08/17/2026
I don't think makers show this side of handmade enough. 🥲
This shirt has humbled me. The first shirt somehow got a stain, so I ordered another and started over. Weeks later, I finally finished this one… only for my sewing machine to leave a mark. I tried to clean it and ended up lightening the fabric instead. At that point, I was in tears.
I messaged my friend, showed her what happened and refunded her because I just couldn't feel right charging her for something that wasn't up to my standards.
And she liked it anyway. 🥹 She still wanted it and reminded me that a little spot doesn't mean it can't still be loved and worn.
I still don't know exactly what this sailboat shirt was supposed to teach me. Maybe, fittingly enough, it's learning that I can't control the wind.. I can only adjust my sails when things don't go the way I planned. 🤔
Sometimes handmade is just… handmade. Sometimes things go wrong. Sometimes you lose money. Sometimes you seam rip, start over, and still don't end up with perfection. 🥴