plaid dress
By Me | October 25, 2011
This is rated at an “Easy” pattern, but that does NOT mean quick. I figured it would be because there don’t seem to be many pieces to stitch together. It doesn’t even look very fitted. Then I actually took the tissue out of the package. Front right? Front left? What is this nonsense? Oh, since this is an asymmetrical dress, all parts of the dress were different sizes. No folding fabric over and cutting two pieces at once. There went my Wednesday evening. I can usually get through cutting pieces before Sportscenter is over (Martin takes over the only TV in the apartment when he gets home), but this time, it took me much longer. I heard the Carson Palmer saga on ESPN twice. Thrice if you count the Bengals fan that I live with recounting it in his words.
The fabric is from a Jo Ann’s in Ohio that I bought last thanksgiving. I’m very, very slowly working through my stash. The lining is from Paron Fabrics in NY. What great service! The half-off annex is a God-send!
On to working with plaid. Matching the lines was more difficult than I thought it would’ve been since the pieces were asymmetrical. They just wouldn’t line up right after cutting the same piece over and over again so I gave up. =( Hopefully the next time I try this is with leather contrast on the sides.
The bodice came out fine but the skirt part wouldn’t fit the top. Somehow the skirt didn’t have enough fabric to line up correctly. On top of that, I fabric was cut out exactly for my measurements and it barely fit. It was just too big. I don’t think that I’ve lost enough weight to drop 2 dress sizes. Even if the bodice *did* fit, the cut was as flattering as a potato sack. No shape and flattering dips around the waist. Nothing. Apparently, you need the belt as demonstrated on the front of the envelope but it wasn’t included in the pattern. Not that I wear fabric belts anyway, but it would’ve been appreciated.
I tossed this dress aside before I could do more finishing. It just wasn’t going to happen. Ugh. I’ll work on it again when I have more time and A LOT more patience.
Didn’t help that there was another unhappy sports-related event going on all the while — my beloved Ravens lost to the Jaguars. Icky night all around.
