Sunday 4 October 2015

Fashionably late, but still dressed to the nines (updated)

Update: I entered this as part of the Dressed to the Nines contest. Vote for me by clicking the link and then clicking on the little heart on my picture.
Sewing Indie Month

I really, really like Lauren's Sugar Plum. I mean, I want to copy most of her outfits, but that dress really had visions of my own Sugar Plum dancing in my head. Fortunately, I came across this awesome polyester green/blue/cream/brown print at Downtown Fabrics that I thought would be the perfect top. I knew I wanted brown ponte for the skirt, but I couldn't find any locally. I finally bit the bullet and bought some online when I bought the Snug Hug for my wedding dress -- although I wound up not using it and you'll just have to wait for that story. Patience grasshopper.
Sugar plum front

Anyway, I decided this would be the perfect dress for the "meet the family" dinner last Sunday. Sadly, events (such as Aged P moving) conspired to make me put this off until a few days before. It's a more involved project, and I just didn't have it done in time and for once didn't want to rush it. I did finish it in time to wear to my prospective in-laws on Wednesday to meet the DC's aunt who had flown in from Spain for the wedding.

I had a lot of fun sewing this; the polyester and Bemberg lining didn't actually slide around. I wasn't sure what needle to use when joining the silky wovens to the knit, so I just used a stretch needle.

I cut a size 4 for the bodice and waist, grading the skirt to a 6 at the hips. Sadly, I stupidly forgot to lengthen the bodice. The DC says, kindly, that it makes me look tall, but I think it it just too high. It also weirds up the bust pleats and causes all sorts of wrinkles just under the waistband. Alas. I also did my "let's install pockets after you sew up the side seams" stunt again. Easily fixed, in theory. Unpicking stretch stitch on ponte? So much fun. Not. However, I really wanted the pockets.
Sugar plum back.
I swear those wrinkles along the zipper are not usually there.

Speaking of the pockets, I cut them out of lining and they kind of peek out at inopportune moments. I'll tack them to the skirt seam allowance (as I did with my wedding dress -- oh yes, my wedding dress has pockets!). I pinned them for the pictures to see if they stayed put, and they really do.
Sugar plum lining

I used some pearly beige buttons I had taken off a sweater, I think. I'm not sure I like them. I might make some self-covered buttons, or maybe find some in blue.


I don't have a serger, so I used a very narrow and short zigzag stitch along the collar. I don't think I did too badly there.


The DC's mom and aunt are Scottish (in fact, the DC is more Scottish than I am, despite our last names), and Aunt M gave us a pewter quaich cup. It's a two-handled friendship cup: one person holds one handle, the other holds the second, and you take turns drinking a wee dram. Imported Cava, in our case. I like Cava. Too bad we can't seem to get it here.
quaich/

So, I like the dress, but I'm not 100% happy with how it's fitting right now. I have some of the top material left over, but I'm not sure if I will try recutting the bodice pieces or if I should just let it go.



2 comments:

  1. I think it looks fab! BUT I WANT TO SEE THE WEDDING DRESS!!!!!!! According to Facebook everyone was extremely happy and you both looked great. TELL US MORE!!! (And congratulations again!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We all have to wait for the fancy photos. Patience, grasshopper.

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