Using the Fabric I Printed On
I finally used the fabric I printed on. This is dress d-3 from Isbn 4776203219. It’s the same pattern as the one on the cover of the book.
It’s such a sweet looking little dress. I love how the little gathered area at the back looks,
the fake bow too,
and especially Isabelle in it. She looks so cute.
But notice something? It’s a wee bit short. I think I didn’t interpret the drawings correctly. I thought it looked short when I cut the pattern out but I stupidly kept going and cut into my precious gocco fabric. You know the fabric that took me so damn long to make. The fabric that actually caused me pain in the making. Yeah that fabric! And Alan thought it looked a little short too but he didn’t mention that until ummm TONIGHT!
That isn’t the only problem. It is also messy inside. Who cares you say. Nobody will look inside. But I do and I know it’s ugly and messy in there!! I know!
What happened was, I couldn’t quite figure out the directions from the picture. I attached the straps on the front so they’re hidden from inside but I didn’t do the same for where the straps attach on the back. I just sewed them in messily. Well not messily. They’re straight but you can see them. So I tried it on Isabelle and uh oh, a little tight to put on, the bodice was loose once it was on her, and the straps were too long so you could see her chest. Ah ha! Now I saw what needed to be fixed.
That happens a lot when I’m sewing. I don’t understand it until I get to the actual making of the outfit. So that’s why in the picture the back is gathered. Elastic! So I put in some elastic which gathered it up nicely so the bodice wasn’t so loose. Then I shortened the straps so you don’t see her chest. And waa la: pretty dress on the outside, ugly mess on the inside.
But the tight getting on part. What’s the fix for that? Ah haa!! Light bulb moment right now. Go a size up and do the whole elastic and shorter straps thing and then it’ll fit! DUH! But I guess that doesn’t fix the tightness for this dress. Oh well. For the next time I make this dress then.
This is so ADORABLE! It looks amazing. Be sure to keep it for her daughter. (if it’s too short- just make her a pair of bloomers – too cute!)
Bonjour. This is soooo cute! Just a thought on the length and size issue: the number for the seam allowance need to be added to the fabric your cut (allowance NOT included on the template). Maybe you already knew but I did not the first time I sew from one of those way-too-nice japanese books and the dress ended up a little short… Anyway, keep up your wonderful creative work!
I think it’s fantastic!
Have a great week!!
i think you did a wonderful job! i doubt i could figure out how to make some like these dresses from foreign schematics! if you still think it’s too short pair it with a little pair of red shorts or add a band of red fabric to the hem!
So cute…I’m going with zannestar and suggesting to put a super girly pair of red bloomers under and the lady with stop traffic with her cuteness!
This is so sweet. The dress is darling (as is your Isabelle) and I’m enchanted by your fabric making. Really cool.
If the dress doesn’t get too tight to wear before she shoots up a few inches, it would make a darling top, too.
I’m here from Bitter Betty–your blog is simply lovely.
(Oh, and I read you post about being locked out. I suspect we’ve all done something similar at some point. In my case, it was a 3 year old who didn’t want a bath, so he locked the bathroom door with the water running while I was answering the phone. Only problem, he locked himself in the bathroom. Yikes.! Funny now, not so funny then.)
The dress and Isabelle are totally adorable. I’m very impressed with your fabric, too.
I definitely have similar issues with sewing, often not knowing what I’m doing until it’s done. Lately I’ve bought a few sewing reference books but lazily don’t go check them until I’m really really really stumped (like tried and messed up several times to start with). Then there are the dumb cutting errors, usually from when I have to measure something out. I measure twice and cut once and then realize I was using the wrong numbers. sigh.
Thank you all for the nice comments on Isabelle’s dress!
Yesterday I was contemplating on making her some bloomers every time she leaned over a bit and I saw her diaper. But we have bloomers and she never wears them. But the shorts idea I love! And shorts are a complete separate clothing item so I can pair them with shirts! Great!!
It really is adorable. If Isabelle insists it’s a dress, you could definitely find some nice red fabric and add a flouncy tier. Well done!
it’s totally cute! i would need translations.
it looks great! what a lovely dress, you don’t have to tell us that it looks messy inside, it looks great on the outside, that’s what matters!
That is darling! How very cute.
This dress is totally adorable!
i like the fabric! it has some japanese feel! lol
isabelle can always pair it with a legging! i’m sure it would look cutely trendy on her!
soooooo cute the dress and Izzy! ah who cares about the shortness – it’ll show off Izzy’s cute little legs! It’s summer man! kiss her belly for me! I like the bloomer idea too!
good job friend! i feel your pain with the messy stuff,it always drives me crazy.at first i did french seams on everything. now i have been using a serger the last couple of years and it changed my life! ohhh.. how i love my serger!
ps. very cool fabric!!!!!
oh, I’m loving this little outfit you made…great job!
It’s a cute dress ^^