Normally I'd just cut right in, even with a pattern I haven't used, but this time I'm going to try a muslin first. Inspired partly by my love for the fabric and by Kenneth D King and all of you who make muslins, I thought I'd try a bit of slow sewing and as I have plenty of this check fabric in the stash, I thought why not?! I'm not intending to finish the dress in the check fabric, at least not yet, but will just use it to confirm the sizing.
And in other news, I took the Dart Manipulation course on line at Creative Bug last weekend. It's short, but I found it really helpful. So armed with my new confidence I undertook this afternoon to fix the darts on my Laurel. Hooray!! I fixed the darts.... but sadly managed to burn the dress in the process. I'm not sure how I did it...the first I knew was when I tried it on and felt the shoulder. Oh oh :(
I think I'll try and salvage the sleeves, but all is not lost I suppose as after all I have the pair of Tania Culottes out of the left over cord from this dress and the Simplicity 2154 big bow blouse out of the Liberty. It still begs the question. How could I have been sooooooooo stupid?!!!?????
Oh no! So sorry about your burnt Laurel :( But that dancer fabric....EEEEEEK!! I have to get my hands on some, it is awesome! Can't wait to see your shirt dress!
ReplyDeleteThat Liberty fabric is SOOOOO good and I'm pretty sure I actually have some of that plaid in my epic fabric stash... Also bummer on the Laurel dress, that stuff sucks but it happens to us all unfortunately. At least you have a few garments from the fabrics!
ReplyDeleteThanks Merche :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jen, the fabric is sooo good isn't it. I think it's also calling out for an Archer :)
ReplyDeleteKelly - you need some of this fabric being a dancer and all. It also comes in a grey colour way. Just saying :)
ReplyDeleteSorry about your Laurel. It is so easy to do, I once melted a dress! I love the new print, can't wait to see your dress.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother always told me to treat the iron like a loaded gun. How right she was!
ReplyDeleteBummer! It's annoying, I know! So you also fell in love with new Pattern Runway patterns? They are adorable! I made one of their dresses in the past and would definitely recommend them!
ReplyDeleteYou're not stupid - I think every sewer has melted at least some piece of fabric. So sad though since you put a lot of work into your Laurel and it came out so beautifully. Before taking it apart maybe try checking online to see if there's a way to treat the burn. I need to find that Tiny Dancer (singing Elton John right now) fabric! I look forward to seeing your progress on the drop waist dress. It looks like a great style!
ReplyDeleteIf its any consolation I scorched my wedding dress two days before the wedding. On the skirt. At the front. After an hysterical hour or two I refolded the pleats to hide the damage. A very narrow escape. I'm sorry you don't have the same option with your dress
ReplyDeleteOh nooooo!! :(
ReplyDeleteBut your new fabric is utterly adorable, and should go some way to lifting your spirits, I hope!
Love those little dancers! Boo about your Laurel, happens to the best of us :)
ReplyDeleteAw sorry about the Laurel but you are most definitely not stupid! That Liberty fabric is gorgeous, and what a cool name!
ReplyDeleteoh no!!!!!!!! I love that dress! You should have a ceremony for it and burn the cord to really get some closure. My thoughts are with you at this time.
ReplyDeleteLove the new liberty, I can so see you in it.
Oh yes! A ceremony!! Love it!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathryn, like others I can't stop singing Elton John. I'm looking forward to reading about it when Liberty finally put the 'story' up on their site. I shouldn't have been congratulating myself so much on the fixed darts and concentrated on what I was doing :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Zo. A lesson I need to remember.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carolyn, yes, the new fabric has definitely lifted my spirits :)
ReplyDeleteOh Evie!!!! That is a shocking story! It puts it all into perspective doesn't it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shar - oh yes that Elton John song is constantly in my mind too!!
ReplyDeleteOh yes I'm a late starter to Pattern Runway, but I'm very impressed. The muslin has come up really well and I enjoyed working with the pattern and instructions. I did see your dress on the flickr site and on her web. Gorgeous!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGail! That is great advice. I will remember that.
ReplyDeleteThanks Claire. I suppose we all have to do it once to really learn the lesson.
ReplyDeleteIt turned out fine in the end! I've never been so grateful for pleats in my life ! ;-)
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