Hah! Isn't it great to walk around with a dress full of spec's? (I know, the name is such a deliciously bad pun, I couldn't resist). I'm thinking mustard yellow tights + a gray blazer + black boots may squeak this into the office on a "casual" Friday come fall? In the meantime though, it combines the elements I search for in that perfect summer dress: loose but fitted, with enough pizazz to make me feel stylish when I walk out the door. Even if I literally just tossed on a dress and scrambled for the train.
I am not sure what inspired me to pipe both sleeve and neckband, but I think it's the perfect bit of detail to set off this otherwise crazy print. Crazy print: keep the details minimal, keep the pattern simple, make it all about the print. (Now, not positioning aforementioned crazy print right over one's bust? We'll save that level of finessing for next time! I don't think it's terribly noticeable though. I hope. You will tell me if this calls crazy attention to my chest, won't you?)
This is my latest iteration of the Fauxbetto pattern, lengthened to dress-length this time. I wanted to keep it loose enough that I could slip it on without needing a zipper, hence the lack of curved darts below bust. I think I've finally nailed this iteration of the sloper as it fits about as well as one can hope, and it now fills a "wishlist pattern" that's been on my brain for awhile - simple but fitted, works well with a fabric not woven to drape over curves (like all those fabulous novelty quilt cotton prints I see and cannot figure out how to work into a garment because they lack the proper drape. Hello quilting cottons. NOW I CAN ATTACK YOU WITH FULL FORCE AGAIN!).
To fix the sagging issues in the back, I shortened the upper back by 1/2" and then took a wedge out of each top shoulder seam for back only, and that eliminated most wrinkles as you can see:
However, I do notice that the lower hem of the front now hangs shorter than the rest of the dress. I think I need to add that wedge back into the bottom of the dress. Isn't it funny how these things work? It's a bit like when you add the wedge back in at the bottom for a swayback ... except in this case it's to the front bottom edge instead of the back bottom edge. My brain's too tired to make much sense of it, but if you have another suggestion for getting an even hem around let me know. (I confess I rarely mark a hem the proper way, that is to say I just eyeball what looks like an even hem on the flat pattern, hem and press. Flat, it works on this dress; but on the body, clearly it does not. Perhaps I should not be in such a rush to finish my projects!)
I also folded the entire back piece in by 3/4" at the center and moved the darts out 3/8" on each side to compensate, the second strategy to achieve a less wrinkly back. The next time around (I never know when to stop tinkering!), for the second, fitted version of this sloper, I may try making the back bottom better fitted as it is still not quite what I'd like.
But! But! But! Supremely thrilled. I shall be quite a Spectacle walking around in this one ;-). Too bad we can't throw a Ridiculous Meetup Party!
Oh yes, Ridiculous prezzies + how winners are selected. Um. Hm. If there are less than 4 of you who whip up a Ridiculous project, I'll probably just ship you all out a prezzie, but if there wind up being more than that, I think we shall go with a random drawing (more Ridiculous projects = more entries) and I'll email those selected to ask for a ranked preference, and hopefully everybody gets something they're happy with. If there's some prize unanimously ranked at the bottom of the heap, I'll probably throw in some extra goodies =). If you have more questions though, just ask! And thanks to everybody who has made up a Ridiculous project so far!!!
EDITED TO ADD: Challenge: Ridiculous deadline? Why don't we say until the end of August? That seems like a nice "end of summer" deadline, no?
13 comments:
I love this dress. It's not just the spectacle print though, I think you have cracked the fitting issues and it looks like it hangs really well. All that sloper and fitting works obviously paid off. x
This. is. awesome! I really admire your knowledge about making things fit with non-stretchy fabric... I hardly work with anything non-stretchy, and as a result I'm pretty inexperienced in the art of dart-making etc. ...
Oh yes! I love it! The piping makes it look so professional and avoids the "I made it myself out of an old curtain" look. Not that there's anything wrong with dresses made out of curtains...!
And it fits so well too. Yay! Definitely a pattern to return to again and again. I can just imagine it with a subtle mushroom and polka dot print...!
I love it!! This is so you. The fit looks fabulous from here. And agreed: The crazier the print, the more streamlined the dress -- what a great, classic dress and the piping is pitch-perfect.
Wishing you a ridiculous August :) I hope to see you in Sept.
What an adorable dress! I love it and want one for myself! Love the green, the print, the piping. That is a great pattern from your sloper. Well done!!!
So much fun! I agree that the piping is the perfect touch. And it looks like the fit is really good!
Absolutely, ridiculously adorable for summer. And yes, even autumn too. One of my favorites thus far! The quirky fabric really works!
i love the fit... but still "meh" for the pattern. haha, maybe if it had been in purple.
Well you will really be able to make a spectacle of yourself in that dress ! Bad puns aside, I actually think this dress looks fabulous on you. The fit is really great and the color and piping look so pro. And then the print just makes me smile and turn a bit green with envy. I have a cupboard of quilting cotton too and I don't even quilt so I am also looking for ways to use some of those happy prints. I see by the closing of your post, that you are forcing me to do some more ridiculous sewing.
Looks great - and if your own specs match the specs on the dress, even better!
What a great dress! I love that it fits so well without a zipper and the classic shape works so well with the print! :) Also, yay for the piping detail!
I love it! It is perfect :)
Omg modcloth had a dress that was a similar print it as called Frames and Fortune google it and you will see. LOOOOVE THE DRESS!
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