After finishing the Tippi Hedren suit, I wanted to make another dress to wear with the jacket which I absolutely love. I wanted to use the rayon/silk blend check on the left below:
I used some of it for the back of my Victorian vest, and wanted to make a simple sheath dress. I decided to use New Look 6000, which I have made before.
This time, I made view E (the yellow polka dot version) without the sleeves. It was an easy make and I made no alterations, just a size 12, straight up. It was fun because the dress went together quickly which was nice, given all the trouble I had with my Victorian vest.
The rayon/silk blend was supple, a joy to work with. I used facings for the armholes which isn't my favorite finishing for armholes, but I felt this drapey fabric needed the added structure. But upon wearing, I found this stuff wrinkles horribly:
And by the end of the day, I discovered that my back center seam was beginning to shred.
Apparently, my rump is just too much for this fabric; I underestimated it's delicate nature. I'm not certain I will be able to wear this dress much in the future, especially to work as that seam could go at any time!
So not an epic fail, but not a success either. I have not given up on this fabric; I still believe I can make a non-fitted skirt to wear with this jacket. But to recover from this project, I'm working on my first shirtdress of 2014!!! Yes, it's been a while since a shirtdress was made, and I'm in withdrawal. Onward and upward!
On more exciting news, I discovered that I got into Gertie's Sewing Retreat for the first week of April! I'm in a complete dither as to what project I should take that needs Gertie's help. Possibly the Vogue Couture dress which had fitting problems (plus the dress is already made so essentially, it is muslin), or, and this is a wild thought, maybe I should try a pair of pants. Other than some boxers or pj bottoms, I have never made a pair of pants, and Gertie has a pattern out now with a pair. How cool would it be to learn how to make pants from the person who drafted the pattern???
Still deciding . . . Any suggestions welcome!