Scarf Lady

I always check the clearance table when visiting Spotlight, and one day I found these scarf panels. 

They were the end of the roll and printed off grain, but I liked them and for the price I thought it was worth playing with. When I got to the counter, there was a panel on the roll that had been cut crooked so was missing an edge, she gave it to me for 50c. So for $7.50 total I had almost 3 panels.

I had been planning some sort of hanky hem skirt or maybe loose fitting top/dress, but with the extra panel, I decided to cut a proper bodice.

I went back to my trusty Space Dress pattern. Because I'd made that out of stretch with zero ease, and I was now working with a woven, I added some room back in, but it turned out to be too big. I pinned it in and I ended up with zero ease again! I do like a firm fit in the bust.

I cut wide rectangular straps along the edge of the panel to create the stripe. The skirt is a double circle skirt, so a whole circle on the front and a whole circle on the back. Because the panels were printed crooked and I cut/sewed to the printing not the grain, the points of the skirt are uneven, but I don't think it matters, it all just gets lost in there.

After wearing the dress for a day, I've come to realise I need more ease around the belly. When I sit down the bodice rides up and feels a little tight. I also wish the bodice was about an inch longer, although I'm thinking I actually pulled the bodice up higher than intended when attaching the straps, so maybe I can just let the straps down a little.

Welcome to Space

I've done a little bit of sewing since the new year, but first I wanted to talk to you about my Space Dress.

I had started working on pattern New Look 6299, doing a full bust adjustment, changing sleeves etc to make a dress in the winter.  Upon completing my first muslin, I discovered just how flattering I thought it was and how great it made me feel.  This dress is still not made as I haven't nutted out all the fitting issues, and it has now been put aside as it's very much a winter dress.

My daughter's birthday was in September and we go all out for parties.  This year was a space theme and we were all getting costumes.  I had decided I wanted a retro-futuristic space outfit, sort of along the lines of "The Jetsons".  I decided to use my New Look 6299 as the base.

First I redrafted it with zero ease in the bust, I was using a PVC fabric with a slight stretch and I like the bust area to be firm.  Then I made a new muslin and drew lines on it to make it 'strapless' shape.  I transferred these lines to the pattern and voila! I had a space dress pattern.  All I had to do to complete my desired look was cut a hi-lo hem and add rectangles for straps.  I also made a bolero top to go over it, but I can't recall which pattern that was now.

This dress has now become a bit of a starting base for things I've made since.