This is a living example of how different fabrics change a pattern. This particular fabric is a (not-very) stretchy silk twill, I think. It has certain shifty silk characteristics, but with weights on, it was pretty easy to cut out without distortion. And it's easier to sew than the merino I used for my first skater dress! I did kind of grimace at just how tight I had to pull the neck binding, but it doesn't show.
I have to thank my coworker Jennifer, who is getting quite enthusiastic about taking blog photos (although she insisted on some greenery instead of all urban chic...) I adore this dress! Even if maybe it's a bit short for work...
I used the same size as the merino skater - a size 3. In this much tighter knit, it's a perfect fit (although as always a wide shoulder adjustment would have been awesome). I noticed after washing my first skater that the skirt weight pulls the dress much longer - this lighter-weight silk doesn't do that. I managed to squeeze cap sleeves onto my tiny piece of fabric by cutting the skirt 3 inches shorter. (Maybe a touch too short!) Using the bad*ss instructions meant I was finishing my seams as an afterthought, but I did finish most of them with a zigzag stitch. Also, I didn't have the trouble this time getting the clear elastic sewn on.
I have known for awhile that I should start to shorten my bodices, and this dress would also benefit from about 1/2" out of the bodice...and a swayback alteration...I am still so against such an ugly name that I haven't learnt how to do the alteration yet. What swayback?? I don't have a swayback!! (except that apparently I do, ugh.)
I waited a long time to make this dress! I really didn't want to mess up my incredibly beautiful stretch silk, and I'm super happy with the result! The only thing I notice with the skaters is that I always have so much stuff at the waist seam that it sticks out - the layers of fabric plus the clear elastic don't all settle down flat. I know it's a fact of the pattern but I still find it annoying because I never ever ever wear belts.
The topstitching along the binding edges was unusually awesome and straight! |
I have to thank my coworker Jennifer, who is getting quite enthusiastic about taking blog photos (although she insisted on some greenery instead of all urban chic...) I adore this dress! Even if maybe it's a bit short for work...
I used the same size as the merino skater - a size 3. In this much tighter knit, it's a perfect fit (although as always a wide shoulder adjustment would have been awesome). I noticed after washing my first skater that the skirt weight pulls the dress much longer - this lighter-weight silk doesn't do that. I managed to squeeze cap sleeves onto my tiny piece of fabric by cutting the skirt 3 inches shorter. (Maybe a touch too short!) Using the bad*ss instructions meant I was finishing my seams as an afterthought, but I did finish most of them with a zigzag stitch. Also, I didn't have the trouble this time getting the clear elastic sewn on.
I have known for awhile that I should start to shorten my bodices, and this dress would also benefit from about 1/2" out of the bodice...and a swayback alteration...I am still so against such an ugly name that I haven't learnt how to do the alteration yet. What swayback?? I don't have a swayback!! (except that apparently I do, ugh.)
I waited a long time to make this dress! I really didn't want to mess up my incredibly beautiful stretch silk, and I'm super happy with the result! The only thing I notice with the skaters is that I always have so much stuff at the waist seam that it sticks out - the layers of fabric plus the clear elastic don't all settle down flat. I know it's a fact of the pattern but I still find it annoying because I never ever ever wear belts.
I like your outfit:)
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Switzerland/Europe
Orianne