DIY Dress Simplicity 8912
I think prom sewing broke the sewjo, I’m not sure LOL but I believe I’m getting it back. I’m looking through my closet and trying to identify gaps. I have a need for tops and dresses, wait, I thought I had enough of both, but I have a lot of T-shirts, I think I need more work appropriate tops. So, why didn’t I make any tops (insert triple eye roll)? I’m thinking of cropping this pattern and making a top, I’ve spent a lot of time on it so I mind as well, right? Why didn’t I make some tops tho? Dunno, I didn’t feel like it, lol.
I love maxi dresses and the few I have are knit so I wanted a woven maxi, I’d like to try a few different patterns but this one works. I broke a rule and used a large print (insert eye roll) not sure who made a rule that plus size ladies should wear smaller prints and only vertical stripes, ugh! Also, I’m a bit tired of grading up my patterns and wondering if I should be looking at more indi patterns or drafting. The size range doesn’t seem as inclusive with Big 4, I know I’m on the high end of the largest size but I guess grading is easier than drafting, or is it? A dress with inseam pockets and only four pattern pieces, it was easy.
I like the silhouette of this dress, a few things about it after making a muslin:
- I originally made this dress in shirting and it turned out to be a muslin since I had a few fit issues after my flat pattern adjustments. I made view C in a cotton/linen blend fabric and I cut size 22.
- I added 1/2″ to the side seams grading the dress up to a 24 from the waist to the hem.
- I did a full bust adjustment.
- This dress is drafted for a sleeve so I had to reshape the shoulder and armhole to make it sleeveless. I took off 1.25″ from the shoulder and reshaped the armhole.
- I lowered the armhole 1/2″ and trimmed off 1/2 front and back from the top of the armhole to just before the waist, grading to nothing at the waist.
- I did my normal round back adjustment and forward shoulder adjustment
- I slash and spread the back pattern piece 2″ grading it up, originally I spread 1 ” but needed more room so I add the additional inch to the hip.
- Lowered the neckline 5/8″.
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| High round back, thanks computers (and slouching)! |
That’s it for now, I have a few more garments to get photographed so I can blog about them but I’m now in prep mode so that’s my focus now. I’m thinking I will take some pants, a dress and a top but not sure which ones. Hubby took the pictures and made me laugh so that was a plus, we literally chased the sun around the house since it is the best light.
14 Comments
gMarie
It was great to see this dress in person! It is beautiful and suits you. I love these photos – you look fierce! g
gMarie
Also – I meant to say that I love the look of your blog! It's just as stylish as you are. 🙂
carolinelb
I completely disagree with the idea that plus sized ladies shouldn't wear large prints. The scale of the print is great on you!
Debhack1991
It came out beautiful! I say ‘break every rule it the outcome is a beautiful garment!’ I have this pattern. Thank you for the notes about the armholes. That will help when I make mine. ❤️—Deborah
CB
I think this looks great! I have to wonder what those people consider a large scale print too, because anything much smaller than that just ends up blending into a single color!
MadebyLaQuana
Thanks and I agree just one big blur.
Robin
Love that caftan/dress. My kind of summer look. Drafting is my way to go. By the time you buy a pattern, do all the adjustments, it's easier t draft, especially the simpler styles. Drafting is not as difficult as some may think. I think Nigerian custom drafting is easiest.
MadebyLaQuana
I agree, that custom is easier and better but not widely taught. It's the style lines I struggle with and construction for self drafted. But it's a learning experience.
Abbeydabbles
You look great! Dressing rules are stupid btw…
MadebyLaQuana
Thanks! very stupid!
Eileensews
Very pretty!
MadebyLaQuana
Thank you!
sburt
Love this dress. OMG, I have to make me one
MadebyLaQuana
Thank you!