Mostly Successful Dresses

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.

Comments

[Brenda]

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?

[bhowd]

the last dress is beautiful and beautiful on you. I think you did it!