Tips & Tricks: how to prevent failed sewing projects?

Nothing is as unfortunate as finding out halfway through a sewing project: it is a hopeless failure ... It happens to everyone. From beginners seamstress to advanced seamstresses who have been behind the sewing machine for years. Do not grieve and do not stop! With our tips & tricks you can prevent failed projects.

'What does not kill you, makes you stronger'
A rather exaggerated statement, but there is encouragement in it. Of course it is a shame when a sewing project fails. All those hours you were working on it ... very unfortunate. And especially the materials: the fabric, the lining, the interlining, etc. Throwing them away hurts a lot. You may have become a seamstress to be more "zero-waste". And now you throw everything away ...

Where did it go wrong?
Of course you will learn from every failed sewing project. This is our number 1 tip! Because you don't learn anything from just throwing it away. Ask yourself for a moment: where did it go wrong? You learn from it.
Did you choose the wrong fabric? Was the sewing pattern too difficult? Were you able to intervene in time or did you stubbornly continue even though you knew that the sewing project was not going to be a great outfit? Or did you really have no idea but only found out when you tried on the garment itself (or on the sewing mannequin)? Learn from this for the next time. Write it down in a sewing journal or if the pattern is not right, on the sewing pattern itself. Is that really necessary? Yes, in a year you will have forgotten it and you might make the same mistake again.

so .... tips & tricks to prevent unsuccessful sewing projects:

• think carefully about every sewing project where it went wrong,
• write it in a sewing diary or notebook,
• write down any errors on the sewing pattern itself or put a note in the envelope containing the sewing pattern

And even more tips & tricks:

• always read the recommended fabrics carefully for the sewing pattern. This can be the difference between a successful sewing project and a failed sewing project.
• examine the fabric thoroughly: is it stretchable and is this the intention? If so, medium or very stretchy? Take the stretch test if indicated on the sewing pattern envelope.
• If the recommended fabric must be non-stretchable or elastic (stretch), then absolutely do not buy stretchable fabric. Not even if the fabric is only stretchable in the length or width direction.
• read the instructions carefully on the sewing pattern and if in doubt search the internet for reviews or tutorials.
• know your own body and adjust the sewing pattern if necessary. Do you have thicker arms, a shorter upper body or very long legs? Learn how to adjust sewing patterns and only do this in the places on the part of the sewing pattern that are indicated for it. (Shorten or lengthen here, usually marked by double bars)
• use proper lining, interlining, needles and thread. Important!
• always buy extra fabric. Incorrect cutting happens to everyone. Now you have at least enough extra fabric to cut a left and a right front piece or sleeve instead of two left or two right front pieces.
• note the thread direction of the fabric as indicated on the pattern parts. This is especially important for fabrics with a pattern or a nap.
• take your time, a rush job rarely ends well.

Failed sewing projects happen to everyone.  Don't give up, but try to learn from it. Do you have wasted fabrics or materials? Maybe you can still do something with it.

See our tips: What to do with leftover fabric

Or: a tip for people with pets: cut the fabric into strips, braid the strips and tie them in a thick knot. Now at least your dog or cat has been made very happy with the new toy ... (make sure there are no needles left in it!)

And especially be happy with the sewing projects that do succeed. We just don't talk about the failed sewing projects anymore ... deal?