In my experience sewing seems to mend the soul, so lately I tend to spend a lot of time thinking that more people should be sewing these days. 😆This dress comes from Machiko Kayaki's
Simple Chic and is dress No. 12. It has a v-neck in the front and back, side zipper, waist ties, and an inverted U-waistline at the natural waist. The fabric came from
Mill End Store in Portland, OR during
Pattern Review Weekend 2019, which I have also written about here:
PRW 2019. As the first pattern, I've made out of this book, there was the usual amount of experimentation with trying to get to know the book's style and cut. It was tragic. So much doing and redoing, especially in the bodice. I will always make a muslin for this pattern in the future. For example, I cut 3 in off the back bodice neckline and took out the pleats, but that was only after I seam ripped and resewed the back bodice-to-skirt seam about 3 times trying to get rid of all the extra bagginess on the back. I guess my torso was just to short for the original dimensions. I also flattened the the top of the back skirt by about a graded 1 in off the top to cut some of the bagginess as well.
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| My alteration reminder to my future self. |
On the whole, this pattern was a little surprising because I've never had to readjust patterns by Machiko Kayaki this much. They're usually reliably well-fit to my body shape. Another very important lesson I learned this time: if you're unsure of sizing, make a muslin!!! I spent a ridiculous and unwarranted amount of time trying to work out the back. However, I'm glad I used up some fabric I've had for a while and have another cute little dress. Still worth the hassle. A little ironic food for thought-- I needed the challenge to do a little "soul mending." Happy Sewing!
