I picked up a bright floral stretch twill at JoAnns and then I walked around and around trying to find a knit that worked with it. I really didn't want white, so - then what? I went with a dark plum that was in the print. I knew I had a textured pleather in the stash cupboard.
At the end of May I cut this dress along with several others. And this was the first one I sewed up. I waited about a week before wearing it - and it just didn't feel right. Something was off. Not sure you can tell in these photos - but the dress is just too big. The top of the waist piece falls just a bit too low, I could pinch out 2" on each side at the hips, the curve on the waist piece was wrong.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBL9gmPqLn6i9U-VMxliAmKu4DqtwupRwdaSxbHJfT-k8Yu3QzqO17Ajn_StHbnp_r1SYH9lW7kKt53PF_QG-8Izgdb9ohajrKTCTAgcTF8nLWSNYP_ctCfw49g14t4NhF2ZjuBQ/s400/Washington+1.jpg)
JB did a great job with these photos - because the dress looks good here. But I took a selfie the day I wore this and sent it to Carolyn. She asked some very good questions like what don't you like, what doesn't fit. And then she said, "May I ask why you chose a dark top?" Honestly - I got very defensive - which wasn't fair - I asked her opinion and I wasn't happy with the dress as a whole. I love all of the individual parts, but as a whole - just wasn't in love.
So then - then I did something that I never do. EVER.
I unpicked this dress and remade it. What?! Yep - you read that right - I unpicked this dress and remade it. I told you - I love all of the individual parts.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0x35vL8V4A8lF6LIZ-MSkT_5m9v1DzwS5R9eJkqQo8mudFCLbtyE_BWqq-xYemi-6qrXD0AFZ8JOyc2iYp-HSdjuf8m0KLL0kGypZ7ZFPvkzqGW9fE_OSYFczQNKYsiaZpvwBw/s400/Washington+Take+2+Side.jpg)
Then I went to the fabric cupboard and found a piece of white lace that was beautiful. It was a small piece - just a bit more than enough for the top. So an entirely new top was cut and sewn. I did make the sleeves a bit wider, but no other changes to the top.
I overlapped the skirt and waist band pieces and laid them over the skirt and recut them.
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I think the second version of the dress is a bit snug. It feels like the waistband is riding up to find room. But it sits better at my waist now, not too low, I don't feel like I have 4" of extra room around my waist and hips and I'm still eating Whole 30 - so I'm gonna assume it will be much more comfortable soon.
So - did you figure out what it was that I never do? I have NEVER remade a garment. Once it's done, it's done. If something doesn't work when I wear it - I make note (usually mental) and make changes the next time I use the pattern and the garment goes on to the goodwill box. These pieces deserved to be remade. I am so happy with the second finished dress! Thanks go to Jennifer at We Bought a Manor for inspiring the original dress and to Carolyn for always being a supportive and honest friend. And finally - to Jenny for making wonderful patterns for curvy girls!
So do you remake something that you love that doesn't quite work right?