And what do you know but today when I got the dress far enough along to "try it on" - with only the shoulder seams attached - that I noticed a big problem in the pattern's drafting. The straps sit on the ends of the shoulders!!! If you look closely at the dress on the envelope, you can just see the strap on her left shoulder is waving way away from her upper chest because it has been moved to the top of her shoulder. The right strap - that would have given a very clear indication of any glaring issues - is completely covered by a huge fabric flower!!! Now I realize had I done a muslin I would have figured this out and not ruined my fabric. However, this still really irritates me! I feel like I've been lied to and mislead into thinking this was a well fitting dress. You might sometimes expect this from envelopes that only feature drawings of the garments, but not ones with actual photographs!
I'm feeling a little meh about sewing at the moment.***Edited to add:***
The straps sit on the downward curve of the shoulder where it becomes the arm. So it would be practically slipping off. And I don't have narrow shoulders either. I did buy some extra fabric for this to match the plaids, so I can cut another bodice top. I'll probably do that after I've thought about it for awhile. I'm just annoyed about them covering up the true nature of the dress with that dang flower!
Cut off the straps completely, as if you were making a sleeveless dress, then add spaghetti straps closer in? Perhaps you could wear it kind of like a jumper over a white blouse? It seems a shame to waste such pretty fabric. There's got to be some way it can be salvaged.
ReplyDeleteCut off the straps and do spaghetti straps like Texas belle said and maybe you could wear a little jacket or bolero over it?
ReplyDeleteOh no! That is really frustration!! It is really cute fabric. I hope you can find a wearable option. I like Trudy's idea. It would be cute strapless.
ReplyDeleteWhat a bummer! I was really looking forward to seeing this dress as I've had my eye on it for awhile. I agree that it would be nice if you could salvage it, but if you can't (or don't want to) I hope you find some sewing inspiration again soon!
ReplyDeleteI guess I don't understand the huge problem? Is it that you have narrow shoulders so this will fall off your shoulder? Or, you really didn't want that type of dress? Sorry, I guess I should fall along more closely. The fabric is freaking to-die-for so I hope you can salvage it.
ReplyDeleteUh, or "follow" along more closely. Sorry. It's only 6am. I should be sewing, not typing.
ReplyDeleteCut off the straps and wear it strapless over a top. That would be so cute!!!I know how you feel about feeling meh about sewing. I get that feeling when I have put so much into a project and it doesn't turn out. It is times like that when I think about quitting and just saving my money and buying stuff. However, somehow I manage to just keep on sewing.
ReplyDeleteI have faith in you that you will work it out. Go have some chocolate. Everything always seems better with chocolate! Good luck.
ReplyDeleteDon't let this one defeat you - that fabric is really lovely and definitely worth saving. Very often the near disasters turn out to be real successes.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry Amanda....the spaghetti strap idea might work, but that may not be the style you really want. I agree that the photo is very deceptive...with the hair covering one strap and the flower covering the other!!
ReplyDeleteThe back of the dress doesn't seem to have the bias band like the front. Is that band just sewn on over the front of the dress, or is the upper bodice cut seperately? Do you have enough fabric to cut a whole new front and back panel? The front and back bodice could be cut seperately from the lower part of the dress if you continue the bias band all the way around to the back. Then you would only need to cut the front and back upper bodice pieces again. Do you think this could work?
I wish you had a dress form because you could pin the pattern pieces together and try it on the dress form before cutting it out. This would help to eliminate some of these problems.
The fabric looks like it is exactly the same as the model on the pattern envelope...very pretty.
How annoying, I'm sure you will find a solution though and at least you have extra fabric. I assume you don't want to stick a big flower on your shoulder??
ReplyDeletebummer!
ReplyDeleteAaarrgggg! Today, I was ready to cut a vest. In the back of my mind, I'm thinking..."make a muslin, make a muslin." And boy am I ever glad I did! I think those few minutes of putting that muslin together saved me lots of grief...and gave me enough extra fabric to be able to cut a skirt!
ReplyDeleteWell poo. I hope you can save it! Definitely set it aside for a few days until you have the "energy" to recut the bodice.
ReplyDeleteHow're you enjoying BSG?? Isn't it AWESOME?!! Sigh. I miss it so much.
You don't want to get a huge, hideous flower? :-)
ReplyDeleteIf I were you, I would cut off the straps and make it straight across the top, then add some wide bias straps.
The best thing to do really is to set it aside and think about making this a design element.
You were on such a roll, don't let this discourage you.
You have to save it...the fabric is just too gorgeous. My first thought (before reading the comments) is to put different straps on it. I would go for thicker straps rather than spagetti ones. Maybe even in only one of the plaid colours. I think if you play around with it you will come up with something equally gorgeous, but just not what you originally planned. Good luck :)
ReplyDeleteIt is so frustrating to have something not turn out how you envision. Keep working on it (of course give yourself a couple of days to like the dress again) and you will come up with a great solution.
ReplyDeleteGirrlll, I don't make muslins either and it can bite us in the backside when it comes to the "perfect fabric". I know you are the queen of fixing things up, so in the words of Tim Gunn "Make it Work!". lol
ReplyDeleteHope you can save it. I love the fabric!! Where did you get it??
ReplyDeleteJulie
I can see why you're annoyed. I also note that the position of the models arms is keeping her straps from falling off. I've come across a couple of these issues with McCalls where, on first glance, the garment looks fine, but once you construct it and then look back at the model, you can see how they compensated for the problems with the models stance. I always feel lied to when they do this.
ReplyDeleteYou did such a great job matching up the plaid that I really hope you can save it. Good luck m'dear!
ReplyDeleteWhere did you get that plaid from? it is lovely!
ReplyDeleteI've been looking for the fabric that you have, which looks JUST LIKE the pattern cover. Where did you find it?
ReplyDeleteI have this pattern and I am anxious to make it. Did you ever recover it? If so, what did you do? Where did you find your fabric?
ReplyDelete