Alabama Stitching

Picked up the Alabama Stitch Book at my library the other day. It basically promotes a technique involving deconstructing t-shirts, then stenciling and hand-stitching them. I loved the look of the reverse applique skirt, so that's the project I'm tackling next!

So I went to the local craft store and found shirts 2 for $5 (you need 4 for one skirt). I also picked up some fabric paint and some beads in case I want to get fancy.

I had the strange experience of going in with one idea in my head for the colors and style I wanted to do, but in the store it all kinda went out the window and I went with red, brown, and gold. Here's the first skirt panel:


Doing the stencil last night I was thinking perhaps I should have chosen a different paint color. (Maybe it was just the fumes reminding me of an embarrassing sunflower applique & puffy paint experience I had growing up.) Starting the hand-stitching today I think I'm liking it better, but I'm still a bit unsure.


Have you ever jumped into a project only to find yourself questioning if you really liked it later? How long do you continue with something before deciding to keep, rework or scrap it?