It wasn't the pattern... it was me

[@Beth_Ann_K]

Wow…so interesting to see you reconstruct this dress. It is beautiful fabric, so worth the effort. You showed us just how forgiving knit fabrics can be. Thanks for sharing.

[@SewSewLounge]

I love this fabric and I’m glad that I decided to remake it too. I’m going to start sewing with more knit fabric this year-I’m finally getting the hang of it!

[@susanjohnson5824]

I give you credit for doing this follow up video. It sets out things to watch for when we are cutting out our patterns. Thank you

[@SewSewLounge]

Never in a million years would I have guessed that I cut out three different sizes in the same pattern! I’m still in shock. I’m glad to know that you enjoyed my video ❤️

[@liesesadler5295]

I’ve come back to sewing about 10 years ago. This time I read sewing books, blogs and watched vids through Silhouette Patterns - learning some very good methods. One is to trace out the pattern on medical exam paper, this way I can make alterations in advance without disturbing the original. Things like forward shoulder, narrow shoulder, length, etc. Recently I watched a vid that stated cutting out with folded fabric was a recipe for problems. Since cutting out pieces on one layer I have had more accurate cuts.

[@SewSewLounge]

I wouldn’t stay that cutting on two layers is a recipe for disaster. You just need to make sure it doesn’t move around while cutting so it stays on grain.

[@musikkfamilien]

So refreshing to see an honest and genuine person. Admitting faults and not remembering things. I applaud you, Tony!😊👏👏👏 Greetings from Norway 🇳🇴 😊

[@SewSewLounge]

Greetings from Texas! I’m not a perfect sewer by any means and I think admitting that makes others feel like part of a community. We are all in this together ❤️

[@raraavis7782]

Shock and Horror - that's what I'm here for 😉 I'm German and learned to sew with the insanely convoluted 'several patterns in several sizes printed in different colors on one giant sheet of paper' Burda Magazine pattern. Those sure teaches you to pay *very* close attention to what you're doing, when you're copying a pattern. Glad you were able to save this one, it's a really cute and flattering summer dress!

[@daxxydog5777]

Burda patterns terrify me!

[@SewSewLounge]

You have my admiration and respect my friend! Learning to sew using Burda magazine patterns is QUITE an accomplishment. I bought a Burda magazine in London of the summer and then realized I need new reading glasses to be able to figure out which line to cut 🤣 maybe I’ll give it a try this summer.

[@SewSewLounge]

Me too!! And the ones in the magazine have multiple patterns overlapping each other in multiple sizes 😱

[@terriholm1878]

I admire your diligence to rip it out and redo it! You are a very good teacher! Thank you so much for sharing all the corrections! ❤😊

[@SewSewLounge]

Aww thank you. Ripping out the serged hem almost did me in 🤣 but I love the fabric so much I couldn’t let it go to waste.

[@chippy1948]

Love your insights to 'real' sewing. Last week's video and this week's one. It's not all perfect. Thank you for sharing. Great content.

[@SewSewLounge]

I’m so glad you enjoyed the reality of it. When I realized how I messed up this dress I had to share the experience 😉

[@cynthiasloan3867]

Thanks, that was fun. Had to laugh a few times because I have also had my share of "how the heck did I do that" moments. I love the way it turned out, you look lovely in it.

[@SewSewLounge]

@@cynthiasloan3867 thank you! It’s one of my new favorite dresses. I’m glad I took the time to fix it. I still have no idea how I messed it up that bad 🤣

[@lakcurious]

😂 You are not alone! Thanks for all your explanations!

[@SewSewLounge]

You’re welcome. And glad to know it’s not just me 🤣

[@davederrick9431]

I have a shirt pattern for my wife and like you, I blamed the pattern! I even wrote on the packets don't use this patten again". I have made it twice since then with the same problem😢. The last time, when the collar didn't fit (again) I had the thought that the collar pattern had been cut out at different sizes😮. Next time I make Julia another shirt I shall remake the collar & collar stand. Yeh, problem solved. 👏🙏

[@SewSewLounge]

That is awesome! Glad that you figured out the problem 😉 and how nice that you make clothes for your wife.

[@daxxydog5777]

My biggest mistake that took me forever to figure out was when I made a long sleeved peasant top and because the sleeves and bodice pieces looked so much alike, I sewed the bodice pieces as the sleeves. It just felt so weird and I nearly threw it out, but then just disassembled it and put it back on the pattern pieces, and voila, figured out what happened. It now fits!😂 I hate when I lose bobbin chicken. Nice save!

[@SewSewLounge]

Oh wow that’s crazy! Glad you managed to save your top. It’s funny what happens when we’re so focused on sewing that we make mistakes with the little things.

[@jenniferbailey1580]

Greetings, and thanks for helping me tell my imposter syndrome that my latest flub doesn’t negate my intermediate sewing level (it let me claim that after I sewed a blouse without reading the instructions and realized that I automatically used methods beyond the suggested ones (cut 2 back yokes, not 1, French seams, etc)

[@SewSewLounge]

You are very welcome. I get imposter syndrome too. We all make mistakes. The key is realizing them BEFORE we get frustrated and cut our garments into tiny pieces 😉

[@myhadiya5736]

GREAT DRESS !

[@SewSewLounge]

Thank you! And it finally fits ❤️

[@TheBaumcm]

I’m most impressed that you not only fixed this but filmed the process. A lot of times, I will hold off using my favorite fabrics or trying a pattern because I’m afraid of something like this. This makes me feel less anxious about the process.

[@SewSewLounge]

I’m glad my video helped reduce your anxiety. Life is too short to save the good fabric 😉

[@debrizzo7031]

You are so human ❤

[@SewSewLounge]

Yes. Definitely not a lizard in a person suit…🤣

[@loribarton7480]

Great video! That dress looks really cute on you!

[@SewSewLounge]

Thank you! It’s so comfortable. I’m glad I took the time to figure out the problem and fix it ☺️

[@pjacksreads536]

😂 not laughing at but with you. Coming from a newbie that has done this recently, I’m happy to know even a seasoned experienced sewist makes mistakes. Thanks for sharing your boo boos and for the ways to fix them.

[@SewSewLounge]

Oh I’m still laughing about it too 🤣 and trying to remember what happened.

[@angelabowman1085]

The dress turned out great. Love my Bernina.

[@SewSewLounge]

It’s comfortable too! Bernina’s are the BEST!

[@m.b.ortega544]

I really like how you revisited this pattern and remade it. I have this pattern too, and now I am thinking of making it after seeing how cute it looks.

[@SewSewLounge]

It really turned out well once the pattern pieces were all the same size! But seriously, I just wore it today and it’s a great dress. You will love it!

[@AnnSchuster-u9m]

I loved that cute dress on you! Love the rushcing on the side. Figure flattering. Ann

[@SewSewLounge]

It’s turned out so well! Now it’s one of my favorite dresses. I’m so glad I gave it a second try!

[@LibAlcock]

❤ thank you for this video for a couple of reasons. (1) using correct pattern size pieces (2) using a regular machine for successfully sewing a garment made from stretch fabric. Very helpful to see for this newbee sewist. ❤ love your channel from 🇨🇦

[@SewSewLounge]

You are so welcome, I’m glad it helped you. I usually sew knit fabric on my regular machine. My old serger was very temperamental.

[@DebS48]

I’m just returning to garment sewing. Your content is so helpful and inspiring! 👍❤️

[@SewSewLounge]

Yay! I’m glad you enjoyed it and I’m happy to hear you’re sewing garments again ❤️

[@sandimcp]

This was such a fun video to watch and what a great rescue. So inspiring. Thanks, Toni. The dress looks fabulous! As a new sewist, I am always amazed at the sizings on patterns. I haven't quite figured that out as yet. It seems pretty hit and miss sometimes.

[@SewSewLounge]

I’m glad you enjoyed it! I love my new dress ❤️ Yes figuring out the right size is hard. The sizing was established post-great depression, back when the US government had a department of home economics to establish women’s clothing sizes and the proper heights of kitchen counters and cabinets 🙄. Needless to say they are outdated. Then add garment ease into the mix and it creates quite the challenge when you’re learning to sew. I’d say, start with the general measurements on the back of the pattern envelope, then check each piece of the pattern at the bust, waist, and hips for the finished measurement with ease. Then decide which size works best for you 😉

[@GloFukuda-wn9lr]

Me too. I love the multiple sized patterns, but learned the hard way to be extra careful with cutting out the size and making all the marks.

[@SewSewLounge]

I still can’t believe I cut three sizes on the same pattern piece 🤣

[@twinnish]

I thought it was kind of interesting how good it actually looked after you kind of mucked it up. It is a great lesson in how forgiving that knits are and also a lesson that we can fix stuff. Mistakes can usually be fixed. You know I really love of that dress when I saw the whole dress by itself and when I see the fabric close up, I’m thinking I would never have picked that but when I see the dress, I think I would . I need to think about the implications of all of this because I do have a lot of trouble picking up fabric that is something I like in the end.

[@SewSewLounge]

I still can’t believe it all worked out 🤣 It’s now one of my favorite dresses!

[@AnnGKroger]

I agree with the others. Thank you for letting us watch you reconstruct this dress.

[@SewSewLounge]

Awww. Thanks for watching Ann ❤️

[@ToniWilson-c4q]

Thanks sew much ❤, i was wondering how this pattern would turn out , i already have this pattern as well & already have the fabric for it & ❤ it sew much , your dress looks sew fab ❤👍🏾😊

[@SewSewLounge]

Aww thank you. It turned out really well and it’s super comfortable to wear. I just know you will love it too ❤️

[@ToniWilson-c4q]

@@SewSewLounge also making a Mimi G long sleeveless Cardigan to wear with it

[@lindaskinner5887]

Great dress. Thanks for sharing.

[@SewSewLounge]

I’m so glad it worked out the second time around!

[@joann1917]

What type of knit did you use? Thank you for making a video showing your mistakes and one to remake it. It shows that even the best sewers screw up. :)

[@SewSewLounge]

It’s a lyocell (tencel) knit. It’s very soft and comfortable to wear. I’m glad it worked out the second time around!

[@IMOO1896]

5:40 I’d chalk up the miss cutting the fabric to different and some rogue cutting, to a couple glasses wine.

[@SewSewLounge]

I usually don’t drink and cut patterns, but I *might* have been watching episode 6 of the first season of Bridgerton 😉

[@geritavares6031]

Do you have a serger that dressmaking would go much quicker if you did it’s perfect for knits

[@SewSewLounge]

When I made the dress the first time I used a serger and had to rip the whole thing apart-that was a lot of thread! So the second time around I just used my regular machine. I have since upgraded my serger with a new baby lock which I plan to use the next time I sew knits.

[@sew_So_beautiful]

Are you sure that the fabric didn't just stretch out? It seems like the fabric was bigger on the areas where it would have been pilled the most, which would also account for some areas being longer and narrower, or shorter and wider than the pattern would ask for. Or was the pattern lines definitely cut on the wrong size ljnes? Or maybe it is a mixture of both? It just seems odd that some of the areas are longer or shorter than they should have been.

[@SewSewLounge]

I’m 100% sure the pattern was cut at a variety of sizes since I had the paper pattern for comparison. I didn’t think about making this video until after I cut all the lines down to size 14. (I started the ripping apart process back in November.)The fabric might have moved during the cutting process but it has very good recovery and didn’t stretch out. I think I intentionally shortened the hem. You are right that it is odd to have done such a crazy job during the cutting process!

[@swaters3462]

What brand of seam ripper are you using? With the purple handle? Your dress is beautiful. Thanks for showing how you corrected the original.

[@SewSewLounge]

It’s a Dritz “seam fix” seam ripper. I’ll put a link in the description. I’m glad that you enjoyed my video. I’m looking forward to wearing my dress all summer!

[@brendastevens8325]

Lol 😂that is something that has happened to me...not just once ..but twice....repeat offender lol

[@SewSewLounge]

You’re in good company! 😉

[@kitlondon6171]

Thank you for sharing the real life challenges and struggles that happen with sewing. I am trying to challenge myself and branch out into garment making from quilting and knowing I am not alone making mistakes is so comforting.

[@SewSewLounge]

Awww you’re welcome. It’s all a learning experience. And just think, since you’re a quilter you already know how to use a sewing machine! You’re ahead of the curve!