Spring Thing

I finally got around to sewing this dress project today. I kept putting it off because I thought it would take too much time. In actuality, it only took about three hours to sew up the bodice lining, as well as the bodice and skirt. Right after I took this photo, I gathered and sewed on the skirt. I plan on doing an all-in-one facing using this Burda tutorial. I had tried doing something similar for my final draping project, but didn't exactly figure it out. In a lesson learned from that final project, I also added some lightweight interfacing to the contrasting waist sections, so they get less wrinkled. I'll try to sew the facing tomorrow and insert the invisible zipper.

Sew Sew Happy

I got a lot of sewing done during this long holiday weekend. I received my additional raindrop fabric in the mail on Friday, so I was able to finish the retro minidress. I cut out an additional front and back to match each of the existing pieces that I already cut out. Now, the patterned front of the dress matches up nicely, but once I sewed up the darts in the back, those pieces didn't match up anymore. Oh well. I still like how this dress turned out. I think the bodice front darts and the belt in back add unique touches to the pattern.

Once the dress was completed, I sewed up a quick and easy bucket hat, McCall's 3202, using the mini mushroom canvas I purchased from Superbuzzy. This lined hat only took a couple of hours and provided instant gratification.

Knitting will take a back seat for a little while longer as I have one more sewing project teed up: McCall's jacket pattern 5276. I'm making the version with the gathered sleeves.

Do Over

So, I've decided to buy more fabric to match the fronts and backs of the retro dress. I want to take the time to make this dress look good! Plus, with my other mishap in matching patterned fabric, I don't think I could stand to have this project turn out that way too. My local fabric store was out of the Prints Charming Raindrop print, but luckily I found it online at eQuilter. Hopefully, it should arrive by the end of this week. I also knit the button placket on the minidress last night. Now it's time for seaming, which I really like. Maybe because it's a signal that I almost have a new garment ready to wear. Today's lunch break will be spent searching for the perfect buttons.

Wear More Dresses

I finished the minidress sleeves this weekend. Once those were done, I proceeded to steam block and press all my pieces even though the directions said not to block anything. I usually pin down all my knitted pieces to a blocking board, but was inspired by Bonne Marie to try this other method. Before I start seaming, I have to knit the center button placket. I'll start that tonight.

I also started my retro dress project. As you can see, the front skirt is two pieces. I cut out the fabric not even thinking about matching the rows of the pattern. I could buy another yard to match one of the sides, but I don't know if it looks that bad. And the entire back of the dress is also in the printed fabric and I'm not matching that. Any thoughts?