FO: Tessuti Ruby Dress

I was really worried that a bustier person like me would look like a Capital A in this Ruby Dress from Tessuti Fabrics, and I was also enchanted by the cutout shoulders.

If you're wondering the same thing, stop wondering and go for it! Just use something super drapey. I added a center front seam because I was working with a weird piece of fabric, but it would be better without it...

I added side seam pockets using the Southport dress pocket pattern piece and technique, and if I hadn't had enough binding to do that cool loop (below) I'd have used the trick Kelli describes in the Roscoe instructions. Those True Bias patterns are good for cool tricks ya'll.

I love the clean clean look and finishing of the bound neck and armholes. I also think I'm pretty snazzy for doing this self-loop with the binding for the neck button.

I lengthened the back an inch or two after hearing reports that the dress was a shorty. I'm not so in love with the hi-lo hem, but I am a fan of a little bit more booty modesty in a more active lifestyle, dontcha know. Nonetheless, if it's windy, there will be exposure.

I'll probably not make more than one of these, because it's so distinctive of a shape, but i HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who likes a free and flying kind of silhouette. #summeriscoming

What's your favorite new pattern? There are SO MANY - share your tips!

FO: Named Patterns "delphi dress"

I needed a dress for a 3pm wedding. 

Still-unfinished Georgina was not going to allow dancing. I woke up with this vision, and I skipped lunch, but I bought, printed, cut and sewed this dress in time.
 

This thing is SUPER FAST. And REALLY GOOD FOR DANCING.

ok i'll stop with the caps. It's good to have a flashy belt, otherwise there's just a bunch of fabric overwhelming you (i used rayon jersey, so it was a bit heavy in its simple glamour).

One modification: i wanted to wear a bra. So i made 1" fabric tubes and ran some 1" twill tape through there to support it.

Then I slipped those straps in the inverted Vs at the top of the bodice (the bodice is doube layered, allowing that lovely swing, so it's easy to hide the stitching). Secure! strong! bra-friendly.


go get it if you like nice things: Named Clothing Delphi Maxi Dress

WIP: Southport dress

It's interesting how your writing reveals you, isn't it?

I'm making the southport dress, my first make from Kelli of True Bias patterns & blog. She uses a lot of "scant" seam allowances. I like em too! It's funny to see them in a clothing pattern though. 

So far everything is lovely. Way more detail than I was expecting from such a simple silhouette, but they're great details, like a real button placket, well-placed notches, and bar tacks!!!! Bar tacks!!! To hold perennially floppy side seam pockets in place. 

She's also doing a sew along- so I bet there's even more to enjoy on her site. I find sew alongs sooooo boring and then eminently useful- like a reference book I'd  never sit down to read but pore over and over when it's time to brush up.

update: I took finished pictures at the restaurant patio yesterday, all sven clogs and southport dress, but blogger dropped em :( boo. summary: the dress is great! i used wax print a friend imported from uganda, so it's perfect for summer (wax print is SOOO easy to sew and breathes like heaven).

It also looks great with a bomber jacket (Bay Area afternoon winds)! The neckline gapes a bit and the skirt is a bit wider than i need, so I'll size down in front bodice and skirt next time (this time made a straight size 10). it's short! but hot short. so when i make the other 35 of these i'll be wearing this summer, i'll play with variously longer skirts - 2-3" longer, midi and maxi.

Thanks for a super one, Kelli! 

How far does your yardage go?

I'm pretty cheap. Let's just get that out there. I could say frugal or treehugging, but cheap is truer.

I'll drop $$$ on a nice glass of wine, fresh cherries, even a ridiculous artisanal hot dog (oh Bay Area). But I save money almost everywhere else by being CHEAP. I also don't like waste.  

SO- I've been obsessed with nebula fabric ever since I saw this: 

Aah!!! Gorgeous!! I thought about buying a scarf to sew with...and then about Spoonflower...but no, those are not in my price range. But Girl Charlee, she knows my style. Some of their fabrics are kind of crappy. We should get that out there. This might turn out that way...but for now I'm showing you how much outfit I squeezed out of two yards of magnficently printed nebula fabric.

Piece 1: everyday tee from Meg McElwee. Why is everyone releasing t shirt patterns right now? This is the best one and you get a craftsy class with it. Win!!

Piece 2: signe dress!! As I was cutting the tee shirt I realized that this soft amazig fabric needed to be a dress I could wear every day this summer. Ta daaa:

Maria Denmark's signe dress!!

Piece 3: Then I made matching undies. They're  soft and lacy and undies! Zoe's is close, but I made this pattern from a fave rtw pair.

Piece 4?? Nope :(

It obviously pays to have some TNT patterns around. And notions. But that's what you get for 3 years of obsessive stitching, and yeehaw!

What's your record for items/yard??