When Sewing Projects Fail: How I’m Fixing 3 Summer Flops

Sewing fails—ugh, they happen to everyone. Sometimes you’re tired, sometimes you're rushing, and sometimes it’s just one wrong click when selecting a pattern size. I had a string of summer sewing mishaps that left me scratching my head: a swimsuit sewn completely backward, a vest I cut two sizes too small, and a dress that looked more like a melon shelf than a breezy summer outfit. It’s frustrating in the moment, but the good news? Most sewing fails can be salvaged—and that’s exactly what I’m doing. Read on or watch here:

The Swimsuit That Went Sideways

The GreenSyle Kokomo swimsuit had me giddy with excitement. I’d been holding on to this palm-print fabric forever, just waiting for the right moment—and this was it. I carefully paired the print with a coordinating solid for the band and got to work. But… I came back from dinner and made a classic mistake: sewing in the evening, when I know my brain isn’t at its sharpest. Somehow, I managed to sew the back of the bottoms to the front of the top—effectively turning a sleek one-piece into a very confused, nearly-thong-style bathing suit.

Taking it apart would have meant unpicking all the serging, all the topstitching, all the layered seams—on nylon, no less. Not worth it. So what’s the fix? I’m turning it into a bikini! I’ll chop the suit in half and finish each piece separately. It might be a little more tankini-ish, but I think I can make it work—and I still love the way the bust fits. A little strategic creativity and I’ll still be pool-party ready.

The Cardigan That Wasn’t Mine

Next up: a red True Bias Brynn cardigan I was sewing while showing my young intern how to use the projector. I had just enough leftover ponte to squeeze out another version of this beloved layering piece. Everything seemed to go smoothly… until I reached the last step and tried it on. It stopped mid-ribcage. Turns out, I had accidentally selected a size two instead of my usual twelve. Oops.

While I can’t wear it, I’m not calling it a total loss. My intern didn’t want it (totally fair—she’s 14, not looking to dress like me), but I’m hanging on to it in case I find someone tiny who’d love a cropped red cardigan. The only thing it needs is the buttons sewn on. And hey—fabric scraps turned almost-garments still count as a win in my book.

The Dress That Loved My Melons Too Much

The Chalk & Notch Marcel Dress was supposed to be a flowy dream in lightweight seersucker. I even sized up to make sure it was breezy enough to pull on over my head. But no matter how I styled it, it looked… bad. Like, melons-on-a-shelf bad. The bust was snug on me, and even Jenni—who’s smaller in the upper bust—found it tight and unflattering.

Still, I’m not ready to give up on that fabric. It’s such a gorgeous print, and I love the panel construction of the dress. So here’s the plan: I’m turning it into a skirt. I’ll cut across where one of the tiers joins, serge the edge, create a casing, add elastic, and voila—a beautiful, floaty summer skirt perfect for picnics, concerts, and maybe even school spirit days (bonus: it’s in my kids’ school colors). It may not be what I planned, but it’ll definitely get worn.

Fails Happen—Fixes Matter

None of these projects turned out the way I expected, but you know what? That’s okay. Sewing is a journey, and sometimes the detours are the most memorable parts. Whether it’s flipping a swimsuit into a bikini, salvaging fabric for a skirt, or finding a home for a cardigan that doesn’t fit, there’s almost always a way to make it work. So next time you have a sewing fail, don’t panic. Laugh a little, learn from it, and keep creating.