August 11, 2013

I LOVE IT WHEN VISIONS BECOME REALIITY...

...unbeknownst to me, and way out of my norm, I'm wanting to FLIP ON OVER INTO FALL right now.  But I don't think I'm  absolutely finished with summer yet!   Thank God I'm a woman!  This constant battle of changing my mind would surly drive a man crazy (lol).  I just couldn't wait to stitch up this classic knit dress from Vogue 8939.  Got to make the vision of my last post a reality...
 

Simple, yes!  But I think "simple" best describes my style.   "Simple" affords me limitless possibilities of mixing and matching, and the opportunity to play with the accessorizing I love so much for the Fall.  So this weekend I traced off the pattern, and picked out an inexpensive light weight ribbed knit from Hancock to play around with the pattern for fit.

  • firstly, this turtle neck is no joke!  It's a real deal turtle - Choke city here, might I add; and thick even with using my light weight fabric. Got to figure out a way to eliminate some of that bulk or I'd be pulling at that thing all day long.  Got to definitely remember to apply my make up after I put the dress on or I'd end up with a real smear mess.
  • I have several options concerning the collar:  pull a turtle neck pattern piece from an old Kwik Sew pattern that I've used before; or make the collar a cowl.  mmmmm we'll see...
  •  secondly, the dress is S-H-O-R-T, as can clearly be seen on the model.  I added 5 inches to my muslin.  I thought that would be more than enough, but since I do plan on wearing it with boots, I'm thinking about adding 2 inches more - the pattern calls for a  1" hem.
  • the dress runs large in the side seams.  I cut a 14 through the neck, shoulders and bust area and expanded to size 16 in the side seams.  As always, I'm glad that I made a muslin*.
*Please note that although I constantly talk of muslining, I do realize that it is not for everyone.  There are plenty of experienced sewists out there who just adjust the pattern itself for a perfect fit every time thus eliminating the need for a muslin.  Shucks, if I still had my out of the envelope size 12 body that I  thought was too fat back then, but always thought I'd have, I wouldn't EVER make a muslin!  It's a tremendous use of my limited sewing time.  But time and time again, I am not sorry that I bothered making it up.   It's like my fitting insurance policy.
 
so glad I finally learned to crop pictures.  That way I don't have to show ya'll the entirety of my junky sewing room (lol).  Add the elongated blazer from this same pattern and some boots, and I'll be off to professionally dressed work day!
I can see from my picture that I tapered more on the right below the hips than I did on the left.  Need to correct that.  This turned out to be a pretty good mock up, and could very well be a wearable muslin if I go back in and add a lining to the body of the dress.  That wouldn't be hard or take too long to do with some hand stitching at the sleeve opening and neck.  I'll finish this muslin, and hopefully start working on the actual fashion dress in pontederoma...


31 comments:

  1. That dress screams Fall and will look great with the blazer you have planned for it.

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    1. Thanks Sheila, I certainly am feeling it too!

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  2. I like your mock dress! Great info provided regarding the turtle neck. I like how you accessorized this. I am finishing up what I am calling my last summer dress (maybe) I really should get a jump on the next season.

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    1. Thank you Linda! Wish I could keep up with your sewing pace.

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  3. Can't wait to see the final dress! I am in no way mentally ready for fall.

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    1. Mentally I am sooo ready for fall, although it's so hot here I almost had a sweat attack this afternoon.

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  4. I love dresses like this. Awesome, and I cannot wait till Fall and Winter - those are my favorite seasons.

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  5. From the looks of your "mock up" dress, I know you will get a lot of use out of the final version. That was a quick project considering the issues with the collar. A great looking piece to start your Fall wardrobe.

    Cecil

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    1. Thanks Cecil! I plan on this dress being like a uniform of sorts. I think I'll be able to pull off wearing it a lot because it is simple and I'll be able to use many accessorizing options.

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  6. Your Fall (or Autumn as I call it) wardrobe has started off great - this dress in pontederoma will be perfect for you...what colour have you chosen???

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    1. Thanks Judith! I'm thinking about a black one and a brown one. But might substitute maroon for the brown.

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  7. Anonymous8/11/2013

    Your mock up looks great A great start to your fall wardrobe. Shawnta

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  8. Looks like it is ready to be made with "the good stuff". Nice dress. I also would have issues with the claustro turtle neck.

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    1. I know Bunny, I don't like my neck squeezed too tight.

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  9. great dress Faye, looks like a great dress to take you into the fall

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  10. The dress looks great! I am learning the value of the muslin too. It does take up precious sewing time, though, and I certainly miss that body of a "few" years ago that was pattern perfect!

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    1. Yes Pam, for me the muslin is a valuable insurance policy.

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  11. Faye this is looking great! How did I miss this pattern? Will pick up at the next sale..

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    1. Candice I'm ALWAYS missing patterns. I love this pattern and think it has great possibilities.

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  12. great job on the dress! I know what you mean about it being too hot to think about Fall, I signed up for a cape challenge & the ehat has bout made me forget I've only got a few weeks left lol!
    Helen

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    1. A cape will be a great addition to your fall/winter line up Helen. You'll be so glad you got it done ahead of time.

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  13. LOve it! So chic! This will get a lot of wear in the upcoming season!

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  14. Thanks much Ebony! You know how I roll (lol).

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  15. Thanks much Ebony! You know how I roll (lol).

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  16. I love the style of this dress. I appreciate muslins. So much to be learned from the experience. This looks great to me. This is definitely a fall sewing inspired post!

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    1. Thank you Terri. I have lots of plans for this dress.

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  17. I want to make one of these dresses for fall too so I'm following your lead! Love how you've styled this!

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    1. This dress is going to be a fall/winter staple for me in two colors. I think lots of people are thinking about fall sewing.

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