Sunday, January 31, 2010

Sew Chic 7401 - the Myrtlewood

Have you ever had a project that you Just. Couldn't. Stop.  That happened last night.  All of the pieces were prepared and the dress was ready to be assembled, and I just HAD to do it.  So I did!
I wore it to church today, and got some very positive feedback from those who knew it was in progress.  I'm very happy with the way that it turned out.  Mitch was dubious about it when I started the project, but he really loved it when he saw it on this morning.  It a winner!!
I'm making a funny face, but you can see the dress better in this shot.  Turns out that I really love the bow after all.  I'm so glad that I took y'alls advice and put it on!  It really makes a difference in the look of the dress.  And I don't feel frou-frou in it.  Actually, wearing it was a total pleasure today.  It is comfortable, easy to move in (and jump in Logan's Primary class!) and since I made it in a cozy wool, I was the only person who was warm enough in church today.

Let me tell you about this pattern.  It was designed by Laura Nash at Sew Chic (formerly Nostalgic) Patterns.  You can get your own here, as well as peek at her other wonderful designs.  This pattern is beautifully drafted and the instructions are very complete.  Since diagrams aren't included, I did refer to my trusty Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing to help me out with the sleeve gussets.  I'd never done them before and wanted a pictorial reference.  Laura's instructions were spot on though and I'd have done fine without the diagrams, I think.  The only place I had a little trouble was in assembling the hip sash. It is pleated and then basted onto a stabilizing layer of lining fabric, but I never did figure out what I was supposed to do with the fashion fabric at center front as there didn't seem to be a seam allowance there.  Since the FF is cut on the bias, I just seamed it with the tiniest SA possible and then stretched it to fit the underlayer.  It worked out fine.  I'll write a  more complete review on PR, but that is the gist of it.

I added a full lining with the help of Connie Long's Easy Guide to Sewing Linings.  I initially thought I'd use the quick lining method, but the front facings are cut on, so I ended up doing a traditional sew in lining.  It went in beautifully, and I am feeling pretty good about the skills right now!
Here is the lining.  It is so awesome.  I'm going to be adding a lot more linings from now on!

Whew!  I was really starting to feel like this project was lagging, so I was so happy to really get jazzed about it yesterday.  Tomorrow, on to some tops and a new month - with new goals!  Onward and upward!

19 comments:

JessRose said...

It's beautiful.

Sarahbelle said...

Very nice!!!
I especially like the lining. Your grandmother taught me that anything I sew should look as good on the inside as it does on the outside. When she came to visit -- she would actually go through my closet, and turn my clothes inside out to check!
This would pass her test with flying colors!!

gwensews said...

You are rockin' that dress, kiddie-doc! It looks terific on you. You sounded so excited while you were making it, and that came through your posts. Nice work.

Unknown said...

Fantastic dress, you look amazing! Great job, you did a phenomenal job, good to hear that construction went so well for you!

Digs said...

It's a beautiful, chic dress. Perfection!

Mary Nanna said...

wow - you look amazing - what a perfect dress for church, you must be thrilled with your success at such a challenging project.

kbenco said...

That is really impressive work. Re the pleated bias sash being shorter than the underlayer, I would think that was deliberate pattern design, rather than no seam allowance, as if you don't stretch a pleated/ruched bias section in relation to the underlayer it will droop and bulge - not a good look around the hips! So your sewing instincts to stretch it to fit the underlayer sound spot on.

Beth said...

Looks great! Can you predict if it will be fun to see if it makes your "Favorites of 2010 list"?

Kathi said...

The finished dress is beautiful!! May I be honest and say that it has surpassed my expectation? I am glad you became determined to finish it. I often get that way too!

julia said...

You look superbly fantastical!! I know that's not really a word, but I couldn't think of anything else to describe you in that dress!!

Linda L said...

Great looking dress! I am glad you reviewed it at PR as well. I have now bookmarked Sew Chic patterns. That is a great looking dress on you; very flattering.

Antoinette said...

That is a tricky dress length -- you really work it! This dress looks wonderful on you! So you are also a fan of the Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing? I think I own two at all times, except when someone peruses mine and wishes they had their own. I give them one and then stalk ebay for another. :)

meli88a said...

Oh, it's beautiful inside and out! Love your hair and shoes too, everything looks great in these photos.

sarah said...

You finished it! I've been looking forward to seeing how it turned out and it does not disappoint. Adorable!! And worth all the work!

Lina said...

Beautiful and chic!!Excellent job!

Audrey said...

Your dress is beautiful. It fits great and is really unique looking. Love the hip sash!

Angela said...

Beautiful!! It looks great on you!

amber said...

Beautiful! Can I just say, you look so much cuter in this dress than the model picture. :) Definitely a winner!

Anonymous said...

Lovely! That bow is terrific. And the curls make the outfit too. Wonderful work :)