This year's birthday dress is no exception.
This year - after making 2 version of the Appleton dress as tester versions and another (which still hasn't been blogged - but has been really this years) that I like but don't love, I was determined to make an appleton that I love! And I did it with this one.
The fabric is from Fabric Mart and the recent all the florals kick I went on this summer. The fabric is a navy ITY with pink and white flowers all over it!
This time I read the instructions! DOH! All previous versions of this dress that I didn't love Are.My.OWN.Fault! I am an idiot - who often thinks she knows what she's doing when in fact she doesn't have a clue.
This time, I took a step back, read the instructions, remeasured myself, retraced the dress and sewed with the correct seam allowances (they are 3/8 by the way).
My birthday was on a Thursday this year. The dress was cut out on Sunday night, but I ran out of time to sew. So, Monday after dinner, I headed downstairs. All I managed to accomplish in an hour was to clean and thread the sewing machine and serger, put in new needles, wind a bobbin, test thread and stitches, finish the front skirt edges and sew the shoulder seams. Didn't feel like much.
On Tuesday, I went downstairs after dinner and set up again. This time I set the sleeves in and sewed up the side seams. I also got the bands put together.
By Wednesday it had to get finished. I stitched, turned and attached the ties, put the facing on, sewed up the side seams, and hemmed the sleeves and hem.
As you can see - the dress still doesn't fit perfectly - but it's good enough and I love it! I have since retraced the dress from the arms down removing the grading between sizes that I did unnecessarily.
I feel comfortable in this dress and have worn it with my pale pink shoes a couple of times since my birthday already!
The moral of this story? Start by reading and don't give up!
I wrote the 3/8" seam allowance on ALL of my pattern pieces so I wouldn't forget because 5/8" is engraved on my brain! Love your fabric it really makes the dress.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to you - and what a cute dress! I love the idea of having a new birthday dress!
ReplyDeleteYou must always have to read the instructions. I'm shocked at your behavior.
ReplyDeleteLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
Happy birthday, beautiful! I must say this dress sings in floral, and sings on YOU.
I love it!! Such a gorgeous floral and perfect for a wrap dress. You look beautiful! I have learned the hard way to read instructions too!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! Love the idea of having a birthday dress; so festive. And lovey your latest floral version.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday! And yay for finally getting the Appleton to work for you! it looks super. As a general rule of thumb, all my knits will be 3/8" seam allowance and wovens are 1/2" :)
ReplyDeleteHappy belated Birthday! You and your dress look fantastic!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday! I love the idea of a special garment for your birthday, this dress looks beautiful on you.
ReplyDeleteI love it and it looks great with the shoes! I hope you had a great birthday!
ReplyDeleteI know, I know read the directions, but why? You look great and Happy birthday! I am Nutcracker sewing right now. Ugh!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday! I love your new dress!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday.... You look pretty in your new birthday dress..
ReplyDeleteHappy happy (belated) birthday! You look fab in this dark floral. Love the print.
ReplyDeleteIt's a really pretty dress, and I love the pink shoes with it. I'm so glad you got a new birthday dress that you love!
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