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April 9, 2007
Workaround Dress
So after the Big Blue Disaster, I wanted to make something that would redeem my sewing skillz. Why oh why didn't I just make another shirtdress? Why did I have to choose this one?
This dress seemed to be super cinchy and might well have been until I screwed up the zipper and had to take it out twice. Not so fun. Also, don't try to put one side of a zipper in after you have taken out the basting. I feel like I'm getting better at zippers in general (though the Nouveau dress was the first time I actually used a zipper foot on a centered application...). But this one didn't bolster my confidence any. After it was in again I realized that the top was still crooked so I had to fidget with it until it looked moderately straight. So many problems! So many fudge-y solutions! That is why this is the Workaround Dress.
But even before this point, I knew this little number would be trouble. After putting together the bodice and slipping it on, I realized that it is NOTHING LIKE THE ONE PICTURED. The one in the drawing is a deep (or maybe standard?) V neck with maybe two or three inches until the ties/casing. (They are hard to see in the photo, but they're there) This has about twice that. The V is very shallow and not particularly flattering (I'll get to the gaping in a minute). Thusly, I decided to make it much shorter than called for in order to take some of the frump out and distract with my fabulously long (hahahaha) legs. I figured that it could handle being short and wouldn't look trampy. Ok fine.
After it's all put together and I try it on I realize that something else is amiss in bodiceland. Note to readers: unless your bodice has gathering, never trust a pattern with only two front darts!! You will just need to add bust darts later! So I did and that seemed to help. Except it didn't rid me of the gaping. Perhaps it is because I am getting more finicky in my tastes, but there is just too much gaping for me not to be thinking about it. It's probably not that noticeable in the picture, and might not be all that noticeable in real life, but it still bothers me. I tried to add some kicky little shoulder seam darts, but that didn't really do anything, even though it seemed like it would take up the extra fabric just right.
Are there any good tutorials for this out there? Any advice?? I feel like all of my dresses are really just Practice for the Future and that I'm pretty lucky if anything works out just right since I haven't exactly had any training in this stuff and I'm sort of making it up as I go. However, that does not mean that I don't expect everything to be perfect the first (and every!) time. It's such a bummer to come off a dress like the shirtdress that I liked so much and then to make a couple of duds. I think that my next dress will have to be a tried-and-true pattern. Or maybe I need to cool it and take a break for a while? Oh, that thought makes me sad.
Maybe it's not as bad as all that. I tend to wear the mediocre things more often than the really good ones anyway, since I seem to be afraid that I'll mess the good ones up. I could probably wear this over jeans or as a layering piece, though it really feels best suited for some tropical locale. Maybe in a couple of years...
p.s. The "on" button on my iron broke. Does this mean I can go buy a Rowenta now??
Posted by loyd0008 at April 9, 2007 12:44 PM
Comments
Villan,
If you are talking about neckline gaping, you might want to try a technique I just found in "Fantastic Fit for Every Body" by Gale Greg Hazen. Look on pages 182-185, a section titled 'Get a great fitting tank top.' This is a flat pattern fitting technique that does require a second person to help you determine the pattern angle of the bodice front and the amount you will have to adjust the pattern. It really is quite clever. I also like her "hookEdo" technique for reducing gaping in the armhole area.
Of course, you can buy a Rowenta now!!!!!
Posted by: patsijean at April 9, 2007 5:15 PM
o.k. so I may have put a hex on you accidentally- yours is a favorite check in place where I believe that it's possible to sew beautiful things without it being a life altering experience. If I have somehow inadvertantly caused these recent difficulties, I humbly remove said hex. : )
Posted by: becky at April 9, 2007 6:56 PM
Ahhh, this is why I make a muslin first. Even on the ridiculously simple patterns that are in my stash. Muslin first, always always. I do not fit into any kind of standardized sizing and if I cut into my nice fabric before making adjustments, I might as well have fashioned the fabric into a toga.
All pattern flubs aside, I looooooooove that fabric print!!
Posted by: Sara at April 9, 2007 10:53 PM
I will have to check out that book, Patsijean, because doing a muslin would really be worthless for me as it is. I have to know how to fix the problem, just knowing it's there isn't enough!! I put in some gathery type things on the straps and I think they work pretty well. A "design feature" I'll call them. I think I'm spoiled since I'm almost exactly a size 12. I usually have to cut a few inches off the bottom, but other than that it's pretty close.
And no more hexing of the Villain!!
Posted by: villain at April 9, 2007 11:57 PM
Huh. I did a muslin for this pattern, but I did the raglan version... and it, too, was ill-fitting. Like, falling off my (rather broad) shoulders ill-fitting. Perhaps this is an all-around crap pattern. :P
Posted by: Mandy at April 10, 2007 2:43 AM
Down with sucky patterns! Though I do find some comfort in the fact that it's not just me...
:)
Posted by: villain at April 10, 2007 10:19 AM
Yeah, that is a great pattern.
What is a muslin pattern? I'm only familiar with the fabric because of our aden + anais swaddle blankets.
Posted by: Eric at July 22, 2009 10:09 PM