The Time for Easy Summer Dresses Is Here!

            

I love the ease of wearing dresses during hot summer days. There is nothing to coordinate, just throw on one piece and go. I am particular about my everyday dresses though, they need to be cool, not fussy and interesting. Here are some flashbacks of my favorites. 

Vogue 9112

Simplicity 1080

Vogue 1410

Simplicity 8793

When I saw Simplicity 8640, I loved it instantly! I knew I wanted to add it to my summer wardrobe.

                      

I was uncertain which length I wanted, so I made a muslin which I show later in the post. After making the wearable muslin, I figured out what I liked and made this black chambray version (available at Nature's Fabrics). It is my favorite of the two so, I will show it first.

                                                  

The bodice seam lines are wonderful! They are top-stitched for added definition. The neck and arms are finished with facings rather than bias binding. It gives perfect weight and support and visual interest when top-stitched.

The gathered pockets are adorable! Note, they are positioned lower than standard pockets. If pockets for you are a place to put your hands rather than for phone storage, you may consider raising them.

I enjoy the curves at the sides of this interesting hem.

At the shorter length, there is good coverage in the back.

  

Come on triple degree temps, I am ready!

For my wearable muslin, I went with a blue and white stripe seersucker stripe in the longer length with the added buttons on the pockets.

 

This pattern has the "not suitable for plaids, stripes or one-way design fabrics" prohibition.

The bodice is bias cut so I thought is would be fun to see how it would look with stripes. I have had this fabric in my stash for years. I am sewing through my stash and with a few exceptions, I want to use what I have on hand.  I enjoyed manipulating the fabric to align the stripes the way I wanted.

 I used my walking foot to help keep things together as I sewed. 

It was not a perfect match, but it was not the pattern predicted disaster.  

Hubby thought the gathered pockets conflicted with the lines of the stripes and suggested I change them. As I have said before, hubby rarely takes a critical and assessing eye to what I make. He just sees me and goodness. A great trait for a husband, but bad for useful creative feedback. I was so impressed that he saw that, spoke up and knew how to fit it! He suggested I flip them to the ungathered lining side and it worked.

I think the the length of view A is too long to be flattering on me. I went with it because I thought it would showcase the curve at the side better. On the chambray dress, I decided the shorter was the way to go. Now that this is blogged and you have seen it, I will likely shorten this one too. 

   

Both of these dresses will get lots wear in the next few months. It was fast and easy to make and is super comfy. I like it so much, I see a linen version in my future.

Happy Sewing,

Bianca

Cirque Dress Disaster! When Bad things Happen to Good Clothing

My super wonderful hubby tossed a few items into the washer. It was not enough to run a load so he didn't start it. I saw the items in there and tossed my laundry on top including my yellow Vogue 9112 Cirque Dress. Little did I know, he forgot to check his pockets and there was a pen in the pocket of his shirt!

When the washing was done, I discovered several garments including my dress spotted with ink. I loaded the unsoiled items into the dryer repeating the reminder, "I love my husband, I love my husband, I love my husband."

Ink Stained Cirque Dress

I looked at the stain and was sick to my stomach! I loved my dress and hated the thought of it being ruined.

Luckily, I had recently tie-dyed some t-shirts for my kiddos and still had the leftover dye bath. The dye was Rit Brand Turquoise color prepared per the stovetop package instructions. Thinking quickly, I reheated the dye and submerged the damp dress in the pot hoping to camouflage the stain. The resultant color was a unappetizing pea green with the ink still somewhat visible. The dyeing was not ideal, but it gave me hope that it was redeemable.

  

I ran to the store and bought another bottle of dye, this time in Denim. I added it to the lighter color dye bath, agitated it for 30 minutes and left it to sit in the pot completely submerged for an hour or so. I ran some errands and took it out when I returned home. 

When all was said and done, I was saying, I love my husband! I love my husband! I love my husband! The result of this pen oversight was a happy accident! Here is my new "denim" Cirque dress with no visible signs of the ink stains!

Worn here blueberry picking 4th of July Weekend!

I love the color accuracy of this dye! It looks like denim fabric without the weight of denim. 

The linen is airy and cool and best of all, I saved a dress I love!

The weight of my new Havana Twist braids forces the collar down, but I don't mind :).  I can pop it up again for more drama! I am so happy I was able salvage this dress! Have you had a sewing accident that you thought ended your project? Were you able to breathe new life into it? Please share!

I will be taking a sewing break for a bit. I hope to return soon with some hand-sewing projects and stencil designs. Until then,   

Happy Sewing,

Bianca

Polka Dot Promises with Vogue 9112- Again!

You remember how much I loved Vogue 9112 in my lemon yellow linen, right? Well as promised, I made another for myself in a black and white polka dot cotton.
                                                

This version is just as fun as the first. I like the quirky feel the polka dots adds.

Unlike, the yellow version,  I feel like the details of the seaming are lost in the small scale print I chose. I knew this was a risk when I was making it, but I do not mind. The fabric is a mid-weight cotton with a slight texture that holds its' shape well. Knowing the volume and angles would be maintained, I proceeded with this print. If you plan to make this in a print, I suggest you choose a sturdy fabric with a large scale print so all of the fun of this pattern is not lost.

In construction, I made a couple of changes from the previous version and the pattern. I still omitted the neckline facing and opted instead to edge finish with my serger. I choose to self-line the collar so the underside of the fabric was not visible. For this, I cut two collars, stitched them right sides together along the top and sides. I then flipped it, pressed it, and then transferred the markings. From there, I sewed it to the body of the dress as instructed. 

I like that by lining it this way, I can stand the collar up or flip it down. 

I decided, to omit the arm facings and use bias tape instead. I did this just to test it because I had it on hand. It was faster than the facing and had the same result.

So, what do you think? Are the dramatic elements lost in the print? Is this a dress better suited for larger prints or solids? 

I love them both and plan to make more. It is a fun everyday show stopper perfect for the Texas heat. 

Happy Sewing,
Bianca

Sunshine, Lollipops, Rainbows and Vogue 9112

Some clothes are fun and just make me happy. This week, for me it is Vogue 9112. This dress is a whole heap of interesting. It is strange and easy going while looking complicated.

Vogue 9112

                    
This was so fun to make. I didn't know how this would turn out or how it would look on me. I was delightfully anxious as I was putting it together. 

Vogue 9112

I love the interesting seam lines, the asymmetrical cuts and the curve of the hem.

Detail of the seams

Based on the bust measurement, I made the size small using a bright yellow linen from my stash. I made a mistake (I was distracted while watching Nurse Jackie) and cut the top of the shoulder seam to the XS. It however, made a marginal difference to the end result. The instructions are great on this simple dress. It is super important to transfer all of your markings carefully to be certain all the seams match up.  Because of my choice of fabric, I had to take care in making sure I maintained the right and wrong side of the fabric. The difference is subtle, but I didn't want any of the many segments off.

  

I altered the collar slightly because of the cutting error I mentioned. The pattern suggests basting the center front together and sewing the circle of fabric to the neckline.  I instead, pinned it to the neckline in a straight line letting it overlap where it would naturally. After sewing, I hand tacked the point of the collar in place rather than letting it fall. I also chose to omit the neckline facing. All of the interior seams are edge finished on the serger and I didn't think I needed the facing.

Love this collar!

Yes, yellow works. 

I really like this dress. It is fast to sew, has tons of character and is interesting. I will be making more.  I went shoe shopping and was stopped by a sales clerk. When I told her I made it, she instructed me to go home immediately and make a rainbow wardrobe of these for myself and one more for her!

Happy Sewing,

Bianca

*****Hairstyling Courtesy of So Sharp Salon Boutique*****