October 22, 2012

Guess What?

I made a dress!  Taking a page from Carolyn's book - I made the retired Simplicity 3744.  This is now the 3rd version of this dress. 

This version is unlined and made from a fabulous cotton print that screamed at me last weekend when I was sick and finally stir crazy by Saturday.  I decided to run out quickly and get some supplies needed for the polka dot dress (you've seen it on Instagram) and this spoke to me. 

Originally it told me it wanted to be a different dress and while I was pretreating the fabric, I heard the call of this Simplicity pattern.  Saturday night I slept on it and went back and forth between the two pattern, but I think (hope) this one was the right choice. 

This is the first time I've put sleeves on this pattern.  And honestly - I have share that while I was showering yesterday I was totally wondering how I finished the armholes because I didn't remember doing it.  Crazy!

The only changes I made to the pattern was to open the neckline up a little bit.  Apparently I'm quite narrow though my upper chest.  The first version gaps at bit at the neckline - which I fixed with 2 strategically placed tucks.  For the second version, I moved the top of the center front slightly off the fold and it still doesn't lay right.  This time, I moved it 1/4" off the fold - just the very top, getting back to the fold within 5" of the top of the pattern piece.  Then I also widened the opening using my french curve for a graceful curved opening.


Carolyn - I told JB you said he had to take more than 3 photos and it was his job to get me to relax and not be so self conscious while he was taking the photos, to talk to me and make me laugh and get cute, flattering photos.  He said - why is that my job?  Because you are behind the camera dear!

This dress was easy to wear and while we were yarn shopping the girl at the counter said "That's a cute dress.  Did you make it?"  Why does that follow up question always make me freeze?

Happy Monday!  I have 4 more dresses waiting to be worn and shown - including the border print (that still isn't hemmed) from retreat!

15 comments :

  1. Love the dress, and the last photo is almost relaxed.

    Happy birthday to you dear friend!

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  2. You look gorgeous in the dress. I predict you will receive compliments every time you wear it.

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  3. Great job. You look wonderful and the fit is so nice!

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  4. Oh no he didn't say that! *LOL* Tell him I said that he should do it because he loves you! These are better pictures, definitely and it will only take him 10 mins max when you get a routine down. The only reason my pics take so long is because my DD has become a stylist now and keeps moving me around. Yesterday she took a hundred pics of three outfits.

    All of that on picture taking and I wanted to tell you that the dress looks fantastic on you!

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  5. YOU LOOK GREAT in front of the camera!!! im so impressed with your sewing and talent!!!!!

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  6. Really beautiful dress! :) enjoy the compliments G!

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  7. Looks great and i love that print too!

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  8. That's a cute dress. I love the sweater you wore with it, too; it picks up the turquoise in the dress perfectly! I'm so happy that you were able to solve your neckline fitting problems (sometimes I put a little piece of narrow elastic inside my necklines, and stretch it by about 1" over 6" of length. That pulls it in just enough without looking gathered.)

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  9. That is a cute dress and I can just hear JB making that comment. I don't even ask Tom anymore...robably why I haven't been posting pics of anything I've sewn lately...LOL!!! Good job Girl...keep the mojo flowing!

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  10. This is a super cute dress on you and the alterations have made this a fantastic fit! Well done on the sleeve front- I love that you zen-ed out in the process so much that you have no idea how you did a step. That is sewing nirvana right there!

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  11. Rats, I'm not sure I have this pattern. And now I want one! :D I think that follow up question is a perfectly reasonable one in a yarn shop..they're already crafty and possibly she recognized the fabric? Or maybe it was the perfect fit and she KNEW there was no way you bought that off a rack!

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  12. Happy Birthday, from the friend who neglected to get to the store to buy a card on time!

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  13. Hi, I found your blog about a week ago (through Carolyn's, http://sewingfantaticdiary.blogspot.co.uk/ I think) and have been hooked all week reading right from the beginning.

    What a sewing (and life) journey you have been on since the beginning of this blog! I'm sorry for the loss of your fur-babies, I'm a cat person myself, but I fully understand how our chosen fur-companions leave footprints in our hearts.

    Your sewing and knitting is wonderful and there have been many garments and other items that I've oohed and aahed over along the way. Your more recent garments - the dresses are a whole new level and I think you've finally found your style! You look fabulous in colour. I especially love this latest version of the Simplicity dress - the style is so flattering on you and the colours bring you to life! Kate

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I appreciate you coming to see me. It may take me a bit to publish your comment - but I will get to them by the end of every day. If you leave a way for me to get back to you, I will. Thanks for taking the time to comment and share your opinions. g

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