Monday, August 27, 2018

Fabric That Makes Me Change My Social Plans.

On one hand, I get frustrated with not having a life to wear the clothes I want to make. On the other hand, I cringe at the introductory awkwardness and small talk involved in participating in social events. I recently received an invitation to an event by a casual acquaintance. My initial (and usual) reaction was to RSVP "Thanks, but no."

Within a few days of receiving and mentally rejecting the invitation, I  got some happy mail from Nature's Fabric. The moment I felt the super soft double brushed poly (DBP) fabric, I decided to accept the invitation. I needed to wrap my body in this wonderful stuff! I wanted to make a pretty dress and was excited to have a place to wear it.  



I have six yards of this yummy fabric in two colorways. For my first project, I chose to use McCalls 7654, a "Create it" pattern that lets you mix and match the elements. I used the bodice of view B and the skirt of C.
                                     
     
   

This was my first time sewing DBP fabric so I treated it like any other knit fabric. I pre-washed and dried the fabric prior to cutting with a rotary cutter and mat.  For construction, I used a ball point needle, serged the seams, and pressed seams with steam as I went along. I had no issues with the edges lettuceing, or snagging of the fabric as I sewed. 

The pattern calls for interfacing to stabilize the bodice and a zipper closure. Because of the stretch, I omitted them. To keep the dress up, I added an elastic casing to the upper front and back between the dress and lining.


I kept the interfacing at the top of the sleeves and with movement, this dress is not going anywhere. It is so comfortable and I love these sleeves! They balance the close fitting body and bare shoulders without me feeling self-conscious, 


If making a knit version, it is an easy pattern to make with no complicated steps. It is a good "next step" pattern for a newbie sewist. It includes darts and a lining, but that is as challenging as it gets.


I love this dress! It is just what I had in mind when I felt the fabric. It feels soft and cozy while having body for this project. I don't think I will be able to wait until that event to wear this, date night here we come.



Happy Sewing,
Bianca




14 comments:

  1. Stunning! Well worth changing your plans.

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  2. I just discovered DBP this year and I'm in love! So incredibly soft! So, of course, the next thing I had to do was go crazy buying it. Haven't made a darn thing with it yet. I just love the way it feels. Lol

    I imagine lots of color block maxi length wrap dresses in my future. We shall see...

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    1. Oh! Color block maxi dresses sound like the way to go! This fabric is dreamy! I am so happy with the way it feels and I am loving it.

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  3. Gorgeous - both the dress and you in it! You can tell it makes you happy from the look on your face!

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    1. Thanks! If it doesn't bring you joy, what's the point?

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  4. You look absolutely fantastic in this dress! It's a great pattern for you! A couple of questions- is the poly an actual knit or a woven? Does it have a nap? Did you make the elastic on the top edges fairly snug?

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    1. Thanks Tina! The DBP is a 4-way stretch knit with no nap. The casing is not snug. It's just enough to gather in place. With the interfacing at the top of the sleeve, everything is held in place. There is balance with the elastic casing and the sleeve. With movements, the sleeve keeps the bodice in place.

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  5. It's gorgeous!!!
    And you sound like me. I have a mental picture of the life I want but just enough social anxiety that I would say no most of the time. I've found myself saying yes a lot more in the last year!

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    1. Thanks! I am trying to say "yes" to more outings. I reflect on when it worked out rather than expecting it to be bad.

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  6. Absolutely stunning! I am headed over to check out this fabric!

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