Super Success!

So, right here is a project I actually wasn't too psyched about in the beginning. I wanted to sew, but I didn't know what, and I had some cute fabric kicking around so I decided to dive right in and hope for the best. What a pleasant surprise!

 

Originally I was going to make the yellow ruffley dress, however, I didn't have enough fabric for the skirt. So I used the bodice-sans belt and bow-and then just cut 2 rectangles out and added some pleats. I was very surprised with the results!

 

I made the bodice in a size 8, and skipped the boning because I didn't have any. I probably could have gone with a size 6 because I did take a bit in. This was my first strapless endeavor and it was a success! (The skirt is very snug above my hips so I'm sure that helps hold everything up.)

I wore this dress out last weekend on dinner date with Dana and the Harv-Guilars. It is pure cotton so the top, that fit so perfectly, did start to stretch out and I did spend the later half of the evening hoisting it back up. That's no different than any other strapless dress I've ever worn though, and I never feared that it would slip so low that I would be giving a show. 

I am going to use that ruffley pattern on some nice dark purple fabric soon for a fancy girly evening dress... it will go wonderfully with some black leopard print tights I bought on Sunday...

Cynthia Rowley (Simplicity) 2497

I love this dress. My love for it was refreshed when I put it on this morning to take pictures. Love it.

I made view A but went sleeveless with it.

I loved this pattern and I loved the polka dot designed fabric. So.. while this is more of a fancy pattern I made it more casual by using, once again, a printed quilting cotton. I'm quite pleased with the results. It is a bit tight around the tush but very comfortable! This dress has only been worn once, to the lovely Nicki Watson and Pat Gorman engagement party. However, I'm going to wear this baby a bit more often-it looks super cute with a cardigan and I'm sure tights will just complete it!

Modified Vogue 1158

So... its been a few months since I've updated. My laziness and that I can be easily distracted can be blamed for that. I have been sewing.. I just haven't been blogging-I regret this. Trying to go back months to remember details of a project isn't the ideal situation here. Anyway...

I fell in love with this fabric design but I am a bit disappointed in my use of it.

 

The fabric is a quilting cotton, so it's rather stiff and doesn't drape appropriately for the pattern. I used the Vogue 1158 pattern bodice but the skirt is just 2 rectangles that I added pleats to.

I can't recall what size I made, but it was too big. I either made an 8 or 10. The sizing may have been great if I used an apparel fabric that would allow the dress to hang on me like it's meant to. (It continuously falls off my shoulders.)  My main gripes with this dress is that the fit is off on the top and the skirt ended up too short. 

 (super cute cross back)

However, I have worn this dress out a couple times and I think if I wear tights under it I'll feel more comfortable about the length. I'm going to continue to wear it just because the design on the fabric is so cute!

I plan on using this pattern again with a drapey fabric, because I do love the bodice-even if it is quite low cut (I have a grey tank top on under it in the pictures and I've had a tank top on under it every time its been worn out!)