Obligatory twirling shot
Thank you for all your birthday wishes and kind words about my Batgirl birthday outfit!! I had a blast that day at the gym (I actually did keep the cape on for the whole class, as I liked how it looked swishing around and sort of gave the effect of a fan!)
Side
Back
I have been enjoying wearing my first version of Vogue 8944, so I thought I'd make it again last weekend. Since it was already traced, I was somehow able to cut and sew this dress in about 6 hours, which is somewhat of a record for me for a dress like this.
Interior shot of the binding
About 3 hours on Halloween (yes, I sewed while dressed as Batgirl!) and 3 hours on Sunday and I was ready to wear it on Monday.
Interior shot of the binding and the serging
Armhole closeup
Interior shot of blind hem
My current method is to baste on my sewing machine, then serge it all together after fitting (since every knit has a different amount of stretch--I always baste before serging). Then I bound the armholes and neckline, and blind hemmed it.
Amongst some red fall color, with my brown Jalie shrug
This fabric is a very interesting fabric--it's black with creamy colored bits, or at least the inside is black, but it does appear brown when worn, so I paired it with a brown shrug, tights and shoes.
I'm slowly sinking into the ground in this shot...
But when I'm wearing the dress, it's like you can see the outline of my bra. The fabric is actually pretty thick, so it's not like the fabric is see-through. I have played around with this (tried different bras, tried wearing it with a full slip with different bras) and come to the conclusion that wherever the dress has to stretch (even if I drape the skirt part over my bust and stretch it), it's like the creamy undertones of the fabric are much more pronounced. And I don't like that....so I'm thinking of ways to try to remedy that....like using those special sharpie markers for fabric....hrmmmm....I will try it on a scrap of fabric first of course before I totally ruin this. But I'm up for other suggestions too!
See what I mean?
In other news, I've been on Instagram for a little over 2 months now and I really love it! I've met more "new-to-me" sewists on IG in these 2 months than I have on 5+ years of Twitter. I'm participating in #bpsewvember and have been enjoying that too. I need to add the "follow me on IG" button on my blog sidebar, but you can follow me at vacuumingthelawn, where I posted that I got a new sewing machine, met up with velosewer in NYC recently, and I'm now in Austin for a work trip (but flew out a day early so there will be a sewing component!)
As the sun sets over Austin this evening....
Be well!
Love the dress. I wish I had an idea that would help. That stretching thing is a new one to me. Have a great time in Austin and say hello to ATP for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anna Christina! I showed her your note; she says hello back!
DeleteMaybe line it in a dark tricot?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the suggestion! I tried it on with a full black slip and it still had the same problem. I think the creamy color of the fabric is what shows when the fabric is stretched.
DeleteI agree that it is likely the stretching of the fabric showing through. I have seen this happen in many of the knits in our local fabric store. Look for a colour change on the outside of the fabric whilst you are checking for recovery from stretching. Sadly I have had to pass on many fabrics because of either poor recovery or fading of the surface print when stretching. The other side of the coin is that it always is more noticeable in photographs than in real life!
DeleteLove your blog, just found it today!
You are probably "in style" with your 'bra' showing.
ReplyDeleteThrowing a big infinity scarf over the neck is my best suggestion.
A giant clunky necklace?
Hee! Thanks Kathy. I thought about wearing it with a bolero or cardi that would cover it.
DeleteNice job - I like your binding job too.
ReplyDeleteThank you MaryEllen!! I really like this method of binding.
DeleteYour dress looks great. I would do nothing as you'll find that it shows up on photos but not in real life. I had a dress years and years ago and it did this in photos (well one) but nothing showed up in the mirror. It wasn't even a knit. I'm not on instagram but I do stalk some on there... I'll add you to my list!
ReplyDeleteHi Summer Flies! I can see it in the mirror though, so it really is there in real life. Thanks for adding me to your IG list. :) IG is really a lot of fun for me.
DeleteLove, love, love your dress! I wouldn't dare touch a Sharpie though... I'd grab for a cardi or shrug first. I'm so glad that you're on IG now!
ReplyDeleteOver dye it? Don't know how that would work (?). Otherwise, great new dress1
ReplyDeleteI like kathy's suggestion and your idea. Wear the dress with an infinity scarf or a little bolero jacket.
ReplyDeleteThe shape of this dress is so flattering! Maybe some wide trim across the bust seam? Like a faux leather or something, to cover up the problem fabric completely? Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI envy your jersey sewing skills. I'm wondering if you could craft a sewn on vest out of the same fabric or something complimentary. Instagram - I love it - I'll have to check you out : )
ReplyDeleteI like Kathy's suggestion of an Infinity Scarf. What if you made the scarf out of the dress fabric - giving the illusion of a cowl neckline? Interesting dilemma!
ReplyDeleteDo you have a black nylon camisole? I have a couple and found they work quite well with shielding undergarments under questionable fabrics. The nylon makes them super slippery and easy to wear under all types of garments.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous work on the interior! Can you line the bodice somehow? I'm wondering if a black mesh would add enough opacity in the stretched areas. I do long for the day when more sheer knits go out of style...they can be such a headache.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this with all of us.
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