Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Vogue 8666 - Wearable Muslin Finished

...and I learned alot from making this dress...

1.  Undergarments are my friend.  The proper ones really make this dress work...using my regular old work undergarments...ummm, not so much!

2.  I know why no one else has reviewed this pattern because there is no way that this dress would stay up on your shoulders without some assistance.  It's working poorly in this dress and I have figured out a fix for my Birthday Gala Dress.

3.  That I can't wear this 'wearable muslin' to work - I need a date to wear this puppy!  It's showing some serious cleavage!  And everything I put under it to make it work wearable...ain't working! *LOL*

Seriously tho' here is a pic of the dress and me in full hair and make-up:


Now some stats:

Fabric:
Black doubleknit from Metro Textiles

Notions:
9" zipper
black knit binding

Construction:
After the extensive pattern alterations, the actual sewing of the dress was a let down.  I guess there is a lesson there but I did take a few liberties. 

*First I omitted the waistline fisheye darts.  I don't do abdomen darts...so there was never any chance of them being in the dress. 

*I also omitted the darts in the back...again I don't do darts that point to the fact that my behind is so well endowed. 

*I also omitted the lining.  I know that I should put a stretch lining with a stretch fabric and didn't have any that I thought was up to par with the dress.  Instead I used more of the knit binding to finish the neckline edge, as well as, stay tape to insure that it didn't stretch out of shape.


*I was concerned about the apex of the hip seam somehow reinforcing the width of my hips but with a lot of steam and several good whacks with my clapper, I slapped those seams into submission!


*The alterations to the sleeve totally worked!  I have to admit that I'm a little proud of that fact...


Now a few things I will do differently. 

1.  The Birthday Gala dress will be lined.

2.  The lace in the back will have a button closure and some kind of tie to hold the shoulders together.  I don't want to fidget with the shoulders all night.

3.  I am going to add a little more flare to the skirt bottom so it will have a little swirl factor.

4.  I am looking for a lace with an embroidered edge so that I won't have to hem the sleeves.

5.  I will need a new extra hold all-in-one, as well as a higher pair of strappy black sandals. I think I'm going to need a little more height to carry this dress off successfully.

The great thing about making the wearable muslin is that I got a great idea of how I actually look in this dress and how I want to proceed.  It will hang in the closet waiting for an opportunity to come out and shine...so here's one last look at it.


...as always, more later!

29 comments:

  1. Beautiful dress for such a beautiful lady. Your smile is contagious!

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  2. Your dress looks fantastic. Great job once again.

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  3. It looks pretty good so far. I see what you mean about cleavage. Just save it for date night!

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  4. You look fantastic. Amen to the power of the right undergarments - the transformative power of a good bra amazes me every time!

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  5. I find myself very inspired by your enthusiasm and love of sewing. I can tell you love to create and that is contagious! What am I going to make next - that's what I ask myself when I read your blog! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  6. You look very happy in this photo! A simple black dress but so flattering and beautifully made.

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  7. This dress is very flattering on you! I do hope you have somewhere to wear it, it would be a shame not to!

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  8. I love the neckline on you! And a black dress is alway my favorite go to...along with black tshirts, black pants, black sweater...enjoy it!

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  9. Go ahead... wear it to work. give them some cleavage... or just wear a dickie under it. that is bound to keep the shoulders up.

    And I have always wondered what ladies have against foundation garments. I learned as a small child, beauty hurts. Perms hurt, braids hurt, waxing hurts, girdles are supposed to bind. that's their nature. And it is that binding that keeps your posture in order. You see a woman with consistently great posture, I will show you a woman with boning in her girdle.


    Peace

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  10. I think this should be called a very wearable muslin. It looks fabulous - you look very svelte and elegant in this dress. Based on this, your gala dress is going to be fantastic!

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  11. Great dress! There's nothing like a good muslin to put you where you need to go! Looking forward to the finished product!

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  12. We learn so much from making those muslins. And hey, the right necklace, some serious cleavage and that dress may just liven up a date satisfactorily!

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  13. Making a muslin was worth the effort. You did a great job with the sleeves.

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  14. You look great in your full-on hair, makeup, and fabulous dress! I hope an occasion for it comes up soon.

    Another thing that might hold it on your shoulders is lingerie carriers.

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  15. The "wearable muslin" looks fantastic to me. Another job well done.

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  16. Oh yes, you nailed the sleeve! congrats, the dress looks great!

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  17. It's a flattering dress and the party dress should be lovely. What about just making lingerie straps? The shoulders will be opaque, won't they? I like using thread straps since they are so inconspicuous.

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  18. I like it! You should show cleavage more often. I wish I had cleavage.

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  19. Great dress to have in the closet when the ocasion presents itself! The holidazes and the parties associated with them are just around the corner. You'll look fabulous!

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  20. Another winner! You look fantastic and I hope you will get a chance to go on a hot date soon! AS always, you are so inspiring... You have made 3 dresses in the time I have fretted over small details on simple tops. Keep up the great work and showing all of us sewists how it's done!

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  22. That is definitely a party dress, so take her out dancing one Saturday night!

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  23. Gorgeous! I love doubleknit dresses, and this one looks sooo pretty!

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  24. This looks really nice! Could you top it with a cardi (perhaps the one you made from the Elliot Berman fabric) and wear the dress to work? I can't tell from the pics how fancy the fabric is.

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  25. Looks good! Nothing wrong with a good trial run to figure out what's what. I think the dress is good - a nice scarf and a cardi if the cleavage is too much for you and that dress is very wearable.

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  26. You look beautiful Carolyn, so glad this pattern worked for you.

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  27. Very pretty. Now, time to go plan a date night so you have a chance to wear it out and about. ;)

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  28. Carolyn, this dress deserves to go out and shine!!!! BEAUTIFUL!

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