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!