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Tuesday, October 07, 2014

I've Been Remiss...

One - I've been meaning to give wearability reports on a couple of my recent makes and I'm just getting around to it. 

Two - most importantly, I want to say thank you to everyone who has left such kind remarks about my latest garments.  I appreciate that not only do you read my blog postings but you also stop, leave a comment, suggestion, or a helpful hint. So it's important to me that I acknowledge that. Especially when I write a talk back post, because the resulting conversations are wonderful & informative and I so value & respect your responses.



Now onto the wearability reports...let's start with the latest make first...

The Tri-Color Ponte Dress ~
This was a hands down winner not only for the color but the fit too.  It was comfortable to wear, garnered a lot of compliments and is a perfect late summer/early fall dress.  The only comment I have is that if I make this dress again (and I'm thinking about it because I own a lot of ponte) is that I would make a slimmer sleeve.  Otherwise this dress was the reason why we sew ~ to get the garment we want, in the colors we want, and the perfect fit.  

The Bubble Dress ~
Another attention getting dress because of the color and print...however, this dress photographs better than it looks in real life.  Washing and drying this ponte took away the finishing on the fabric and left it a little "pilled" looking. A look that I couldn't even photograph - see this is where my photography skills are definitely lacking. So even for the first wearing, it looked as if it had been worn several times before...even my boss noticed the difference. So the fabric was most definitely a fail.  However, because the dress is my TNT pattern, it was very comfortable to wear.  It won't get worn as much as the lilac floral print inspiration dress but I will wear it again...albeit with a cardigan so that you don't see quite so much fabric.

The FatQuarter Dress ~
This one was a winner - stylewise, fabric-wise, and wearability wise.  The linen didn't create a lot of wrinkles while wearing because it was underlined in silk organza.  The side panel is unexpected and adds a touch of whimsy to a basic work dress. Of course, it wore well, it is my TNT pattern after all and it garnered a lot of compliments...especially from those that followed it's progress on Instagram.

This is my last summer dress and I've included it in the wearability report because I want to make another version of Butterick 5821 with longer sleeves for late fall/early winter. I originally made this dress for winter in a laminated ponte version but I really want a wool crepe one. Since I have plenty of wool crepe on hand, it's just a matter of choosing the colors for the next one.

Butterick 5821 - The Summer Version ~
I knew this would wear well because I already own a ponte winter version. The unknown in this version is the linen fabric but since it's a heavier embroidered linen, the wrinkle factor is practically non-existent. This was just a great dress which also garnered compliments. On another note, I realize that I have a spring green version of this linen that I will have to use next summer.

Finally, one last note, I have lost about 25 pounds in the last couple of months which I think you're finally starting to see in my body, legs and ankles. Although the fat just seems to be sliding down my arms...*sigh*...but that's what cardigans are for right?!  Anyway, I thought I should share that along with the fact that I am still wearing shapers under my clothing which also adds to the new slimmer appearance. Some of my dresses from just two years ago are starting to be quite loose, so there will be some heavy duty purging going on soon.

...as always more later!

35 comments:

  1. You look great with or without those 25 pounds. I especially love the tri-color ponte dress--I had my doubts about your original fabrics, but you made some terrific new choices.

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  2. Congratiolations on your weight loss ansd I immediately fell in love with your tri-color dress!

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  3. Congrats on the weight loss...keep up the good work. That said, you seem to know your body and what style flatters you so well that 25 pounds or not, you look terrific and polished. When you purge, do you plan to re-tailor some of your favorites that will be too large for you?

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  4. These dresses are definitely winners, but I am sorry about the piling of the bubble dress. It is cute. Congratulations on the weight loss; that 25 lb loss does show. I was wondering about that, especially in that shots of the Tri-color dress and the Fat Quarter dress.

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  5. Glad to hear the tricolor was comfy to wear with its slightly more body con fit because you look just great in it! And I am still amazed that you made such a good looking dress from those fat quarters.

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  6. I hope the weight loss is a chosen action, you are still fabulous at any size (although I gotta say for me less is better, I feel better, less exhausted at the end of the day). I appreciate wearablilty reports, and thrilled to know the fat quarter challenge is washing and wearing well. Testament to your excellent skills!

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  7. Love your tri-coloured dress the best but then that pink is one of my favourite colours. Shame about the bubble dress as it looks great in the photos. They are all ovey though and a superb fit. 25 pounds or not, you look great. Xx

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  8. It's so interesting to hear how your dresses wore. A real shame about the piling on the bubbles one - I really liked it on you! Congratulations on the weight loss (assuming its intentional). It's hard, but worth it. I've allowed almost a stone to find its home on my body and it makes me feel less than great. You may well become my inspiration in another area of life! Thank you. Rachel ☺

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  9. Oh well done with the weight loss. You always look immaculate but health is important too so I'm glad you are feeling benefits. Though you have all those wonderful clothes that might not be wearable in the future you also have lovely fabric so I'm not too sad for you! Well maybe if the tri-colour dress becomes unwearable soon....

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  10. Your Dresses are beautiful. So good to ear how they've performed for you. Nice work addressing your health...I'm on the same journey to increased satisfaction!

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  11. Well done on the weight loss :) All your dresses are fabulous!

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  12. Thank you for providing a wearability report. I adore the Tri-Color Ponte, and it is extremely flattering on you. And, congratulations on the weight loss. It is so difficult to lose weight (you're hearing the voice of experience in this post LOL) but so worth it for the health benefits.

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  13. Congratulations on your weight loss! The dresses are lovely. My favorite is the Summer Version dress because black and white are my favorite fashion colors!

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  14. Congratulations on both the great wearability of you recent sews, and on the weight loss! I appreciated the reports on how your dresses work out in real life, and love your attitude.

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  15. this report is such a great idea-- i love the trial run of a garment and never think to report on it. you look fabulous; you always do--and EEk! i dropped the ball on the FQ roundup! i did a double take on your last dress!

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  16. I love this post. Your makes are super cool and I really enjoy your blog. Thanks for all the great information on your projects. Congrats on the weight loss. Looking good.

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  17. I love all these dresses, but I'm sorry about the fabric in the bubble dress -- I love that print:( You are looking good!

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  18. I love that you are reporting on the wearability! As I read tons of sewing blogs it is always nice to see people addressing that. I mean, that is the whole point of making our own clothes, right?! And as I'm trying very hard to only make things I will actually wear (with a few exceptions) it's nice to get those reports. Also I am so inspired by your TNTs...it's my big goal for the next little bit to get those down for myself. As to the pilling ponte...I have found this to be an ongoing issue. I've bought a bunch from Fabric Mart (love that place) and some from Girl Charlee (which seems more hit/miss) and it seems to all pill pretty quick. Have you found a particular fiber content that is better than others? Or is it just inevitable?

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  19. Congratulations on your weight loss! And thanks for posting a follow-up on these. I always find it really interesting to find out which of our me-made garments make it into our regular wearing rotation (and which don't) and why.

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  20. I think my favorite is the fat quarter dress. I NEVER thought those fabrics would make a "real life" dress for you, and then LOOK what you went and did! Love it. I love the wear-ability report, too. It helps to know that I'm not the only one to make things that look right, but don't wear right.

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  21. WHEEEE! Congratulations on your weight loss! All your dresses are looking great, and so are you. I'm also on a diet, a really easy one to remember -- "Just Say No" and "Think of the Fabric You Could Buy for the Price of That!" Talk about inspiration! :) Creative Hormone Rush

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  22. Thank you for sharing the wearability reports. It's so nice to hear what happens after a successful make. Congrats on losing the weight!

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  23. Purging means more room for new clothes! Congrats on the weight loss. I'm down almost 15 pounds and noticing it in the few clothes that I have. Time to do some serious sewing!

    Best wishes

    Sue C

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  24. Congrats on the weight loss. The great thing about sheath dresses and princess seams is that are easy to take in when you lose weight. So if it is something you really love, try to make it smaller. And I like my cardigans a bit loose, so you can wear those for a while. Of course, when I lose weight, I don't want to wear my old clothes adjusted to fit the new me. I want all new stuff to wear. And that is the reason we sew. Enjoy making clothes in your new size. Good work!

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  25. Your tricolour dress has inspired me! I might just have to make something like this for my Shetland Collection. Thank you.

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  26. I love your Fat Quarter dress because it was such an inspired idea! But I think your tri-color one is the one I'd steal if you let me raid your closet. It looks fantastic on you. Congrats on the weight loss! You always look great!

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  27. i'm so glad for the better health the weight loss will give you. i've been on the same journey--75 pounds and counting! here's a great web site
    drberg.com. it helps me.--anne

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  28. Hi! Love the dresses, a question from a newby steep on the learning curve...what is pont. Is it a heavier knit?

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  29. congratulations on your weight loss!! we all know that is a victory! for esteem and for health! great news!
    and it is so good to read this, it is important to keep track of our choices and results... so we can always improve. :)

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  30. All of your dresses are beautiful! Congratulations on losing 25 lbs. Losing weight is not easy so that is quite an accomplishment.

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  31. Really like seeing your dress reviews and learning how they wear/wore. Congrats on weight loss.

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  32. Thanks for the updates on the dresses - it is always good to hear how well they work out! And great news on the weight loss - I am interested to hear how your TNT's need altering. I've lost 30lbs and am having to re-TNT my patterns!!

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  33. Finally got my google account reinstated so I can comment again! I particularly love the tri colour ponte dress and the fit is fabulous, I guess partly because you have made it more fitted to show off your weight loss? Congratulations on that by the way and a big wardrobe purge will mean more new things for you to make and show us so we are all winners!!

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  34. I know everyone else has said it, but I'll say it too - that tri-color dress is bomb-diggity! It's not only the color, but the paneling lengthens your body and makes you look taller! The sleeves are beautiful, too.

    If you do a purge, it would be fun to see a refashion contest or something! What can you make out of Carolyn's old clothes?!?

    P.S. I stumbled on your blog about a month ago and I really enjoy your perspective. We definitely have different styles (I have a dress I refer to as "the jaguar dress" because yes, it is populated by jaguars) but your posts about wearability and perfecting your TNT pattern remind me that sewing doesn't only have to be frivolous and that there is joy in a well fitting garment.

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  35. I love how you love your arms. You wear sleeveless dresses and they look great. I have large arms (one bicep is 2-1/2” larger than the other). I don’t have a problem with my large arms—everybody else does! I just haven’t come “out” yet with short sleeves or sleeveless, but when I do (and I’ve got plenty of patterns to take me into the next millennium) I am going to wear them proud. Your outfits are very nice and look well made. Love your shirts and jackets. Erika

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