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February 19, 2007
House Dress or House Arrest?
I wanted a dress to wear at home. A good-looking but comfortable thing that I could wear insted of pjs. Found some great fabric by Alexander Henry (such a high threadcount!) and a pattern that looked cute but non-restrictive (Built By Wendy, Simplicity 3835) and went to work. Yesterday, I made this dress:
It is almost what I wanted. It would probably look better on some tiny Japanese girl who is posing with her feet pigeon-toed and giving a peace sign. I tried that out and looked thoroughly ridiculous. Oh well.
At first, things went quickly since there are only a few pieces to the pattern. The problem, I find, with Built By Wendy patterns is that they are somewhat counter-intuitive and overly fussy. Does that cuff really have to be topstitched like that? Oh, the collar too? Probably not. (I slipstiched the collar instead) I suppose this is what makes her work "fashiony" and "hip", but I will not be in any big hurry to make another one of these dresses, or a BBW pattern in general for a while. It fits ok except for the sleeve cuffs which are strangely tight. I know that this is another one of those Lessons in Which Villain Sucks It Up and Does Some Muslins, but not quite yet. Perhaps if I 1. had a dressmaker's dummy or 2. really knew how to fix a pattern preventatively it would be more urgent. As it stands, I am better at problem solving than actual dressmaking. The answer here is just to stretch them out a bit and iron like crazy :D
Also, I want a new sewing machine. I have only been making dresses for about a year, but I have run my little Bernette into the ground. My back-up Kenmore just doesn't have what I need. Sigh. I guess I'll have to wait for the ol' birthday to roll around. But that is not until October!! Almost half again as long as I have been sewing! If I get the summer grant I am hoping for (though this might be unlikely), then I will put down some cash on a little beauty.
I had the urge to take it off right after I took the picture but restrained myself since it is supposed to be for this very thing! In order to console myself for having to read more film theory, I am going to eat only orange food for the rest of the afternoon: Sunkist and peanut butter M&Ms!
Posted by loyd0008 at February 19, 2007 02:54 PM
Comments
Wow, just wow. This is fabulous, even without the pigeon toes.
You've made me feel guilty about having a functioning sewing machine. Tonight will be tidying, tomorrow will be sewing!
Posted by: Flibbertygibbet at February 20, 2007 02:59 AM
Gee whizz - I love it! You do choose some great fabrics, too. I really like those AH designs but have never bought any.
I think I have to make that dress. I just don't know how you do it so fast.
Posted by: alice at February 21, 2007 04:30 PM
OH mi god, I love that. I was going to buy that pattern this weekend, but realized I still had not made the other two BBW patterns that I have. I even have the fabric, thread, and buttons for them already. But when I do, I will definitely make that dress. It looks better on you than the picture Wendy is using to promote it. And thanks for the heads up on the sleeves.
Another great dress. How can you make so many dresses and I have one top that has been cut out for over a month now and I can't seem to get motivated to start.
Posted by: lsaspacey at February 22, 2007 03:07 AM
You can't seem to get yourself motivated to start? It's because you think that way. Instead of thinking that you are not motivated to start, think that you'll be starting it now, tomorrow, or the soonest time possible. Set a specific date on when you are going to be available and start it.
Sometimes, we just need to start over a task to be able to finish it. Once we have started it, it will continue smoothly. Just get motivated in starting it. Seeing this dress might just motivate you to start it.
Posted by: Get Motivated at June 12, 2007 01:59 PM