Before the Reveal

Before showing you the dresses I finished at retreat 2012, I thought I'd finally show you the dress that I mostly made at retreat 2011.  Most of the completed garments from 2011 have been made and worn and gifted already.  But this red version of Vogue 1250 sat on the cutting table from October through August - when I finally asked a friend to mark the hem for me.  Yes - it waited a year for a hem.

I was finally inspired to get it hemmed to wear to a friend's wedding over Labor Day weekend.

I would have to say it's a bit more close fitting than I'm comfortable wearing, but I felt okay until I saw the photos.  I'm working on getting JB to take more photos - he shoots digital for goodness sake - it's not like we're burning film to take more than 3 pictures.  But whatevs.

 I'm glad this dress is hemmed and living in the closet now.  I'm guessing it will get a little vacation trip and taken out to dinner and show for the upcoming birthday vacation. 

I Am Exhausted

Sewing Retreat was wonderful as it always is.  Last weekend - before I had any idea what I was going to work on at retreat, I ordered some fabric from Girl Charlee.  I found it through Meg the Grand and then about a week later, Angie posted about Girl Charlee too. 

The fabric that made me put more in my cart and hit purchase was this one: 

And it's already been made into Butterick 5454 from my last post. 

One of the things I love most about going to sewing retreat is having others available to help you with fit.  On both dresses I took cut and ready to sew - I was very lucky - they fit!  The 'standard' alterations that I need were enough - sway back AND short back length. 

For the first time in my life, I DID NOT add extra room through the hips.  Both patterns had enough ease built in to accommodate my shape.

The changes I made to B5454 were as follows:  added 1/2" to the front wrap so it was higher; made a 1 1/2" sway back adjustment at the shoulder, AND shortened the back by another inch; shortened the back box pleats and only sewed them down for 3" rather than the 4+" in the pattern, and added 6" to the skirt length!

I came home from 'sew camp' feeling pretty, like I knew what the heck I was doing with pattern and fabric and that my hips aren't nearly as big as I think they are!  What a fabulous weekend.  Dress photos soon.  

So Much I want to do

I have so many things on my cutting table right now and I'm just not sure where to start. 

First up is McCalls 6503 - I saw this pattern on another blog and loved how it turned out.  I have a beautiful green floral fabric that would be lovely.  I plan to do either the bottom left view with the stand up collar or the top right with the cross over bodice and folded back collar.  I will do the pleated skirt rather than the full skirt. 

But I can't decide if I just want to dig in and start or spend time making muslins to make sure it fits.  Yea - I should totally do that. 

Next up is Butterick 5454 - I have been so inspired by the wrap dresses being made by Elizabeth of Sewn. 

I have a lot of knits that would be perfect for this type of dress.  They are comfortable and easy to wear. 

So what's stopping me with this one?  My little belly.  Can you wear this style of dress and look fabulous with a pouch-y belly?  What do you think? 

And being inspired by Carolyn, I really, really want to pad my closet out with dresses.  They make leaving the house so easy. 



Finally - I bought Simplicity 1880 way back when Sunni hosted the 2-in-1 Shirt & Wrap Dress Sewalong.  

Again - I have the perfect fabric and I got some great tips while the sewalong was going on.  But I haven't started. 

And I totally need to get my act together because this upcoming weekend is the Fall Sewing Retreat that is put on my by local ASG Chapter.  I am signed up, have a room mate for sleeping and will have my space ready.  With 32 lovely women to sew with for 3 days and get fitting help - well, see what I mean? 

This week I need to get over my damn body issues and just start tracing and cutting fabric already.  I learned long ago that I'm far more productive at retreat if I take things ready to go.  I'd be happy to work on the fit of these 3 dresses all 3 days and then make wearable clothes after retreat. 


My birthday is fast approaching and I need some new clothes.  So what do you all think?  Would you work on fitting issues?  All three of these dresses are very classic and once fitted could just be made over and over?  Should I work on all three?  Are the McCalls and Simplicity too similar to work on both of them?  Should I exchange one for a classic sheath dress?