This post is over-due like the library books the kids had at home when we got snowed-in over the past weekend. I won a plus-size pattern pyramid from Susan at Moonthirty long enough ago that I’m a bit embarrassed to say exactly how long. You know how it is when you really, really want a project to turn out a certain way, and the perfectionism turns into procrastination? Not to mention that I had a much harder time than I had anticipated finding bright pink piping to go with my pink polka-dot fabric. Seriously, why was it so hard to find pink instead of black? When I finally found it, I bought 8 packages. For this project, I used 6 of them.
I used Simplicity 2174, from their Amazing Fit collection. When I looked closely at the pictures on the pattern envelope, it seemed to me that maybe the model’s dress didn’t fit quite well enough to be considered “amazing”, but it does have patterns for multiple cup sizes and generous seam allowances, so I didn’t have to mess around with a lot of flat pattern adjustments. I wish I’d made the bodice just a 1/2″ shorter through the waist, but otherwise I’m happy with the fit.
The way the instructions are written, there are a lot of baste, try-on, adjust instructions in the steps. The order of assembling pieces is also structured to allow for trying on while sewing. Since I put piping into nearly every seam though, I didn’t do quite as much adjusting for fit, and had to assemble the dress in what I would consider the more usual order (bodice first, then attach skirt as opposed to sew front/sew back/sew side seams).
The fabric is a rayon faille from my stash. It has a nice drape, though the piping is stiff, so it fights the fabric drape, especially in the skirt. Maybe I should have pre-shrunk the piping? Hope that decision doesn’t come back to bite me later.
See that zipper? Yup, I piped along the zipper in the back. I used an invisible zipper and basted the piping on the seamline first. Not tricky to figure out how it should work, but it did take some precise sewing to get all the layers lined up just-so. Here’s an over-exposed close-up pic taken with my phone camera during dress construction.
My favorite thing about this dress is that it is a complete outfit unto itself. Not that I couldn’t wear a sweater or jacket with it, but I shouldn’t need to. It’s perfect for those times when I have to put something on in a hurry and don’t have the brain-power to try to compute whether my outfit pieces work together or whether the other half of an outfit I want to wear is clean in the basement or still awaiting a washing.
I think there’s enough pink on this project to go along with this week’s Project Sewn theme. I’m linking up, voting starts Friday.
Lastly, since this project is the result of winning a Plus-Size Pattern Pyramid giveaway, now I get to give away the patterns I didn’t use.
I’m keeping one other for myself (a simple peasant blouse) and adding in a few additional ones from my own stash.
Here’s the rules:
THE RULES
- Anyone, anywhere can enter the giveaway by posting a comment below by midnight my time on Saturday, February 22, 2014 BUT you must have an active blog.
- I will randomly select 1 winner.
- I will post a selection of patterns to the winner. The winner will pick a pattern(s) to keep for themselves, then host their own giveaway. They will randomly select a winner, post the remaining patterns to that person, who will pick a pattern for themselves, host their own giveaway and …
- All patterns are in the plus size category – ie – if the pattern comes in 2 sizing groups, then it will be the larger category. Patterns go up to at least size 20 (most go higher). Patterns listed as “all sizes” will include plus sizes. (As a side note, the smallest size pattern seems to be a size 6 and about 1/3 of the patterns, at least, go down to a size 10)
- If you wish to take more than one pattern you can replenish the stock with a pattern you no longer want, but please make sure it is in this size range.
THE SMALL PRINT
- We are taking it on trust that all pattern pieces are there.
- If you’re a winner, BeaJay (who started the plus-sized pattern pyramid) has asked if you could make a small contribution to The Brooke. This is a charity close to the heart of Catherine, who so generously provided the original patterns for the original pattern pyramid.
- Please engage in a timely fashion, launching your own giveaways soon after receiving a parcel.
- You must be happy to post patterns worldwide.
Stashbusting stats: 7/50. Total yardage for the year 14 1/2 yards
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