This project is not an unqualified success. And the pictures didn't turn out so good either, so I hesitated in putting it up on the blog at all. But after all, sewing is a journey and we can learn from even the projects that are failures or just don't live up to our expectations. Even the best seamstress (which I certainly am not) is going to have a disappointment once in a while, and it would be creating a false impression to only post the perfect projects.
Anyway, this dress started out when I wanted to use the rest of the gray seersucker I used for my 1950s blouse to make a dress comfortable to wear this summer. It is very rare in that it is one of my only projects - if not the only one - not made from a vintage or reproduction pattern from the 1950s or earlier *gasp!*. Technically I suppose it is still vintage, but it's "modern" compared to my usual style. But I liked some aspects about the design, it looked super easy, and I figured that the waistless make would mean it would work for maternity without looking maternity.
I lengthened the skirt, made the yoke to open all the way down to the waist, and used a different sleeve pattern from a 1930s pattern, hoping that it would end up looking at least 1930s style - in that I was disappointed. It was pretty easy to put together as anticipated, and the yoke (the only fiddly part of the basic design) didn't give me any trouble.
In fact, because of it being a non-fitted pattern, I didn't bother trying it on during the process. Big mistake! Even non-fitted patterns can be too small, as I learned. Because when I had it all finished and the yoke lined nice and tidy, I tried it on...and it was way too tight. Not "a little too small and I can let out the side seams" but really too tight. All over.
Not wanting to take it apart or give it away after spending that time on it, I got creative and instead cut the back seam open all the way up. Then to the center back I lapped and top stitched a 4 inch wide band cut crosswise, hoping it wouldn't look obviously patched. In the end, I actually liked the way it added stripe interest. And it worked, giving me enough room that it's wearable, though still not really a good fit.
The new technique I learned on this dress was how to do self button loops, which I have always avoided. As usual, I discovered I actually enjoyed doing them so that's one less bugbear in the future.
The dress does work for maternity and is comfortable to wear in the July heat, not needing ironed or extra layers, so I still wear it for everyday though it is not my favorite or most flattering finished project by any means!
On another subject, I had been experimenting a lot with my hair recently after a long series of bad hair days when I just couldn't get it to look nice. Many times I would resort to my trusty hairnet, which definitely saved the day and controlled the mess, but it got frustrating when day after day my brush-out was a disappointment. I tried various things from different kinds of shampoo, water versus setting lotion, to getting a professional trim to make sure it wasn't a layering problem.
My first day hair just kept coming out frizzy and unmanageable, though the second day hair was often much better. My first day hairstyle efforts kept looking like a homemade job instead of the smooth and elegant result shown in vintage photos and captured by Lily and other vintage bloggers.
I tried just doing a pin curl set instead of the foam rollers, which would result in a looser curl, but while that looked great right at first, the curl didn't last all day and the pin curls were a lot harder for me to do and keep in place than the rollers.
Finally after reading several vintage bloggers' tutorials on how they do their hairstyles, I decided my problem was that I was rolling my hair too tight on the foam rollers. Even though I was using large rollers, I was squeezing them down enough that I still ended up with "poodle curls" which made the wild frizz.
Doing a looser set on the foam rollers I normally use ended up with bigger but still long lasting curls, manageable and smooth, which makes me so much happier with the first day brush outs.
So at least I was happy with my hair in these pictures! Ah well...we learn from failures, mistakes, and disappointments just as much if not more than successes. True for life, and true for sewing too!
Hi Kristen , I think it's a lovely dress but in my opinion perhaps that color doesn't do it justice. Maybe you would of been happier if it was a more of an upbeat color (blue, red , kelly green)
Once I made a Summer dress and when done I regretted the color choice ( beige stripe) and wished I used a more cheerful color.
Your hair looks pretty and I can sympathize , my hair gets frizzy depending on weather. Even when I set it in electric rollers.
Irene 🍉⛱
Posted by: Irene | 07/19/2017 at 05:03 PM