I had a good size slit in the fabric. If I had google then I could have fixed It and you wouldn’t have seen it but I didn’t so I came up with the brilliant plan of covering it with a pocket. My husband has teased me ever since Years later I saw a fashion designer that did that very thing but he wasn’t impressed. Needless to say I keep trying and that’s what counts!!!!!! Keep up the good work and I go with Rob!!!!! No to the pants!!!!

[@nataliequinton5976]

Sewing FAIL: First Attempt In Learning. If I did a sewing fails video it would be an hour long after school special! Thanks for explaining your fails and how to correct them.

[@handmadeharriells]

*after school special* 🤣😂🤣😁oh my baby Yoda that’s a sewing show I’d put on my alerts! Honestly I could show you more. And I might! I just had another yesterday!

[@janiedavis5378]

Great tutorial Marcy and Rob!! Your husband is a great assistant!! I love your hair Marcy!!! 🥰

[@glendataina]

Thank you! No one ever show the oops. It gives beginning sewers like me faith for the future.

[@handmadeharriells]

Yes, the sewing oops don’t end no matter what the level!

[@WiscoMel]

You two make me laugh and I love that you are so real and honest and just overall fun to watch ☺️

[@handmadeharriells]

Thank you!! We tend to have a good time around here 💗

[@hajjarbrown7870]

Omg i love that jacket like seriously its good not a sewing fail in my book

[@cathyclark5791]

Your gowns are beautiful! I am loving watching your channel.

[@loukalicious]

I agree!! Wrecking and loud mistakes are the best and most creative way to learn what to avoid for the next try. I have created a jacket that matches yours but I stand by it. Even though it wasn't for everyone, it was for me!

[@handmadeharriells]

You stand by that jacket proudly!!! Tbh if I had sewn this in candy colors, I’d probably be wearing it right now…

[@loukalicious]

@@handmadeharriells oeh..candy colors

[@rocococolette]

This was absolutely delightful!! Thank you!! I am going to watch it again (:

[@handmadeharriells]

What a compliment, thankya!

[@beth12svist]

I don't think there _was_ a penicilin lady. :D The funny thing is that I got so used to making my own patterns that I recently found out I had been basing my impression that I need to lengthen my bodices on Burda _Petite_ patterns. I actually still do need to lengthen them on many patterns, but regular Burda patterns might actually be fine in the bodice length department (all other alterations I may also need aside). So that's another tip that's somewhat related to overfitting: measure everything and check facts against all your assumptions. ;-)

[@handmadeharriells]

Indeed there was not 😅for YEARS I thought it was Marie Curie. YEARS And oh no!!! Yeah the first time I mistakenly started a Burda Tall pattern I was agog at the length. Measuring is so key. I measure myself and the pattern every single time!

[@beth12svist]

@@handmadeharriells Yup. I try to do that now as well. Their standard patterns are drafted for someone 168 cm tall. I'm 164 with longish torso and short legs so apparently with the proportions they're working with my short legs take care of the 4 cms I'm missing. :D

[@beth12svist]

@@handmadeharriells P.S. There's something of an accidental connection to the penicilin history in my family through the name of a distant relative which is why I knew that story from an early age. :D

[@maryfletcher5783]

Hi both, I haven’t laughed so much for quite sometime and your piece for fabric placement had me with tears rolling down my cheeks and laughing out loud so much my. tummy ached. Thanks for sharing, your matchy matchy, and my vote goes to Rob's trousers and his truncated package.😂🥂

[@angelabatterman6381]

You are always fun to watch, but this was a hoot. I had a drapery work room years ago and got called to remake some Roman Shades. Two windows were involved and as I stood there looking at them, I noticed all the butterflies were upside down on one. Giggle, giggle. Easy fix.

[@handmadeharriells]

Hahahaaa oh that would have sent me into a RAGE. I loathe straight line sewing! I’m so glad you enjoyed this one, it was fun for us to do 💗

[@deidrabenson361]

Thanks sooo much for sharing!!❤️❤️

[@marianaprbr]

Your videos are delightful . I have definetely had bad fabric choices

[@carlarichee2535]

You two have made me feel more brave today. I have so much material in my loft and so many ideas, but I'm always so scared of making a mistake. Now I feel like.. ok so I could make a mistake but equally it could all work out. Thank you🧡

[@handmadeharriells]

Carla, we’re SO glad to hear that! Hope you got into some sewing wreckage! Every stitch gets you closer to a win 💗💗

[@Widespread-Panic]

Thanks for sharing your mistakes. Makes me feel better about *my* mistakes!

[@jennidumlao1756]

Y’all are the best❤️👍😀

[@daraharper2003]

Marci, You've got More Wins than So called fails! Love you Both and thank you!

[@handmadeharriells]

It helps when the sewing fails never see the light of day 🤣

[@karenbarton4482]

Once again, I love you guys! I was so excited when I saw a new video( I know, I’m 3 days late), but the timing was perfect. As was the lack of “perfection” that we can have as we sew. We are human, and to laugh at our learning opportunities is priceless. After a stressful few days at work, I am going to sleep with a big old smile! Thank you for being such an amazing couple! Piece out…with emphasis on peace! 🥰

[@handmadeharriells]

thank you Karen!! We're so happy to give you a smile (and we're 4 weeks late 😅)

[@softfishy]

Marie Curie is my favorite scientist so it was exciting yall talk about her lol

[@annsinclair6709]

Rob's 'flashy' pants is the funniest thing I will see this week. Thank you for the laughter to start my day. A very merry Christmas to you both xx

[@handmadeharriells]

You are most welcome, Ann! The laughter his crotch is providing is making the modeling worth it 😬

[@kaykerns2287]

The jacket is cool and I loved that series too

[@handmadeharriells]

Thank you, Kay!

[@bienjour]

😂😂 I’m not laughing at you I’m laughing with you!!! great video. I needed the laughs so thank you.

[@suzannakoning413]

❤ you guys are lovely🎉 thank you for putting in this effort to for making the KZbin films. It really means a lot. You really put a smile on my face

[@handmadeharriells]

It’s our pleasure, especially when we can make folks smile 💗💗💗

[@aaronbruce8270]

Nice True Make it loud and proud 👍

[@nancysteiner8814]

Hahaha! Thanks for the laughs on my Sunday morning! You two are the best! 😅🤣😂😍

[@handmadeharriells]

You’re most welcome Nancy!

[@smallfootprint2961]

All great points. I will always be aware of print placement after this. I remember a big brew ha ha in the 40s over a bathing suit that "showed off the wearers anatomy..." It was print placement; so you're not alone, and you didn't make the news, really. All so pretty, but your point is well taken. Love the Harriells... Lynn

[@handmadeharriells]

Oh Lynn I’ve got to google that! Is it like the masks that make you think the person is unmasked? That’s a lot of anatomy 😳

[@drwoo6090]

That was so funny…and informative! I’d actually wear that fluffy coat. With the fluff on the out side! 😀 you look beautiful, as usual, Marci. And Rob looks extra handsome! 😉

[@l.baughman1445]

Spot on (get it?) Episode! I have comments! Mo’ Fabric!: Being frugal and mindful is good, being so stingy that you have no margin of error, can’t make size or fit adjustments, at the mercy of Random Acts of Pattern Placement, is counterproductive and defeats the frugal purpose. Also…. Ease: Kenneth D King has fab tips on fitting -highlights one of Mae West gowns in a film where she had two gowns to wear: one totally over-fitted. Hugged everything and she couldn’t move, couldn’t sit, and it was used for promo pics, and standing scenes in the film. 2nd dress was for scenes where she is sitting. Just look at Mae West pics!!

[@handmadeharriells]

I love me some Kenneth King! And some Mae West. I can relate…I’ve worn a costume or two that was never meant for sitting. Maybe that’s why I run into overfitting in sewing headfirst 🙄 I am always mad at myself when I get scroogey on buying fabric and then have no safety net for cutting. That’s a good reminder to get a little more!

[@lauriemiller2441]

You guys are great! I just need to stop drinking coffee when your on, I laugh to much. Thank you

[@handmadeharriells]

🤣i mean we don't want anyone to waste that black gold but we'll take the compliment!

[@jorjadiebold5317]

Hey I didn’t know you were an actress. I saw you in Manifest-can’t miss that hair. Loved it

[@casuarinagirl8067]

I have just found your channel and I adore you both. Not only am I learning so much I am peeing my pants laughing so hard. Thank you so much for sharing I’m going to make your duster Vogue dress/jacket 💪🏻here in Australia I could never find the pattern but now that you explained the number change it’s solved my frustration. I still can’t buy it in store but I’ve ordered that baby online and it will be coming up shortly, going through your back catalogue now like a woman possessed 🤭🤣🥰

[@handmadeharriells]

I love that kind of possession! 😅💗oooo I hope you’ve got the pattern and are sewing up a storm. Lucky daughter!

[@jlgreer01]

I’m going to have to come back and watch this again…. I laughed so hard, I missed half of it… Genghis Khan chic??? Thank you, as always, for bringing a big smile to my Sunday!! I think Alexander Fleming is the ‘penicillin lady!’

[@handmadeharriells]

Yeah not even a lady at all 🤣🤣🤣that’s been a fact for me since high school! We’re always glad to give you a smile, Janice💗

[@alexandrawellington8028]

How sweet that Rob helps sew much. Maybe you could both wear the crotch pattern placement fails together for a poster on STI avoidance!!!! xxxx

[@handmadeharriells]

😁🤣🤣I totally read this as a different kind of avoidance altogether.

[@alexandrawellington8028]

@@handmadeharriells LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just shows how perfect you are together xx

[@Musicwarmsmysoul]

OMG! The pants! I honestly didn't see that the first time - good hiding Rob! I did wonder at the very large shirt he was wearing in the video: now I know what happened. For what it's worth, nearly 10 years ago I made some pants out of ticking for my husband and used some leftover brown broadcloth for pockets and facings. Well, I can't remember exactly how it happened anymore (may have been misunderstanding the piece placement, may have been miscutting something and needing to make up for it), but I ended up cutting some of the VISIBLE fly facing pieces out of the brown, and sewed them up without.even.realizing what would happen. 😐 Every time he put his hands in his pockets, sat down, moved, that fly zip -- in all it's well sewn glory -- was right there, flashing itself to everyone! Believe it or not, those pants hung around for quite a while before he, ahem, outgrew them: I recently recycled them into pants for my youngest (just pullons so no worries of fly exposure for my littlest him ;). Fun as always!

[@handmadeharriells]

HAHAHAHAAA! Now that’s when you call it a design element! And what an excellent color for an “exposed” fly 🤣🤣 You know, when he came out in that oversized shirt I thought “wow he’s really going chic for my birthday!” Little did I know the cover up was in actuality a cover up 🙃

[@Musicwarmsmysoul]

@@handmadeharriells 😄😄😄

[@elizabethhoops992]

You guys are "sew" super cool!!!

[@wbton5052]

pop that fan, Marcy

[@pristinabread]

Thank you. This video is hilarious

[@handmadeharriells]

you're most welcome, glad you enjoyed it!

[@robinhoffman7529]

Rob wins😅😂❤you

[@marsellemercer1362]

Sorry but it has to be Robs shorts. Funniesr thing I've seen in a long time. 😂

[@handmadeharriells]

i must agree 🤣

[@creating1_c1999]

OMGoodness! You should see what I don't show you. LOL. I do some of the silliest things. Let's not even start on how my machines spiritually collaborate to defy me.

[@KimPhilibert1203]

I haven't laughed so much in a long time... thank you. But "the croutch" has to be worse! 🤣😂

[@handmadeharriells]

That’s excellent and what we aim for! (The crotch not so much 🤣🤣🤣)

[@puamanapam307]

My vote? Rob's disrespected crotch. You are such a good sport, Rob

[@kimrussell7952]

I didn't see the problem with the shorts in the original video. I still think they're awesome so it really is too bad about the unfortunate crotch region 😂

[@lynylyn316]

Very funny and helpful! The top with those boobie eyes also had a open mouth down south! Lol! The jacket really looked like hedgehog “fur”, and I bet you can take it apart and repurpose it.

[@handmadeharriells]

Oh HAHAHAHA! I gotta go back and find that mouth! Guess that means my booty has a bullseye now 🤣🤣 I can never pinpoint what fake fur I’ve got, hedgehog fur is EXACTLY it. I’m loathe to subject Rob to the flurry of cutting this again, having subjected him to so much already 😬

[@Jen_S_Hassler1258]

I almost wanted to say that your pattern placement fail was equally as bad as Rob's until he mentioned how he couldn't hide that pattern fail as easily as you could. I swear I could see your brain spinning on that one, trying to visualize him wearing those pants backwards... Or was that just me seeing my own brain wrestling with that one? 😆 I have the perfect strategy to avoid awkward pattern placement: don't use 'em! Or just use teeeeeeeny patterns that don't rely on direction. Learnt that from my mama who was always about making things as easy to sew as possible. Why cut around marking triangles when you can just snip into the seam allowance? Bias tape the seams? Nah, we don't need that fuss, just serge the seams up after sewing them up! And always examine the pattern fully before you fall in love with it to make sure it's not too complicated! (Did I mention she never received a minute of professional training and would sew most of our wardrobes as we grew up?) Thank you so much for sharing your awkward moments in sewing with us. It always helps us remember you're human just like us, and that mistakes are unavoidable sometimes. Lots of love to you and Rob!!

[@handmadeharriells]

Your mom sounds amazing. So tell me! What magic did she work if anyone asked for something fancy??? Like boning or something? I MIST KNOW (And very good point re Rob. I think he’s going to win this one.)

[@kdill2430]

"Genghis Khan Chic!" 😅

[@handmadeharriells]

I mean if that’s not a hashtag I don’t know what is

[@brinagotsued]

Rob's trousers are way worse.

[@marievenezia4929]

Your hooters!!! Def worse!!!!

[@handmadeharriells]

WOW I didn’t think I’d get any votes! Wait till I tell Rob 🤣