Dotty dress triumph!
So I was absolutely right that sewing the stretchy knit would send me to the madhouse. Fortunately, I made it there and then back in time to finish the dress and wear it to a wedding!
This fabric was the devil's own. I used a special needle for stretchy fabrics -- it's supposed to keep the machine from skipping stitches. I don't think that was accomplished, though. I found myself going over seams two and three times (which, I discovered later, is what you're supposed to do anyway). I didn't read the directions very well, or I would have seen the part about pulling the fabric as you sew. This is what allows the seams to be stretchy. Apparently that would have prevented the "maybe all the seams are going to pop open" feeling every time I pulled the dress over my shoulders.
So, without further ado, here she is:
Yes, I look very smug, and I think I have every right to. Every step of this dress was a pain in the neck. I kept thinking, "This will be the last seam I sew," planning to give up, and then I kind of realized that even though it was pure torment, the dress was actually getting made. I remember the feeling of sewing the darted pleats (my name for them) in the bodice and all of a sudden seeing that it looked real.
The pattern was Simplicity 3678, from the Threads collection. I actually really like the dress. It was comfortable, easy to move in, and the gathers under the high waistline were perfect for camouflaging the old tummy. I know it's black, but I thought the dots made it cheery enough for a wedding. And the feeling of looking around and knowing that absolutely no one else at the party will be wearing the same thing as you is addictive.
The cons were mostly related to the fabric. Despite the rocky start, I was sewing pretty well by the end. I don't know if I just started handling it better, or what, but there did seem to be fewer skipped stitches. The fabric itself, being fully synthetic, was just not that great to wear. It was fine once the sun set, but at one point I was a little warm, and the dress didn't breathe at all. So it was a little strange feeling. Like wearing a wetsuit.
And lo, does this stuff smell! I thought it was my washing machine, but Sue told me that this stuff gives off a strange synthetic scent no matter what. No cottony fresh scent here, that's for sure. And after wearing it on the dance floor... let's just say I'm glad it was a pretty chilly evening. To have sweated in this dress would have been a stinky disaster.
Speaking of Sue, I have yet to break it to her that I wore this dress. I don't think she will approve. Especially since she lined my closet with several beautiful dress options, one of which left her nearly speechless, saying, "You look so... fashiony," in this hushed, awed voice.
Alas, I guess I am more of a stinky polka dot homemade girl than a fashiony girl.
I'll blog again soon, because I finished what is, in my opinion, an extremely cute little unlined jacket, and I need to brag about it.
This fabric was the devil's own. I used a special needle for stretchy fabrics -- it's supposed to keep the machine from skipping stitches. I don't think that was accomplished, though. I found myself going over seams two and three times (which, I discovered later, is what you're supposed to do anyway). I didn't read the directions very well, or I would have seen the part about pulling the fabric as you sew. This is what allows the seams to be stretchy. Apparently that would have prevented the "maybe all the seams are going to pop open" feeling every time I pulled the dress over my shoulders.
So, without further ado, here she is:
Yes, I look very smug, and I think I have every right to. Every step of this dress was a pain in the neck. I kept thinking, "This will be the last seam I sew," planning to give up, and then I kind of realized that even though it was pure torment, the dress was actually getting made. I remember the feeling of sewing the darted pleats (my name for them) in the bodice and all of a sudden seeing that it looked real.
The pattern was Simplicity 3678, from the Threads collection. I actually really like the dress. It was comfortable, easy to move in, and the gathers under the high waistline were perfect for camouflaging the old tummy. I know it's black, but I thought the dots made it cheery enough for a wedding. And the feeling of looking around and knowing that absolutely no one else at the party will be wearing the same thing as you is addictive.
The cons were mostly related to the fabric. Despite the rocky start, I was sewing pretty well by the end. I don't know if I just started handling it better, or what, but there did seem to be fewer skipped stitches. The fabric itself, being fully synthetic, was just not that great to wear. It was fine once the sun set, but at one point I was a little warm, and the dress didn't breathe at all. So it was a little strange feeling. Like wearing a wetsuit.
And lo, does this stuff smell! I thought it was my washing machine, but Sue told me that this stuff gives off a strange synthetic scent no matter what. No cottony fresh scent here, that's for sure. And after wearing it on the dance floor... let's just say I'm glad it was a pretty chilly evening. To have sweated in this dress would have been a stinky disaster.
Speaking of Sue, I have yet to break it to her that I wore this dress. I don't think she will approve. Especially since she lined my closet with several beautiful dress options, one of which left her nearly speechless, saying, "You look so... fashiony," in this hushed, awed voice.
Alas, I guess I am more of a stinky polka dot homemade girl than a fashiony girl.
I'll blog again soon, because I finished what is, in my opinion, an extremely cute little unlined jacket, and I need to brag about it.
posted by Katie Alender at
9:17 AM
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