Laundry Avoidance Edition
Ok, not really — but I did finish making a new dress and immediately wore it to work today. And it was a pretty easy sew. I probably could have finished it in a day if I hadn’t psyched myself out over the hems/collar/sleeves and put them off for 2 weeks.
The pattern is the Wiggle Dress, and I used some thin-ish ponte fabric I had stashed away that I can’t even remember where I bought. I didn’t take any in-progress pics. I don’t know how I let that slip by other than that it went very quickly. I had gotten all sizes of the pattern printed on blueprint-sized (A0 for those that know) paper a few years ago, so my first step was to trace out my size onto some tracing paper, which is much cheaper to cut up than the A0 and allows me to keep the main pattern and make other sizes later. Once I’d traced, I laid out fabric and pattern and cut everything. Then it’s just 7 fairly easy to follow seams – back center, shoulders, add sleeves flat, then finally do the sides.
Then….I panicked. It was too easy. The hems were going to be a pain, I told myself. Maybe I should do bands on the sleeves/collar instead. That would be easier. Then the only hem I have to worry about is the bottom. I let it sit for 2 weeks. Part of that is because we were busy last weekend, but I could have made time. I was skeerd.
Cut to yesterday (Sunday). I had promised a coworker I’d finish and wear it. She’s my sewing buddy. We share patterns in a joint folder. We talk about issues, but we mostly boost each other up. I HAD to finish it. So, clipped the bottom hem (I use clips, not pins — easier for me!). Then I cut the bands to add to the sleeves and collar. I clipped the collar band on, but only did one side. I don’t know what I was thinking — but then I decided to try it on and see how it would look folded….and that 5″ band would not look great, even halved. So, I got out the seam ripper and took it off and then decided to just go for the folded collar.
It went super fast. I don’t know what I was worried about, other than not being able to sew a straight line — but any issues are minor. I’m thrilled with how it came out. I’m sure it’s not perfect and a “pro” would be able to pick apart all of the issues, but it’s perfectly wearable, I think reasonably flattering, and comfortable.
So much so, that I almost want to stash dive for some “fancy” fabric and make myself a long/mermaid version for our upcoming cruise Elegant Night. But, that might be a little optimistic with the time I have left…
And at some point, we’ll talk about this craft supply haul that I was given, but that’s a post for another day. I’m still taking inventory of all of it!
Looks fantastic, love the colour!