The Sewing Place

Dress to Impress

Francesca

Re: Dress to Impress
« Reply #15 on: May 18, 2017, 10:55:37 AM »
Would you mind if I moved this thread to the special occasionwear forum? That forum is a little quiet and I think this fits there perfectly :)

BrendaP

Re: Dress to Impress
« Reply #16 on: May 18, 2017, 14:48:53 PM »
Yes, that's fine with me.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

Surest1tch

Re: Dress to Impress
« Reply #17 on: May 18, 2017, 18:56:01 PM »
Wear what you are most comfortable in.

UttaRetch

Re: Dress to Impress
« Reply #18 on: May 19, 2017, 08:59:05 AM »
The dress is looking great, Brenda.

Samantha

Re: Dress to Impress
« Reply #19 on: May 19, 2017, 10:48:23 AM »
That dress is lovely! Looking forward to seeing the finished garment.

charlotte

Re: Dress to Impress
« Reply #20 on: May 19, 2017, 12:17:04 PM »
Looking gorgeous! I think I would leave the sleeves unlined.

BrendaP

Re: Dress to Impress
« Reply #21 on: May 20, 2017, 14:40:18 PM »
It's finished!  or is it?   -<

I'm not very happy with the fit, but all that ease at the back is necessary if I am to move around and raise my arms  :\
Maybe I've just got too used to wearing stretchy fabrics.

I'm also undecided about the neckline.  The lace edging that's around the hem and the sleeves didn't look right so I've left it plain but it seems to emphasise my lop-sided shoulders.  Maybe I'll be able to find a very narrow edging that's suitable.

I haven't made a belt either.  Does it look as though it needs it? - the pattern says to use ribbon.

I decided on unlined sleeves, so hand stitched the lining to the sleeve seam so didn't need to bind those seams as per instructions, nor did I need to make lingerie guards to hold shoulder straps in place but I did put in a waist stay to take any strain off the zip.  I elimiated all CF and CB seams and used the overlocker for the seams to make them narrower and less obvious.  Apart from all that it's more or less as the pattern says.

Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

Francesca

Re: Dress to Impress
« Reply #22 on: May 20, 2017, 15:54:09 PM »
I think it looks fab! I think the fit below the darts is great but there are some wrinkles around the shoulders but honestly nobody is going to notice it's probably just because we're all sewing people here. I think it looks amazing!

Lilian

Re: Dress to Impress
« Reply #23 on: May 20, 2017, 15:57:31 PM »
That is lovely and it really suits you!  Well done  :toast:
Willing but not always able :)

Acorn

Re: Dress to Impress
« Reply #24 on: May 20, 2017, 16:09:13 PM »
Very, very nice.   0_0
I might look as though I'm talking to you, but inside my head I'm sewing.

UttaRetch

Re: Dress to Impress
« Reply #25 on: May 20, 2017, 17:41:18 PM »
It's a good dress, Brenda.  Fitting is like jumping through fiery hoops, so don't beat yourself up.  Rather than a ribbon belt you could buy one with a diamonte decoration.

Vegegrow

Re: Dress to Impress
« Reply #26 on: May 20, 2017, 20:06:15 PM »
It's a good dress, Brenda.  Fitting is like jumping through fiery hoops, so don't beat yourself up.  Rather than a ribbon belt you could buy one with a diamonte decoration.
That's a nice Idea.. I was wondering about a silver belt
"The only place where housework comes before needlework is in the dictionary." ~Mary Kurtz

BrendaP

Re: Dress to Impress
« Reply #27 on: May 20, 2017, 20:08:53 PM »
Thank you UttaRetch for that idea :)  I'd been thinking about silvery/diamante jewellery anyway.

Those belts really don't cost much, even as bridal accessories which often triples the price! But, my waist isn't that trim nowadays and I don't want masses of plain chain to make the ends meet so I've ordered two of them with the intention of maybe getting a necklace or earings from the spare bit of the second one. >:)
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

BrendaP

Re: Dress to Impress
« Reply #28 on: May 20, 2017, 21:14:30 PM »
Thank you for the nice comments 0_0

I've found some black 'baby lace' in stash and added that to the neckline which does make it look a bit more 'finished' and hopefully the diamante belt will give it a lift and distract from the wrinkly back.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

Samantha

Re: Dress to Impress
« Reply #29 on: May 20, 2017, 22:34:43 PM »
Very nice Indeed! A bit of sparkly will really set it off nicely.