Special Event - Next up

Next up on my sewing list is Burda Magazine 3/2010 Dress 132 and Coat 130. I have a special event to attend to Tuesday the 30th. This special event is so special that a new outfit is needed. I have already started working on the dress and hope to be able to post photos this upcoming sunday. The coat is a whole other story and i may not be able to finish in time for my tuesday event. But here goes the details.

The dress is simple a high waist skirt with a heart shape neckline with simple pleating. The muslin sewed up in 10 min without sleeves. The dress should take a few hours. At this point the neckline was way too low. look at the photo below, girlfriends cousins are hanging out a little too much and this special event requires modesty. So i have raised the neck line 3 inches and here is how i did it. I traced a copy of the right and left front straight to the muslin. At the lowest point of the copy i placed a dot three inches up. I placed a pin in the paper copy at the shoulder and then pivoted the paper copy untill the lowest point met the dot. traced the curve and neckline raised. I did this on both the left and right front pieces.

This top has princess seams. Using the nancy zieman method has proven successfull for my on pricess seams so i have increased the side front, right front, left front, and back by 1" each. Yes that seams like a lot but i need room from my cousins to fit into this slightly fitted dress. So far the adjustments seem to be OK. I am struggleing with the sleeves can't quite figure out how they go on.

The fabric for this dress was a steal from joann fabrics. I had purchased 2 yards of this bridal weight silk dupioni on sale at 40% off. I fel like i walked away with a major buy. about two months ago the stuff was on the red tag table 50% off the original price and then........Joann's was have a 50% red tag sale. Ladies i purchased this 24.99 silk duiponi, in the most luxrious nude/gold color for only .........$3.00 per yard. so i purchased 5 more yards. And guess what ladies it is 60" wide!!!! I tried to take a photo of the stuff but it doesn't show up well on my camera. I have to wait for daylight to take a photo. Progress pending...

Simplicity 2840

From 2010-03-02-0842-17

In my previous blog i wrote that i was sidetracked. I finished my sidetracked garment and just love it! Here is my review of this comfy frock.

Pattern Description: loose fitting knit dress

Pattern Sizing: 18W-32W I did the 28W and could have done a 24W

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? No, the photo of this dress on the package is rather ugly. You are unable to see the details in the bodice. I think my photo turned out better

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were very easy. This is a weekender dress or maybe even a sewn in an afternoon dress.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?I selected this pattern becuase of the sleeve on view B. I just loved that flowing look. This pattern was a surprise in that it does fit very nicely and does not give the plus size girl that Pregnant look. I dislike the sizing. I had to reduce the shoulder by about 2 inches and it's still a little too big. I took the waist band in and waist in about 2.5 inches and that is after gathering. in summary the dress is a little big without alterations.

Fabric Used: A beautiful colbolt blue Matte Jersey from Fabric.com

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: had to reduce the shoulder by about 2 inches and it's still a little too big. I took the waist band in and waist in about 2.5 inches and that is after gathering. in summary the dress is a little big without alterations. THe hem is to be hand sewn but i will use a twin needle to sew in the hem. Before i did that i used Steam a Seam to attach the hem and this gave the hem some weight becuase this stuff curls badly. With the steam a seam the hem looks very professional

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes i will sew this again. This dress can be dressy or casual depending on which pattern option you choose.

Conclusion:
Overall this is a great casual dress or dressy dress. I would recommend it for those needing to find some mojo it's easy and will get your wheels spinning.

From 2010-03-02-0842-17

From 2010-03-02-0842-17

From 2010-03-02-0842-17