The Blue Dress is Finished!!!!

Having finished my dress, which took over a month (gasp!), and having posed in the mirror last night examining it, I have some conclusions.

Total cost: $25.26 (not including labor, because my precious sewing time is worth one million dollars an hour ;) )

Overall, I like it.

I am very satisfied with my belt and covered button.

If I were to make it again, the only thing I would change is to make the sleeve part into a separate bolero. The pattern wants it to be attached. I think that contributed greatly to the lumpy back (see below), and that it would look better separate.

Oh, and I would do a normal side-boob dart (oh, excuse me, underarm) instead of the three poofy tucks the pattern wants.

My changes: shorten hem, lengthened all darts (skirt front and back, all darts on jacket back)

Posing (for my self-timer)

Close-up of tie and belt detail.

See how the upper back is so lumpy? I managed to lessen it, but couldn't get rid of it completely.

Front view- It fits like a glove.

I wanted a shot of my hair. I call this the "Mormon bride." It reminds me of of the hairstyle of all the women who were on the polygamous compound in Texas. It is the only hairstyle I've ever discovered where I can hold up all of my hair with 2 big bobby pins.

As you can see, the pattern would also make a cute strapless party dress.

Finally, look at how much of my blouse I've put together today! I plan on finishing it tonight!

fin.

Blue dress update

This week has been stressful and work-filled, so I have made barely any progress. Most of this was done last Saturday morning. The bodice needs to be fitted on me, but I need my boyfriend to pin the back up for me. Then, adjustments can be made and then the process can be repeated for attaching the skirt..... then all it needs is a zipper and a hem!

This week has been stressful and work-filled, so I have made barely any progress. Most of this was done last Saturday morning. The bodice needs to be fitted on me, but I need my boyfriend to pin the back up for me. Then, adjustments can be made and then the process can be repeated for attaching the skirt..... then all it needs is a zipper and a hem!

Dress Update and Friday's Outfit

Here's the smidgen of progress I made this week. Basically, all I did was the neckline facing and the straps. It's all just pinned right now; after I make both parts, I will fit it on me and adjust it. It's starting to look good, I think.

Here's a scary picture where I look like a giant. Today's outfit, my zebra dress. More pix of it here.
Lots of the students really liked that I had made all my dresses this week. I also like talking about sewing, one of the other teachers sews crafty stuff, one of the secretaries quilts by hand.... Next year, I might see if anyone would join a sewing club....it would be fun encouraging young people to sew!

They did point out I wore a lot of green this week. It also made me realize i need more shoes and cardigan sweaters. The mall may be in my forecast for the weekend.

Dress Update

Look! My lemon tree is blooming! Too bad I can't upload the smell, it smells wonderful!

The bodice is almost like a camisole with a bolero over it. I have made the skirt and most of the camisole. It isn't sewn together at the waist yet, so that's why it looks weird.

I am highly suspicious of how it made me do tucks on the side of the boobs. Plus, I realized I haven't sewn a plain fabric for a looonnnggg time. I of course did them all perfectly, but on the wrong side of the fabric, so i got to pick out all my stitches and do it again. Hooray! Now I am using my tailor's chalk to make a big D for dull on the wrong side as soon as I take off the pattern piece. Live and learn!

Next up is the neckline binding and the straps. I'll work on it tonight or tomorrow night, depnds on how quickly I finish making my stuff for school tomorrow. And how many Law and Order reruns I watch.

I must say, I felt like an expert teaching my 7th graders the Bill of Rights, simply due to all of the Law and Order I watch. I could answer every question they threw at me! LOL :)