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Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Hot Patterns Summer Breeze Sew Along on Sew News

The new post for the Hot Patterns Summer Breeze sew along is up on the Sew News blog. For the sew alongs, I'm trying to add a little more to the written post, and give as much information and inspiration as I can without going on forever and ever!! 
For a little something different, I decided to lengthen the top and make a dress. A comment was made about the sheerness of my fabric and needing a lining. First of all, I would not line this dress or top. Once you take a look at the post, you will see how much fabric gets gathered into a rather small space. I think a lining would add a lot of extra bulk and take away from the desired look. So, what to do?? I am a huge slip fan. In fact, I have a number of vintage slips in my wardrobe. They are wonderful under a knit dress, or a dress such as this one. They give me the privacy that I want and keep knit fabrics from sticking to my body. I also like the little element of surprise that I sometimes enjoy adding, like for instance, wearing a red slip under a black dress. Not that it really shows, but I enjoy it nonetheless.  
I was especially happy about getting the black circles to at least look like they match near the neckline. Matching all the patterns was an impossibility, at least for me :)
The gathered waist is a little tricky to do. When I first started working on the top that I made for the magazine, I looked at the instructions...didn't get it. Looked at them again...still didn't get it and then finally after looking at the instructions and putting them down and thinking about it for a few days, I finally figured it out. I hope that between the video and my instructions that I'll be able to make it as clear as possible. But then, maybe my not getting it was just me ;)
You can find my post and this week's video here, http://www.sewnews.com/blogs/sewing/2014/07/07/summer-breeze-sew-along-week-3-ties-pleats-gathering-notches/
If you have any questions, you are welcome to leave a comment here on this post, on the Sew News post, or the Flickr page,  https://www.flickr.com/groups/sn_sewalong_3.
Many have asked about a sleeve. There will be a special post just for a sleeve next week. We will need to adjust the armhole a bit for the sleeve, so more next week.
If you are sewing along, good luck with the gathers!!!!

13 comments:

  1. Love this one ;) Such an awesome modern print ad color combination.

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  2. Your dress is gorgeous. I love that fabric. I prefer a slip.

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  3. Very stunning, love the fabric and perfect choice! Like you and BeaJay....I too perfer a slip...something very feminine about especially vintage. I have a couple of vintage slip patterns that I need to make, however just have a hard time thinking about cutting anything vintage.

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  4. Your dress is very pretty.

    I'm glad I'm not the only one who is confused by the directions. Am I correct in assuming just the back and front (and no drape) can be used for a quick muslin check? I am normally a pin or tissue fitter but I think this needs actual fabric. I need to double check the bust and waist since I'm still not used to sewing for my "mom" figure. :-)

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    1. That's a great question Ginger. I would go ahead and sew the top piece that helps to form the drape to the front for the fitting. Without it, you won't be able to get a good idea about how the bust will fit. Another perk to doing that is that you'll be able to do a run trough with the gathers before you do it in your fashion fabric. Good luck!

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  5. Love the dress. And am impressed with the matching of the circles. Patience, patience,, patience.

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    1. I think it's more like lucky, lucky, lucky! Great to hear from you. Hope you're doing well!

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  6. Rhonda,
    This is a very pretty dress. I really like the pleating at the waist and your choice of fabric. Currently, I am not sewing along, but do think I will make this top into a dress. Is it possible for you to tell/show me how to do a FBA. You don't have to spend a lot of time on it. One picture will help. Thanks in advance for your help with this.

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  7. Stunning dress. I love dresses that have shape but are simple enough to showcase the print.

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  8. very surprising that the fabric doesn't run away with the dress. Excellent job with the pattern at the neck! Can't wait to see it finished!

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  9. This is fabulous! Gorgeous match of fabric to the pattern and I'm a slip lover as well ;)

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