Saturday, October 25, 2008

The evolution of a teacup.

Just in case you guys think that projects spring forth fully fledged and craftilicious from this sewing room I am here to tell you different.

Welcome to
Reality Ric-Rac
starring Jodie the ridiculously optimistic crafter who doesn't know when to stop. Watch, as she attempts to create a teacup. Laugh at her misfortune, snicker at her stupid mistakes and reassure yourself that your own mistakes could never be as bad as this misguided attempt.

Early teacup !
This lovely green blobby thing is actually attempts one two and three all here in this one little shape. Not too bad, it has a certain "cupness" about it.

Attempt four where I think the hard stuff is done and I can now just plonk it all together. Apparently not.
It looks more like a night-potty than a teacup. That handle is wrong wrong wrong. The lining is also hideous, trust me - it looks like a pair of bloomers on the inside.

Attempts five and six. It should have just been attempt five but being too lazy to go to the cupboard and check I had the right interfacing meant I made it up with whatever was floating past at the time and ..... big surprise.......it wasn't stiff enough.
You would have thought I'd give up here wouldn't you?? Admit defeat, throw in the towel and move on.
HA!!!

Attempt 7 - All cotton. The lining has been tweaked again and I think I have achieved basic "lined cupness".
Feeling pretty pleased with myself I digress off to the saucer.


OK - Not bad . Only three attempts to achieve saucerness.

Teacup 8- having evolved to the "lined cupness" stage and achieved saucerness as well, I am almost certain I have got it nailed. A quick redraw of the handle and we have

A really really bad handle on a still wonky teacup.

Stay tuned for the riveting sequel to the Evolution of a Teacup , where Jodie will tenaciously continue with her attempt at achieving "full Teacup". There may very well be tears. There will undoubtedly be bad language and small tantrums.


I am going to go and bang my head against a wall for a few hours now.

It would be almost as productive.

61 comments:

  1. Looks pretty good to me, and I admire your persistence. I tend to get disheartened and give up when things don't work the way I had planned.

    Michelle

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  2. I seriously failed today making a pair of bloomers for a halloween costume. Perhaps you could offer some advice from attempt number four?

    Thanks for sharing your teacup journey! I feel a little better about the hospital gown and strange pants that I tried to pass off as an Alice outfit.

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  3. I've made 6 quilts and am now about to (gulp) try making myself a skirt.

    I've learned from this post to steer clear of any ambitious teacup making. If YOU can't do it, then I won't even try....

    ...though have you tried making it out of selvedges? It seems like everything else you do out of those tricky little strips works out fine!!!!

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  4. Um, I don't think I'll be trying to make a teacup now!!!! I must try and resurrect my flop this week.....you have shown us in the past that practice makes (sometimes) perfect!!!

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  5. You're as bad as me! But at least my stuff is just pouches and not teacups - pouches are a lot easier!

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  6. Well I actually think the last teacup was really cute and as someone else already said it's relieving (is that the word?) to see that someone as gifted and skilled as you also needs a few tries before the result is perfect.

    :) Victoria from Sweden

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  7. I am just having a quick lurk while I decide whats for tea and a little voice over my shoulder says "can you make me one of those teacups!" as she steals a piece of A4 from the printer.. See they are already covet worthy...

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  8. I think your Tea cup is just Gorgeous I will be over later for a nice cup of Tea LOL.
    Hugs Mary

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  9. How fabulous to see something evolve like that - the creative process caught on blog. I love it

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  10. Your wonky teacups can come and live with the Betty Jo wonkier teacups!
    But the orange wonky cup works for me....Teapot next?

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  11. I think the orange one looks good too. I'll have English Breakfast in mine!

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  12. I'm so glad I'm not the only one. I have been doing battle with a pirate monkey all week. He and I are not friends. I hope he hasn't remembered the bad words I said to him, or repeat them to his new owners. *blush*

    Your orange teacup is fab. Will you be using the red one as a night potty?

    x

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  13. I think the orange one looks cool.. I quite like the slight wonkiness of it, it gives it a certain charm.

    Perhaps you should have started with making an espresso cup, smaller and rounder! though that could just be me with my coffee obsession... *g*

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  14. I am LOVING the orange tea cup. Too cute.

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  15. I'm not trying to kick you while you are down, but I just wondered why you are making a teacup?

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  16. ah, evolution. It does take a few million years...will you still be around?

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  17. Your persistence (even when you weren't bothering with checking the interfacing thing) is admirable. Maybe you've been working on it too hard and you need to put it away for a few hours, come back and finish with a bang!

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  18. You get a big elephant stamp for teacup persistance! Good work Jodie!

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  19. I reckon that teacup 8 is super nice! Of course, orange is one of my favourite colours. Thanks so much for showing us that your creative process does evolve! Now, stop banging your head.

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  20. I love the latest version! So cute in that print :)

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  21. Persistence plus Miss Jodie - I know you will master it and I don't mind the ones you've done anyway. Don't forget to "embrace the wonky" You've been busy - I've been in the garden all day.

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  22. I LOVE wonky tea cup and the fabric is so to die for! That's what I love about your work, it is absolutely from your head and done until it is just right.

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  23. I know exactly what you mean I think, making something new from your imagination and drawings can be so frustrating because you can see it in your mind, so why doesn't it work like that for real?? I think people who don't make things don't actually realise that a lot of preparation and design work has gone on even before the finished piece has been begun! but you teacups are lovely, especially the last one... can't wait to see the one that you're happy with! but how do you get such a neat handle? I find tubes incredible fiddly even though i've got a tube-turner... Thank you for a glimpse "behind the scenes"!

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  24. Even the wonkiest of teacups looks good to me. And that night potty looks awfully cosy!

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  25. Aww, but it's so close!! You are doing better than me...I probably would have just decided to live with it at Number 5...maybe even Number 4. :p

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  26. Well it may have taken a while to evolve but the finished product is fabulous! And I REALLY LOVE that orange fabric which is weird because I'm not usually an orange fan!

    Locket xxx

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  27. I feel just like I did when you showed us your sewing room; relieved that I'm not the only one. Thanks, Miss Jodie!

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  28. What a relief!! You're human after all ;)

    A blog post with all my botched attempts at projects would probably take me until Christmas!

    Lovin' the lined-teacuppiness :)

    xMx

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  29. You're too hilarious! I would have given up and thrown my hands up in despair after attempt number 2.
    I really like the final orange floral number...very cool!

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  30. Looks great to me but I'm sure once you've worked out the bugs that are bugging you it's going to be darling! I love is already.

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  31. Isn't the creating process amazing? It took me 5 tries just to make a ball. A ball! The tea cup appears to be well on its' way.

    For now, I think I'll just stick to clothes. I've figured out my shape, so it doesn't take as many tries to work them out!

    Good luck!

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  32. I love the wonkiness of the last teacup. ANd the fabric is VERY CUTE. But I recognise your persistence (got a bit of that, myself).... wont it be SO SATISFYING when you get it absolutely as you imagined it??

    Personally, I'd do a bit of topstitching and clipping back on each of those seams - that would sharpen it up a bit. Backstitch (understitich) around the top edge of the lining before you topstitch the edge, and you're away... I think....? At least for the next sample or two.

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  33. i love the finished one the colour, shape, cuteness...it's brillant...
    can't right a lengthy comment as i am madly sewing as i have my first real market tomorrow...
    love it....

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  34. Jodie I really admire your persistence and the orange teacup and saucer are really cute...BUT why on earth are you making a teacup???? lol

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  35. i'm echoing a couple of others...why a teacup? but then again...i never ask myself that question when i'm on try #7. can't wait for the next episode.

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  36. It may have taken a few attempts a be a bit wonky but I think the end result is fabulous!

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  37. Oh, girl! The cup and saucer are wonderful, and your post made me laugh out loud. I've scheduled a link to this post to go live on my blog later this morning (Central USA time). I hope it brings you a few extra clicks.

    Denise
    http://needlework.craftgossip.com

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  38. i think this orange tea cup and saucer are VERY CUTE! you are amazing you selvedge sewing, tea cup creating lady!

    did you sign up for my giveaway at bitsofsunshine.typepad.com? you have two more hours . . . *smile*

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  39. I like the orange tea-cup very much! I think it is fully evolved, but I am sure you will prove me wrong ;-)
    In some -not very flattering- way, I am happy to know, that you have to tweak things to, and try more than once. Makes me feel a little less hopeless. LOL! Not that I could make a teacup even if I dedicated an entire year to it.

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  40. Jodie, it's fab! If you do it in fake fur, you can sell them as Meret Oppenheim surrealist teacups! I'm now wondering how long it will take for you to make a selvedge tea set!

    By the way, you've been nominated for a blog (I cheated to make sure you got in)!

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  41. OH I just adore that teacup - now you will have to make it waterproof so you can really drink out of it - LOL!!

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  42. doesn't look wonky to me you crazy lady!

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  43. wow.....love your persistence and it DID pay off....super cute cup!

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  44. I saw your fabulous selvedge frock on a dress a day and it brought me here to your awesome blog! How inspiring and fun, I can't wait to look at everything you have here, starting with these brilliant tea cups!

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  45. Just cry those tears into said teacup and presto change-o! It's full and all of your problems have been solved! Loved this post. had me cracking up!

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  46. I think that your last looks fabulous!!!

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  47. Oh, this is too funny. Good luck in your search for true cupness.

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  48. now don't bang your head tooo hard!! I think your teacup looks fab! The last photo it looks like you have it nailed?? AND I'm lovin' that orange fabric :)

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  49. So adorable and I like the colors. I wish I could find time to try sewing - I would love to try some things.

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  50. Thanks for sharing the evolution - this is how I work too.

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  51. I think they are cute....you keep on going. I would have a set in my house....Andrea

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  52. Great post Jodie!!! Can't wait to see what evolves of the teacup...

    Jodie :)

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  53. I am just glad that you never give up!!!Love the teacup evolution:)

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  54. You are one determined woman Jodie! I happen to love your orange cup and saucer - wonky or not :)

    Thanks for sharing your trials and tribulations. I doubt I will be tempted to make a teacup after seeing evidence of the issues you encountered on your journey to fabric teacup perfection!!

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  55. Wow! looks amazing to me so far!!!!

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  56. I LOVE the orange tea cup. you are too hard on yourself!

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  57. I love love love the teacup. I hope a pattern will follow?

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  58. Does not look wonky at all. Looks lovely. Would also love a tutorial / pattern if you make one.

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  59. This one came out really nice! How cute. I can see a pincushion inside...

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  60. I would absolutely drink tea from one. they look very nice to me thnaks for sharing,Amy

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Hellloooooo !!!!