Well, I didn't mean to take a big blog break. I kept putting off blogging because I wasn't entirely happy with the dresses I made several weeks ago, and I didn't really want to post about them. But I've since made dresses I'm happier with, so lets get through the older stuff first, OK?
I had a big photoshoot today, and now I have a lot of dresses to hang back up again.
First of all, this is Simplicity 2444, which is part of the Project Runway line.
I bought this fabric at a local festival, and it's originally from Africa. It's a lightweight woven.
I love the collar of this dress. I don't like how it fits. It's too big above my bust and across the back. This (and the next dress) convinced me that I really needed to learn how to make a full bust adjustment (or FBA). And this pattern used facings instead of lining. Now that I'm comfortable with lining dresses, I really don't like using facings.
This next dress is Simplicity 2215, which is part of the Cynthia Rowley collection.
I love the print on the fabric I used (Denise Schmidt's Flea Market Fancy), and the asymmetrical pleating was kind of fun to do. But I don't think the fit is especially flattering on me, and it's also too big above my bust. I adjusted the buttons a little to compensate, but it's still big.
I surprised myself by choosing white buttons for the dress. I had red and orange ones that would have worked, but I liked the white ones best. And then I could wear a red or an orange belt with the dress if I wanted to.
And finally, here is Chantilly in some Summerlove (by Pat Bravo) fabric.
I like the combination of fabric and pattern, but I think the color combination isn't the greatest for me to wear. Also, this dress is a little shorter than I prefer to wear my dresses, and I feel slightly uncomfortable in it. (I know it's not that short, but telling myself that doesn't really help.) If I make this pattern again I'll definitely lengthen the skirt sections.
So there are the three dresses that kept me from blogging for such a long time! I know they're not bad, but I wished they could have been a little more successful. I did learn some things, though, and I'll show you some dresses I feel better about soon.
Love all the fabrics. I wonder if you could modify the first neckline by removing the collar and working your creative magic? I also think the colors of the third dress are more flattering on you than you seem to think. I wonder if you knit a cute shrug in one of the brighter colors of the dress, if that might help?
Posted by: Brenda | June 19, 2012 at 05:18 PM
the last dress is beautiful and beautiful on you. I think you did it!
Posted by: bhowd | July 23, 2012 at 03:23 AM