Style 2708

[b15erk]

This is the dress I'm currently making for my cousin's funeral.  I love the pattern, and I've been waiting for an occasion to make it.  Unfortunately, I think my fabric choice may be 'off', and I might have to choose something else to wear.

I started by making alterations to the pattern as I am no longer a size 12 (that's the size the pattern was cut...).  However, I lengthened the bodice far too much, and had to do much unpicking.

Once I had the sizing right, I cut the lining out.  This was a palaver, as there were no lining pieces... Got there eventually though, although the lining isn't exactly what I would have chosen.  It's got a sort of tafetta feel, so I'm not at all sure it will work, but, it's all I could get.  One thing I did get wrong though, was the length.  I forgot that I'd lengthened the main fabric, so I'll have to put a rescue plan together if it looks too short.

This morning when I've done the paperwork, I plan to alter the collar.  It's very pointy, so and suggestions will be most welcome!

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Jessie

[Surest1tch]

@b15erk, how much too short do you think it is? I have an idea but if it's more than about 2" I doubt it would work and look good.

[b15erk]

@Surest1tch thank you, it's not so much the dress which I added about 1.5cms too, but the lining, and I'm not so bothered about that.

I've just finished making another collar, which, because of all the alterations I've made, is to short.  Then, onto the sleeves...

Not doing too badly ...

Jessie

[b15erk]

Hmmpphh!  Nearly done - and then I looked for buttons... and I haven't got 10 matching 15mm black buttons... 

Time for an Amazon search, or I'll be going into town tomorrow to see if I can get anything suitable in the fabric shop...

Jessie

[Ohsewsimple]

Ooh I’m sure I’ve got that pattern somewhere.  I think I made a size 10 

[realale]

I love that pattern!!  Just my style (excuse the pun). I used Style patterns a lot back in the day and still have a few. Sadly, like yours, in a smaller size than I now require.
I hope you can sort all the problems out.

[BrendaP]

The first thing that I noticed about that pattern is the shoulders!  A while ago I made a dress from a pattern of the same vintage (when padded shoulders were the vogue) and it's never felt really right.  Sloping the shoulder seams to a more natural angle messes with the sleeve head, I ended up with slight gathers rather than easing.

Re the collar; just rounding the points will make a big difference.  Re the length; once it's cut there's not much you can do about it other than a false hem.  It's not the sort of design that will take a flounce at the bottom.

[b15erk]

Thanks girls, as always some great information.  I've almost finished, just hems, buttonholes and buttons to do - oh and shoulder pads...

I wondered why the shoulders weren't looking right, and it turns out they need a shoulder pad.  I'm not making big power shoulders here, just enough to lift them a bit

The collar @BrendaP , I just trimmed down a bit, and angled the points more gradually.  I checked it against a collar I like, and it looks much better.

Because I've lined it, it has the look of a coat dress rather than a tea dress, but I'm OK with that as the weather is very unpredictable atm.  OH thinks it's a bit black, and that I'll look like one of the Addams family, we'll see...   I do have other things I can wear...

I'll post some pics shortly, but I really need to go and make bias binding for the hems 

Jessie

[SewRuthieSews]

I recently watched a Peggy Sagers video where she explained what to do if you didn't want shoulder pads in something which is designed for them.
Basically if it should have had a 1" shoulder pad, you need to take 1" off the front and the back, sloping to nothing at the neckline AND reduce the height of the sleeve cap by 1" tapering to nothing at the armhole, otherwise the sleeve will poof a bit at the top.

I thought Ah-ha, and realised I could use that on some of my older patterns so I was happy!

[b15erk]

Good information @SewRuthieSews  - too late for me though    I'm going to try to get away with the smallest shoulder pads I possible can!

Jessie

[b15erk]

Buttons have arrived, just need to choose which colour now, although that isn't too important.  Most important is setting the machine up to sew some lovely buttonholes - I always find this stressful.

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Jessie

[Diane]

@b15erk Either the top or bottom ones, not much between them so either would work.

[Acorn]

Gorgeous buttons - I love them all!

[Bumblebuncher]

Lovely buttons, just down to what takes your fancy 
Buttonholes are truly the work of the Devil.  Especially when you put loads of care into something and the very last thing is those pesky things *gulp

[Missie]

I like the bottom ones best.