Friday, March 1, 2013

I'm Batty for You



The Sophistique Noir theme for March is purple.  I didn't have time to sew something new on such short notice (though I did have time to kick myself for not starting on the purple and black striped blouse a few days ago when I had some spare time).  I thought about using an old post (such as the evening gown or the multi-colored hearse blouse), but instead I dug this dress out of the summer clothes storage.  Please forgive the wrinkles.

The pattern is New Look 6774.  It's one of those "design your own look patterns", where you choose from several bodices, straps, and skirts to put together your own dress.  While I certainly like the flexibility that patterns like this offer, I think they are a bit misleading.  You can do that with most patterns, in fact.  The pieces here are I (the lapping bodice), J (the midriff, which was the only piece required of all the patterns), and K (the long skirt).  I keep saying it, but you think sooner or later I will realize that lapping bodices look ridiculous on my flat chest.  I hand-stitched the lapping such after the fact to stop the gapping. I also shortened the skirt (a first for me) to be mid-calf instead of ankle-length.

Another problem with these sorts of patterns is that each piece has its own yardage listed, so you have no choice but to add them all up and cross your fingers that it's correct.  Even though Simplicity and New Look have a reputation for being overly generous with their fabric allotments, this was just nuts.  I didn't buy any lining fabric and just used the leftover pieces after cutting out the dress, and I still have over a yard laying around in the stash.

Anyway, the fabric here is a sparkly purple bat fabric with little stars and crescent moons.  I think this is by Debbie Mumm, but I'm not sure.  I got it in the clearance section of JoAnn's for a song.  I have been meaning to make myself a matching sun hat with the leftover fabric, but I lack motivation and time.

Difficulty-wise, this has some jumping around because of the nature of this pattern.  It kind of reminded me of one of those "choose your own adventure" stories.  It might be a little much for an inexperienced sewist, but the steps themselves aren't too difficult.  There is some gathering and pleating, but I didn't find them to be onerous.  So I would recomend this for something who has a few garments under their belt, but is still a beginner.

 

22 comments:

  1. What cute fabric! I really like this dress =]
    I've had to stitch down lapping bodices to stop gaping too in the past, the curses of a flat chest eh?

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    1. It is a pain, but I try to look on the bright side: I can still fit into children's t-shirts and sagging is less of a concern.

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  2. Oh, that fabric is so cute <3
    Also, why have I not followed you before, fellow seamstress...

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  3. Oh my what a cute pattern! :D

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  4. Sorry for the short notice! Work is crazy and I am having immense difficulties staying on top of things. Argh! But I love what you chose for this theme! I'm a huge fan of that type of bodice but seems like everyone has troubles with either gaping or too much exposure! I usually end up pinning mine, which of course looks terrible. ;) Anyway, all of choices you made on the various elements of this dress work perfectly! It looks a great cute-comfy summer dress.

    What could be better than sparkly purple bats?? <3

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    1. It's perfectly all right. I still probably wouldn't have gotten around to making that striped shirt even if I had time (I am majorly lacking in motivation right now).

      Nothing wrong with using safety pins in a fashion emergency! I keep a few in a case in my purse (along with a hanky, hair elastic, and some bobby pins) for just such an occasion. And thank you, it is very comfy.

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  5. Bats, purple, black? That's a win if I ever did see one! =D

    I find working with commercial patterns to be exasperating. If I choose to construct one however, I tweak them so much that in the end they hardly resemble what they were supposed to look like! Hah!
    I like creating my own patterns-- in all honesty, that is how I learned to sew. I'm not sure any teacher of sewing would recommend beginning like that, but I found it gave me a better understanding of garment construction right from the get go.
    Anyways, I'm rambling lol

    The dress looks fabulous! Perhaps we'll get to see it in action? ;)

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    1. I also learned to sew using my own patterns, but I gave up on that long ago. I didn't really know what I was doing at the time, and things didn't fit all that well. But it's awesome that you can do that!

      I will attempt to take a picture of me wearing the dress when the weather is more suitable. Perhaps that will give me incentive to start that sun hat.

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  6. Wow, I wouldn't guess that dress is so hard to plan and sew!
    I'll start sewing with some curtains, and follow you from now on, to get inspired to do something even more complicated. Maybe a tube top or a scarf? :D

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    1. I wouldn't say that it was hard so much as a bit tedious to flip back and forth in the instructions. If I did more of these "design your own" patterns, I probably wouldn't find it such.

      Curtains are a good place to start. Aprons are a good next project, if you're so inclined.

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    2. Thank you, an apron sounds good! Maybe with balck and white stripes and a muffin. ^^

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  7. The fabric is so beautiful. And so is the dress. :).

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  8. It's beautiful sundress and the fabric is adorable! And I remember that evening gown - it's pretty awesome, too!

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  9. Very pretty fabric and dress. :)

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