Sunday, March 3, 2013

McCall's 6518 *still* in progress, but nearing finish...

So my mission for today was to finish this dress, before the sun goes down, to get some good pix, and so I can move on with my life (er, rather, back to my Sewaholic Thurlow and Renfrew muslins).  And LinB, thanks for the cheerleading!  It turns out to not be too small, yay!

So, tossing all chores to the side, I started sewing at 9am and it still isn't done.  I decided to learn the blind hem technique on my sewing machine but it is not happening for me.  And there is some handsewing to be done on the inside.  And maybe some shaping to do... But I took some pix anyway....while the light is good...

McCalls 6518 *still* in progress
The hem is pinnedfor the photos.
McCalls 6518 *still* in progress
The light was bright!
McCalls 6518 *still* in progress
And the stash was deep....

There is some funkiness going on in the back of the dress...but I'm done playing with the back. I took a 1.25 wedge out for my swayback...
McCalls 6518 *still* in progress
On Izzy..
McCalls 6518 *still* in progress
Still loving the ruffles.
Ok, the bathroom shots...
McCalls 6518 *still* in progress
I think it needs some shaping to make it cuter.
McCalls 6518 *still* in progress
I thnk this goes to show, A-line is the way to go for me. Straight sheaths do not look as good on me as the A-line...but I don't think I'll be able to breathe sitting down if I shape it, ha ha.

Oh, so  I had added 5/8 to the neckline and here's how I did it...by taking my new clover double tracing wheel out for a spin.

McCalls 6518 *still* in progress
Seeing double!
Above I am tracing the pattern onto the black lining (so I'm using white wax tracing paper) and raising the neckline by 5/8 at the same time.  It's adjustable...I could have raised it up to 1.25" in one swoop.  Pretty amazing.

The wax tracing paper is the biz.  Leslie first wrote about it on her blog, and I bought it from Richard the Thread (rolled up, must buy 9 sheets of paper, 3 of 3 colors) but you can also buy it from Fashionable Stitch (comes folded, but you can buy one sheet at a time).  There is a HUGE advantage to using the wax tracing paper, which is that the sheets are huge and the markings actually transfer, unlike the little strips of paper from Joann's.  However, you have to be careful with the wax, it is marking your fabric and while I have seen the iron remove the white dots from black fabric, I have some red markings on the right side of my turquoise fabric because I wasn't careful....

Here you can see the two lines of the neckline on the left side...the original cutting line and my new raised cutting line...
McCall's 6518 *still* in progress
So I think I will do some chores or whatever now, and go back to the blind hem-ness later tonight or next weekend....
So as the sun sets on Izzy..
As the sun sets on Izzy...
Be well and good night...

13 comments:

  1. Looking great! Those ruffles are so flattering. Instead of shaping and not breathing, what about wearing a thin belt???? Love the parting shot with Izzy at the end of her long sewing day...J

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  2. The ruffles are gorgeous!!!! They just fall so beautifully! You look really cute in the dress :o)
    I actually believe I may have some of this wax transfer paper... I have an old packet of tracing paper from an opshop and its yellow and slippery, I think I tried it but it might have been too old to show up... shall have to buy some new!!

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  3. That is gorgeous! Beautiful and very flattering on you. Love reading your blog and following along-wish I could sew garments more.

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  4. Love, love, love the ruffles!

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  5. Beautiful dress! It's definitely your style. Great job all the way around!

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  6. You are all kinds of determined!! I don't have your patience. The ruffles are fantastic!

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  7. Looking pretty good. Can't wait to see how you make the fitting changes. I just adore the ruffles.

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  8. The dress looks great on Izzy, but even better on you! I agree that this is a flattering style for you!

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  9. Oh my goodness -- it's just lovely! Yes, nipped in at the waist is a tiny adjustment that makes a big difference. (Remind me of that next time I sew a sack.) That last shot of Izzy looks like she is staring off into the sunset.

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  10. The dress looks fantastic on you. Loving the soft ruffles.

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  11. It looks great! Thank you for the tip on the tracing paper. I bought some of that useless crap from Joann but it makes no marks whatsoever on any surface.

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  12. The dress is gorgeous! Love the loose ruffles

    It's a bit hard for me to tell, but I think there is a band sewn near the waist area, right? I'm with Judith on trying a thin belt if you want more shaping. There are so many beautiful belts available today, you could !get several to change things up now and then!

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  13. I have this out and thinking of sewing it up today. I was going to omit the ruffles because I didn't like them but yours...yours are beautiful!!! They really make the dress special!

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