First Dress of the Year

I'm feeling so happy with myself today.

I finished my first dress last night, or should I say this morning. I went to bed last night at about 2am, because I wanted to wear it to work today. Which I did....YAY!!!!!!. It's taken me a couple of evenings after work, but I'm just glad its finally over, and has given me my confidence back.

The last dress I made was last year in April I think. I have spent the last couple of months blaming my machine and everything else under the sun, but now I have no excuse because I got a brand new Pfaff Select 4.0. So sew, I must. I really love this new machine. Its really easy to sew with.

I started a dress earlier this year, but it was a complete disaster. I will probably do a seperate entry for that big time failure.

So about this dress: All the pictures were taken with my phone. I don't have a camera at this point because I dropped it while riding a Camel in Tunisia last year on my honeymoon. The pictures look quite dodgy ..lol...

Materials

Turqouise crepe fabric from Goldhawk road. I can't remember the name of the shop. I found the fabric in their remnant basket, and bought two pieces of 1.5m each for £2.50. So the fabric cost me £5.00.

I also bought 1.5m of turqouise acetate lining at £2.50. I thought this was expensive, but what do I know? Will have to try and source out cheaper linings. But it was easy to work with though.

I used a 16" invisible zip. BIG MISTAKE. I should have used 22" as requested on the pattern, but that was all I had at home, so I tend to squeeze myself into the dress.

The Making

This is a hybrid of two different patterns. The skirt of Vogue 8232, and the bodice of Butterick 5316.

Butterick B5316

Vogue 8232

The skirt was the easiest thing to sew. I really like the fact that it's very flared because I am the definition of  Pear Shaped, and straight or body hugging skirts and dresses are a NO- NO for me, although I do get them sometimes in bigger sizes.

The Bodice is lined, and has double darts at the front. I can't show you pictures of the lining because I took these pictures at work, and I think my manager will have an early death if I suddenly disrobe infront of him. And of course, since I am queen lazy, I won't be taking anymore pics of this dress for blogging.

I liked inserting the cap sleeve. It is really easy, and I learned how to line it for the first time.

The problems I had though, were with inserting the zipper.  I did not know how to insert a zipper in a dress that was lined. So I scratched my head for ages, but i finally came up with a solution, which I am sure will scandalise more experienced sewers. So I will not be writing about it. Lets just say its my own little secret...lol....I can however let slip that as I type these words, with the dress on yours truly, I still don't know what to do with the linning and the zipper.

Anyways, the dress was easy to sew, but for the zipper insertion. The pattern instructions said to use a regular zip i think, but i used an invisible zip. I find it easier to sew with them, so I always try to use them.


Lessons Learned

1. Never forget to mark notches in patterns
2. Always read all instructions before starting any project
3. Redo any seams that do not look nice. ( I did alot on this dress, especially with the zipper)

Overlocker Issues

Oh man, I need an overlocker.

Lasty year (April)  I managed to buy one (Brother) from ebay at a really good price, but just when I conquered my fear of threading the overlocker ( December), my mom came from Cameroon and slyly suggested she needed an overlocker. Without realising, I offered her mine. I regretted that the second I heard myself say it, but I could not even retract the sentence because my mom would never let me.

I realised my mom has become quite skilled at getting stuff from me. She knows if she ask's outright, I would say no, so now she adopts a really sad face, and complains about stuff, and me, feeling bad for her, would offer to help. Then as soon as I offer to help, she brightens up, and life goes on. I don't blame her though, I blame me, and my impulsive nature.

Which brings me to the issue of today. I impulsively gave her my last overlocker, but I don't want to get one based on an impulsive buy. So I need advice on what is out there.

Can anyone recommend a good one?

Runway pattern 2473 Simplicity

Dress with Flared or Slim Skirt Project Runway pattern 2473 Simplicity

The first item I am hoping to make this year is this flared dress. Hopefully, it will turn out okay.

New Sewing Machine

Its the start of a new year, and normally people use this time to reflect on the past year and decide on how to go about the new year....writing down resolutions, which in my case, are never followed. So this year, I have resolved not to make any specific resolutions. For the simple reason that I know I won't keep them, and I don't want to have to look at myself at the end of this year, and consider myself a failure. So, no new years resolutions for me.

What I do have going through my head though, is GRATEFULNESS. There are so many things that happened to me last year that have filled me with gratitude, first to God, and to my family and friends. The biggest event in my life last year being my wedding to a wonderful man, which came with a ready made family, as I am now a terrified step-mother to an amazingly intelligent and cute 8 year old boy. 

Last year ended with the acquisition of a new sewing machine. I did a lot of research on sewing machines. It is one of the most stressful things to do because you know what you really want, but your pockets are most often not deep enough to afford it. I really wanted a Bernina 350. But parting with £795 was so not possible, as my last  name is not Hilton, and I still have not won the lottery.

So I settled for the next best thing in my opinion, and went for a Pfaff Select 4.0. I am sooooooo in love with, its impossible to describe how I feel right now. My husband keeps looking at it and saying I have no excuse to be lazy now when it comes to sewing. Cracks me up though. I know its true. As you all know, I am so lazy, but I am determined to overcome the laziness. I can't do a review of the machine , simply because I can't be bothered to, but you can read about the machine from the Sewing Machines Direct website.

My new darling

So I hope I shall be able to sew more with this new machine. One of the amazing things about the machine, is the fact that it does stretch stitches, so I can finally sew things made of out knit fabrics.

Dibs Vs Laziness Round 1

Dibs: I am strong, I am strong, I can do this. I know I can do this. So why am I not doing it?

Laziness: Honey coz you are in love with me. I'm irresistible.

Dibs: But....no one is irresistible....I dumbed you once remember?

Laziness: when girlfriend? When?

Dibs: Months ago. When i made all those beautiful dresses. I did..i know I did...oh...

Laziness: So are you going to give me the exact time? ....what? dog got your fingers?...u know, you have to realize that what we have is the real deal. You and I. there is no one without the other. I've been with you since you were born, and I will be with you when you close those cute little lashes of yours....

Dibs: No you won't. Just watch me. Just you watch me. I'm going to sew so many things, Usain Bolt won't have anything on me.

Laziness: hah!!! That will be the day. Wake me up when you decide you want to look for a pattern ok? I'm sleepy.

Dibs: oh God. I need strength. Is there anybody out there? Help....Laziness is punching the zeal out of me...somebody....anybody.....please somebody...

Laziness: hahahhahaahhaha....u still screaming?

Dibs: so what if I am? Watch me. I'm going pattern hunting:

Laziness: break a leg honey....

Dibs: I'll break more than that...