Foray Into No-Pattern Land

In late 2009 or early 2010 I got some great light weight cotton pre-embroidered with a white leafy (?) pattern along the salvaged edges. 

Unfortunately I bought it at the end of the season when there was only 1.5 yards left on the bolt - no chance of obtaining more for correcting "mistakes."

Issues: The skirt front is faux princess lines with darts, no pattern.  The midriff and bodice is made from slightly heavier, white cotton and altogether a bit too thick as dress and lining.  The top of the midriff is a tiny bit too snug, whilst the bottom of the midriff is a bit too loose. ...The straps are also too thick and not positioned correctly but at least the hem is a nice length.

The back has too much space with a straight back but works well when bending over. There bodice armhole region needs work as it at once cuts into the arm and has too much fabric, especially with my small bust size.

I also added some blue satin ribbon covering the seams between the skirt/midriff and bodice/midriff.  The piece would look better with a black midriff or at least some colour other than white, as evinced by the black cotton sash added here.

 

Summer Parfait

Pattern: Colette Parfait No. 1003
Fabric:  "Isabella's Garden by Legacy Studio 100% cotton (skirt and bodice)
                  Teal blue 100% cotton (straps and midriff)
Notions: Ecru invisible zipper; interfacing;
                 4 La Mode white 3/4" (style 4762) buttons

Completed: end of March 2012
Time: 12+ hrs

Comments: I did not add the pockets nor did I fit the dress super well to my figure. The waist is waaaay too tight and difficult to zip up around the midriff (blue) area.  I also had trouble putting in the zipper such that the base seam does not match up.

I intend to make the dress again with the same fabric, only fuss cut next time, with purple cotton for the midriff and straps.  And now that I have a dress form, I could adjust the pattern better in the bodice and hem length, though I enjoy wearing what I have made, despite not being able to bend over in it!  (Still working out the lighting.)

           

Again, this dress was made without the use of a serger so all the visible seams were zigzagged, which does not hold up well after numerous washes (and not trimmings), as these photos illustrate.

Back of dress on the left, zipper, front of dress on the right.

Side seam and hem

Front of dress and zipper

 

"Put Out the Red Flare" skirt

Pattern: Simplicity 2257, view F

Fabric: Red batik with small white dots, 100% cotton
Lining: Stretch gauze, 96% polyester, 4% spandex
Notions: Zipper (red, 7" long), bias tape, piping, white scalloped lace (1.5" wide)

Completed: 28 May 2012
Time: 12 hours (not including washing time)

Comments: Fits at the just below the natural waist which is not where I like skirts to sit. I am also thinking about raising the hem of the skirt to show off more of the lace.  The zipper was not put in too well though you would probably need to have good eyes or look up close to see the imperfection. ...No serging.

Not the best of scale for height/length but I like the lighting and the top is just white fabric to contrast the red dress form and skirt.

Front view

Side view

View of the bad zipper installation and still need to put in hook and eye.

The Lining

The lining with a small tear in the lace.

Way back when...

In my early days of sewing clothing, I had this strange idea that one had to use the same type and colour of material as was drawn on the pattern cover!  Needless to say, I did not get much sewing done because I was too nervous about doing something wrong or going outside the "lines."

This is a result of such early endeavors using Simplicity 8459 sleeveless view E.

The fabric is a crimson silk with woven black flower chain and asian (?) symbol with a bit of stretch costing a good portion of two weeks allowance.  I think I could only afford ~1 yd of the fabric from a boutique fabric shop in Santa Ana, CA some time in the early 1990s. Thankfully I carry all my weight in my thighs so I can still (snugly) fit into it but have little reason to do so these days.  Bust 32A, waist 26" (back in the day).

Very gathered front view.

It really is quite shiny, making for difficulty in photographing.

Back View

Slightly less gathered.

Back view less gathered.

The sides are set drawstrings on both sides so the amount of gathering/rippling around the stomach can be adjusted.  The skirt is thrift store find of woven linen.

The inside/wrong side

This did not want to be photographed properly.

The scale photographs

The Past

Thinking that while I am working on the projects, I could post a couple of the projects I have done in the past.  At least it will be something to look at whilst I figure out this new realm of zeros and ones.

The last time I got inspired to sew...2010?

The black/white polka dot fabric is still in my stash waiting to be recreated as a worn out, favorite skirt.  All the projects made before 2013 were without a dress form and serger!  Yikes is right. Zigzaging a cotton raw edge does not hold up over many washings.

Day One

I am techno-suave up to about 2009-ish but am not a Luddite; I just cannot afford the latest and greatest out there.  As such I will probably be blundering around on this thing for a while. Hopefully it won't hurt!