Dress One. Check.

Added Apr 12, 2011

by alilhumnbird

Chicago, Illinoi...

Missing

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786

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Description

here she is… my first “from scratch” dress. i totally scored when i purchased the Simplicity 2497 pattern (Cynthia Rowley Collection) during Joann’s $0.99 pattern sale (regular price $16.95). originally i wanted to make Dress A with Dress B sleeves, but i didn’t have enough fabric. so it seemed logical to exclude the arm coverings. it took me a whole evening to cut everything and a little less than a week to finish the whole project. i learned so much from doing this. 1) maybe a jersey fabric next time?, 2) cut faster, 3) i need to watch more “how to install a zipper” tutorials (do they have one entitled “installing-invisible-zippers-for-people-who-don’t-own-an-invisible-zipper-foot”?) and 4) pattern instructions make for interesting bedtime reading.

ADDITIONS & SUBTRACTIONS:
as mentioned earlier, i dealt with not-so-INvisible zipper issues so i added tabs on the sides to bring the surrounding fabric closer together. the tab that goes over the zipper snaps in the front and all the others are sewn on…

i’m a rather petite woman so of course, UP went the hemline. also i’m the complete opposite of chest-y and although long boobs that rest on the belly give some semblance of mass, it wasn’t exactly the look i was going for. i took the bodice front up at the shoulder seams. and instead of being concerned with making the new shoulder seam look pretty, i cheated and simply covered up the less finished seam with a smaller tab. i also added gold buttons to the tabs bc i thought they might look good, so ON they went.

ta-da! dress one = complete! …looking forward to sharing more firsts with you all.

Categories

For
Women
Garment Type
Dress

Credits

simplicity 2497

cynthia rowley collection

6 Comments

  • Close_up_large

    Jul 23, 2011, 08.14 PMby nehozack

    Truely and honestly? Invest in a zipper foot – inexpensive and they will make your life easier and your garments better looking…

  • 300px-b5274-2_large

    Apr 12, 2011, 07.57 PMby nookie

    your tabs to hide the dodgy really “make” this dress. by the way i’m pretty sure you can’t install an invisible zip without the right zipper foot!

    1 Reply
    • Missing

      Apr 13, 2011, 04.36 PMby alilhumnbird

      lol i thought so, but i was still hoping there was a way. thank you!

  • Silver_strand_feb_2005_large

    Apr 12, 2011, 12.43 PMby neama

    This is just gorgeous! I have had this pattern for a while now, and had bought deep blue satin fabric to make it, but then decided that it was too wedding-like! I am definitely looking at it in a different light now! Your version is so funky and totally up my street. Unfortunately I do not have your petite frame so the alterations will not be necessary. Well done:)

    1 Reply
    • Missing

      Apr 13, 2011, 04.34 PMby alilhumnbird

      aww thanks! since you’ve got the pattern, you should totally make it! it’s great how just changing the fabric options or adding embellishments makes you rethink the whole garment right?! good luck!

  • Mypicture_large

    Apr 12, 2011, 01.38 AMby SewnLovely

    This is truly wonderful, I struggled with being petite as well and making my first dress a little large, but yours looks really great, the embelishments you added seem to really accent your smaller waist and give the dress more shape as well as help to hide that zipper lol, awesome really!

    1 Reply
    • Missing

      Apr 12, 2011, 03.24 AMby alilhumnbird

      thank you!… i know right?! i almost automatically assume patterns will need some adjustment before i begin a project. i’m thinking i should probably bone up on how to do that. hopefully i get better with more practice.

  • Girl-picsay_large

    Apr 12, 2011, 01.25 AMby sunintheclouds

    Bravo…Congratulations on your first dress. Although you may have needed to add things to make fit adjustments I find them to add style and flair to the dress. I have seen this pattern and not really looked twice, but now I have. I think your right in a jersey this would be great too. Again wonderful job first dress or no, it looks fantastic!

    1 Reply
    • Missing

      Apr 12, 2011, 03.05 AMby alilhumnbird

      thank you! i definitely have a lot to learn when it comes to fitting. sometimes i wish i could fit perfectly in that size chart on the package. just so i wouldn’t have to deal with all this resizing business. alas, tis not my lot. but like you said, the way you adjust can add that extra flair… now if only i knew some techniques that could do that. lol.

  • Pb210358_large

    Apr 12, 2011, 01.23 AMby sallybear85

    This is lovely! Great work! Did you find the neckline tricky? I’m attempting a similar neckline panel and have decided to trim with binding instead…

    1 Reply
    • Missing

      Apr 12, 2011, 02.50 AMby alilhumnbird

      yes! i’m not too keen on all the sewing terminology either (i even had to youtube what the heck stay-stitching was!). my neckline is far from perfect (bubbles a little, but i’m convinced it’s bc of cheap interfacing). i found it worthwhile to attempt, but as you can tell, i’m no stranger to changing a few things here or there. so i would say, go for it! …or if you wanted, maybe you could try for practice and if it doesn’t turn out, perhaps you could trim it to cover any flaws you don’t like? whatever you decide, good luck!

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