Top Ten Reasons To Sew Another Summer Dress
10. The last one was too big.
9. I’m eager to make another muslin.
8. Too hot to wear anything else.
7 I’m on a quest to perfect the hand-picked zipper technique.
6. No buttons or buttonholes to sew.
5 Fabric requirement almost the same as a top.
4. Slim silhouette makes me look taller.
3. Cleaned out closet and the emptiness is disturbing.
2. Need something new to wear for my 30th wedding anniversary today. (You read that correctly.)
And the number one reason to sew another dress ………………
I couldn’t pass up this beautiful Oscar de la Renta cotton from Mood Fabrics!
Boy, did I fall hard for this designer cotton twill in my favorite color! It is one of the first fabrics I pinned on my Mood Board since Mood launched is great new website.
After making my last dress too big, I was determined to get the Vogue 2864 pattern right on my second try, and I believe I did.
No carelessness this time!
Before I cut the first snip, I drove to JoAnn Fabrics and bought the only alteration book in the store, The Complete Photo Guide to PERFECT FITTING by Sarah Veblen. I own others but desired a fresh approach and I got one through applying the principles of WEDGES.
An open wedge cut in the front bodice pattern provided additional length allowing it to hang straight.
Two closed wedges in the neckline eliminated the gaping,
and cutting the final closed wedge at the waistline reduced the bulk in the back. I also cut the pattern one size smaller.
I’ve been enlightened by these easy alteration techniques!
The front of the dress is embellished with medallions I received in Aunt Maggie’s surprise box. Clorox worked wonders on the yellowish beige appliqués in less than 30 minutes which I attached by both hand and machine.
In the beginning I thought I needed to justify making yet another summer dress since I have plenty. But ultimately it wasn’t about the dress as much as it was about achievement and conquering my shortcomings. The outcome is one of my favorite dresses ever.
“Is that a Lilly Pulitzer you’re wearing? “
“No, it’s Oscar de la Renta.”