Sunday, December 12, 2010

Salvaging a Wadder

Ouch. This one's not pretty. It started with Tasia's Las Margarita Dress, which I absolutely adore, and upon close inspection it seemed like a silhouette that would work well for me. Well, about 10 million hours later, I had to toss it aside in pure frustration.


If you're like my parents and want to say, "Weeeeeell, it's not that bad ..." my reply will point to great hypocrisy on my end. I'd probably say that to a blog friend too [especially seeing only a photograph and not in person]. But for myself, I know I'd never wear this monster.

First of all, we've got these great mini-Madonna bust darts going here, which is something I don't quite understand since I cut/graded a size with 1" ease in the bust area, except what I think is going on is that I need a greater petite upper chest adjustment which would lift the entire upper bodice and smooth out a lot of those fit issues [muslim, that's what a muslim is for!!!] Also, it's strangely baggy in the bust area for something that's only supposed to have 1" ease [user error: I don't think I was sewing at exactly 5/8" SA].

Probably my greatest error was deciding to underline this instead of interfacing it - and choosing a stiff thrifted duvet cover to underline a soft, floppy suiting fabric. *Facepalm.* What IS that, Jessica??? So sometimes I say that I'm a very tactile learner - I learn by doing, and I learn fastest by MAKING MISTAKES and then going, oh geez, I don't think I was supposed to do that. Ten gazillion hours of my life, gone.


Probably the biggest reason I'd never wear it, though, is that this dress makes me feel fat. There, I've said it. I know we're supposed to be in some post-modern age where feeling empowered via handmade trumps societally-imposed standards of beauty and whatnot, but honestly I don't like wearing clothes that make me feel bad about myself, Me Made or otherwise. So I chucked it.

And then meekly retrieved it from the garbage can [all right, from the floor]. Because one thing I'd noticed about the pattern was that it had a really nice, full skirt, and even though I've made myself a squillion skirts already, I don't have a plain gray A-line skirt that would look inconspicuous in an office. So I unpicked the skirt, re-stay-stitched with quilting cotton selvedges, reinserted the zipper, inserted the lining the wrong way and decided I didn't care anymore because we were at the ten gazillion and two point five hour timepoint, and the hemmed it up.


Much better.


Still as twirly.

13 comments:

Antoinette said...

One of my first projects was a Butterick "walk-away" dress that was all wrong, and I ended up doing the same thing -- saving the skirt. Sorry you spent so much time on something that wasn't as beautiful as you'd imagined it would be, but I agree that these experiences often teach us very valuable lessons we are not likely to make again! Besides, that is a snappy little skirt!

Zonnah said...

I agree with you. I think the neckline just was not that flattering for you :( But I love it as a skirt.

willywagtail said...

I'm glad you are young enough to still have the energy to keep going. This seems to be the problem with so many sewers. I read somewhere not long ago that clothes were generally made for a 'B' cup fitting bra size so I guess if that is not your standard size then you are going to have problems with any fitted top. Still you got a skirt and it twirls beautifully. Cherrie

quietandsmalladventures said...

yay for the save! i like it much better as a skirt :)

Violet said...

I can imagine why you'd think the dress would be flattering, but it looks to me like one of those that only suits Joan Holoway types - hey, maybe all it needs is a 50s-style pointy bra!
Nevertheless, it is way more flattering on you as a skirt, maybe because your top half in the next picture is nice and fitted.

Minnado said...

It looks like you put a lot of time into the dress and I am sorry it didn't fit right. But I am glad you have salvaged it and not just left it.I know from bitter experience how annoying it is to make something that just isn't right!
I think it looks like a very lovely skirt though. I like the cowl/scarf you are wearing with it too. By the way, I've got my tree up now!

Lindsay said...

Great save- love it as a skirt! And a great outfit too! Love the pop of color with the scarf.

julie said...

Hi - I've been enjoying your blog, but I think it's called "musliN"... Although what you wrote is a lot funnier! It looks great now!

Roobeedoo said...

This is why I don't sew dresses! The skirt is so much more graceful on you.

Callipygian said...

I was thinking that I agreed that while the bust section isn't ideal, the skirt has a lovely drape and I was sad you chucked it. But wait, you didn't, you saved the skirt portion! It's a great skirt.

Tasia said...

Way better as a skirt - I'm glad you were able to salvage the dress and turn it into something wearable! Besides, think of all the different possibilites for wearing that skirt! And you know, I don't have a large chest at all yet somehow the bodice works on me. It's all about body type I suppose. Way to not let it get you down!

jessica said...

Thank you everyone for the encouraging words! I've already worn the skirt a couple times and you're all right, it's much more versatile (and a great, swishy skirt).

Julie ~ oh man, what a brain fart! MusliN! Ha. No offense intended in my vast ignorance!!!

Violet ~ I'm almost tempted to invest in a 50's style pointy bra, just for kicks ...

Ali said...

Ha! Lady, I was wondering when I was going to see this bubble up on your blog. You are too funny. It totally looks lovely as a skirt. I'm obsessive about bodice issues, too. Add a small bust to a rectangular torso, swayback and scoliosis and I'm tired just writing about it! I bet you'll get great, great use out of this!