Every year I make a few dresses for myself - these are the ones I made last year. The pink one is stretch twill, the one with black pockets a very slippery polyester (but it was a nice weight and I think I paid $1 meter for it) and the 2 on the right were lightweight knits - sort-ov with the feel of a swimsuit, but a bit heavier. The brown one I made to pop on over my bathing suit for beach trips. And the long-sleeved one was for colder Spring weather. I got lots of use out of all these dresses and will still wear them in warmer weather.
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For this year - I think I will make another version of the pink one - in a stretch denim. I also want to make 1 or 2 more of the funny one with black pockets. I will omit the pockets, plus add an inch to the length. There is also a sleeve option on the pattern so 1 dress I will do short-sleeves. It is a nice, simple dress and I wore it all the time last summer. So, I need 2 more! Even though I didn't like the directions, had to change the keyhole opening to make it lay flat and added lots more top stitching - I think I said while making it that I would never make it again - but I just love wearing it, so there you go. Maybe 1 in a print and a second in a solid color. But they will have to wait until I get back to Canada where my patterns are!
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Both of those dresses have an A-frame shape and zippers up the back. Don't be afraid of zippers - they aren't so bad once you get used to them. One trick my sister taught me was to baste the zipper opening closed with a large stitch and press it open. Zip the zipper shut and place it right on that seam and sew it into place. Undo the basting. Perfect! I don't understand why the pattern directions usually do it differently - it is soooo much more complicated the way the direction say and it never seems to line up perfectly either. So, try my sister's way - she is a great sewer!
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In the meantime, I have found a pattern magazine over here that has THREE dresses in there that have caught my eye! Now - if I can just find a fabric store where fabric is not 20 Euros and up PER metre and get some tracing paper - I will be ready to start on my summer dresses. Most my dresses usually cost $7 - $10 to make when I use a coupon for the zipper and thread and pick out a sale fabric. I almost always buy the patterns for $1 when Joanne's is having a pattern sale. So, 20 Euros a meter just for the fabric alone won't do! I think I would be too scared to even cut into the fabric if I paid that much for it! I sew to have fun and to relax, not be scared!
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Day 3 of antibiotics and I am starting to feel a little better, but not good enough to really get up for long yet. I haven't been this sick since my son was 3 - but he has been a good sport and brings board games and cards into the bedroom to play with me. And - at least I can lay in bed and dream about summer dresses while I get my rest! I guess that is a good activity on cold, winter days!
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Are YOU thinking of making any summer clothes for this year? Now is a good time to get a head-start!
2 comments:
I'm living in Germany and piecing my some of my and my kids wardrope. I never came across fabric that was $1/meter like it seems to be at JoAnns (neither did I see cottons with costs 20 Euro/meter). But we have big department stores like Karstadt or Kaufhof which offer fabric. And they often have a bargain table with the reduced fabrics. My local fabric store often offers the last meters of the bold cheaper. On you buy online. There are often bargains.
You make a delighful model! I particularly like the long sleeved dress, it reminds me of a dress I had in the 70's which I loved. All fashion seems to come back around don't you think.
I do enjoy your Blog, I am a scrap addict too!Best wishes from England
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