Tara is one of the most popular Burdastyle pattern and yesterday I decided to give it a try. It is a top pattern, but as usual I lengthened it to make a dress. The green fabric is another vintage fabric from my mother, it is now pretty old and has a lot of little holes. As it is a traditional cloth from one of the area in Indonesia, the width and length were a bit unusual. I apologize that I can’t remember exactly what area it was from, there are really a lot of areas in Indonesia, each with their own culture and traditional cloth.
Anyway, the pattern is very simple and I really enjoyed making the dress. Everything went smoothly, I cut the fabric and start pinning and sewing. Pin and sew, pin and sew, la-di-da, la-di-dum. And a couple of hours later, I’ve got myself a pretty green dress. I made it in size 32, didn’t make any alteration other than lengthening it, and the dress fitted perfectly. I really like it although the neckline was rather low, but it was expected. Now I understand why it is so popular in Burdastyle.
I hung the finished dress on the wall, it looked very pretty there. When the night came, I lied on my bed and looked at my new dress in satisfaction. But… wait a minute! What is that? Why is the color on one sleeve different from the other? I took a step closer and inspected the dress. Then I found what was wrong with it. One sleeve has the right side of fabric, but the other sleeve has the wrong side of fabric on it!!
It turned out that, in my ignorance, I just assumed that both sides of the fabric were the same, no wrong or right side. Well, it was a traditionally weft cloth, of course it has wrong side, duh! The wreck didn’t stop there, the back skirt of my dress is also sporting the wrong side of the fabric. The dress is doomed.
Now with one sleeve, I might unpick the stitches and start over. But the whole back skirt? I might just cut another fabric and start another dress! How could I do such foolishness? I’ve cut it carefully, look at all those matching stripes! Then I pinned and sewed happily (note to self: when sewing, focus on what you’re doing! No la-di-da, la-di-dum!), tried it on several times, ironed it, and it took me several hours after the dress was finished to realize that something was wrong! Aarrgh.
My husband came back from the office to find me sulking in the bedroom. I told him about the dress, “Look! Can you see what is wrong with the dress? It’s so obvious! What should I do about it?!” Realizing that he was being put in difficult position where any answer could be interpreted wrong, he took some time to inspect the dress and spoke in as soothing tone as possible. “Well, umm…, maybe you can pretend that you did it on purpose, you know, it’s the design or something?” Can I? No, no, no, that’s unacceptable.
In these pictures where I wear the dress, it might look okay. But in real life, the mistake is so obvious! Or at least in my eye it looks so obvious. I have ruined this pretty fabric. Boo-hoo.
Making a mistake is one thing, but accepting the mistake is another thing, the difficult thing. I guess I have no choice other than accepting it. That this pretty dress with perfect placement of stripes and neat topstitching in red thread, the dress that fits me oh very lovely, is so ruined. I will put it out of my sight and make another one because I love this pattern. And I will be very careful this time.
The thought kinda puts my mind at ease. At least for now. Thank you for reading my failure!
Pattern is Tara from Burdastyle.
i love your dress, I wish I had the figure to wear such a style. I think its perfectly fine to wear ‘as is’ and the fabric is beautiful!
That’s nothing. You should see some of my fails. *shudder* Actually, I think I will post them on my blog now.
I feel so bad about your “fail” you look so pissed in your picture. the dress is super pretty and so is the creator! Sell that baby if you cant stand to look at it most of us gals would kill to look that good in a “fail” dress lol! much aloha!
Oh, No, dont say you will undo it. I would buy a dress like this thinking it was done on purpose. Especially since one shoulder matches the back! Maybe you should sell it if you really cant cope with it.
Very very nice dress!
.-= red de rOuge´s last blog ..Tunique-robe =-.
I think it looks pretty! Don’t undo it!
.-= Laurie H´s last blog ..NEET Stuff! =-.
It is a gorgeous dress and looks wonderful on!!! If you still plan on just putting it aside, I would love to take it off your hands for you. What’s your price? gfish73@hotmail.com
hahahahha i know how that feels…actually, it happened to me too yesterday…I thought I was finished with my kid’s shirt…and as I was looking happily at it…I was horrified…I sewed the D*$N collar inside out!!! ARGHGHGHGHG…but honestly, I think that dress looks nice…really…though I know how it feels wearing a failed product around
my heart is with u…but I love it 
.-= lia´s last blog ..baking supplies =-.
I think the dress is absolutely gorgeous. I understand your frustration and disappointment, but I would give my right arm for such a lovely dress! You are so very talented!!!
Put it away, do something else, take a breather and come back to it. I’m sure you’ll find an way to make this work that makes you happy.
If all else fails, send it over and I’ll carefully unpick your French seams for you.
Thanks for your kind comments.
.-= CarmencitaB´s last blog ..May 27th : Letting Go =-.
Hi!
I still think this dress is very very pretty and it is so well done I doubt people on the street will see your ‘mistakes’, even if they see them they would think it’s a new contemporary fad for using the wrong sides of fabric for one side of the sleeve, and the back side of the dress! Cheer up!!
.-= sertyan´s last blog ..Minnie Dress =-.
Your dress is stunning and you look beautiful in it. You did not ruin the gorgeous vintage fabric either. Instead you’ve cleverly revealed another facet of fabric interest — the obvious to everyone else; the reverse side is equally pretty. I truly hope you will wear this garment with poise and pride.
Your la-di-di-di-da moment was an opportunity for serendipity to strike.
Your design muse took over and made a design statement, NOT a mistake. Enjoy your little green dress abd think of your mother and your muse with sweet, loving thoughts and gratitude. You will shine.
.-= Nancilyn´s last blog ..TAST 2010 – RAISED CUP STITCH =-.
I, too, can sympathize with the experience of working on something and not having it turn out right. However, if you feel you can’t bear to look at the dress any longer, perhaps you can try selling it? I’m sure lots of people (myself included) can easily overlook what you feel is a huge flaw, for the chance to rock something so unique and well made.
.-= Tara´s last blog ..All Made Up and Nowhere to Go Dress =-.
I hear you, girl. I’d say pick the seams and fix it at your leisure. Try not to be too harsh on yourself. Take care and enjoy summer!
.-= SH´s last blog ..Everything Picnic =-.
Well I think it is a gorgeous dress, mistake and all. Like your hubby said, you can get away with it and mostlikely no one will notice.
and no worries, we’ve all been there. I’ve made mistake after mistake.
.-= lisarenata´s last blog ..Miami and being a Latina mami =-.
Oh goodness!
I, for one, would NOT call this a fail, Ahaha.
I completely agree with your idea to just detach and re-attach the one sleeve and also with the fact that it would just be SOO difficult to undo the ENTIRE bottom and resew it!
But, I also find that that would be very un-nessecary.
The way I see it is is that the dark pink against the purple, the white against the green, and etc, give the dress a bit of contrast don’t ‘cha think?
You did a stunning job, don’t beat yourself over this one!! There are many more to come!
I also agree that your “design element” is just fine. If anyone notices, you can tease them that you wondered how long it wold take them to notice your design element!
.-= Mary in FL´s last blog ..TNT Pattern =-.
To be honest, mistake and all, that dress is just gorgeous. I am in love with every single thing you make and wish I knew where to find Indonesian Batiks in LA. Do you have a website you could recommend that sells them? Looking forward to your next creation…
xo Yumi
Your “mistake” made me think about mine…
http://www.carmencitab.com/2010/05/may-25th-letting-go.html I’m sure you can wear it. Nobody will say anything about it.
.-= CarmencitaB´s last blog ..May 26th : Geoffrey Beene =-.
awww! its SUCH A pretty and striking dress!no way to unpick and flip the pieces around? got more fabric?
Though, if i had to unpick a finished dress, I might as well make another! 😛
.-= juebejue´s last blog ..Maker Faire and Meeting Alden =-.
Maybe, maybe I can unpick the french seams (T.T) and fix the dress. But not in the near future! I need something fast to sew now to cure my broken heart…
Oh I know! I just recently had a major dress failure and I was so upset about it! I hate ruining fabric!! Boys just don’t understand. My husband didn’t understand why I was so upset about it.
I blogged it here: http://www.thelaughingmonkey.com/blog/2010/05/24/nyc-and-the-crafting-mojo/
Sometimes it helps to just make something else fast so you can get over it!
The dress is very pretty, though. Better luck next time!
.-= Rose´s last blog ..Vintage Sewing =-.
well now, there are many ways to fix this supposed FAIL…
1) completely ignore it because the dress is fabulous, and if you had bought it RTW you would think it was intended.
2) send it to NY and i will happily ignore this mistake for you. while wearing it daily.
seriously, a very pretty dress. the pattern is so vibrant that it won’t be noticed, look how long it took you to see it! WEAR THIS GIRL!
Oona darling, you’re always hilarious! Thank you for making me laugh!
And I think you’ve got a point there about how long it took me to notice the mistake 😀
I didn’t even notice the sleeve until you pointed it out! Sometimes I like a thing for its flaws just as much (if not more) as its perfections
i love the colour and pattern
what a pretty summer dress even though you consider it a “fail”. i have never tried the tara but am inspired too now!
happy sewing
It is such a lovely and easy pattern! I’m sure you will love it too
I love the dress, your work is so beautiful! I think that if you are uncomfortable with your mistake, you would not be comfortable wearing the dress, and that would reflect when people saw you in it, which is unfortunate as it is so pretty on you!
~Kelli @ Smidgens
.-= Kelli´s last blog ..Hey Sears, you must not be doing that bad in this economy. =-.
Yes, that’s how I feel! The mistake is staring at me, or rather, I’m the one who’s staring at the mistake *sigh*