This weekend I did something I hate doing. I decided to pull the plug on a project I had started. After deliberating for a bit and trying to think up alternatives for how to finish it, I couldn’t make the money and time investment quite work out. Instead of agonizing over my frustration, I decided I would use this experience as an opportunity to share about what went wrong and tips on how to avoid derailed DIY projects in the future.
My Project:
I’m in the process of redecorating my living room and part of my plan was to add additional seating. To accomplish that, I decided that I was going to construct two round leather tufted ottomans. They were supposed to end up looking like a slightly taller version of this:
What Went Wrong?
Yeah…that didn’t happen. After coming up with the idea to give it a shot, I rushed my research and didn’t fully think through the implications the shape would have on the sewing part of the project. Confident that I had enough knowledge and skill to complete the task, I ran to the store to buy my materials. This is when the red flags started to appear. I ended up spending close to $100 on materials for just one of the ottomans I was intending to build. That was with fabric store coupons and fake vinyl “leather”. That was about the starting price for real leather store bought options…
I decided to continue on, thinking to myself that even if they did end up coming out to the same price as buying them, they’d be worth it because I made them (hey, it’s valid!). Everything was going really well with the frame construction (frame for extra stability) and then came time to sew the vinyl cover. I was able to successfully create the bottom portion, but ended up mis-judging how difficult it would be to attach the round top to complete the cover. Trying to do this with thick, stiff material made it even more challenging.
Multiple attempts at getting it right ended in extreme irritation and a broken sewing machine needle. It also caused me a bit of sadness. My late grandmother was an incredibly talented seamstress. If she were here I would’ve popped over to her house so she could show me what to do. Clearly the handful of hours I spent with her learning the basics were not nearly enough!
With a broken needle and a pile of vinyl scraps, I started to realize that I needed a plan B. I really wanted the leather look (I probably could have figured it out with fabric). I didn’t have the tools, or expertise to use real leather, so I thought about wrapping them in braided leather cord. It looked cool, but was going to cost about $200 in cording. Finally, I came to the conclusion that it was just going to cost too much to end up making something that I was only half excited about. Since making the decision, I’ve turned to Etsy and am having luck finding higher quality, real leather items that will be a more reasonable hit on the wallet in the end.
What’s Next?
Though I’m disappointed that that this project didn’t work out as planned, I know that it’s bound to happen, especially with the amount of tinkering I do. I also know that I have plenty more projects in the works that will be successful. In true DIY-er fashion, I’m already conjuring up ways to repurpose the materials I didn’t end up using. Some of it will definitely be going towards practicing my sewing skills!
DIY Project Take-Aways:
DIY When:
- You’re interested in learning a new skill.
- DIY-ing will save you money.
- You have time, or can make time to complete your project.
- There is no alternative to the masterpiece you’ve dreamed up in your mind!
Think Twice When:
- DIY-ing will cost more than buying the item you’re looking for.
- The project is way beyond your skill level (if it’s something you really want to learn, find someone with the necessary tools and experience to teach you!).
- Going to cause harm to yourself, or your home.
What inspires you to DIY? What do you do when things go less than perfect? Share below!