Plan:
Execution:
I mostly finished my second version of V1351 at the beginning of January and wore it (and a bunch of other things -- it was cold!) to see Musical of Musicals: the Musical! which I kept not getting to see at the Fringe last summer, so I was pleased to give tickets to the DC and me for Christmas. I hemmed the shell in time to wear for my birthday jam at Dovercourt last week. As is usual with my projects, there is still work to be done, but I've been waiting over a month to post this so whatever.
I got this very thin gold and black rib knit from a FabricMart mystery bundle, which I bought during the tiny window of time where I didn't have to pay as much in shipping as for the fabric itself. I was worried about how it would sew up, but it played nicely and pressed well. I used the stretch stitch on my machine for a second time, and I think I will be less afraid to deal with knits in future... which is a good thing since I finally bought Cake's Tiramasu and FabricMart sent some other knit fabrics to play around with.
What they didn't send was any black knit lining fabric, and once in the icy grip of winter break, I didn't really want to venture out to find any. Especially since I started sewing this on New Year's. What I did have was a large pieces of heavy black spandex that I got at a physics teacher PD in Sudbury, of all places. It's meant to be used to simulate the bending of space-time as per general relativity, but desperate times and all that.*
The spandex sewed nicely, but did not want to press; the seams stick out. To add to the oh-dear factor, it wasn't wide enough at the bottom, so I wound up with a bit of an exaggerated tulip shape which I didn't think would matter, but since the gold is so thin, it drapes to the shape of the lining. What with the sticking out seams and odd shape, the side seams of the skirt seem a bit... pointy. Kind of like a cartoon dress.
I didn't cut either of the fabrics on the bias and left out the zipper. I tried to avoid the dreaded 4" of ease by cutting a size smaller than the red version, but I still needed to take the lining in an additional inch on each side. I didn't want to touch the shell, since for the first time in my life I've managed to get the seams to line up beautifully.
Of course, that has made topstitching the shell to the lining... tricksy. I even hand-basted. And then had to unpick it because I didn't notice until after I finished that the lining's seam allowance was not cooperating. Everywhere I wanted the seams to press flat? It stuck out. When I wanted it to press upwards? It pressed flat. Gah. So this is on the to-do list. I will also add some clear elastic to the lining's waist.
I added two gussets to the lining to give it the proper shape and that seems to have mitigated the weird line at the sides.
I meant to leave both the shell and lining unhemmed, because knits, but the the lightness of the shell fabric needed a bit of weight. I used the twin needle that came with the machine, which I have only just realized that I can use to hem knits. The machine also has a special twin needle setting which I forgot to use for the first half of the hem -- I think it automagically adjusts the bobbin tension and so forth -- so it's not exactly the best hem ever. Still, skill learned. And now I want to redo my refurbished tank tops...
So not quite finished. As usual. Clearly I am doing really well with that "finish all the things" plan. I did actually finish sewing the biking flares into my eyelet dress and am merely waiting for the temperature to go up several thousand degrees to take photos. I also have re-sewn the missing buttons onto my Sylvia sweater. Progress.
On to the next challenge, which is the slightly tardy Jungle January (or the soon-to-be-tardy Furocious February), hosted by Pretty Grievances. I originally wasn't going to take part, but then I came across a particular fabric on the Mood website which changed my mind. That particular fabric was not going to be mine**, alas, but it gave me an idea. A somewhat terrifying idea. I won't say what, in case it doesn't come off, but here are a few hints***. I've been working on it in fits and starts for over a month, and it is daunting, but with luck I will actually have it finished by the end of March Break.
*Hence the name: sparkly gold star on the outside, curvature of spacetime on the inside.
Execution:
I mostly finished my second version of V1351 at the beginning of January and wore it (and a bunch of other things -- it was cold!) to see Musical of Musicals: the Musical! which I kept not getting to see at the Fringe last summer, so I was pleased to give tickets to the DC and me for Christmas. I hemmed the shell in time to wear for my birthday jam at Dovercourt last week. As is usual with my projects, there is still work to be done, but I've been waiting over a month to post this so whatever.
I got this very thin gold and black rib knit from a FabricMart mystery bundle, which I bought during the tiny window of time where I didn't have to pay as much in shipping as for the fabric itself. I was worried about how it would sew up, but it played nicely and pressed well. I used the stretch stitch on my machine for a second time, and I think I will be less afraid to deal with knits in future... which is a good thing since I finally bought Cake's Tiramasu and FabricMart sent some other knit fabrics to play around with.
What they didn't send was any black knit lining fabric, and once in the icy grip of winter break, I didn't really want to venture out to find any. Especially since I started sewing this on New Year's. What I did have was a large pieces of heavy black spandex that I got at a physics teacher PD in Sudbury, of all places. It's meant to be used to simulate the bending of space-time as per general relativity, but desperate times and all that.*
The spandex sewed nicely, but did not want to press; the seams stick out. To add to the oh-dear factor, it wasn't wide enough at the bottom, so I wound up with a bit of an exaggerated tulip shape which I didn't think would matter, but since the gold is so thin, it drapes to the shape of the lining. What with the sticking out seams and odd shape, the side seams of the skirt seem a bit... pointy. Kind of like a cartoon dress.
I didn't cut either of the fabrics on the bias and left out the zipper. I tried to avoid the dreaded 4" of ease by cutting a size smaller than the red version, but I still needed to take the lining in an additional inch on each side. I didn't want to touch the shell, since for the first time in my life I've managed to get the seams to line up beautifully.
Of course, that has made topstitching the shell to the lining... tricksy. I even hand-basted. And then had to unpick it because I didn't notice until after I finished that the lining's seam allowance was not cooperating. Everywhere I wanted the seams to press flat? It stuck out. When I wanted it to press upwards? It pressed flat. Gah. So this is on the to-do list. I will also add some clear elastic to the lining's waist.
I added two gussets to the lining to give it the proper shape and that seems to have mitigated the weird line at the sides.
I meant to leave both the shell and lining unhemmed, because knits, but the the lightness of the shell fabric needed a bit of weight. I used the twin needle that came with the machine, which I have only just realized that I can use to hem knits. The machine also has a special twin needle setting which I forgot to use for the first half of the hem -- I think it automagically adjusts the bobbin tension and so forth -- so it's not exactly the best hem ever. Still, skill learned. And now I want to redo my refurbished tank tops...
So not quite finished. As usual. Clearly I am doing really well with that "finish all the things" plan. I did actually finish sewing the biking flares into my eyelet dress and am merely waiting for the temperature to go up several thousand degrees to take photos. I also have re-sewn the missing buttons onto my Sylvia sweater. Progress.
On to the next challenge, which is the slightly tardy Jungle January (or the soon-to-be-tardy Furocious February), hosted by Pretty Grievances. I originally wasn't going to take part, but then I came across a particular fabric on the Mood website which changed my mind. That particular fabric was not going to be mine**, alas, but it gave me an idea. A somewhat terrifying idea. I won't say what, in case it doesn't come off, but here are a few hints***. I've been working on it in fits and starts for over a month, and it is daunting, but with luck I will actually have it finished by the end of March Break.
*Hence the name: sparkly gold star on the outside, curvature of spacetime on the inside.
**Stupid international shipping charges.
***Of course, if you follow me on Twitter or read my comments on Pretty Grievances, then this whole attempt at being mysterious is rather silly.
Hey, Va va voom!! This dress is superflattering on you! That neckline is something I always suspected would be very flattering. I have a few patterns with it, now to finally sew them! I don't know very much about sewing with spandex, the closest thing I came was with my swimsuit and obviously it did not need to drape. They do sell knit lining at Fabricland, but I've felt it and it's a bit weird. Not sure if it's what you are looking for, but the price is right. And, personally, I love a tulip shaped skirt, I think it's so different and interesting, so I'd emphasize it! Loved your physics video :)
ReplyDeleteThank you. I have to admit to a bit of a cowl thing. I have... a lot of tops/dresses with this neckline (I tried to count them, but I kept having ones I forgot about). I think the spandex did come from Fabricland, but any plans for me to go to that store involve major transportation plans and I am lazy. I'm not keen on the tulip shape because I think it makes my legs look heavy. Floaty is more fun for dancing!
DeleteYou have helped me to decide then, on the neckline for my Project Runway (2145) dress. I couldn't decide, waffle, waffle, waffle, but think I will go for the cowl neck! (http://gjeometry.com/2014/03/02/you-think-youre-sooooooooo-bossy-but/)
Delete