Monday, February 7, 2011

I'm a Project Toddler Runway Drop Out

Last week was happy and exciting with my first Project Toddler Runway win and making the top 15 on American Crafter.  I was excited and ready to go with my crafty competitions even if my husband was completely annoyed with me .



On PTR the theme was denim and I had been planning on making a James Dean style jacket and giving it a leather finish.  I found a tutorial on how to do this it and looked pretty simple!  So I got to work cutting my pattern pieces and painting them.  When it came time to put my little jacket together I realized it was way to stiff!  So I tried again with a much lighter denim.  Hmmmm... same result.  The fabric looked like leather and felt like leather but it just didn't move like leather.  I started thinking up a plan B but wasn't ready to give up on my James Dean Jacket just yet.  I tried washing it and it looked like it would work but when it dried it was just as stiff.


I had 2 ideas floating in my head... use my faux leather differently (think slouchy leather boots or a hat or belt) or scrap it make a cute little denim jumpsuit or romper. 



I decided to go with a denim jumpsuit.  The looked super cute and seemed simple enough.  I decided to take an early night so I could tackle it first thing in the morning.

I woke up a handful of hours later in my bed, freezing my tush off!  We had lost power at some point during the night and had no heat thanks to Snowpocalypse!

I spent the rest of my day trying to keep my 5 kids warm and entertained (no school for my 2 big kids).  The power would come back on for 15 minutes and I would run to check emails, send emails and microwave a bunch of hot dogs.

Thursday morning I woke up and had power and kids had school for part of the day and I told myself I would work as hard as I could to get something, anything turned in for both of my competitions.  I scrapped my earlier plans to make appliqued Valentine shirts for the American Crafter competition and I'm so glad I did!  I'm still not sure how exactly the idea came to me but I made my boys the cutest Valentine shirts using binary code and freezer paper stencils.  I was a little worried it would be too simple but was still in love with these shirts!  I submitted my pictures with less than an hour to spare!



With American Crafter behind me I could focus on PTR that was due by midnight.  I started on my little jumpsuit.  I gathered pictures online for inspiration and hunted for some tutorials or patterns but couldn't find anything!  I was just going to have to wing it.

The first jumpsuit I made... that's right... I made more than one.... looked dreadful. 

I made the legs to full and the top part fit all crazy.  I tried bringing the pants in and remaking the top but eventually I just decided to start over.  The second jumpsuit was off to a much better start.  The pants looked great and fit perfectly but the top was a different story.  I was almost all out of fabric and time and energy.  It was 10pm and I was in tears but told myself I couldn't quit until midnight.  And so I worked and worked and worked until about 12:15 and finally gave in and sent my email admitting defeat, giving up and dropping out.

I know I should be proud of myself for all of my designs and projects I created for PTR and proud that I worked so hard but I can't help but feel like a big fat quiter! 

So I'll still be working to make that James Dean jacket because I don't think I'll be able to sleep at night until I do.  AND did everyone see that Kelly from Sewing in No Man's Land posted a pattern and tutorial for a romper TODAY!  Ahhh just a few days to late for me but you'd better believe Miss Livi Lu will be getting one of those very soon!

6 comments:

  1. So bummed things didn't work out for you on PTR, even after you worked so hard. I loved the binary shirts and voted for them in the American crafter contest. What a great idea!

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  2. You will be so missed! I also loved your valentine shirts and you got my vote! They are so cute! Great job! I am sorry the ptr projects didn't go as planned, I totally understand when that happens and have scrapped many projects myself... Don't feel like a quitter you did great!

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  3. I am so bummed about PTR. Seriously. First day you were my fav and through the weeks too. I had a fit when she said someone had to drop out, thinking, NOT BREE!. Wouldn't you know, it was you. Hmph. Well, you're still on my blog-feed, so I'll definitely be watching your projects here. :) LOVE the binary code idea! Looks like a great idea for my nephew's soon-to-be-upon me 3rd bday!

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  4. I'm so sorry. This story makes me even more sad for you than I already was. We've all been at that breaking point and I can just imagine your struggles. I wish I could've helped! Good job for taking care of your kids and keeping them warm! I'm proud of all your hard work and that binary shirt rocks!! Such a clever idea!

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  5. That's too bad! I so fell in love with the Victorian bustle coat. I don't have a little girl, so my wonderful mom is gearing up to help me make one for me. If I have a little girl, you bet she'll get one! Can't wait to see what you design next, no matter what you're on. :)

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