Well, kids, I did it! I think this was my first experience designing something in my head, making it, and having it actually turn out the way I imagined. I wore it last night to the theater (and out afterwards)--I had to finish some minor details backstage in my dressing room (like the covered buttons)--but I was too excited not to put it right on!
It looks a little more sailor-y than I intended, but heaven knows I can't get enough sailor dresses so I'm fine with that. As I mentioned in my last post, it's a lightweight black knit that I already had, and I lined the collar and cuffs with the beige-y knit.
The cuffs also don't look exactly like I planned originally, but they turned out cute anyway.
And I was really happy with the collar--both front and back. I drafted it! I can't believe it! So fun!
Truthfully, I think I got lucky in a bunch of ways with this. There were lots of issues with the basic pattern I drew up and I had to sort of fake my way around some crucial areas that ended up miraculously working out and I'm still not sure how. I wish I was a little more methodical and thoughtful when I do stuff like this because I'd like to use the basic pattern for another dress idea (a nicer version of this with some silk insets) but I turn into a maniac and just start stitching and cutting as fast as I can and I have no recollection of how I got from A to B. I should probably go back and finish some seams and such but I'm calling it DONE. (To see how it looks on--you can visit my Flickr!)
All in all it took me about 8 hours--with at least two of them spent in utter confusion with a ruler and pencil trying to work out the arm seams. And probably another hour ripping seams and re-sewing, so absent mistakes and such, not terribly long.
I was still on a making-things-to-wear high so I started another one of the dresses I sketched up (from this post--its the second drawing) today and I've already hit 47 road-blocks (including melting fabric with the iron). So I had to put it down for a minute and rethink it. Something about it isn't working for me, but not sure what...here's a sneak peek, though:
For now, I'm going to take a breath and figure it out while I watch Barbara Stanwyck in "Night Nurse." I think that'll bring me clarity.
Whaaatttt!!! This is amazing!
Posted by: Larry | April 23, 2010 at 08:08 PM
Oh my goodness! That's incredible!
I love it so much. You are a wiz!
It's so versatile, pretty and all seasons!
xoxo,
Gina
Posted by: Gina | April 23, 2010 at 10:39 PM
Congratulations! It looks wonderful, also on you! Did I miss a blog where you say what material you used? It looks so very comfy on top of being chic!
Posted by: Ernestine | April 24, 2010 at 09:18 AM