Monday, June 20, 2011

Simplicity 3874: In Progress

I didn't get the total evening of peace and solitude I thought was coming last night because *someone* didn't bother to check any movie times before leaving the house and so they ended up only doing dinner, when Alex was looking more forward to a movie than dinner. Sigh. I will refrain from posting further comment on that and will turn my attention to my dress instead.

Here's how it looks now. It's not done yet, but it's close.


That's a craaaaazy print, right? I wasn't sure I liked it when it arrived many months ago, which is why I was willing to "sacrifice" it in the name of a muslin if necessary. It's grown on me, though, and I think it's fun for summer.

On the next make (yes, there will be another), one thing I will change will be to lengthen the casings so that they are closer together at CF. I think there's too much room between them when attached per the pattern markings. I don't like how much of the tie shows on either side of the knot. Not a big deal, for sure, but something I can improve on next time.


The main thing I will need to change next time is sizing. This pattern is for wovens, not knits, and even though I took that into consideration, it's still a little too big on me. Next time, I will "shave" some width off the center front and center backs, top and bottom, to bring everything down a size or two. On this one, I started with the 18 for the neckline and morphed to 22 for waist-hips. I should've started with the 16 and morphed to 20. It's OK on this one because the semi-elastic waist ties cinch everything in.

For the neckline, though, I may need to add some gathers to the CF before I finish it. Right now, it sits way too wide on my shoulders. I'm planning to add a neckband (not a binding) and that will close in the neckline somewhat, but I haven't decided yet if that will be enough without the gathers. I have some orange ITY knit arriving from Fabric.com today and if it looks good with the print, I will make the neckband from that — both to give the eyes something to rest on and also so it ties into my orange sandals. If it doesn't match, then print neckband it is.


This is the pattern — Simplicity 3874. I originally bought it for the dresses, but tried a failed experiment with the jacket a few years ago. I've had these dresses in my "on deck" basket for a long time. I wish I hadn't waited so long.


Parting Thought: I want this pattern and I want it NOW! BMV has Vogues on sale right now. Waaahhhh, why not McCall's?? Do I want it badly enough to pay $11.37 for it, along with the Vogues at $4.99 that are already in my BMV cart, or can I have patience enough to wait until all BMVs are on sale? I wish I knew how long I'd have to wait for that.

23 comments:

  1. Beautiful! This is what seems to me the dress and printed fabric, you're right, so crazy, but so soft at the same time .... so: Beautiful!
    As for the cinema .... men! What can we do with them?? Love how they are ... Patience, dear friend ...

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  2. Wait, there will be another BMV sale soon, there always is and it is a huge difference in the price.

    You really are very talented I love reading your blog.

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  3. Really pretty dress. I am insane for that print. I never find such great bold graphic prints. Love the pattern with it.

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  4. Cute print! I like your pattern. I often have to narrow the neckline area also. Too wide necks are a problem for me in RTW also. I wonder what the average really is because it seems a lot of ladies routinely take in this area.

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  5. I really like the dress - style and print.

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  6. Love the dress! It's one of those prints that I would look at and wonder how anyone could make anything wearable out of them. And then you or Carolyn will post a fabulous dress in that print and I go: aha! that's how!

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  7. What a fun print! And it goes really well with such an easy style.

    BMV is constantly having a sale - I'm sure you won't have to wait long!

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  8. Wow, that is one beautiful dress. Great job, really love your print

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  9. I love that fabric. If for some reason the dress doesn't work for you I am accepting pre-made dresses here in Michigan!

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  10. Great print. I love how adventurous you are with prints, and they always look fabulous on you. Very nice dress, may have to put that on my to do list.

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  11. sewingpatterns.com had McCalls for $2.99 but not sure if it's still going today. Cute dress.

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  12. I like this dress a lot - and the fabrics nice, too! On the pattern cover, that jackets with all the gathers is hiding a really nice dress.

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  13. Okay, what does BMV stand for?

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  14. BMV = Butterick McCall's Vogue

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  15. I love the crazy print. And the dress will be so comfortable!

    (cough) Perhaps the lack of the movie will provide a learning moment. Mom will obviously not be there to do everything. (cough)

    What? I didn't say anything. Re: the patterns--isn't there a JoAnn's nearby? Can't be too long until they have a sale. ;-)

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  16. Love the print :)) and the dress of course.

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  17. Ahh - that makes sense! Thank you :))

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  18. The Quintessential Summer Dress.
    I ADORE this print.
    Enjoy this dress.
    JoanneM

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  19. I must say I was a bit worried when I first saw this print. How wrong was I! It looks fantastic.

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  20. really like that mccall's dress. those little gathers will be so flattering. have you checked to see when joann's will have the mccall patterns on sale? i would wait for a sale...

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  21. I think that print would look fabulous on you. You should wear it.

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  22. Any way to get this one to fit because I agree, I think the print is super fun and would look great on you. I'm at least glad to hear you're going to be making others!

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