Dinghy Dress and So (sew??) Much More

It's been a long while since I've posted. A LOT has happened.
• went on holiday, was sick on holiday, went hiking on holiday, got hailed on while hiking. boooo.
• finished bathing suit, wore bathing suit, bathing suit did not fall off. sucess.
• tried to finish ufo pants. ufo pants are now unwearable muslin. I will show you soon because everyone needs a good laugh.
• I did not win the trip to Italy this year that I won last year, but I DID WIN tickets to Saturday Night Live yesterday. 'gasp'.

...and I sewed some stuff, and I'm planning on sewing a lot more.

When I think about all of the posts I have to write I get WAY overwhelmed, but since I've got to start somewhere, I'll show you a dress I made a couple of months ago when it was still warm enough to wear it. I call it the Dinghy dress, on account of it's charming print.

The fabric is a very light cotton denim with a faint red print consisting of nautical themed objects, such as boats, sails and rigging and words:

I got it on one of my second hand store runs in the spring. I paired it with another find:

(I'm looking at the blue one on the left)

My version: 

It does look a little like a 1940's bomb factory worker uniform, so I have to be in a quirky mood to wear it.

I used red buttons and topstitched everything in red. 

The back collar facing is also red and I serged all of the seams in red as well.

The pattern review is here.

McCall's 6570, Knomes and Long Forgotten Bathing Suits

I've been sewing quite a bit and have fallen behind on posting. Since this is a long weekend, perhaps I'll get caught up. 

First things first: a pattern review.

McCalls 6570
It's listed as a "Carefree pattern", which may have been true if I didn't find myself making things more complicated than they needed to be by trying to put my own stamp on everything only to have it backfire.

Once again this is a vintage pattern I got for $.50 at the second hand store.

Pattern Description:
Misses' Two-Piece Dress: Buttoned top A, B gathered into neckband has tie belt; top A has elbow length kimono sleeves gathered into bands; top B has extended shoulder line. Four-gore skirt has side zipper.

Pattern Sizing: 8-10-12. I made the 12

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
I changed it at the front closure, and it didn't look as narrow as the drawing, so not really.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
What I used of them, yes



What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I liked the lines of the pattern, and it was a simple design (not many pieces). The arm bands were the perfect size so they slid over my elbows and back without restricting my bicep.As with many pattern illustrations, the final garment did not look as streamlined as shown, but generally, everything on the pattern fit together and nothing was missed. I wouldn't discourage anyone from trying it.

Fabric Used:
Cotton crinkly plaid found at second hand store.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I changed the front button-down to a short button placket using a men's polo pattern I have to work out the changes. I tried lengthening it about 4 inches so I could wear it with leggings, but it ended up looking like a victorian night shirt, so I curved in the sides about an inch at the waist and cut the bottom off at the original cut line. I started to add a 2" bias band to the bottom, but it was not looking good so I just hemmed it normally. I also added fusible interfacing to the sleeve bands which the pattern didn't call for. I cut the bands on the bias, so I felt they needed some stability.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I don't know if I'll sew it again (right away anyway). I'd like to try the short sleeved version in a smaller size in a finer fabric with the buttons all the way down. I'll wait until I spot something that inspires me, otherwise, it's on to my many other patterns.

Conclusion:
This is a well drafted pattern. As with all generously flowing designs, I think you have to have more curves to pull them off ie: larger waist to boob ratio. It would probably help to have a belt on it too. I'm curious to try it in a lighter fabric with more drape, but not now, I have other things to try!

Yikes! Horrendous panty-line.










































Trying some outdoor shots since it's so nice out today...

Also showing the world how awkwardly and unflatteringly I can stand for a photograph. Super job Erin!

I'm jealous of all the bloggers out there who take action shots, so I'm going to start taking my own ridiculous action shots.

Not the best light, but if you look carefully, you may notice my little friend standing behind me.

He looks sad



Probably because he has dirt in his mouth. Or maybe he's jealous that he doesn't have a large unflattering billowy shirt of his very own.
Really, he's sad because he's been looking at the grass jungle that is our front lawn for the last two months (our mower is broken).

Just so you don't all think less of us (specifically B), he borrowed my parent's mower a few hours later and the lawn is now cut.










I've also pledged to finish some UFOs, first up, my long forgotten bathing suit copy.
Here's where it was at yesterday morning:

It has been in this state for over a year. The blue is the old and the green is the new. I love this suit. It fit perfectly. The bum was becoming see-through though, so I decided to take the plunge and try to copy it. I did some work on it yesterday and almost finished the top part, but ran out of thread, so after today's work out, I'm running over to the fabric store and picking up more so I can finish it off this long weekend.

Pattern Review: Style 3867

Back in March, I picked up a number of presents for myself at the second hand store, one of which was this pattern: Style 3867 view 2 (the striped version on the left).

It's a super simple dress that I decided to make harder for myself by lining it and adding a zipper. I ended up taking the zipper out and cutting back the sleeves on the lining, but otherwise, it ended up working out very well.

This sack like style is not what I gravitate towards. Having a straighter body type with a smaller chest generally needs some sort of waist definition, hence the skinny tie belt.







Here it is from the front:

The fabric was found on the same trip to goodwill. $6 for 3 metres. It's a bit busy to see the lines of the dress, so I'll show you the lining:

 

The pattern doesn't call for a lining, but it's easier than wearing a slip so I found this yellow poly charmeuse. I cut the lining straight from pattern minus the facings, but it was showing unevenly at the sleeves and I was contemplating taking it out all together, but decided to just cut back the sleeves and give it a narrow hem at the sleeves and at the bottom.I think the yellow is a nice surprise if it happens to peek out.

As mentioned earlier, I did put a zipper in the back but realized when it was half in that I could pull it easily over my head and I would rather not have the stiffness of the zipper giving me weird pouches in the back when it was belted. Speaking of belts, I ran out of time to find a belt, so I made a skinny tie belt. The fabric is so drapey and slippery that I needed thread loops at the sides.

One last pick before the official review. My friend and I at the cast party for The Producers:














Official Pattern Review:

Pattern Description: 

All models have gathered skirt and top stitching. Model 1 and 2 have extended shoulder line. Model 2 has "V" shaped neckline

Pattern Sizing
Three size pattern (10,12, and 14) I made a 12

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?

It's so basic that I didn't use them. I also added lining.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

It's very easy to whip together

Fabric Used:

Some sort of polyester with the weight of crepe. The lining is a poly charmeuse. Both have a great drape.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

Added lining and did a wide upper back adjustment of 3/8".

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I might sew it again. I might also use it without the skirt and just make it as a shirt. Maybe as the base of a colour blocking experiment.

Conclusion: 

This is a simple pattern. Although it isn't available anymore, I'm sure there are a few Burda sack dresses that are similar or that could be modified. It's really just a rectangle with a larger rectangle gathered and attached the bottom. 

Costumes!

In case anyone is interested, I'm posting my costumes from The Producers.  I wish I could show you all of them. For those of you who've seen the stage show or the movie. You can imagine the amount of work that goes into some of these.

I had 7 costumes and 2 wigs. Most cast members had a list that was fairly similar. 

First nighter: 

As Ulla: 

Funny story: In not one, but two performances, my microphone pack (about the size of your palm) which was clipped onto my tights, slipped off and slid down my back, settling in the bum area of my leotard for almost the entire scene and my one solo song, giving new meaning to "If You Got It, Flaunt It". Thank goodness for fringe.

Your basic infinity dress with extra circle added in the skirt and a slit up to my waist with matching dance-panties:

This costume was completely hand made (not by me thank goodness). It includes a bodysuit, wings, a cape/tail, hip belt and eagle hat. There was a lot of specially engineered elements in this one. 

This one was worn for no more than 1or 2 minutes on stage. It is also completely hand made and was repurposed from Cinderella's ball gown from a couple of years ago. I wore that dress in a preview but was not cast as Cinderella, so there's actually two of the bodices in existence, one that fits me without the super bra, and one that fit the girl who played Cinderella and incidentally me with the super bra. The skirt/belt were remade from the ball gown to fit the established "Ulla" silhouette of narrow skirt with front drape.

The rio costume I made is shown here. 

My final and favourite costume: 

Why favourite? Sequins of course. Seriously, who couldn't love black sequined booty shorts topped with a semi-transparent striped sequined top? No sarcasm here. If I could have sequins on all of my clothes, I would be a happy lady. 

I encourage any of you to sew for your local community theatre group. They need you, and it doesn't have to be a huge commitment. Sometimes, all you have to do is sew some easy aprons or a bunch of buttons. The more volunteers they have, the easier it is for everyone, and you usually get a free ticket to the show where you can sit back and say, " I made that!"

Stash Bustin' Gift Bags

In my experience with community theatre, it is tradition for cast members give each other little gifts as mementoes either on opening night or closing night (or sometimes any night of the run). Usually, it's little cards or candies or small trinkets. This year, there were four cast members in particular that I wanted to thank for lending me different items that helped me out a great deal. I figured that even if they didn't like them, they're only grocery bags–they can stash them in their car just in case their needed.

Since I had taken the week of the run off work to preserve my sanity and sleep habits, I had some time to whip up some personal thank-you's in the form of reusable grocery bags (they came in handy after the last show when everyone has a bunch of accumulated crap in the dressing room to bring home with them. 

I copied the pattern off a bag that I got as a promo item. It features a clever little design feature in the form of a corner drawstring pocket that the entire bag can be stuffed into and then cinched up (kind-of looks like a little strawberry to me). 

All fabric I had in my stash, I just had to purchase a couple of packages of seam binding for two of the bags as well as elastic and toggles for the drawstrings. 

The orange and purple snakeskin print was my first try and test bag–which I kept–mostly because of the slightly shoddy binding application, and the fact that it's my favourite fabric in my stash. I made a dress out of it a couple of years ago that wasn't completely successful so I'm happy to have it appear in my every day life now. 

I learned from my mock up that the main bag material must be light-weight. the corner piece can be a heavier fabric, and there's more than one way to apply the binding. In the end, by being careful, I could sew it on in one pass as opposed to sewing it on once, folding it and then stitching in the ditch. It saved a LOT of time.

To be honest, these bags didn't really put a huge dent in my stash, but it was fun to pair up fabrics and colours. 

It's a pretty straightforward pattern that I'm sure most could figure out, but if anyone is interested, I could try to figure out how to post it. Or at the very least write up a tutorial. 

Dear sewing, I miss you.

We had a ridiculously horrid rehearsal last night. To be honest, I'm finding it hard to be excited about our first full dress rehearsal tonight.

I didn't have my wig on yesterday and I was already sweating buckets. One girl in the chorus was drunk and fell down the last couple of stairs in her 4" platform heels (don't worry, I think being drunk kept her relaxed so she wasn't hurt). I thought I had a quick change and raced to get into what I thought was my next costume holding up the scene by 4 minutes when really, all I had to do was put a coat on over what I was already wearing. These were the most memorable mishaps of the evening, but believe me when I say that there were many many many more. Many.

I know I'm supposed to be having fun, and I'm sure I will. I'm hoping that tonight's rehearsal will surprise me and things will start falling into place a little more.

As for sewing. I took the week of the run off work, so I will have all of my days free to finish up some UFO's, and hopefully start something new. In the past, I've made a dress for the cast party, but I think this year, I might get another wear out of the red vogue I've already worn to a couple of weddings. It's a great dress, and I won't get a lot of opportunities to wear it again this summer.

UFO's I need to get finished:
1. Navy and white 80's dress. I'm at the stage where I'm attaching the lining to the zipper and hemming it, but after a try-on, even though it's a woven, I don't need the zip, and the lining shows at the sleeves, so I'm going to cut it out, go with facings and wear a slip. I'm also going to make a little tie belt for it, and hopefully find a bright red, orange or yellow skinny belt to wear with it in the future.

2. Bikini remake: I'm copying my favourite bathing suit. I took it apart and have had it underway for a long time. I got scared I was going to fail after installing some elastic for the fourth time and was easily lured away by other projects. I'm going to adopt a new fearless attitude and try to get more of it done. There's a lot of new skills to learn on this one.

3. I started a pair of pants. After the first try-on of said pants, there were issues with fitting in the waist. I think I can make them work. We'll see if I have the patience.


New projects:

1. Vintage shirtdress. I have the pattern. I have the fabric. I'd love to have the time to do a post about them. Stay tuned.

2. Summer tops.

3. Summer shorts

Hopefully in the next week, I can report on some progress with my ufo's.

What I've been up to: (some sewing required)

I've been busy. Really busy. Like... rehearsals every day busy (thus no posts or sewing really)
My husband and I both got leads in our community musical theatre group's production of The Producers. He's Franz (the Will Farrell character in the movie), and I'm Ulla. I usually sew for the shows we are in, and because of the demands on my time, my costume mistress usually doesn't give me too much to do.

This year, I was assigned this dress:

I've made it before for another review show a couple of years ago so I'm familiar with the pattern. I wish I could tell you what it was, but I gave it back to her a while back and it's out of print anyway. I had to make no less than three muslins of the bodice (I'm wearing one of those bras that bumps you up at least two sizes) and I'm not used to sewing for that much boobage.

It's hard to see because of the patterned fabric, but this dress features a front drape that's faced and a couple of pleated scarf-like pieces that are sewn into the bodice side seams that you can wrap around yourself in a number of different ways.

Even after three muslins, I had to take it in on the bodice sides from 1/2" each side at the armpits to 1/4" at the waist and I eased the difference into the waist seam at the sides. The skirt portion is a size 10 graded to a 12 at the waist. Since the bottom half fit so well, I used this pattern to make a little skirt (without the drape) that may make an appearance in future postings.

Looking at this picture as I am writing this, I feel like something should be said about that wig: It's hot.

I have several other costumes that I will try to get pics of to show you, only because they are hilarious. If you are familiar with The Producers, you might know what I am talking about. I've got a few little fixes to do on a couple of other costumes (including some fringe on my white leotard that looks as though it was applied while thoroughly hammered). 

I also got eyelash extensions yesterday. Our makeup lady is training in their application so I got a free set. They stay on for 3-4 weeks, and I suck at putting on false eyelashes so it will save me a lot of time. For those of you who are interested, application costs somewhere in the range of $120-150, and you can't get them wet for 2 days after you get them.

The show runs for 10 days, and we have just under two weeks of rehearsals left. Every day that thought becomes less terrifying as we pull it all together.

Breaking a leg!!