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Thursday, June 20, 2013

First Dress Simplicity 2444


So, here it is my very first hand and machine stitched dress by me.  I choose the Project Runway Simplicity Pattern 2444.   I'm glad to have started out with this dress because there were quite a few blogs to visit for inspiration and a fabulous tutorial on YouTube that helped me along (more below).


First off, I'd like to say this was a "working" muslin for me.  I'm hoping to do this dress again with some corrections to the pattern to better fit me.

Outfit Details:

Hat -ebay purchase vintage cartwheel hat
Necklace -Bakelite recently purchased
Bracelet -vintage but probably just regular ol'plastic.  No matter, bought it to match:)
Dress-details below made by me from Simplicity 2444.   Fabric is out of print but it is from Michele D'Amore Marcus Brothers, Metro Collection.
Shoes- Vintage





I added a little hook and eye but forgot to close it in this picture.








You can see how I had to add a couple of darts to the front  at the top (also to the back).  I hope in my next draft this will be corrected.




Work in process images:






Issues:

1.     Biggest issue - I had to add a couple of darts to the top neck area on front and back that I'm not too happy about but I didn't like how much  bulk there was on the top.  I've seen this issue on a couple of blogs so I'll have to figure out how to fix the pattern up for my next draft.    If you have this problem when you try it out, here is a great blog post.  I'll try this next.

2.  The pattern called for you to cut the skirt into four sections.  I don't understand why the front couldn't be one section.  Next draft will be one section to the front.

3.  I'll probably add to the hemline as I like it a bit longer.  In this case I didn't hem anything under so there was no seam allowance.  I added a bias strip to the bottom.

4.  Next dress I will learn how to add a lining.  I didn't like the interfacing on the sleeves and neck area.

5.  For some odd reason when I was making the sleeves, one turned out slightly bigger than the other, I'm sure this was totally my fault.  Next time, I'll make sure they match before stitching them on.  I was able to fix this.

6.  When I went to put in the hook and eye, I realized my top was slightly off at the top with the bias binding, too late to correct.  I'll have to keep in mind to make sure this lines up better next time before stitching in place.  This is completely my fault and not the pattern.



Things I Loved and Learned:

1. I tried out a couple of different stitching foots for my sewing machine.  I didn't like the bias foot for my machine ended up doing it by hand with a neat gadget.  Much more fun!  I also loved making my own bias tape from coordinating fabric.  This isn't part of the required dress pattern but is great for finishing off edges.

2.  Loved the pockets in the dress, some people have said that they add bulk, but I don't think so.  I almost considered not having them, glad I didn't.

3.  I barely scraped by on my fabric amount, but this was my fault as I just grabbed the polka dot fabric I had, eyeballed it and thought, "I have more than enough".

4.  I think I memorized this tutorial.   So glad I had this to refer too!  Thank you Professor PinCushion!  I actually had bought the pattern and was looking around for resources and came across this one.  Boy, did it make it so much easier for me not knowing a thing about how to do a pattern, how to cut, basically everything.

5. Keep note of the grain lines on your pattern, these could be your best friend.   I was having a little difficulty laying out some of my pieces based upon the pattern directions.  I had cut off a section thinking I didn't need it when, I probably did.  But, lucky for me, I just followed the grain line on the fabric pattern and it was okay.

6.  Actually loved putting in a zipper.  I put in an invisible zipper and it wasn't too difficult.  It helped me out a lot that I bought an invisible zipper foot.  I recommend this foot to those of you considering making dresses.

7.  This pattern does give you the confidence to go out and try other patterns.

8.  My belt was total fate!  I love the idea of fabric matching belts (in general).  It is difficult to find the resources to make these.  I was cruising around ebay a few weeks ago and an auction for a bunch of vintage belt kits with just the belt material caught my eye.   You may also remember my button buy here.   Isn't it great that in this batch of buttons was a matching buckle the perfect color for what I needed for this dress?




Pattern:











33 comments:

  1. This is such a cute dress! I'm impressed with your sewing skills! The belt really completes the dress! Well done!

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    1. Thank you Anthea, I am hoping to have a few sparkles of your powerful fairy dust seamstress talent make it's way in my direction. I can't wait for you to fill me in with some tips and tricks:)

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  2. Omg Joanna you really have some talent! It turned out amazing! Truly! I am so excited for you! Omg you are going to be able to make so many amazing pieces for yourself! Yeah!!! xox

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  3. Wonderful job! I love the style of dress you chose, and that is a fabulous color for you too :-)

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    1. Thank you for the thoughtful comment. It is interesting how a pattern style emerges from a piece of fabric. You never quite know until you start putting it all together. It's given me the confidence to try some novelty prints.

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  4. Fantastic job! It looks great and how cool is finding that buckle?! Perfect match!

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    2. Thank you RetroGran I thought it was total fate that the one and only belt buckle I had was a perfect match.

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  5. That turned out lovely! You did a fabulous job. The belt buckle is perfect! Love the color!

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  6. It's gorgeous!! I love the colors on you and the print is SO cute. You did an awesome job!! Sewing clothes is one of my greatest joys. I started doing it when I was 12 during a week spent with my great grandma. Once you learn the basics, there's so many possibilities. I get a lot of sewing inspiration from looking at outrageously expensive vintage dresses. I save those pics to my computer and try to find similar patterns or use pieces from different patterns to complete the look for less. Congratulations on your first dress!! Oh- I highly recommend picking up a copy of The Complete Book of Sewing from the 40s. There are so many smart tips and things that no modern sewing book has ever mentioned. You can find them pretty cheap on ebay and etsy- and there's so many beautiful photos! http://www.etsy.com/listing/113343449/wartime-fashion-vintage-1940s-wwii

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    1. Thank you Brittnay, I'm certainly going to pick this up. It is funny that you are mentioning vintage sewing books as this is something that I am certainly looking for. I'm also hoping to pick up a vintage Vogue sewing book at the right price. This is so nice you are a seamstress. I'll take all the tips I can get:)) Send em my way:))

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  7. Seriously fantastic job! Wow, you knocked this one out of the ballpark - and then some, dear Joanna. I love the classic shape, cheerful pattern, and hem length, they all add up to something so sweet and timeless. Amazing work, my (super talented!) friend!!!

    ♥ Jessica

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    1. Thank you sweet Jessica, you are just too thoughtful. I need to package you up and sell you with boxes of chocolates.

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  8. Oh my goodness you look amazing - WONDERFUL job! That hat is divine too :)

    www.mancunianvintage.com

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  9. this dress looks fantastic on you! you've done a great job on this!

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  10. The dress looks absolutely fantastic! Well done! I have been putting off battling with my cranky old sewing machine but your pretty dress and helpful hits have inspired me. Tonight I am going to buy that dress pattern and sort through my fabric pile. Thanks! XXX

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    1. Oh how awesome! I hope that you create a masterpiece:))

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  11. Wow well done on making that stunning dress, it fits you beautifully and is such a great design.

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  12. This is really great, Joanna!! You have such a talent in sewing. After I get everything done with my room I'm moving onto sewing/knitting projects. Repros and actual vintage are just too expensive.

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  13. Congrats on your first dress! The dress is quite pretty and I can't see any of this 'mistakes' that you mentioned ;-)

    Monica, www.pear-shaped-gal.com

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  14. I know nothing about draught I do know that that dress is sooooo adorable! Congratulations on a successful sewing venture. Here's to many more!

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  15. Wow, this dress is absolutely gorgeous! You did a smashing job, and it looks fab on you!

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  16. You did a fabulous job on that dress! I find the first time you make a pattern you mentally iron out the kinks and know exactly what needs changing for the next go. The colours and pattern are lovely.

    I didn't start sewing in earnest until a few years back and I have had the same problem through the neckline with a few of my dresses too. I have started folding the front bodice piece in a little prior to cutting, which reduces the amount of fabric there.

    I have made several of the Vintage Vogue collection patterns (the re-release of original 50's, the same in everyway as the originals) and so has one of my friends...we both found them to run WAY bigger than they state on the packaging. If you do decide to sew with one of these you may need to size down, especially through the bust and shoulders. If want to see what I mean about the baggy necklines on these dresses you can see a few of my Vintage Vogue sewing attempts here- http://princesspincurls.com/category/vintage-vogue-sewing-patterns/.

    Great job and hopefully the sewing bug will have bitten you for good.
    xx Shauna

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    1. Thank you for sharing this with me Shauna. I really appreciate any and all tips. I have a Vintage Vogue reproduction on my list of dresses to do so this tip is very useful as I would have started out by what "they" say on the envelope. It fits you just marvelously and I'm relishing in all the details that you did to create your dress. Isn't it just grand when fate makes an appearance? I love that you were able to get your lovely fabric on sale as it really does make your dress just dreamy. I hope I can get to the point as you where you are able to use ideas from past patterns and incorporate them in your current projects to make them even better than the original.

      Your Vogue Special Design dress is amazing too! Oh my goodness, you have it all down:) You know what I also love is that you were able to track down a similar pattern as the envelope. How amazing! Thank you again for your link, I love looking at your creations!

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  17. Thank you ladies for all your lovely comments. You are all inspiring me to create more:)

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  18. Oh my goodness!! I just love this dress. You did a great job!
    I am trying to sew some 50 style dresses and my first one I realized it was way to big before I finished it so I need to try a new approach.
    But man, that looks great on you!! I just love it!

    xoxo,
    Avo (www.avoslife.com)

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  19. What an absolutely fabulous dress! You look stunning and did such an amazing job with it :) That hat is divine too!

    Florrie x

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  20. You just look fabulous. The dress is great and that hat is amazing. Beautiful!

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  21. Good grief, I cannot believe this was your first! That is pretty incredible and makes me want to try to make one now too. I LOVE that you happened upon that belt buckle too. Perfect!
    -Jamie
    ChatterBlossom

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  22. Oh you did such a better job than I believe I could have done. You look great!

    Wendi

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