Anyway, I enlarged the armholes by 1/2" because they were tight. I did my usual square shoulder alteration of 1/2". I used the skirt I made and didn't like from here - I just cut off the crappy waistband and kept the lining under the fabric.
Here is where I failed, and kept failing. Instead of lining the dress the correct way I had the lining on the skirt part, and then cut a lining for the bodice. I just basted it to the fabric like an underlining and treated it as one. I sewed the casing and had so much bulk fabric (the 4 layers plus the 2 it folded over) so I cut off the bottom skirt and lining part - snipping into the darn casing. I hobble-fixed this and then somehow got the pin stuck when threading the elastic in the casing, open - not nice and closed. Frustrated and fed up I just cut a hole in the casing on the inside and pulled out the pin. I didn't even sew up the casing hole yet or finish the arm bindings.
I'm just sort of over it? I don't really like the under bust gathering from the casing going up instead of down. I would prefer the gathers on the waistband and lower portion, not under bust. I'm just picky - these pictures make the dress look fine. I'm sure I'll go back and fix the arms in a day or two and be content with this dress in the end.
Topping off my frustration, I smacked my arm on my sewing machine getting a bruise and gash. I scraped my calf on the chair outside and kept getting the camera remote wire caught on things. Then I stepped on nettles and was bit by a bug while taking these pics. And I got in the house to find that my blue table was in all the pictures on the bottom. LOL. Story of my life! I'm eating chocolate now so it's all better.
Positives:
it is super comfy to wear
It actually fits the back of my neck perfectly!
The pattern is great and I have a woven skirt/knit top cut for Miss K already.
Negatives:
I don't care for the under bust gathers or the poofiness there, other than that it is an ok dress.
I'm going to give it another shot but with a mash up of my Jalie TNT top and this size skirt.
Fabric - Designer Rayon Jersey Knit Stripes Blue/Green, 1.5 yards. Purchased in April 2013 from Fabric.com for $7.19.
I had to test out this pattern just to see how it would turn out for me. Do you ever have those moments when you feel you just HAVE to try something out? Even if it goes horribly wrong?
So what is up next? K's dress, Another attempt at the Thurlow shorts, and I just got the Colette Myrtle in the mail too!
July Totals:
(stash is anything purchased before this year)
Stash used: 4.75 yards
Fabric Out: 8.25 yards
Fabric In: 11.5 yards
Totals for the year to date:
Stash sew this year: 35.75 yards
Fabric out in 2014: 127.75 yards
Fabric in 2014: 141.25 yards
~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~
I have projects that frustrate me like that too. I haven't learn the art of walking away and coming back when I'm less tired/calmer/having a better day yet either! Anyway your feeling about the pattern was right. The dress fits really well and is a lovely elegant length. Truly hope you're having a better time now!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Philippa, it's growing on me :)
DeleteI feel your frustrations !!! But on a bright note, the finished dress looks lovely on you. And those colours are just stunning with your hair and skin tone. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbie!
DeleteWell, it looks great! I can relate though. Sometimes I just want to get a project over with because I'm tired of looking at it. I think that is the one draw back of sewing our own clothes. We get excited about the fabric and pattern, but then we handle it so much that we are tired of looking at it. That is why it is still nice to buy RTW once in a while. On a different subject, I left a note on your Alma blouse. Having trouble with the zipper on the side seam. Did you encounter this or is it just me? LOL
ReplyDeleteThank you Shirley! I do get that initial excitement, and a certain image in my head - then when things start to go south.... sigh. frustration sets in. Oh that Alma, fitting it was one of those frustrations!! hahahah
DeleteOh man, sounds like you had a properly rough day...! With all those bumps in the road, I applaud you for even arriving at Finished-dress-ville! I would've set the darn thing on fire....
ReplyDeleteI love the colors though, and the dress look fine for wearing around the house, eating chocolate :)
lol, thanks Siri! Believe me, I thought about setting the whole room on fire.
DeleteSeriously, it looks really good on you. For real.
ReplyDeleteI do get when projects give you the blues though. I suggest putting it in the naughty box and revisiting later. Putting some space between you and the dress.
LOL Thanks Nakisha :) I think I'd have most projects in that naughty box! hahaha
DeleteSounds like a rough sewing day! The dress looks great though.:)
ReplyDelete