This is why I'm discouraged....
The dress is way too tight...even after I've taken out every seam and sewn them with only 1/8" seams.
The neckline is too low unless I take up 2" from the shoulder which of course changes the armhole so that the sleeve won't go in it...and the square of the neckline is too wide. Linda, now I understand why you had issues with the neckline on your dress.
All I can think is thank goodness I didn't add piping to all the seams or I would be ready to kill now. So my choices are do I trash it and kiss two days worth of work goodbye? Or do I find a way to make it work?
My first thought was to cut a new center front piece which will give me some additional room. Then after further thought, I realized that if I give up the jacket idea...which doesn't feel like such a bad idea right now...I could not only recut the front piece but I also could recut the center back pieces. That's a lot of work especially since I've already cut out the lining pieces and the invisible zipper would have to be removed & reinserted! Dayum, dayum, dayum!
Now I know why there are no reviews on this dress on PR because it is a beyotch to sew. I'm going to give the jacket up. There is too much hand work from putting the piping in the dress for me to toss it...*sigh* Now to see if this solution will work...but I'm only giving it the rest of this evening...if it doesn't shake out by then...I'm moving on.
This is why I sew TNTs...
...as of 1:22am, I think I've resolved the issues...there will be no jacket. The fabric for it went to saving the dress...which isn't done. There are still several hours worth of work to be done to it before it will be finished but as Scarlett O'Hara said, "Tomorrow is another day!"
...as always, more later!
I think you need to give yourself a break and then have another go at it Carolyn. Wishing you lots of good sewing for the rest of this week.
ReplyDeleteOh Carolyn, I feel your pain. Good to read you've saved the dress. After a good night sleep you will look different at it. I'm sure you will make a nice jacket in another fabric to complete the outfit. By then you will have forgotten this.
ReplyDeleteThat style looks nice on you...I hope you can save it...sure you can...you always do!!!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn I love that you tell us when this sort of thing happens! I feel your pain too, but if anyone can save it you are that girl. You ability continues to amaze me.
ReplyDeleteHow annoying and I too feel your pain having been there myself before. I agree that you should walk away for a while and then come back to it with a fresh mind for changes.
ReplyDeleteWhat a PITA! I am sure that the next post will show a wonderfully saved beautiful dress.
ReplyDeleteFirst off: What you do have from the underbust down looks very nice on you. I think you are very brave to make a dress with such complicated seaming without doing as a test garment first, for this very reason.
ReplyDeleteI actually want to make the jacket, which is why I bought the pattern, the dress looks like something I'd like to tackle in the near future.
Oh no!! Good luck with the "fix"
ReplyDeleteSuch a pity that it didn't work right off, hurdles like this are sooo discouraging. I'm so glad you saved your dress. The seaming on that pattern looks so interesting and very chic. I can't wait to see your final version, I am sure you'll achieve a beautiful result!
ReplyDeleteGotch, I had hoped you would not find fitting issues with this dress. It is a very appealing dress on the model. As others have said you are very talented at saving a potential wadder. Look forward to seeing what happens next.
ReplyDeleteYou are wonderful and generous to share the issues this dress pattern gave you! Well done to sacrifice the jacket to saving the dress!! Looking forward to seeing the finished dress. You are an inspiration to me!!
ReplyDeletewhat about colorblocking the dress to add in more fabric to the seams and neckline? It's very much in fashion on would look great on this dress.
ReplyDeleteThat's a shame to have such problems and on your first project too. Hope the week picks up for you.
ReplyDeleteOh, what a disappointment! The technical drawings looked so promising. I hope you can salvage this dress, somehow, some way.
ReplyDeleteOh, what a pain! Good for you for sticking with it - I know it's so hard to keep going on a project when the first results are disappointing. I love that color though, and I have a feeling it's going to end up a fabulous success!
ReplyDeleteUgh, that is the worst when it happens. Can't wait to see how you save it.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry that this dress didn't work for you. The first thing that comes to mind about the low neckline is a lace inset. To make the sides a bit bigger, I'm thinking a coordinated gusset kind of thing. I'd probably gather the neckline with the gathering foot or even use clear elastic. The dress will look nothing like the photo, but will become another Carolyn original. I'm hoping the changes that you make, will give you satisfaction and joy. If not.. Toss it!! You've made some beautiful things
ReplyDeleteThe sewing fairies should treat you better on your vacation! But I'm sure you will make it work, and I really appreciate your generosity in sharing your problems (even you have them! who knew?) as well as your successes.
ReplyDeleteOh booo! But, that IS a really cute dome topped purse in the paytern photo.....
ReplyDeleteThis is brutal and, sadly, I can totally relate to it! :-) Giving you good sewing vibes...
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you can resolve the issues. I'm even more impressed at your perserverance, and willingness to toss it if it didn't work - this would have gone into my UFO box by now for sure, but I am working on letting things go!
ReplyDeleteOh Carolyn, I am so sorry this hasn't turned out quite as you had originally hoped, but it sounds like you are resolving the issues. I purchased this pattern myself, more for the jacket than anything. I was actually toying wiht the idea of attempting it in eyelet lace but I haven't quite worked that out in my mind . . . .
ReplyDeleteI just wanted you to know what an inspiration you are to me. You have had a profound impact on my own sewing. Like you, I work in a very professional environment and corporate attire is required. I aspire to sew most of my own wardrobe, just as you have. Inspired by the many variations of your TNT dress patterns, I selected a simple jacket pattern that lends itself quite well to a variety of permutations. I continue to make small changes to the fit and have learned so very much about sewing from working with that one pattern. I just wanted to thank you so very much for taking the time to blog and photograph your sewing experiments (the successful and the less so) because I learn from every single post and picture you publish.
Glad you were able to resolve the issues and so agree with you on why one likes to sew TNTs.
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteI say treat the dress as the muslin. Do your cut/center panel or other changes but don't bother with the zipper reinsertion. Just fiddle with it until you get it close, then use it as the pattern to map against your TNT.
Or wad it up.
I've taken confidence from your efforts and had the nerve to wad up and toss a couple of things that I could not make work.
OK. I can see your dress has problems but I can tell
ReplyDelete1. a square neckline is flattering on you and
2. your hourglass shape will be good for this style. WHy didn't it work out?
I blame the design because lookit: the model herself is actually posing for the bag! The dress is tight around her thighs and bunched up at her middle and that arm offering the purse probably hides that left shoulder sliding right off her because the neck is too wide. For some reason they chose to show this dress posed in such a way that we can't even see it. The lady with the ostensibly "perfect figure" had to double over and cover up to get a presentable photo. This is why I just look at the pattern books and copy.
Oh no! I hope you can find some way to salvage it?
ReplyDeleteIf you are having a hard time with this dress, I can't imagine the fits (or non-fit, hah) it would give to an inexperienced dressmaker. Ugh. I hope the save works.
ReplyDeleteOh, Carolyn! I completely empathize with you, and, since I'm reading this after your later retail therapy post, am hoping that you're back on track.
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain re the fitting but are you sure you really don't want to work on making this pattern fit?
ReplyDeleteI really love the neckline on you, the square shape is very flattering as is the whole shape of the dress.
If you were going to take two inches out of the shoulders, perhaps taking it out of the upper back area/front upper chest area (not bust) and then taking the same amount out of the sleeve to compensate?
Susan Khalje addressed a similar bodice fitting in her new "The Couture Dress" at craftsy.com The first few lessons can be viewed for free.
ReplyDelete