September 8, 2013

TOOK A RISK...

...with Butterick 5554 and surprised myself when it paid off.
Mmmmm, you know that I almost always make muslins, but not this time.  The risk I took was in not making a muslin of this dress.  It took a lot of dickering with myself back and forth to make the decision to forgo a muslin this time.  I did trace and alter the pattern at points I thought would make a better fit, like:
  • Raise the neckline 1 inch
  • Extend the shoulder seams 3/4 inch, that included extending the front and back neck facings
  • Added three inches to the length of the dress
I was sure that I'd have to make adjustments in the princess seam bust area, but was pleasantly surprised when I got perfect fit in that area.  I usually cut 1" side seam allowance (just in case insurance) but not this time.  I used I used interfaced poly-interlock for the facings because I thought self facings would create too much bulk since my dress in made from pontederoma.   Even though I added 3" the dress it was barely long enough for my liking.  So I added a stretch lace hem facing and just barely turned up the hem.  I did not like to look of machine topstitched hems so I opted to hem by hand.   Another surprise was not having to use a zipper, yeahhhh!   Things just worked out, and it's a perfect fit!

Please bear with me in showing my work right now.  Since my dresses are planned for fall/winter wearing I'm displaying them via dressform.  I plan on making a collage later when I do wear the dresses. 
I used black pontederoma for the sleeves and base of the dress, and snow leopard for the center panel for an on trend look, both from my stash.  The dress is unlined.


Choose solid black for the back of the dress.
I am so glad that I have a dressform - for what it's worth, but...

  Dressform:  an apparatus used to display completed apparel.  Truthfully, not very useful for fitting purposes,  although we all think it will be.  Something we feel is a MUST for our sewing rooms.  Mine, when dialed to match my measurements has a big hollow hole for a tummy, and openings on the sides that makes the hips appear larger than they should be (a bow hipped appearance).  A structure that seems to always be in my way no matter where I place it in my tiny sewing room.   Objects placed on said dressform ALWAYS appear larger than they actually are.  WHY IS THAT??? 

This is the third fall/winter dress of my collection, and there may be two or three more coming up....

48 comments:

  1. I have that pattern and want to make it up, but I have not yet found the right fabric (always the hard part). I love your version! And you are making me feel better about my lack of a dress form:)

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    1. Thank you Angela. I'm always on a "find the right fabric hunt". My dressform would be more useful if I took the time to pad her. Just got to take a deep breath and get that done.

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  2. What a pretty dress! It looks pretty doggone good on your dress form but I am sure even better IRL on you!

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    1. Yes Bunny I love the way it fits me. I was torn about using the print down the front, but I need to step out of my comfort zone sometimes.

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  3. I love your version of this dress.

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  4. #1: the dress is wonderful! you are amazing

    #2: Thank you for your comment about the dress form...I am just getting back into sewing after over 10 years on hiatus and was looking into getting a form since all of you wonderful sewing bloggers seem to have one...I feel okay putting that on the back burner for now.

    #3: I have a silly question...well maybe to you anyway, being the superstar sewing genius that you are. What the heck do you do with all of your muslins after you're finished fitting the patterns? Do you keep them? Do you throw them out? My mom never did that and so then neither did I...I'm afraid it would hurt my feelings to throw out something I'd worked so hard on. But thinking back now...I'm sure I wouldn't have cried over as many ruined projects either.

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    1. Thank you for your comment!
      #1. Amazing!, you so flatter me! Thank you for thinking so, but I'm far from amazing. I make many mistakes because I don't really read the instructions. That lead to using a seam ripper more than I really would like to.
      #2. My dressform would be a lot more useful if I took the time to pad her.
      #3. SUPERSTAR SEWING GENIUS! Now I'm starting to get the big head (lol). I'm flattered! I'm actually in the "still learning" category. If I think I will make the pattern again, I keep the muslin for a while. Matter of fact, I keep them all for a while, tossing those I know I won't to make again. I write on them, so they turn out to be a good resource for sewing the style over again. I make adjustments to the patten using muslins, and sometimes I take them apart (all seams are basted using my largest machine stitch) and use them as my actual pattern for cutting.

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  5. Very nice - I love how you have made this dress. I must say that I do love my dressform. I have padded her out to my measurements so she resembles me (poor thing) and therefore good for basic fitting - which is all I am up to know.

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    1. Thank you BeaJay. I need to pad mine out too. I plan on following Bunny's directions for doing it, just haven't gotten the nerve to give it a try yet.

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  6. This is a beautiful dress-I may have to look again at this pattern.

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    1. Thank you so very much. I'm sure you will like the pattern, it's really quick.

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  7. Gorgeous! Love your color pairing! I'm experiencing the same challenge sewing fall/winter clothing but I've resorted to taking them indoors in air conditioning! Can't wait to see this on you!

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  8. Love,love this dress!Especially the contrast print.Will look forward to seeing it on you when the time comes.

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    1. Thank you Juliane - I'm in love with this dress!

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  10. It is a beautiful dress. I love it.

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  11. Looks pretty good and I know it'll look fabulous on you! TFS

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    1. Thank you! I'm excited about wearing it.

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  12. Wow, Faye, what a pretty dress. It looks so well made too. I know you will look fantastic in it!

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    1. Thank you Merche. I love this dress!

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  13. It looks great and I like the style of colorblock, very designer.
    can't wait to see it on you in your photo collage.

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    1. Thank you Toy. You know I look to your updates to keep up with the hottest designer looks.

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  14. The dress is runway stylish! You will look great in it. Have a great week.

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    1. Thank you Regina! You have a great week too!

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  15. Great looking dress, and so on trend! Can't wait to see you wearing it :-)

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  16. Beautiful dress, Faye! You have definitely stepped out out this year (i. e. Printed pants and blocking)! I can't wait to see this dress on you.

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    1. Thank you Brenda. The dress is a perfect fit!

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  17. So pretty, I'm sure you're going to rock it.

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  18. This looks so great, can't wait to see it on you.

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  19. That looks good! Rooooaarr!

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  20. Anonymous9/10/2013

    It is beautiful!

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  21. Wow, great dress Faye!

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  22. Anonymous9/10/2013

    Wow, very classy and evening-wear like. Would love to see this on you. Those seams look very flattering and the colour/texture combo is gorgeous.

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  23. Ms. Faye, I love your new dress. It is on trend and perfect for the fall weather.

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  24. Loved the dressform comments! I have had those same thoughts many times. The dress is lovely!

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