Have you ever laid out your pattern on a beautiful piece of fabric and had a small nagging thought that it just wasn't
exactly what you wanted for it? Made a muslin and put it on thinking, "It fits, but it's still not
perfect"? Why not move forward and cut the fabric, or make the real version? It will be a very nice garment, but it would only be doing it for the sake of sewing, and not for achieving the exact look that I want. Sometimes it makes me think I'm a little obsessive, but most of the time my gut instinct is right, and I've learned to trust it.
Thursday, I wore my "muslin" of the sundress I was planning on using for my silk entry for the Natural Fibers contest. It's a nice dress, and I got many compliments on it, but it's just not exactly what I want. It's
Vogue 8380, and I limited the gathering to the CF/CB (less bulk), but it doesn't make me excited to cut into my silk. It makes me hesitate. I really don't like the look of the gathering across the bust, I always end up with a big "valley" in the center (if you know what I mean...). The gathering at the waist is okay, but after losing 20 pounds, I'm not crazy about the "poofiness" there (even though I know I'm really using chiffon, so the "poof" will be minimal). I feel like I'm being a little too picky, and with a Aug. 10 deadline, I should just get going already! But, in the end, I will have a nice dress in my closet that my not get worn all that often, and that really seems like the biggest
wrong of all. (Didn't Beth's See & Sew turn out great? I have that pattern now, too...)
Same thing with another cut of silk (a possible 2nd entry, but not at this rate!), I even started pinning the pattern to the fabric (made it before, no muslin needed), but stopped and removed them all. My original plan was to make it up with Vogue 1152, but I bought that pattern back in Feb (too big, my new size is not in this particular envelope).
I just couldn't bring myself to get excited about cutting it into the other pattern that would be "okay". Again, it would work, it would look nice, but it doesn't exactly match the vision in my head. I grabbed my "Burda Binder" of all the technical pictures of all my issues and found 2 dresses that I will be much, much happier to use for these particular fabrics.
This first one is a pretty close match to the Vogue, ironically enough!
I checked the review on PR to get an idea of the feedback, and I am now excited to do some tracing off today, so that's a really good sign!
10 comments:
Been there..Done that. Both of you look fabulous in the photo. I do like your dress although it may not show off your new, skinny figure.
The dress *does* look nice. But yeah, if you're not loving it in this one, most likely you won't love the final version.
As far as the gathers and the resulting poufiness, Mary Beth wrote about a pattern she made up just recently - http://thestitchery.wordpress.com/2010/06/21/its-nice-to-make-lemonade-lll/
There's no reason that if you like everything but where the gathers are, you can't move them, as she did with the apron she just made.
I made that Vogue for my dd as a bridesmaid dress. She is a 30 D. Tiny girl with large bust. When I added a dart and rotated it into more drapery it fell in folds between her breasts. Decidedly matronly. I ended up with a side dart. It was better. The other bridesmaids had no idea how to alter this to fit their large busts and they looked awful. I think that you are wise to pass on this pattern.
One's instincts are always right. My thinking is, if you don't absolutely love it, don't make it. There are so many patterns, and fabrics, why "settle"? Sew what makes your heart sing!
Follow your instincts and your not being too picky, I have develop a refined sense of what look good on you and what's worth sewing.
I agree with everyone (and you!) that you've got to follow your gut instincts. I love both of those BWOF line drawings, especially the 2nd one. Looking forward to seeing what you choose.
I agree with everyone (and you!) that you've got to follow your gut instincts. I love both of those BWOF line drawings, especially the 2nd one. Looking forward to seeing what you choose.
Follow thy gut! It will never fail you. You do look great in your dress but I know just what you mean. When you are capable of getting it right, well, that's what you have to do. Great pink fabric.
How odd. I just did this today. I had the fabric laid out on the floor and the pattern on the fabric yesterday afternoon and then just left it all night. It just wasn't right. Sure, it was only $6/yard - but it was still not right.
So whatcha gonna do????
I really like the dress you are wearing, but I like the ones you picked out, too. I love those little cross-over tops...I must have 10 different dresses like that!
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