I had 7 items to monogram this week ~ 1 simple letter on each. Folks, I managed to mess up 4 of the 7 items, which meant I had to order 3 replacements and drag 3 kids to Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond yesterday in the 100 degree heat to find the other replacement. Can you say FRUSTRATED?
These are Bunk Pockets. I did some of these a couple of weeks ago with NO PROBLEM! This time, I was using the wrong size fast frame (which I figured out after messing up 3), so the machine was getting to a point and then bumping itself out of line. I tried to salvage these and the A & E aren’t too too bad, but I ended up redoing them and have 3 more on order to redo the rest. 🙁 I used the fast frame and you have to go INSIDE the front pocket, so it was tight, but doable with a PR650! I went down 1 size fast frame after messing a few up and it was much much better. BTW, these hang on dorm room bed posts and are great for holding cell phones, Ipods, etc. Graduation gifts!
As you can see here the right side of the A is missing it’s swirl! This is Sunny MWP font. This was after I picked out the messed up part!
For the B it jumped to the left and I picked it out. I tried to go back and fill it in, but it was too hard. Browder might not mind?? This is my new MWP Library font. I may rig something up for him, even though he has no phone or Ipod. He can stick something in there!
And for the E it got off track and again, I tried to find my place and start over. As you can see it just didn’t “fit” right. Not too terribly bad, but I redid it! This is MWP Exact Script.
As if messing up 3 dorm pockets wasn’t enough, I tried to monogram this laundry bag at about 11:00 Wednesday night (after I had already goofed on the 3 pockets)! First I tried to monogram the clear pocket. I got the fast frame in there but the pocket was too small for my machine. When I took the fast frame/sticky stabilizer out, the sticky reside stayed behind on the inside of the clear pocket. SOOOOOO….. I thought “I’ll take the pocket off and try to wet it and get rid of the holes and just monogram it“. Nope! The holes would not go away!
Normally my sticky stabilizer doesn’t “stay” on anything, but it sure stuck to this clear vinyl pocket! As you can see here I took it off trying to salvage the laundry bag.
My next brilliant idea was to sew a frame patch to try to cover the holes from the pocket, and then monogram an “E” inside. A) the frame patch did not cover the holes and B) I left the room and the top of the laundry bag got caught up in the frame.
FAIL * FAIL * FAIL * FAIL!!!!!!!!!!!
Here is the packaging for the laundry bag. I should have just monogrammed ON the bag and not tried the clear pocket. OH WELL! This also came from dormco.com.
So…. yesterday after day 4 of Vacation Bible School, I drug took all 3 kids to Target and Bed Bath and Beyond on the search for a similar black laundry bag! Did I mention it is 100 degrees here? Taking 3 kids anywhere in 100 degree heat is EXHAUSTING! I actually found this one (which is nicer than the one I messed up) and monogrammed an E in turquoise on the pocket! It turned out PERFECT! This one was $9.99 and I had a 20% off coupon.
So… I got paid $36 to monogram these 7 items (1 letter on each) and spent $23.77 on the replacement bunk pouches and $8.79 on the replacement laundry bag. So, all in all I made $3.44 on this gig! It probably took me a gallon of gas to drive to Target & BBB yesterday, so we’ll call it a wash!
Good times! I guess we learn best from our mistakes?
We close on our new house Wednesday MONDAY! We aren’t moving in officially until June 29th. I’m excited and also very overwhelmed! We’re painting a couple of rooms hopefully before we move in. I have no idea what colors. I have to do Mallory’s room from scratch since she left our other house in her crib. We are 1 bed shy for the house and will eventually need other new furniture (den, dining room). We also plan to replace ALL OF THE CABINETS, which means redoing the kitchen (again ~ eventually/at some point/hopefully in the near future…). Should be interesting! Pray for my survival!!
Have a wonderful weekend!!
I have been messing things up alot lately also. I decided to stop for a few days so hopefully my bad luck would go away 🙂
So…. I am pretty new to this embroidery stuff. My question is how do you mongram on something so small? IE…these bunk pockets. I have monogrammed on small totes but had to open them up. Is there an easier way of doing w/o taking them apart?
I have a 6 needle machine so you can go “inside” stuff!
You are a pro so it helps to know I am not alone…..what makes it jump off track? Mine has done that before. I know if the table gets knocked but otherwise???? If it is a very small section where threads are missing I have stitched by hand…..ughhhh
I think I was using the wrong size fast frame, so it was getting bumped somehow!
I know you like to *think* that you broke even, but if you decide to factor in your thread, bobbin, stabilizer I think it’s pretty safe to say that this may be a write off….lol. Sorry it happened, but glad you got through it. 🙂
Oh I know I didn’t break even, but it makes me feel better to think so! HA! 🙂
Thanks so much for this post of your mistakes. It does a rookie like me good to know that someoe much more experienced than me messes us too sometimes.
Thanks for all your good ideas and tips!
You could turn the B pouch into a “matchbox car” storage bag or something like that 🙂
Rosemary, you will never know how much this post helped my feelings. I haven’t been doing this very long but some days things go well (today), but other days, I end up having to just trash what I tried because something went wrong (me!). It’s so fun when it goes well but so frustrating when it doesn’t. Thanks for sharing. War Eagle!!
Bless your heart! I hate it when I mess up!! Usually happens when I am already behind…………LOL! Glad you were able to find replacements. Thanks for sharing. Love your Blog! : )
I”m so sorry that you had an awful day. It seems like when it rains in pours!! I do feel better knowing that I’m not the only one that has days like yours. It’s rare. But, when it happens, everything seems to go wrong. Glad everything worked out, even if it was for a $4 profit! 🙁
I LOVE this blog! I was traveling through Virginia with my hubby driving when this post came on my phone…I read it out loud and we both died laughing! I love your sweet honesty, Rosemary….we must be kindred spirits! You make me feel so good when I know that even pros like you make mistakes. It makes me feel like every time I goof it is alright…..others can and will do the same. We just need to keep on plugging…and we do because we love what we do. Thanks again….I cannot wait to meet you one day!
Aw thanks!! I’m glad you enjoy reading! 🙂
I’ve been having the same problem, and I hate when it gets bumped off track. I’m glad to hear others have had their “bad” day as well. Has anyone tried monogramming Woozies? They are wine glass covers made from neoprene. I ordered some thinking they would be easier, but it’s really tight, and my machine keeps getting off track. Thanks for sharing!
Doesn’t that just make you want to cuss and cry at the same time!!!!! Glad it worked out in the end, but stuff like that is exhausting! Been there, done that, A LOT! BTW, I love the pictures of Chocolate. Him laying in the bed beside your son made me laugh out loud!!
Just reading about your mistake 4 years ago. However, it is nice to hear that others go through the same things! I get so frustrated with myself but then I remind myself how thankful I am to be working from home. :-/ I love your blog and website.