Wednesday, August 24, 2011

HotPatterns 1120: Out of the Ashes


It's been over a month since I started this dress and set it aside because I stupidly cut pockets out of the skirt panel, but it's finally finished. (Hey, no wallets or bags today — are you shocked??)

Here it is modeled. I moved the tripod to the sewing room where there's better light. Still not great light at 11 PM, but better than my dark bedroom. I am definitely NOT as tan as I look in these pics.

Hands out of pockets

I'm not sure about this print. It reminds me of a skeleton costume.

Hands in pockets, visually adding 4" to my hips. Nice.

As I noted the last time I blogged about this dress, I was concerned about the neckline plunge. As it turns out, rightly so. It's *very* low, and this is right after pulling it up to keep it more decent for internet viewing. If you don't make a muslin like I didn't, you will wish you had.


I added a free-form ruffle thing. I didn't want a neckband or modesty panel and I didn't want a flower. So, free-form it is. Very Anthropologie, right? (Say yes.)



I cut a straight 18 for this patten. I ended up taking about 4 inches out of the CB seam at the neckline, tapering down to the waist seam.That's a lot. I don't know what size these alterations equate to, but it's got to be around a 14-ish. Some of this is weight loss and some of it is that HP are wider cut than I'm expecting. Again, a muslin would've prevented the slapdash (Hi Trena) fixes. But slapdash or not, they worked, and the dress turned out fine.

But I didn't do an FBA and there seems to be enough bust room and the dart placement is OK. However, I did cut off some of the bottom of the back bodice because shoulder-to-waist was too long and was pooling above my rear end. I'm glad I pinned things together and did a try-on. Much easier than ripping out that seam in a knit.

I didn't hem it. This is the "knee length" from the pattern. I may have added 1", but I will need to check my notes on that. I will either leave it unhemmed or I will use the hem facings. I'm leaning toward the facings because the pockets drag down the front, making the hem edge kind of puddle between my knees. I think a lightly interfaced hem facing will help that. On that note, I would advise to use lightweight fabric for the pockets and pocket bags. There is a pocket facing that will hide any non-matching fabric used in the pockets.

Now that I have it made and know what I need to change, I do think I'll make it again. But not until I've made 267 more wallets. KIDDING!

* * * * *

My studying yesterday was almost useless. I dutifully watched all 5 hours of video tutorials and then took the test. Almost nothing in the test was covered in the the tutorials. But a lot of it was general graphic and offset printing info which I know inside and out. I got a 91. I also took another test for software I haven't used for at least 4 versions and 10 years. I got an 87 on that one, with no tutorial or studying. I've always been a good test-taker though, which kind of points out how useless skills tests (and school homework, which I always skirted!) can be - since I can get a 91 on software I've never used and an 87 just winging it. I don't know yet if I'll even be called in for an interview after all this, but the headhunter is giving it her best. That's all I can expect.

* * * * *


Parting shot: Tyler is still in Yuma AZ and will likely stay there a few days longer than expected since Hurricane Irene is due to come right at his North Carolina base. But as we discussed, it's the military and he probably won't know until 10 minutes after he lands in NC. And, it's not like his Command is taking a preference poll of all the lower ranks. ;-)


20 comments:

  1. Yay! The dress is beautiful on you! I like the fabric. The way you've laid it out is very figure flattering. The pockets look kind of high, but I'm sure they'll be useful for little things, like keys. Kudos - well done!

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  2. Debbie, that dress is fabulous. I love it both on the hangar and on you. So flattering! Great use of a border print. (Or was it just a stripe?) The folded neckline detail is very interesting. It might work - it's hard to tell from the pic (without seeing the proportions of the entire dress), but it looks promising.

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  3. You are really looking good! All of your hard work is paying off!

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  4. Fabulous dress! The print is beautiful and I am very impressed with the way you have cut the fabric - it looks perfectly balanced. The combination of a very sleek and glowing you and this flattering dress is definitely working!!

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  5. That dress is wonderful on you. Enjoy how it accents your new figure, very flattering. Great save on the neckline.

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  6. I agree - the way you've arranged the print really draws the eye in a very flattering way.

    I've been staying away from Hot Patterns because I don't trust the 'artsy' drawings on the envelopes. But if I could look half as cute as you, I would seriously consider giving this pattern a shot!

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  7. I think you look wonderful in your new dress. Lines in the print are very flattering IMO. Re: muslins - after learning the hard way - I try to force myself to do a quick and dirty muslin. I've started buying old sheets at estate sales when I stop to use.

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  8. Pretty dress, and so figure flattering. I find myself taking in a lot on Hot Patterns also.

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  9. That dress is great and the layout was fab! Very flattering. I just love it!

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  10. I keep coming back to your blog - not for the outstanding sewing of knits - but for the fantastic airplane and helo shots you include at the end. lol

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  11. Hope this job works out for you. Taking the classes and tests shows your initiative as well as knowledge. Believe me that the pattern of taking classes or attending seminars at least once a year always put me head and shoulders above the competition. (Ask you son about that reference.)

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  12. I think the dress looks great especially the modified ruffle at the neckline. You picked the perfect fabic for it too.

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  13. The ruffle is very Anthropologie. It's too bad the white part of the design didn't continue straight instead of flooping out toward the hip and in at the knees. But overall it's a nice dress!

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  14. I love what you did with the print alignment. The dress looks wonderful, and WOW lady, you are disappearing before our very eyes (in a good way).

    Good luck on the job stuff. Off to an interview for a temp job today.

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  15. I also love what you did with the print alignment. It's very eye pleasing and highlights an hour glass look. Loves.

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  16. Great dress, I love the print placement (or is it just the way the print is, I've forgotten) and the "anthropologie" fix is genius too.

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  17. So nice and SO much better than an ordinary Anthro dress! :)

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  18. I like the Anthropologie-like neckline save!

    I like to take tests, too, but haven't done it in a while. I would like to get back into MS Access (last seriously used in 2001), but they won't give it to me at work ;(

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  19. The print is divine; it gives you this great silhouette...one I love to have! The free form ruffle was a good addition, the color is superb and your modiste skills are stellar!

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  20. I think the dress is very flattering. You see Skeletor, I see lovely slimming style lines. By the way, you look great. A

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Thank you for each and every comment. I appreciate them all, but I have to be honest and let you know that I'm usually bad about answering questions. I hope you understand that there just isn't enough time in the day to do everything I want to do.

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